Posts Tagged Riverside Fire Department

Firefighters file suit in Riverside

May 2

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 1 Comment

MySuburbanlife.com has an article about a lawsuit filed by a Riverside firefighter and several officers:

Four Riverside firefighters are asking the Cook County Circuit Court to reverse a disciplinary decision against them stemming from an incident that occurred after a firefighter Christmas party at a local bar in December last year. Firefighter A.J. Ruska, Lt. Thomas Bensfield, Lt. William Ruska and Lt. Ray Williamson are named as plaintiffs in the suit, which was filed Tuesday.

The suit alleges that the firefighters were disciplined for “not engaging in official business while consuming alcohol while off duty at a bar.” Further, the suit alleges that Lt. William Ruska was not at the bar at the time of the incident.

According to media reports, the firefighters were celebrating at the Sweet Spot, 2531 Desplaines Ave., North Riverside, on Dec. 14, 2013 when one of the firefighters named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit allegedly inappropriately touched a female patron of the bar. An altercation followed and William Ruska, Bensfield and Williamson were each give three-day suspensions on March 26 for not intervening.

According to a memo from Fire Chief Spencer Kimura included in the suit, the firefighters were suspended for failing to discipline a subordinate employee when required. A.J. Ruska received a three-day suspension April 17. He received a 21-day suspension for conduct unbecoming of a Riverside firefighter, a violation of the fire department’s code of conduct. The lawsuit alleges that the language of the village’s code of conduct is unconstitutionally vague and that Ruska received enhanced discipline because he allegedly did not disclose a license suspension in February 2013. The suit said another firefighter did not receive a similar punishment after failing to disclose a conviction for driving under the influence and license suspension.

Additionally, the suit alleges the firefighters named in the lawsuit were not afforded the right to counsel at a disciplinary hearing.

The firefighters are seeking for the disciplinary charges to be reversed, compensation for lost wages and attorney’s fees, as well as invalidation of the department’s code of conduct.

Tags: A.J. Ruska, Fire Chief Spencer Kimura, fire department's code of conduct, firefighters in Riverside file lawsuit, Ray Williamson, Riverside Fire Department, Riverside firefighters disciplined for conduct, Thomas Bensfield, William Ruska

Full Still Alarm Fire in Riverside, 2-22-14

Feb 23

Posted by Admin in Fire, Fire Scene photos | 2 Comments

This from Eric Haak:

At 1715 hrs Saturday afternoon, the Riverside Fire Department had a working fire in an apartment building at 2916 S. Harlem. Companies arrived to fire blowing out the first floor windows of a two-unit apartment. The fire was contained to the first floor unit and was quickly brought under control.

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Tags: apartment building fire in Riverside IL, Eric Haak, fire trucks at winter fire scene, Lyons Fire Department, Riverside Fire Department, winter fire scene images, winter fire scene photos

Cicero 4-Alarm fire with 2 specials – 1-21-14 (pt4)

Jan 23

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Scene photos | 5 Comments

Images from Jeff Rudolph of Cicero’s 4-Alarm ( & 2 specials) fire on Tuesday, January 21.

massive warehouse fire with wall of flames

Jeff Rudolph photo

Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Broadview Fire Department, Cicero Fire Department, E-ONE Cyclone II engine, E-ONE fire engine at massive fire, E-ONE fire engine pumping at fire scene, elevated master streams work at extra alarm fire, Fire Chief Gordon J Nord Jr, firefighter silhouette on ladder, Grumman AerialCat on AMerican LaFrance chassis, Grumman AerialCat tower ladder, Jeff Rudolph, massive warehouse fire in Cicero, Riverside Fire Department, silhouette of firefighters, Stickney Fire Department

Fire apparatus photos

Sep 27

Posted by Admin in Fire Truck photos | 1 Comment

Josh Boyajian submitted several images of apparatus that he recently photographed.

Oak Lawn Battalion 1. Josh Boyajian photo

River Forest Engine 222. Josh Boyajian photo

Riverside Engine 1611. Josh Boyajian photo

Riverside Engine 1621. Josh Boyajian photo

Tags: fire engine pictures, fire engine with enclosed operator's panel, Josh Boyajian, Oak Lawn FIre Department, photo of E-ONE fire engine, photos of fire trucks, River Forest Fire Department, Riverside Fire Department, Spartan Gladiator fire engine

Riverside Box Alarm 6-20-13

Jun 21

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Firefighters working | Comments off

This from Drew Gresik:

Here are a couple of photos from Riverside’s Box Alarm at 73 Northgate Road. Fire was in the basement upon arrival, with heavy smoke pushing from the chimney. Command had Engine 1621 lead a line into the home to knock the fire while Truck 1629 had the roof for ventilation. Fire was knocked in about 20 minutes. No shots of flames at this fire, but some cool shots of the smoke patterns before crews made entry. Attached are photos of several rigs and the structure. Forest View is currently using the Darien-Woodridge reserve engine that says “Southwest United Fire Districts” since both of their rigs are out of service with water damage to the electrical systems after that record flood a month or so ago. LaGrange has re-numbered their old Pierce and still runs it on M/A calls.

