Archive for November, 2013

CFD rescues dog from pond 11-30-13

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Firefighters working | 3 Comments

This from Eric Haak:

Shortly before 0900 hrs on Saturday, November 30th, Chicago’s Main Fire Alarm Office received a call of a person in the water at the Humboldt Park Lagoon. Squad 2 was returning from being held on a working fire response and as the MFAO was dispatching them, they received information that it was an over zealous dog who had chased a flock of geese and not a person. Battalion 12 and Engine 57 reported on scene with Truck 36 and confirmed that they had a dog about 25 feet from shore in about 5 feet of water (according to fishing depth charts I checked out on-line). Squad 2 had members suited up as they arrived and proceeded to make the rescue. As Squad 2’s member got ready to lasso the pooch with a life preserver, the dog decided he had enough and began to swim in towards his waiting rescuer. At this point, Squad 2’s member abandoned the life preserver and grabbed the dog by the collar. For a brief moment, the dog’s weight broke the ice and caused it to go under, almost causing the CFD member to take a complete dip in the icy water. However, the dog was quickly wrangled in, lifted out of the water and made a quick run to it’s owner. The dog looked a little sheepish as it climbed into a CPD squad who took the owner and her dog home.

Eric Haak photo

Tags: Chicago Fire Department, Eric Haak, fire department divers, firefighters rescue dog from frozen pond, ice rescue, water rescue of dog

5th Alarm fire in Woodstock, 11-26-13 (more)

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

From the Northwest Herald:

Barn fire near Woodstock ignited by hay ‘spontaneously combusting’

Crews Wednesday still were monitoring the charred remains of a barn near Woodstock that caught fire Tuesday night by hay spontaneously combusting, according to the Woodstock Fire Rescue Department.

A total of 16 area departments from as far as Walworth, Wis., were called at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to assist with the blaze at 16812 Kunde Road in an unincorporated area of McHenry County.

Firefighters arrived to find a 40-foot-tall, 150-foot-wide barn on fire in the rural area that borders Woodstock and Union. No one was in the barn, and several animals escaped safely, although not all are accounted for.

The barn contained as many as eight sheep, about a dozen roosters and chickens, 750 bales of hay weighing 100 pounds each, and machinery, Deputy Chief Terry Menzel said.

Crews had the fire contained to the T-shaped barn by 8:30 p.m. More than half of the departments were called to the scene to help provide water because no fire hydrants were near the residence, Capt. Brendan Parker said. Firefighters remained on the scene Wednesday as the controlled-burn was expected to last another 24 hours.

Firefighters also brought an excavator to the scene to pull apart the bales of hay and put out the fire quicker. The contents in the barn destroyed due to the fire cost about $75,000.

Investigators later determined the fire ignited from wet and dry hay – more than six weeks old – spontaneously combusting, Menzel said.

No one was injured during the incident.

Barn near Woodstock catches fire for second time

Firefighters had to return Thursday morning to a property where a barn caught fire for a second blaze, the Woodstock Fire Rescue District said.

At 2:24 a.m., firefighters were called to another barn at 16812 Kunde Road in unincorporated McHenry County near Woodstock by the property owner.

The cause of the second fire is under investigation, but it is believed winds changed directions during the night and ignited an ember from a large amount of hay, according to a fire district news release.

The hay had been moved because of the previous fire, which is believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion.

Because there are no hydrants in the area, Woodstock called crews from Marengo, McHenry Township, Union, Harvard, Huntley, Fox Lake, Cary, Nunda Rural, Hebron and the Emergency Management Agency.

thanks Scott

Tags: 5-alarm barn fire in Union, large hay barn destroyed by fire in Union IL, Woodstock Fire Rescue District, Woodstock Rural Fire Protection District

River Forest quint damaged in accident

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, Fire Truck photos | 72 Comments

This photo was submitted by a reader

River Forest Fire Department new aerial ladder truck

Tags: fire truck damaged in accident, fire truck hits overhead bridge, new fire truck hits overpass in River Forest, River Forest Fire Department

House filled with smoke in Northbrook 11-29-13

Nov 29

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Scene photos | Comments off

Northbrook firefighters were called to a house this afternoon at 2135 Brentwood Road for a report of smoke in the building. Reportedly there was nothing showing on arrival by Tower 12 but within minutes there was thick smoke everywhere. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 for the working fire, but after companies made entry, the source was determined to be the furnace.

Ann Madsen, shared some images from the scene as did Larry Shapiro.

