Archive for September 17th, 2012

New units coming to area departments

The following departments have new units on order:

  • Niles ordered a Pierce Dash CF engine
  • Evanston ordered a Pierce Arrow XT engine
  • Lemont is awaiting delivery of a Ford/Medtec Type I ambulance
  • Argonne Labs is awaiting delivery of a Ford/Wheeled Coach Type I ambulance

Chris R wants readers to know that the show EMERGENCY is on tv at  4:00 pm on METV channel 60.

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Chicago Engine 77 – some partial history (part 7)

Not to be outdone … this next series is from Dave Weaver who adds:

Well heck, I figured if you’ve gone this far down Engine 77 memory lane I would also share the photos that I took on their last day…
  • Thunderbolt Siren box
  • bathroom
  • Company helmet shield
  • Local 2 patch
  • unit on special duty
Chicago Fire Department Engine 77's last day in service

Dave Weaver photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 77's last day in service

Dave Weaver photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 77's last day in service

Dave Weaver photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 77's last day in service

Dave Weaver photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 77's last day in service

Dave Weaver photo

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New radio system for CFD

Though many do not welcome the introduction of a new radio system for the CFD … the inevitable nears:

 In the next few weeks, the Chicago Fire Department expects to begin using a state of the art communications system that’s been years in development.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports, Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago describes the new system as the Cadillac of radios. He says the new $20 million-plus system addresses many of the problems that faced the New York City Fire Department on Sept. 11, 2001.

“For the first time, we’ll be able to talk to each other. For the first time, we’ll be able to talk to the police. For the first time, we’ll be able to talk to (the Office of Emergency Management and Communication.) We can even be talking to a crossing guard,” Santiago said.

And, for the first time, every Chicago firefighter will carry a two-way radio. A federal report concluded the lack of individual radios was a factor in the deaths of two Chicago firefighters – Edward Stringer and Corey Ankum – in a blaze at a South Side Laundromat in December 2010.

The entire CBS Chicago article can be found HERE.

thanks Chris

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