Tyler Tobolt sent images of the new ambulance assigned to Schaumburg Ambulance 53. At this time, we do not have specs for this unit including the body builder.
Schaumburg Ambulance 53 shown in quarters with a new Type I unit. Photo by Tyler Tobolt
The passenger side of the new unit shot from the rear. photo by Tyler Tobolt
Another view showing the door decal of the new ambulance photo by Tyler Tobolt
The Daily Herald has an article describing changes that the Schaumburg fire chief is proposing:
Schaumburg Fire Chief David Schumann is enacting a three-phased restructuring of the fire department’s administration that, when complete, could save the village more than $500,000 a year in salaries and benefits.
The changes are similar to those proposed last fall aimed at flattening the command hierarchy of Schaumburg’s police department, a move intended to save $300,000 annually.
While the police department’s restructuring eventually will eliminate the rank of lieutenant, the fire department now plans to drop the position of battalion chief.
The timing of the three phases are contingent upon the retirements of each of the department’s three battalion chiefs. Though the first retirement will occur in February, the other two could be anywhere from six months to many years off, Schumann said.
While battalion chiefs have historically served as the department’s shift commanders, that role would be filled by fire captains after the reorganization.
The Schaumburg Fire Department received an automatic fire alarm before 6AM on Saturday which was follow by several 9-1-1 calls reporting smoke in the building at 1234 Valley Lake Drive. Engine 54 was first on the scene and connected to the standpipe system. Firefighters found residents in the lobby area and on upper floor balconies of the 7-story building. When they made the fire floor, they encountered heavy smoke and had to locate the unit that was on fire.
The 85-year old resident of the apartment that was on fire received burns to to her chest and was transported to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates before being transferred to the burn center at Loyola University Hospital.
Two lines were deployed and companies were able to confine the fire to the unit of origin. The alarm went to a 2-11 with a special call four five additional ambulances as a precaution. Schaumburg firefighters retrieved multiple residents that took refuge on their balconies to escape the smoke.
Larry Shapiro went to the scene and submitted several images.
Schaumburg Engine 52 was the second engine on the scene and took the front driveway with Ambulance 52, Battalion 5 and Truck 52. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg firefighters bring additional equipment into the building at 1234 Valley Lake Drive. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire unit was n the rear (west side) of the building on the fourth floor. Larry Shapiro photo
Investigators examine the fire unit before firefighters complete the extensive overhaul. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters rest on a 7th floor balcony after completing a secondary search of the units. Larry Shapiro photo
Two firefighters are assigned to the command post with the incident commander. Firefighters from mutual aid companies await an assignment after arriving on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg Engine 54 with lines charging the standpipe system. Larry Shapiro photo
The building suffered a broken water pipe which began flooding parts of both the interior and exterior areas near the pump room. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg and mutual aid ambulances staged in a lot next to the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo
Mutual aid companies with trucks were Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, and Mount Prospect. Engines came from Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Palatine Rural, Buffalo Grove, Barrington, and Bloomingdale. Carol Stream was due with their two-piece squad company and ambulances on the scene were from Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Roselle, Bensenville, Wheeling, and Glenside. Chief officers responded from Arlington Heights, Palatine Rural, and Itasca.
Box alarm and 2nd alarm companies are staged on Valley Lake Drive. Larry Shapiro photo
The officer from Engine 51 returns a high-rise pack to the engine. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters from Schaumburg Truck 52 check their gear after coming out of the building. Larry Shapiro photo
The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE.
One woman who suffered second-degree burns on her chest was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates from the apartment where the fire started, Anderson said. The woman, age 85, was considered in critical condition and later transferred toLoyola University Medical Center for further treatment because of the severity of her injuries, said Schaumburg Battalion Chief John Steele.
Firefighters found heavy smoke on the fourth floor, but were able to keep the fire from spreading to the fifth floor, Anderson said. The fire started in the bedroom of to the injured woman’s apartment, and was largely confined to the apartment, but the fourth floor was damaged enough that residents in the 15 apartments there would not be able to return today, and were being helped with housing by the Red Cross, Anderson said.
Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv
Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv
Radioman911.com St. Charles Feed Recording with Schaumburg FD Dispatch/Fireground only, also in two parts:
Nov 14
Bill Friedrich informs us of the following units that are currently on order from Pierce for area departments.
Jun 12
A fire which apparently started on this rear porch travelled up the exterior of this townhouse and into the common attic. Shaun Unell photo
Schaumburg firefighters were called to a house at 620 Del Largo Drive at approximately 11:40AM last Saturday for a fire in a townhouse. Long Grove Firefighter Shaun Unell took in the fire and submitted several images from the scene. He reports that the fire apparently started on the back porch of the unit and traveled up the exterior wall where it extended into the common attic for two other units.
A firefighter pulls ceiling inside the first floor checking for extension. Shaun Unell photo
After performing overhaul, an officer stops to re-hydrate. Shaun Unell photo
Damage to the rear of the structure illustrates a quick stop by Schaumburg firefighters. Shaun Unell photo
Engine 52 was first to arrive as they were only a few blocks away when the call came in. Firefighters on the scene made a good knock down. Schaumburg went to a box alarm for change of quarters only as they were running multiple calls at the same time as the fire.
Schaumburg Engine 52, a Pierce Velocity was the first unit on the scene. Shaun Unell photo
Charring along the roof's edge shows the fire's path as it travelled the attic. Shaun Unell photo
The air temperature was around 94-degrees at the time with no respite from a hot sun. The resident was home at the time of the fire and neighbors alerted her to the fire. It looks like neighbors also tried to use a garden hose to put the fire out with no success.
Firefighters cool down in the shade after the fire was extinguished. The temperature was in the mid-90s. Shaun Unell photo
The hot day made the job for firefighters that much more difficult. Shaun Unell photo
Another view shows the fire's damage. Shaun Unell photo
Mar 27
Firefighters apply foam to the garage area to contend with fuel leaking from the car. Larry Shapiro photo
The Schaumburg Fire Department received calls of a car on fire in an attached garage around 4PM this afternoon. First arriving companies found heavy fire venting from the garage and the second floor above. The volume of fire was reminiscent of another house fire for the same shift in Schaumburg two weeks ago. The alarm was immediately upgraded from a Code 3 to a Code 4 and the first two engines were instructed to lay dual lines to the front of the house. A Box Alarm was transmitted for change of quarters companies only as Battalion 5 requested the remaining Schaumburg suppression units to the scene. The threat of extension to the exposure on the west side of the house at 233 Kingsport Drive was severe though companies were able to keep the fire from impinging on the neighbor’s house.
Schaumburg Truck 53 is deployed to give firefighters access to the burned out second floor and roof area. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg Engine 1 was in front of the house with several hand lines off including a foam line. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg Squad 55's rig was down today so the squad company ran with the spare tower ladder. Quite an unusual scene is pictured here with three Schaumburg trucks at the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
The Daily Herald has an article HERE. According to the article, the homeowner was of aware of the fire.
Annarella, who had lived in that Schaumburg house since Dec. 14, 1978, was in her kitchen when she heard someone pounding on the front door alerting her to a roaring fire inside the attached garage.
“It was Ruth and Skip Barchfeld,” she said. “They saved my life. They are the heroes.”
Annarella safely bolted from the house, but could do little to stop the flames.
Companies applied foam to the garage and car within as leaking fuel was prevalent.
Engine 51 runs with a 2008 Pierce Impel shown here on a hydrant in front of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro went to the scene and arrived after the fire was knocked down. He submitted several images and has a gallery HERE.
Damage to the house was extensive as can be seen here during the overhaul phase. Larry Shapiro photo
Mar 24
The pond on the north side of the Harper College campus where a car was found submerged. Larry Shapiro photo
The Palatine Fire Department was called shortly after noon this afternoon for a reported car in a pond on the Harper College campus. Companies arrived to find only the roof visible of a submerged car with the passenger door open. Divers entered the water and found a woman in the car. She was removed and transported to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights where she was later pronounced dead. The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE and the Daily Herald has one HERE.