Northbrook Firemen at 2135 Brentwood Road for a house filled with smoke

Ann Madsen photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: Ann Madsen, fire scene photos, fire trucks at fire scene, Larry Shapiro, Northbrook Fire Department, Pierce Velocity Tower ladder hooked to hydrant

West Chicago house fire 11-27-13

Nov 29

Posted by Admin in Fire | Comments off

This from John Tulipano

West Chicago had a Special Alarm on 11/27/13 at around 06:05 fire in a 2Sty Frame under renovation fire on 2nd floor, partial defensive for a short time.

I’ve attached some images.

http://tulipano-firephotos.smugmug.com/FIRES/112713-West-Chicago-FPD

John

John Tulipano photo

Tags: house fire in West Chicago, John Tulipano, West Chicago Fire Department, West Chicago Fire Protection District

As seen around …

Nov 29

Posted by Admin in Fire Truck photos | 5 Comments

This from Ryan Lee:

Found this picture from New Orleans just after hurricane Katrina. There was a rumor that this demo rig demo’d a house as a demo for a CFD chief. Anybody know what this is???? Did Ferarra ever sell one??

Ferrara Strong Arm Telescopic/Articulating Boom.

Ferrara Strong Arm for sale

Strong Arm at work

Istanbul orders 10 Strong Arm aerials

From the Ferrara web site:

Strong Arm fire and rescue vehicle: an articulating and telescopic extreme duty aerial device capable of flowing 1500 GPM and lifting 1,800 to 10,000 pounds. The Fifth Man Nozzle is made from hardened stainless steel. With 50 individual jets, the Fifth Man Nozzle is perfectly suited for aspirating foam and creating a superior blanket of protection. Additionally, the hardened stainless steel nozzle is capable of breaking through concrete walls and roofs, corrugated steel containers, burglar bars and other obstructions routinely encountered by fire fighters. The extreme lifting capacity make the Strong Arm a great tool for collapse or high angle rescue operations.

Tags: Dubai Fire Department uses Ferrara Strong Arm aerials, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Ferrara Strong Arm, fire truck photo, Istanbul Fire Department buys Ferrara Strong Arm aerials, picture of fire truck, Ryan Lee, Strong Arm Telescopic/Articulating Boom

Chicago FD special operations apparatus (part 4 of 4)

Nov 28

Posted by Admin in Fire Truck photos | 25 Comments

Final installment of our four part series on the apparatus and equipment at the CFD Special Operations warehouse.

Chicago Fire Department Special Operations Battalion Chief 5-1-5. It is a 2009 Ford Expedition #B-545 and is quartered with Engine 5. Larry Shapiro photo

One of four Chicago Fire Department Special Operations POD storage units. Larry Shapiro photo

Special Operations Komatsu fork lift with shop ID #S-053. Larry Shapiro photo

Special Operations maintains this 2008 Bobcat unit with Shop ID# S-119. Larry Shapiro photo

Special Operations maintains these two 2004 Cub Cadet units. One is a mini pumper (S-097), and the other is a utility unit (S-087). Larry Shapiro photo

Special Operations also maintains these two 2004 Cub Cadet units. Both are utility units. (S-100 and S-096). Larry Shapiro photo

Items that were not photographed include 2 wave Runner jet skis, a John Boat, and a large portable pump unit.

View Part 1 of CFD Special Operations

View Part 2 of CFD Special Operations

View Part 3 of CFD Special Operations

Tags: CFD Special Ops, Chicago Fire Department, Cub Cadet units for fire department, fire department ATV vehicles, fire truck pictures, fork lift photo, Larry Shapiro, photos of fire trucks, POD units for fire department use, Special Operations Division

Charges filed in assault against CFD paramedics

Nov 28

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | 1 Comment

ABC7 has an article about charges being filed against a student that recently assaulted a CFD paramedic:

The ABC7 I-Team has learned that another Chicago Fire Department paramedic has been attacked by someone she was trying to help. This latest case resulted in felony charges filed Monday against a DePaul University student.

This is happening at least once a week in Chicago– paramedics jumped and pummeled–in some cases, by people whose lives they are trying to save. On Monday, fire union officials were at the young man’s court appearance to press for felony charges against him …

“I want everyone to know around the entire country to keep your hands off of our paramedics, our fire fighters and our police officers because they are there to help you. They are called to assist you, not to be your personal punching bag,” said Tom Ryan, president, Firefighters Local #2.

Chicago paramedic Kelly Begley was dispatched to this DePaul student apartment building on November 1. The call was an intoxicated individual who fell and injured his head. After Begley arrived, it was her head that was injured, she says, by the student she was called to treat.