Drew Gresik photo

Drew Gresik photo

Drew Gresik photo

Drew Gresik photo

Drew Gresik photo

Tags: Darien-Woodridge FPD, Drew Gresik, E-ONE fire engine pumping at fire scene, fire engine photos, fire engines at fire scene, fire truck pictures, house fire in Riverside, Lagrange Fire Department, Lemont Fire Department, Pierce Arrow fire engine, Riverside Fire Department, Summit FD fire engine at fire scene

Brookfield 2nd Alarm fire 4-18-13

Apr 19

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos | 5 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

Thrift store..over when I arrived. The area was devastated by major flooding..routing and access was very challenging for most units due to closures..Just got a few rig shots..I think there was a Bedford Park unit in the rear but I never made it around that way…

Steve

LaGrange Fire Department engine. Steve Redick photo

LaGrange Park Fire Department fire engine

LaGrange Park Fire Department engine. Steve Redick photo

Brookfield engine on a hydrant. Steve Redick photo

Brookfield engine. Steve Redick photo

Oak Lawn quint. Steve Redick photo

Pleasantview rehab unit. Steve Redick photo

Roberts Park Fire Department fire engine

Roberts Park engine. Steve Redick photo

Riverside truck. Steve Redick photo

Westmont squad. Steve Redick photo

Hinsdale engine. Steve Redick photo

Sector 1 of the building. Steve Redick photo

Firefighters overhaul inside the store. Steve Redick photo

Brookfield truck to the roof. Steve Redick photo

Brookfield truck in front of the building. Steve Redick photo

Tags: Brookfield Fire Department, fire engine photos, fire engine pictures, fire engine pumping at fire scene, Hinsdale Fire Department, Lagrange Fire Department, Lagrange Park Fire Department, Pleasantview Fire Department, Riverside Fire Department, Steve Redick, Thrift store fire in Brookfield

Riverside Full Still Alarm 8-2-12

Aug 2

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Truck photos | Comments off

This from Drew Gresik:

Today I took in Riverside’s Full Still at 340 Selborne Road. The fire was knocked by the time I got to the scene, but there were some great photo opportunities for the apparatus that were on scene. I believe there were 2, possibly 3 lines stretched, and Riverside’s Truck 1629 went to the roof.

The ambulance was formerly 1614 but now is 1624, a 2003 Ford E-450/Medtec.

Drew Gresik photo

Tags: Brookfield Engine 421, Brookfield Fire Department, Drew Gresik, house fire in Riverside IL, low profile Seagrave cab, Riverside Fire Department, Riverside Fire Department Truck 1629, Riverside fire handles house fire, Seagrave aerial

The color of fire trucks (part 10) Division 10

Jun 24

Posted by bgshap in Fire Service News, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 8 Comments

Departments in MABAS Division 10 are featured in this next installment of The Color of Fire Trucks series.

Clarendon Hills Fire Department Mack Pierce TeleSqurt

Clarendon Hills ran this 1986 50′ TeleSqurt built by Pierce on a Mack CF chassis. Engine 349 had a 1,500-GPM pump and carried 500 gallons of water. Larry Shapiro photo

The Clarendon Hills Fire Department runs with apparatus that is painted white over a bright yellow. They currently have a fleet of four units with these colors.

Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District engine

One of several E-ONE units purchased by the Darien-Woodridge FPD was this 1990 top-mount Hurricane engine with 1,000 gallons of water and a 1,500-GPM pump. It ran as Engine 371. Larry Shapiro photo

The Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District currently runs with red and white apparatus. Their newest unit is solid red, and with this purchase they will retire one of the last of their lime-green apparatus which dominated their fleet for many years.

Riverside Fire Department green fire engine

Riverside Engine 306 ran with this 1978 Ford C-8000/Seagrave. It had a 1,250-GPM pump and 750 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

The Riverside FD had this Seagrave engine and they also purchased another lime green rig. The second unit was a Chevy/E-ONE (DOT) light rescue, like the one shown below from Forest View.

Forest View Fire Department EONE small rescue

Forest View ran with one of the popular small DOT spec rescue squads like many other area departments. Squad 816 was built by E-ONE in 1980 on a GMC chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

The Forest View FD purchased this (DOT) light rescue. It was the only non-red rig in the fleet.

Hinsdale Fire Department EONE engine painted black and yellow

One of many units that has been purchased over the years for service in Hinsdale was this 1982 E-ONE Protector IV engine. Running as Engine 343, it was built on a Hendrickson chassis with an 1871-W cab, and carried 500 gallons of water with a 1,250-GPM pump. Larry Shapiro photo

Until 2008, all of the apparatus in the Hinsdale Fire Department was delivered black over yellow, and with the exception of their 2008 Spartan/Rosenbauer/Metz tower ladder, everything still maintains these colors.

Westmont Fire Department Pemfab Wedge engine by FTI

The Westmont Fire Department purchased this white and lime engine from FTI in 1978. It featured a 1,250-GPM pump with 500 gallons of water. It was built on a Pemfab chassis with their ‘wedge’ (Model 932-T) cab. Bill Friedrich photo

Westmont’s Fire Department had only this one non-red rig in the fleet.

