Posts Tagged South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District

Fire district and community college discuss trading an ambulance for class time

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District has an ambulance it isn’t using and is looking to sell.

The Elgin Community College’s Public Safety Training Center, now under construction near Burlington off Plank Road, would like to have an ambulance for training emergency medical technicians and others how to work in real-world conditions.

Now, the two sides are looking at whether or not the South Elgin fire district can donate the ambulance to the college. The fire district board has expressed interest in the trade but wants something for the taxpayers in return, said Fire Chief Bill Sohn.

The ambulance still has some value, Sohn said. He has gotten estimates that the ambulance is worth $5,000 to $9,000.

There have been preliminary discussions between representatives from the college, the Elgin Community College Foundation and the fire board.

A former firefighter paramedic, Dan Walter, one of the foundation board members said he remembers classes in emergency rooms and classrooms in the 1970s but rarely getting time working in an actual ambulance. The Elgin Community College paramedic program often borrows ambulances from other departments in the district but does not have one available for use.

As it is now, there is no location at the college to store an ambulance, said Carl DeCarlo, director of the fire science program at ECC. That will change when the public safety center opens.

The 18,300-square-foot academic building is set to open in spring or early summer 2016. It includes an 11,900-square-foot apparatus building, including classrooms and two bays for training on fire and police equipment, a three-story burn tower used for simulating residential and commercial fires, and other training amenities.

Sohn suggested that if the school would waive some rental time on the training tower — while still having the fire district pay the instructor — that would be a win-win for taxpayers in the fire and college district.

An area veterinarian has also shown interest in the ambulance, Sohn said.

“I would rather get it for the use at ECC,” said fire board trustee Joe Cluchey. But the fire district also needs to make sure taxpayers are getting fair market value out of the deal.

The Elgin Community College representatives said they would bring the proposal back to officials at the school.

The board also approved the 2015 tax levy of $5.7 million. The levy represents a 1.7 percent increase over the previous levy, said Steve Wascher, assistant fire chief.

thanks Dan

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South Elgin FD modifies response protocols

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District is joining other area fire departments, dropping one if its four ambulances in favor of better protection for its residents, officials said.

Since May 4, the South Elgin fire department has been working with just three of its four ambulances to see if the idea worked for the fire department, explained Fire Chief Bill Sohn. Instead, one of the department’s engines was outfitted with the same life saving equipment as an ambulance. The end result, officials said, is better coverage for residents.

Cap. Mike Rothecker explained how having three ambulances and a fire engine with much of the same equipment actually provides better coverage.

Each of South Elgin’s two fire stations — one on McDonald Road and one in downtown South Elgin — has five firefighter/paramedics on duty at any time. Two of those are assigned to the ambulance, and three to an engine. If the ambulance is out on a call, those firefighters assigned to the engine would then take out the second ambulance. The same thing could be happening at both stations — leaving no one in the station for other calls.

Under the new plan, if an ambulance is out of the building and another ambulance call comes in, one of the other station’s ambulances will respond to the call. If there are enough calls coming in at one time, South Elgin would have three ambulances in the field and a fire engine with the same capabilities. However, patients are not transported to hospitals in the engine.

Mutual aid and automatic aid agreements with Elgin, Bartlett, Fox Valley and Tri-Cities bring ambulances into South Elgin if their  own personnel are busy.

About 68 percent of their calls for service comes from ambulance calls — an amount that is fairly common in the modern fire service.

thanks Dan

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South Elgin FPD to evaluate old fire station

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

This week, the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District board moved to ask its architectural firm for a complete assessment of the fire station 1’s needs — from space for firefighting apparatus to living space for firefighters, and from heating and cooling needs to its lack of parking.

“We have not had a building survey done in a couple of years. I am recommending a new building survey so we know what is wrong and what needs to be replaced,” said Fire Chief Bill Sohn.

The last survey was done in 2010 … If the survey is completed, the board could choose to go forward with renovations or pursue other next steps for its downtown South Elgin fire station.

The village of South Elgin has shown interest in buying the property, according to information from village officials during budget hearings this spring. Village Hall needs additional parking, and the police department is short on evidence storage.

The South Elgin and Countryside Fire District’s current State Street station has a long and complicated history, Sohn said. At one point, the district was a part of the village. Then, in about 1953, the fire district split from the village.

Th architects … “are going to tell us what we really need to do to stay there. We are not sure until they tell us, what the true conditions of the building are and can give us a quote,” she said.

