Archive for January, 2013

Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 Specials 1-22-13 (pt16)

It’s the fire that just keeps giving …

This image from TIm Olk at 9PM on Monday …

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Tim Olk photo

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Earlier this evening. Tim Olk photo

 

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New CFD buggies

This from Erik Haak:

It appears three more CFD Field Chief buggies are marked and ready for service.  Josh Boyajian already reported on 4-5-2 and  4-5-5 back in December.  4-5-1, 6, and 8 were out front of the Tri-Angle Fabrication and Body Company, Inc which is on 43rd Street, just west of Packers.
Photo to Eric Haak
Chicago Fire Department SUV

Erik Haak photo

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Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 Specials 1-22-13 (pt15)

Possibly the last in a series of posts about the 5-11 Alarm fire with 2 special alarms on Tuesday, January 22nd at 3757 S. Ashland Avenue, Larry Shapiro has uploaded a somewhat lengthy video chronicling early stages of demolition. The video was created on Friday, January 25th, three days after the fire. Much of the building was encased in ice which brought onlookers and photographers from throughout the Chicago area to the scene. Many images have been posted earlier,HEREHEREHERE and HERE.

The building reportedly has two basement levels that are inaccessible due to the interior collapse of the upper floors. Fire was still burning under the debris in many parts of the collapsed building. Fire companies were at the scene each day and most nights.

 

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Mokena fire apparatus

Images from Dylan Konchan of Mokena fire apparatus.

Mokena Fire Department ambulance 6634

Dylan Konchan photo

Mokena Fire department fire engine 6631

Dylan Konchan photo

Mokena Fire Department ladder truck

Dylan Konchan photo

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IL State Legislature Discusses Costs of EMS

The Quincy Herald-Whig has an article entitled Report shows funding vital to continue emergency medical services

A report from an Illinois task force says emergency medical services funding is vital to continue providing services, especially in rural areas.

The chairmen of the House Task Force on EMS Funding, Reps. Lisa Dugan, D-Bradley, and Don Moffitt, R-Galesburg, recommended that $40 million from gaming revenues be dedicated to EMS services, including grants for equipment purchases, 911 call centers, training and the interest-free loan program administered by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal to buy ambulances.

Other revenue generating ideas were a $1 license plate fee or a $2.50 fee for each tire sold in the state. A total on what is needed to maintain services statewide was not provided.

Even with many EMS providers struggling, there is no clear-cut solution. The task force met in Quincy in November 2011 to hear from local health care and EMS officials. Seventeen hearings in all were held statewide before the report was issued.

“It opened up the eyes for not only the legislators, but also those throughout the community in understanding the different needs among EMS agencies,” said Paul Davis, director of the Adams County Ambulance Service. “The needs throughout the state vary, especially in the rural areas where funding is crucial to keep the ambulances open.”

State Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, who served on the task force, said legislators could look at addressing EMS funding, but it is difficult with the condition of the state’s finances.

The entire article is HERE.

thanks Dennis

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Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 Specials 1-22-13 (pt14)

Unofficial rundown of companies and times for the 5-11 Alarm with 2 specials at 3757 S. Ashland Avenue on 1-22-13.

rundown list of units sent to fight the large warehouse fire in Chicago 1-22-13

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Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon 6-7-1

There has been much conversation since the 5-11 Alarm with 2 Specials at 3757 S. Ashland Avenue on January 22, 2013 about the deployment and status of Turret Wagon 6-7-1, also known as ‘Big Mo’. We recently received the following CFD Operations Order 11-003 that was issued August 16, 2011.

Chicago Fire Department Operations Order 11-003

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Bensenville Battalion Chief Taking Chief Job in WA

The Peninsula Daily News (.com) has an article about

Lawrence Karp — a battalion chief with the Bensenville Fire Protection District in Bensenville, Ill., which is near Chicago’s O’Hare International airport — will earn $62,500 annually and receive health and retirement benefits at the mostly volunteer fire department, said Herb Beck, chairman of the Quilcene Fire Department board of commissioners.

Karp’s contract was finalized by a unanimous vote of Beck and fellow commissioners Gary Phillips and Debbie Randall on Tuesday.

Of the original 46 applicants, “all of them highly qualified,” Karp “stood out to me for his leadership capabilities,” Beck said.

The 50-year-old career firefighter has more than 27 years experience, all in Illinois, either at Bensenville, where he has worked since 1985, or at Stickney Fire Department — both close to his birthplace near Chicago.

The entire article is HERE.

thanks Josh

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Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 Specials 1-22-13 (pt13)

More images still from the ruins of Tuesday’s 5-11 Alarm with 2 Specials at 3757 S. Ashland Avenue. Larry Shapiro this time has images from the beginning of the demolition on Friday.

demolition of building destroyed by fire

Heavy fire still burning in the basement under the debris. Larry Shapiro photo

demolition of building destroyed by fire

A wrecking company begins dismantling the front wall of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

demolition of building destroyed by fire

An excavator clears debris on the south side of the building along 38th Street. Larry Shapiro photo

demolition of building destroyed by fire

A large wall section is torn free from the building. Larry Shapiro photo

fire truck coated with ice

Rolled hose on the tailboard of Engine 39 as they return to quarters. Larry Shapiro photo

vacant building interior with graffiti

The interior of an adjacent vacant building from the same era. Larry Shapiro photo

boarded up commercial building after fire

The exposure building to the south sustained minor damage as a result of the fire at 3757 S. Ashland Avenue. Larry Shapiro photo

demolition of building destroyed by fire

The south wall collapses as the crane works. Larry Shapiro photo

Water dripping from the rear discharge on Engine 39 froze. Larry Shapiro photo

Water dripping from the rear discharge on Engine 39 froze. Larry Shapiro photo

building covered with ice after warehouse fire in Chicago

People continue to stop by the ruins to photograph the building covered with ice. Larry Shapiro photo

A streetlight on 38th Street that melted from the fire. Larry Shapiro photo

A streetlight on 38th Street that melted from the fire. Larry Shapiro photo

building covered with ice after warehouse fire in Chicago

A water stream can be seen from the 3rd floor of the building to the north as it is directed into the center of the ruins. Larry Shapiro photo

demolition of building destroyed by fire

A large wall section is removed as the painstaking process of carefully dismantling the building proceeds. Larry Shapiro photo

building covered with ice after warehouse fire in Chicago

A wall section on the northwest corner of the building encased in ice allows a view of smoke rising from the center of the building. Larry Shapiro photo

A large gallery of images from the ruins of Chicago’s 5-11 Alarm fire can be found at shapirophotography.net.

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Chicago Still & Box Alarm fire 1-25-13

This from Josh Boyajian:

CFD – A still and box alarm @ Kostner and Wilcox. It was a 2 story multi-family two flat with most of the fire in the rear of the building and in the basement. E95 had two lines lead out while T26 made the roof. Here are my pictures.

 

firefighters spraying water

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighters on the roof

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 95

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighters with hose line

Josh Boyajian photo

fireman with dirty face

Josh Boyajian photo

vinyl siding burning

Josh Boyajian photo

 

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