Archive for April, 2012

Algonquin to build firefighter memorial

The Daily Herald has an article about the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Firefighters Association preparing to create a firefighter’s memorial

The memorial would be in honor of fallen firefighters within the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District and the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Lt. Matt Berg said during a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night. The memorial would be built on a 60 foot by 60 foot area on the north end of Riverfront Park, east of Harrison Street where it meets Edward Street, and across from where the old firehouse — now demolished — was located until about eight years ago.

Two Algonquin-Lake in the Hills firefighters have died in the line of duty since the department was first formed in 1895: Edwin Benson, who died in 1967, and G.D. “Mac” McIntyre, who died in 1976, firefighter/paramedic Dan Teson said.

The association began working on the plan about four years ago, when the original idea was to build a 9-foot bronze statue that would have cost $50,000. “That was our initial plan, but that changed with the economic climate,” Teson said.

The complete article can be found HERE.

thanks Dennis

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The color of fire trucks (part 4)

The next installment in this series about Chicago area fire trucks looks into departments in MABAS Division 3 that over the years have changed over to red fire apparatus. Also highlighted is a department that was always red but at one time had an engine that was a different color.

Deerfield had two Ward LaFrance P80 series engines with the Ambassador cab. Engine 720 was delivered in 1973 with a 1,250-GPM pump and Engine 712 came in 1977. Engine 720 carried 750 gallons of water , Engine 712 carried 1,000 gallons, and both were painted white over lime green.

Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department 1977 Ward LaFrance Ambassador engine

Deerfield Engine 712 was a 1977 Ward LaFrance P80 with an Ambassador cab. It had a 1,500-GPM pump with 1,000 gallons of water. Larry Shapiro collection

The Glenbrook Fire Protection District (formerly the Glenview Rural Fire Protection District) merged with the Glenview Fire Department in 1992. The original Glenview Rural trucks were red, then sometime after the district name changed  the Glenbrook apparatus was transitioned to yellow. Subsequent purchases arrived yellow. The department had three American LaFrance Pioneer Series engines, one of which was a newer Pioneer II model. They also had a small squad and a 1968 Ford/Snorkel. The red 75-foot Snorkel was refurbished in 1986 and came back yellow from Pierce with a new four-door Arrow cab. Later they purchased a newer squad from Hackney and two Pierce Arrow engines.

Glenbrook Fire Protection District Engine 144 1976 American LaFrance Pioneer

Glenbrook Engine 144 was a 1976 Pioneer Series from American LaFrance with 750 gallons of water and a 1,250-GPM pump. Larry Shapiro collection

Glenview apparatus has always been red. In 1975, they purchased a pumper-squad from Seagrave with a 300-gallon water tank. Squad 8 came white over lime green. This unit was later repainted red but retained the white roof.

Glenview Fire Department 1975 Seagrave PB series pumper squad

Glenview had this one unit that was not painted red. Pumper-Squad 8 was a 1975 Seagrave P-Series with 300 gallons of water and a 1,500-GPM pump. Larry Shapiro collection

For many years, Northbrook painted their units yellow, having previously been red. They had three engines, a Sutphen tower ladder, two squad units, and utility vehicles that were yellow. They also had a matching yellow stripe on their modular ambulances. The apparatus changed to white over red in 1996 when they received two engines, a squad, and a ladder from Pierce.

Northbrook Fire Department Engine 58 1975 American LaFrance Pacemaker

Northbrook Engine 58 was a 1975 American LaFrance Pacemaker Series engine with 500 gallons of water and a 1,000-GPM pump. The Pacemaker was a conventional custom fire cab by TCM instead of an American LaFrance custom Century or Pioneer cab. Larry Shapiro collection

The Park Ridge Fire Department ran with white over lime green apparatus for many years. Including this conventional Pirsch engine, they had a Mack CF/Pirsch mid-mount ladder, a custom cab-over Pirsch engine, and two Seagrave WB Series low profile engines that were painted to match. They also had stripes on their modular ambulances that matched the apparatus. All but the mid-mount ladder were later repainted red.

Park Ridge 1958 conventional Pirsch fire engine

Park Ridge Engine 44 shown here at a fire scene, was a 1958 conventional cab Pirsch with 500 gallons of water and a 1,000-GPM pump. Steve Redick collection

To see the earlier posts in this series, enter the word color into the search field.