The fire station houses two ambulances, two engines, a ladder truck, staff car, dive van and boat, plus an ATV. There is about two feet of walking space for firefighters to fit between apparatus.

Over the years, the building has had three additions and numerous remodels. One of those additions was a second story in about 1982, to provide sleeping quarters for firemen.

Sohn said he doesn’t want to see good money go after bad. The concrete apron behind the building is crumbling, and the bay floors were built to hold firefighting apparatus that are 20 tons lighter than those they now operate.

thanks Dan

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South Elgin Fire District takes delivery of a new Rosenbauer engine

This from Zach Cox:

I took this picture Thursday night of South Elgin’s new engine

Rosenbauer American Commander fire engine

New unit for South Elgin Engine 22. 2014 Rosenbauer America Commander 1500/750. Zach Cox photo

Rosenbauer Truck #: 13737

Fire Truck Specifications:

Body: EXT Tank Cap: 750 Pump Model: CSU
Pump Mfr: Waterous Pump Cap: 1,500 Foam Cell: N/A
Engine: Cummins Engine Model: ISL9 HP: 450
Transmission: Allison 3000 EV Warning Lights: Whelen LED Generator: Harrison
Chassis: RBM Commander Pump Mount: Top Axles: Single

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New engine for South Elgin

Dennis McGuire, Jr. found this new engine for South Elgin on the Rosenbauer website:

NEW DELIVERY: SOUTH ELGIN FIRE DISTRICT

Rosenbauer fire engine

new engine for South Elgin. Rosenbauer photo

Fire Truck Specifications:

Body: EXT Tank Cap: 750 Pump Model: CSU
Pump Mfr: Waterous Pump Cap: 1,500 Foam Cell: N/A
Engine: Cummins Engine Model: ISL9 HP: 450
Transmission: Allison 3000 EV Warning Lights: Whelen LED Generator: Harrison
Chassis: RBM Commander Pump Mount: Top Axles: Single

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Fire truck photos

Steve Redick was with friends who stopped by Wirfs Industries in McHenry this week and photographed two interesting units that were in for service.

The South Elgin & Countryside FPD took delivery in 2009 of a 100′ mid-mount tower ladder by Crimson on a Spartan chassis with a Gladiator Classic cab.

South Elgin & Countryside FPD

2009 Spartan Gladiator Classic/Crimson 100′ mid-mount tower ladder for the South Elgin & Countryside FPD. Steve Redick photo

Crimson Fire law tag

Crimson law tag

Spartan chassis law tag.

Spartan chassis law tag.

Clarendon Hills FD Squad 316 is a bit different with a very short wheelbase on a Dash chassis with a stubby (otherwise known as ER) cab.

 

Clarendon Hills FD Squad 316

Clarendon Hills FD Squad 316, a 1994 Pierce Dash ER HDR. Steve Redick photo

Pierce Manufacturing law tag

Clarendon Hills law tag

 

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Lake Zurich FF ODD Danny Gonzalez

More from the:

Professional Fire Firefighters of Lake Zurich Local #3191
Lake Zurich Firefighter Danny Gonzalez

Photo courtesy Lake Zurich Fire Department

 

Danny Gonzalez July 21, 1964 – August 1, 2013

It is with tremendous sorrow that the Lake Zurich Fire/Rescue Department announces the unexpected death of 13-year veteran Firefighter/Paramedic Danny Gonzalez. Danny began his career with Lake Zurich in August 2000. During his time with us:

  • He was actively involved in the department’s Training and Safety committee where he put his knowledge to use teaching both veteran and rookie members in the arts of fire science and technical rescue.
  • He successfully challenged the latest lieutenant promotional exam and was an acting officer when needed.
  • He was a past President of IAFF Local 3191.

In addition, Danny was a past member of the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District where he began his fire services career, and a member of the Kane County Sheriff’s Police Correctional Division.

Danny also served in the United States Marine Corps and was involved with the local Marine Corps veteran’s group.

Service arrangements for Danny are as follows:

Wake Tuesday August 6, 2013

1500 – 2100

Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Home

51 Center Street

Elgin, IL 60120

Fire Department Line-up and Walk Thru

1830 Line-up

1900 Walk Thru

Funeral Services Wednesday August 7, 2013

Saint Laurence Catholic Church

572 Standish Street

Elgin, IL 60120

Visitation starting at 0915

Followed by a Funeral Mass at 1000

Interment is at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

20953 W. Hoff Road

Elwood, IL 60421

No formal procession is anticipated.

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