A backup diver is ready to enter the water if the primary diver requires assistance while searching the pond at Harper College for additional victims. Larry Shapiro photo
Fire department divers from Palatine, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg searched the area for over an hour in the event that there were additional occupants in the car when it entered the water. Elk Grove, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Prospect divers were also on-scene in the event that more personnel were needed. After assisting the police with measurements for their investigation, divers hooked the car so that it could be winched from the water.
A Schaumburg Fire Department diver prepares to perform a secondary search into the submerged car. Larry Shapiro photo
This is from the Harper College website:
News Alert: Shortly before noon on Thursday, March 24, 2011 a car was discovered submerged in a pond next to Parking Lot 12 on the Harper College campus in Palatine, IL. Divers recovered one female occupant of the car who was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and pronounced dead.
The victim has not been identified. The investigation is being handled jointly by the Harper College Police Department, the Palatine Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Officer.
One diver walks the shore as two are submerged checking the area for additional victims. Larry Shapiro phoyo
Larry Shapiro was at the scene and submitted several images plus a video of the winch out. A large gallery of images from the scene can be found HERE.
Palatine Engine 84 supplies water to the Division 1 Decon unit. Each diver that went into the murky water was processed through the decon showers. Larry Shapiro photo
The Saturn sedan after it was winched out of the pond by Redmons Towing. Larry Shapiro photo
Mar 13
Schaumburg Engine 53 and Truck 52 are deployed in the 'A Sector' in front of 808 Holyoke Court. Larry Shapiro photo
The Schaumburg Fire Department received a call reporting a house fire around 4:30AM. The homeowner reportedly left something unattended on the stove which ignited. The fire spread quickly and one resident fleeing the house had to wake a neighbor in order to notify the fire department. Upon arrival, first units were met by heavy smoke escaping from the front door of the split level house at 808 Holyoke Court. The smoke stayed low in the cul-de-sac and enveloped the engine in front of the house. Fire involved the entire first floor as the first line was advanced and the shift commander upgraded the alarm to a MABAS Box Alarm within minutes. The rear of the house was fully involved and fire travelled to the second floor and into the attic.
An overview shows the location of the house in the cul-de-sac with limited access for apparatus. Larry Shapiro photo
Fire vents through the attic as companies work on the second floor to pull ceilings and hit the fire. A RIT stands by in the foreground. Larry Shapiro photo
Access was hampered for companies as the stairway burned through which required the deployment of almost a dozen ground ladders around the house. Companies were initially ordered to work off the ladders to pull ceiling for access to the attic fire until they were able to enter the second floor and work from inside the house. Multiple hand lines were deployed from all sides of the house.
Ground ladders were placed at all second floor windows and at opposite corners of the roof for access and egress. Larry Shapiro photo
Both occupants escaped safely but a dog perished in the fire. The temperature at the time of the fire was in the mid 20s causing water on the ground to freeze.
Larry Shapiro made it to the scene roughly 30 minutes into the alarm and submitted several photos and a video. A complete photo gallery is available HERE.
Schaumburg Engine 53, a 2000 E-ONE Hurricane was the first engine on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter from Schaumburg Engine 51 exits the house. Larry Shapiro photo
A view after the fire was knocked down shows the extent of the fire damage throughout the house. Larry Shapiro photo
Elk Grove Truck 7 was one of the mutual aid companies on the Box Alarm. Larry Shapiro photo
Mutual aid companies to the scene included trucks from Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove Village, engines from Streamwood and Hanover Park, ambulances from Elk Grove Township, Palatine Rural, and Prospects Heights, and chief officers from Itasca and Hoffman Estates.
Schaumburg responded to a fire yesterday in a third floor apartment on Valley Lake Drive . Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on arrival and initially had trouble locating the source until they discovered a mattress burning in a bedroom. The Daily Herald has an article HERE.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