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Vintage CFD Fire Photos

More from the collection of Bill Friedrich.

Chicago Fire Department historic fire photo 1959 2-11 alarm fire

Chicago Fire Department historic fire photo 1965 3-11 alarm fire SS3 Snorkel Squad 3

For those who wish to view all of the vintage fire photos that have been posted, simply type the word vintage into the search field.

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East Chicago Indiana Privatizes EMS

An article posted at East Chicago Community.com states that:

A contract approved late Friday will transfer responsibility for city emergency medical services to a private vendor in just two weeks.

The Board of Public Works accepted a proposal from Prompt Ambulance Services of Highland to take over Fire Department EMS duties as of midnight May 4.

Mayor Anthony Copeland first broached the idea of privatizing ambulance services in February to reduce by $1.2 million this year’s projected city budget deficit of $3.7 million.

Proposals from Prompt and two other medical transportation firms were opened last month, and a committee has spent the past two weeks evaluating them, said Valeriano Gomez, Copeland’s chief of staff and president of the works board.

Though the works board approved a five-year contract with Prompt, the relationship is set for a one-year review by the safety board, and can be terminated by the city at any time, Morgan said.

Prompt also agreed to hire all 14 of the city’s emergency medical technicians and paramedics at comparable salaries, and with longevity pay based on their years on the job.

One medic who likely won’t be joining Prompt is Robert Parks Jr., president of the East Chicago Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana Local 4351.

“We haven’t heard anything from Prompt,” Parks said Friday. “We know they won’t be able to handle it, and they know they won’t be able to handle it, so it’s just a matter of time until we get called back.”

East Chicago’s two ambulances responded to 5,211 calls in 2011, and fees totaling $699,991 were collected from Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies and transported individuals — roughly half the money actually billed for the services, because city ordinance prohibits collection efforts against those who refuse to pay.

The complete article can be found HERE.

thanks Dennis

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3rd Alarm Fire in Elburn 4-23-12

The Kane County Chronicle has an article about a barn fire this morning in Elburn.

Firefighters from multiple departments were battling a barn fire this morning on Route 47, north of Elburn.

Witnesses said two barns were destroyed and that firefighters were fighting to save a third structure at 6N511 Route 47, and that there were no injuries. Route 47 was closed north of Route 64.

The complete article is HERE.

John Tulipano submitted a few images from the scene.

Barn fire on Route 47 in Elburn IL 4-23-12

St. Charles Fire Department Pierce truck

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MABAS Division 2 TRT

Scroll down for an update:

Scott Peterson sent images of the MABAS Division 2 TRT unit. The only data we know is that it was built by KME.

MABAS Division 2 Trench Rescue Team squad

MABAS Division 2 Trench Rescue Team squad

We would welcome the specs, previous owning department, and current station assignment to accompany these images.

7:30PM April 23, 2012

Several readers have submitted comments that inform us that the unit is stationed in Elgin.

Bill Friedrich tells us that the unit is:

MABAS DIVISION 2 @ ELGIN, runs out of Elgin Station 1. It is a 2003 KME Renegade, GSO 5304

MABAS Division 2 Technical Rescue Team Squad 2003 KME Renegade

2003 KME Renegade TRT Squad for Division 2 which is quartered at Elgin Station 1. Bill Friedrich photo

MABAS Division 2 Technical Rescue Team Squad 2003 KME Renegade

The officer's side of the Division 2 TRT Squad. Bill Friedrich photo

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Huntley FD apparatus

Scott Peterson submitted several images of apparatus from the Huntley Fire Protection District. Huntley  is not yet on the site.

 Unique item on the new Ferrera engine (Engine 944), the Huntley name lights up on the front grill. The other Ferrera units in the area say the brand name.  Also, check out the  roll-up door for the rear hose bed to provide the now required NFPA containment system for hose. Most manufacturers have been using the cargo style netting.

Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus
Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Trucks Apparatus

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Car into building in Cicero

This from Josh Boyajian:

This morning around 5:30, the Cicero Fire Department had a report of a car into a building at 3545 S 56th Court. Upon arrival the call was upgraded to a pin-in response which brought the 2 trucks, another engine, and 3 ambulances. Two people were seriously hurt. Tower Ladder 1 and Engine 3 were on the extrication tools while Truck 2 was assisting the medics with the victims. Here are some pictures I took.
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12
Car into the house in Cicero IL 4-22-12

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Local apparatus at FDIC 2012

There were four area units on display this year in the FDIC Exhibits. New engines for Carol Stream, Fermilab, and Northlake were shown in separate booths and the MABAS 10 MVU was also in the exhibit hall.

