Archive for November, 2012

CFD switches to digital radios … last analog fire

Nov 18

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department History, Fire Service News, Reader submission | 3 Comments

This from Eric Haak:

At 0656 hrs Sunday morning, Engine 62 pulled up in front of the vacant 2-story ordinary at 10901 S. Michigan in Chicago and reported the last working fire to be communicated over the old analog radio system. It took less than 10 minutes to knock it out as Engine 62 led a line through the front door to the first floor. Engine 93 took the hydrant at the corner of 109th and Edbrooke Avenue and led out to the basement. Truck 42 was RIT.

Chicago apartment fire 10901 S. Michigan Avenue

Eric Haak photo

Chicago apartment fire 10901 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago Truck 42

Eric Haak photo

Tags: apartment fire in Chicago, CFD digital radio system, CFD switching from analog to digital, Chicago Engine 62, Chicago Fire Department switches to digital radios, Chicago switches to digital radios, Chicago Truck 42, Eric Haak, historic change in Chicago Fire Department radio usage

New ambulances for Arlington Heights

Nov 18

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, New Delivery | 1 Comment

The Arlington Heights Fire Department has taken delivery of two new IHC 4300/Medtec ambulances. These are the first Type I ambulances in Arlington Heights.

new ambulances for Arlington Heights Fire Department

Foster Coach photo

thanks Martin

Tags: Arlington Heights Fire Department, IHC 4300 Type I ambulance, Medtec Ambulance, new ambulances for Arlington Heights Fire

New ambulance for Palatine Rural

Nov 17

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, New Delivery, Reader submission | Comments off

This from Lt Roger Fyke of the Palatine Rural FPD:

I wanted to share a couple pics of Palatine Rural’s new ambulance that is being built by Horton. We anticipate delivery within the next month.

Palatine Rural FPD new Horton ambulance on IHC Terra Star chassis. Roger Fyke photo

Palatine Rural FPD new Horton Type I ambulance on an IHC Terra Star chassis. Roger Fyke photo

Tags: Horton ambulance on Terra Star chassis, new ambulance for Palatine Rural, Palatine Rural Fire Department, Roger Fyke

Former Glen Ellyn treasurer guilty of embezzlement

Nov 17

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

The Chicago Tribune has an article about a former treasurer of the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department that has been convicted of embezzling fire department funds:

The former treasurer of the Glen Ellyn volunteer fire department was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for embezzling more than a quarter-million dollars from the department over a seven-year period.

David W. Garmoe, 56, a former volunteer firefighter, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of theft over $100,000. He was arrested in May 2011 after an investigation revealed that he had written dozens of department checks to himself and to his business, Fireground Supply in West Chicago.

The department noticed the discrepancy in February 2011 and alerted the police department, which conducted an investigation. Garmoe was placed on leave and arrested three months later.

The complete article is HERE.

thanks Chris

Tags: David W. Garmoe convicted of felony for embezzling funds, former Glen Ellyn FD treasurer convicted of embezzling funds, Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department

House fire in Lake Bluff 11-16-12

Nov 16

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Reader submission | Comments off

This from Chuck Mankin:

Full still for the fire in the basement at 427 Pine Ct in Lake Bluff. Dispatched at approx 1700, units arrived with smoke showing. 1 subject transported for minor burns. Not sure on all the companies, I saw Lake Bluff, Knollwood, Libertyville, Great Lakes, Lake Forest, Mundelin and Countryside.

Chuck Mankin photo

Chuck has more photos HERE.

Tags: Chuck Mankin, house fire in Lake Bluff, Lake Bluff Fire Department

Northbrook Code 4 structure fire 11-14-12 (update)

Nov 16

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Firefighters working, Firefighting Video | Comments off

Tim Olk has posted his images from the commercial garage fire in Northbrook on Wednesday.

Larry Shapiro has posted his video from the fire. His image gallery is HERE.