Willow Springs Fire Department black E-ONE tower ladder

Willow Springs purchased this unusual 95′ tower ladder from E-ONE in 2001. Painted black, tower 600 had a 1,500-GPM pump with 300 gallons of water on a Cyclone chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

Willow Springs had this unique E-ONE tower ladder that was black. Reportedly, a developer was to build a large project in Willow Springs and was required to purchase an aerial unit for the fire department. The developer insisted on the tower being painted black.

Argonne national Laboratory Fire Department

The Argonne Labs Fire Department put together this brush rig with a 1975 IHC pickup. Brush 75 had a 70-GPM pump and a 250-gallon water tank. Bill Friedrich photo

Argonne Laboratory FD built their own brush truck. It was the only non-red in the fleet.

One of the many units that saw service in Western Springs when their apparatus was painted white was this 1981 Pierce Arrow engine. It was one of the early Pierce Arrow models with a chassis that was made by Oshkosh. Engine 437 had a 1,500-GPM pump with 750 gallons of water. The top-mount control station featured a hand-rail due to the large and spacious area.At this point in time, Pierce was building the cab and body. It wasn’t until later that they began to assemble the entire chassis. Larry Shapiro photo

The current Western Springs Fire Department apparatus is red and white although previously their units were all white with blue and gold trim.

Romeoville Fire Department white rescue squad

The only unit that the Romeoville Fire Department has run with that was not red was this 1979 E-ONE (DOT) light-duty rescue on a Ford F-350 chassis. Perhaps what is most unusual about this is that these were normally delivered lime green. Bill Friedrich photo

Romeoville had a white light-duty rescue by E-ONE. Most of these units were delivered lime green as per the DOT spec.

McCook Fire Department yellow Seagrave engine

This was one of two Seagrave engines that was purchased by the McCook Fire Department and was painted yellow. Engine 379, built in 1979, had 500 gallons of water with a 1,250-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich photo

Many years ago, the McCook Fire Department had red apparatus, then they switched to bright yellow for several years before the fleet was changed again to red and white.

Tags: Argonne National Laboratory Fire Department, Bill Friedrich, black and yellow fire trucks, black fire truck, Clarendon Hills Fire Department, Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District, different colors for fire trucks, EONE Hurricane, Forest View Fire Department, FTI fire engine, green fire engines, Hendrickson 1871W cab fire engine, Hinsdale Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, lime green fire trucks, MABAS Division 10, Mack CF fire engine, Mack CR TeleSqurt, McCook Fire Department, Pemfab T-932 cab, Pemfab Wedge cab, Pierce Arrow fire engine, Riverside Fire Department, Romeoville Fire Department, Seagrave fire engine, Seagrave P-Model engine, Seagrave PB model engine, slime lime fire engines, TeleSqurt, the color of fire engines, Western Springs Fire Department, Westmont Fire Department, white fire trucks, Willow Springs Fire Department, yellow fire engine

Area apparatus photos

Jun 7

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Truck photos | Comments off

Drew Gresik submitted several apparatus photos of units that are not yet on the website.

Brookfield Fire department Ambulance 414

Brookfield Ambulance 414 is a 2006 Ford E-450 Type III from LifeLine. Drew Gresik photo

Riverside Fire Department Ambulance 1614

Riverside Ambulance 1614 is a 2010 Ford E-350 Type III by Medtec. Drew Gresik photo

Riverside Engine 1621 is a 2003 E-ONE Typhoon with a 1,250-GPM pump, 1,000 gallons of water and 40 gallons of foam. Drew Gresik photo

Riverside Truck 1629 is a low profile, 2000 Seagrave (LP55DA) with a 2,000-GPM pump, 500 gallons of water, and a 100-foot rear-mounted ladder. Drew Gresik photo

North Riverside Fire Department tower ladder 806

North Riverside Tower 806 is a 1997 Pierce Dash with a 2,000-GPM pump, 200 gallons of water, and a 100-foot tower ladder. Drew Gresik photo

River Forest Engine 222 is a 2002 Spartan Gladiator/Darley with a 1,500-GPM pump, 800 gallons of water, and 30 gallons of foam. Drew Gresik photo

Tags: Brookfield Fire Department, Drew Gresik, inside pump panel, Life Line ambulance, Medtec Ambulance, North Riverside Fire Department, Pierce tower ladder, River Forest Fire Department, Riverside Fire Department, Seagrave quint, Spartan gab with interior pump panel, W.S. Darley engine

Former Riverside Fire Chief sues Village

Dec 3

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News | 1 Comment

An article HERE on mysuburbanlife.com states that:

Former Riverside Fire Chief Kevin Mulligan has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the village and Fire Capt. Matthew Buckley, who Mulligan alleges mounted a campaign to oust him beginning in 2008 on the grounds that the chief was intoxicated several times while on duty.

Mulligan, a 22-year veteran of the fire department, was named chief in 2006. He was terminated by telephone the day after the March 28 Village Board meeting.

Mulligan was replaced as chief by Spencer Kimura in August.

Tags: former Riverside fire chief sues, Kevin Mulligan, Riverside Fire Department, Spencer Kimura