Carol Stream Fire District Alexis Engine 29

A new engine for Carol Stream was shown in the Alexis booth. Larry Shapiro photo

Carol Stream Fire District Alexis Engine 29

Looking strikingly similar to a CFD engine, Carol Stream Engine 29 is on a Spartan chassis. Larry Shapiro photo

Fermilab Fire Department Engine 702 Spartan UST US Tank

Fermilab Engine 702 was in the UST Fire Apparatus booth (formerly US Tank, previously US Tanker). Larry Shapiro photo

Fermilab Fire Department engine 702 UST

A view of the rear chevron on Engine 702. Larry Shapiro photo

Fermilab Fire Department Engine 702 Spartan UST US Tank

The officer's side of Fermilab Engine 702 with painted roll-up doors. Larry Shapiro Photo

Northlake Fire Department Marion Spartan Engine 806

In the Marion booth a new engine for Northlake on a Spartan Metro Star chassis with the Evolution Series trim was on display. Larry Shapiro photo

Northlake Fire Department Marion Spartan Engine 806

The driver's side of Northlake Engine 806. Larry Shapiro photo

MABAS Division 10 MVU Mobile Ventilation Unit

The MABAS Division 10 MVU Mobile Ventilation Unit, housed in Lyons was also on display at the show. Larry Shapiro photo

FDIC 2012 Lukas Oil Dome Convention Center Exhibit Hall

The exhibits were in two separate building; the convention center and the sports arena. All but a select few fire apparatus manufacturers moved into the convention center as seen in this image of the sports arena. Larry Shapiro photo

FDIC 2011 Lukas Oil Dome Convention Center Exhibit Hall

This image of the sports arena from FDIC 2011 shows more fire apparatus in this venue. Larry Shapiro photo

FDIC 2010 Lukas Oil Dome Convention Center Exhibit Hall

In 2010, construction on the new convention center had not been completed, and there were many more fire trucks on display in the sports arena. Larry Shapiro photo

 

A bit of “retro” in the Pierce booth.

Most have probably seen the newest Pierce cab and chassis that was unveiled last year – the Dash CF. It featured a grille that matched the Velocity, the Impel, and the Arrow XT.

Pierce Dash CF at FDIC 2012

The Pierce Dash CF with a grille that matches the Velocity, Impel, and the Arrow XT. Larry Shapiro photo

As it turns out, the engine sits in the back of the cab and the grille is for aesthetics only. This year, Pierce displayed a 105′ rear-mount, PUC, quint on the Dash CF chassis without a grille. If one looks beyond the one-piece windshield and the cab-tilt cutouts, the unit has the appearance of an early Pierce Arrow or a Javelin.

Pierce Dash CF aerial at FDIC 2012

A 105' aerial mounted on a Dash CF chassis without the grille. The cab face has the appearance of an early Pierce Arrow and the short lived Javelin. Larry Shapiro phoo

 

 

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Chicago Firefighter Receives Award at FDIC

Chicago Firefighter Larry McCormack received the Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award Thursday at the FDIC in Indianapolis.

From Fire Engineering:

 Saving a fellow firefighter from a well-involved attic fire at great risk to personal safety earned Chicago Firefighter Larry McCormack the 2012 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award and a $35,000 check, presented Tuesday morning at the Fire Department Instructors Conference.

McCormack, who is a 16-year veteran of the fire service, responded to a structure fire on Aug. 25, 2011 and was assisting in a search of the two-story residential building.

An order to evacuate was given due to deteriorating fire conditions. During the evacuation, a firefighter left the protection of a hose line and became disorientated. He then lost his helmet and the netting on his SCBA mask melted and the mask became dislodged.

McCormack decided to go back upstairs and look for his brother firefighter, and succeeded in doing so by keying in on his activated PASS device.

The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award is given to remember the life and career achievements of  FDNY Deputy Chief Ray Downey who died while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Deputy Downey was a 39-year veteran of FDNY and the most highly decorated firefighter in the department’s history. Coincidentally, McCormack was also a member of the FDNY between 2004 and 2006 before joining the Chicago Fire Department in 2007.

See the complete article HERE.

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