Tags: commercial garage fire, fire burning through the roof, fire burns through the roof, firefighters fight fire at night, Glenview Engine 8, Glenview Fire Department, heavy fire and flames, heavy flames and fire from commercial garage, Larry Shapiro, Northbrook Fire Department, Northbrook Tower Ladder 12, Pierce Arrow XT engine pumping at fire, Pierce Velocity, Tim Olk

Chicago Firefighter Walter Patmon, Jr. Funeral Arrangements

Nov 16

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, Fire Service News, LODD | 1 Comment

According to the Chicago Tribune:

Visitation and funeral services have been set for Walter Patmon Jr., a Chicago firefighter who died on duty Sunday night of natural causes.

On Wednesday officials announced services for Patmon, with visitation set for Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

The Chicago Fire Department walk-through ceremony will be at 6 p.m.

Firefighters will assemble at 9 a.m. next Wednesday at the Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester Ave., where a wake will be held at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. funeral service.

Interment will follow at Restvale Cemetery, 11700 S. Laramie St. in Alsip, officials said.

The Tribune article is HERE.

Tags: CFD LODD, Chicago firefighter Walter Patmon Jr, Chicago LODD, funeral arrangements for CFD Firefighter Walter Patmon Jr, funeral procession, Line of Duty Death in Chicago, Walter Patmon Jr

Winnetka Box Alarm 11-15-12 (updated)

Nov 15

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Truck photos, Firefighters working | 4 Comments

The Winnetka Fire Department responded to a home in the 800 block of Bryant Avenue before 4AM and found a basement fire in a house that was being renovated. The fire burned through the first floor in several areas and traveled through the walls to the second floor. The Code 3 alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 and then to a Box Alarm at 4:30.

Tim Olk was at the scene early and submitted several images. Larry Shapiro arrived much later and submitted several images as well.

Companies on the scene included engines from Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, and Evanston. Ambulances were from Winnetka and Wilmette. Trucks responded from Winnetka, Northfield, Highwood, Glenview, and Skokie. Morton Grove Squad 4 was at the scene along with chief officers from Winnetka, Wilmette, Northbrook, Northfield, and Glenview.

house fire in Winnetka at 827 Bryant Avenue 11-15-12

Fire from the basement is visible through the kitchen window as firefighters use a hand line through the window well. Tim Olk photo

The first floor is charged with smoke after firefighters are withdrawn from the interior attack. Tim Olk photo

Winnetka firefighters use a hand line from the backyard into the kitchen area of the house. Tm Olk photo

Northfield Truck 29 and Glenview Truck 14 had their aerials set in the event that the fire spread. Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview Truck 14 backed into the driveway to be able to get the ladder tip through the trees and over the top of the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

The large home had been undergoing renovation which was near completion. Larry Shapiro photo

A door has been placed over a section of the first floor that was burned through from the fire in the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Heavy damage was evident in the kitchen area directly above the area of origin. Much of the floor has burned through. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with more images is HERE and also HERE.

Tags: basement fire burns away much of the first floor, basement fire causes extensive damage to house, house being renovated destroyed by fire, house fire in Winnetka, house fire on Bryant in Winnetka, Larry Shapiro, Northfield Fire Rescue, Tim Olk, Winnetka Fire Department, Winnetka-Kenilworth Fire Department

New Alexis for Batavia

Nov 15

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Ron Wolkoff spotted updated photos on the Alexis website of the new squad for Batavia.

Alexis photo

Tags: Alexis Fire Apparatus, Alexis Fire Equipment, Batavia Fire Department

Northbrook Code 4 Structure Fire 11-14-12

Nov 14

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News, Fire Truck photos, Firefighting Video | 1 Comment

The Northbrook Fire Department received a call this evening reporting a barn fire at 2500 Pfingsten Road at the corner of Highland Road. The first unit on the scene was Glenview Engine 8 who confirmed a working fire in a commercial garage belonging to the Wilson Lawn & Landscape Company. They pulled a line and were soon joined by Northbrook Tower 12 and other Northbrook units. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 which brought trucks from Northfield and Glenview, a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods ambulance, and additional Northbrook companies.

Northbrook Fire Department structure fire 2500 Pfingsten Road Wilson Lawn & Landscaping Co

Fire vents through the roof and heavy smoke pushes out from the overhead door of the commercial garage at 2500 Pfingsten Road in unincorporated Cook County. Tim Olk photo

As the fire spread throughout the garage, companies pulled back and initiated a defensive attack which included an elevated master stream from Tower Ladder 12.