According to Cook County prosecutors, Erik Kawar’s girlfriend called paramedics when he came home drunk, with a head injury from hitting the pavement. Paramedic Begley testified in a Cook County Court that Kawar swore at her and then hit [her] in the face, giving her a black eye, then pushed her into the wall and fell on her. She ended up transported to Illinois Masonic.

“This [is] happening repeatedly, … there have been four other cases and that was only a few weeks ago, it’s happening on a weekly basis and we are not going to put up with it,” said Ryan.

“There are very few things you can count on in this world 100%, when you dial 911 we are there every time. And we do not deserve to be assaulted on the scene.”

The Cook County State’s Attorney says the majority of [these cases] end in a conviction or a guilty plea.

thanks Dan & Dennis

Tags: charges filed in assault against CFD paramedic, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department paramedic has been attacked, Chicago paramedic Kelly Begley, Erik Kawar, Firefighters Local #2, paramedic assaulted after call for service, president, Tom Ryan

Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire 11-27-13

Nov 27

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Scene photos, Fire Service News | 3 Comments

This from Eric Haak:

Shortly before 1530hrs on Wednesday, November 27th, companies in Chicago’s 23rd Battalion were dispatched to the report of a garbage can on fire in the rear of a building on the 8000 Block of South Ellis. While companies were en route, the Englewood Fire Alarm Office informed Engine 122 that they were getting a Full Still as they were getting reports that the rear of the building had become involved. Very shortly after that, the alarm was elevated to a Still & Box for the reports of people being trapped on the second floor. Engine 122 arrived on-scene and reported that they had a fire in the rear of a 3-story, 50 x 65 ordinary, occupied apartment building.

Chicago firefighters battle massive 2-11 alarm fire in apartment building

This is also before any lines were laid and before Engine 72 arrived. Eric Haak photo

This is before any lines were laid and before Engine 72 arrived. Eric Haak photo

The balconies of the exposure are involved. eric Haak photo

Engine 72 positioned itself at the mouth of the alley on 80th Street and led out several lines to sector 3. The first several images were before any lines were laid and before Engine 72 arrived. You can see that the balconies of the sector 2 exposure were involved and the volume of fire between these two buildings was very heavy, which led to the 2-11. The sector 2 exposure was a large 100 x 75 U-shaped courtyard apartment building. The fire consumed the rear porches of the fire building very quickly and the entire rear of the structure collapsed into the yard.

Engine 72 gets the first line operating while a second is stretched. Eric Haak photo

Back porch collapses into the yard between the building and garage. Eric Haak photo

Company uses a ground ladder to vent 2nd floor window. Eric Haak photo

Companies eventually removed both garage doors and fought the remainder of the incident from the rear windows of the garage. Engine 126 took a hydrant on Dobson Avenue, one block east of the fire and ran two lines through the gangway to the alley. One of these lines was eventually used from a balcony of the sector 2 exposure in order to get a better POV. The space available in sector 3 for companies to work in was very limited. The 2-11 was struck out at 1619 hrs. One civilian was transported from the scene in good condition.

Lines are stretched into the garage. Eric Haak photo

Firefighters work a line from the garage window. Eric Haak photo

Engine 126 brings a line in from Dobson Avenue. Eric Haak photo

Engine 126 positioned on Dobson. Eric Haak photo

Engine 72 on 80th Street with multiple lines stretched. Eric Haak photo

I wish I could have gotten more shots from the front with Tower Ladder 34 but the police taped off the entire front of the building and moved everyone off Ellis. I was only able to get a few shots off before they moved us. The goofy thing was that not much was happening in the front and the alley was far more dangerous but they never taped that off. Go figure.

More images are posted at FireScenes.Net

Tags: 2-11 alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago FD Engine 122, Chicago FD Engine 72, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago's 23rd Battalion, Englewood Fire Alarm Office, Eric Haak, fire scene photos, heavy fire and flames, massive flames from apartment building fire

Chicago firefighters help tornado victims

Nov 27

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Fox32 has an article about the Chicago Firefighter’s Union collecting items to help resident that were affected by the recent tornado’s downstate.

The Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Firefighters Local 2 Union are supporting Illinois residents affected by last week’s devastating tornadoes. They’re collecting donations, and you can help!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, visit any Chicago fire house from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 29 to give to those in need. You can also mail them in. The members of Engine 123 started the idea, and now it has spread to the entire force. Engine 123 was the late Herbie Johnson’s home firehouse. They’re remembering him, as they organize this relief effort. The donations will be organized and delivered over the weekend.

They recommend donating water, cleaning supplies, 30-gallon plastic drums, gloves, heavy duty plastic bags, gift cards to home improvement stores, pharmacies and grocery stores. If you would like to make a monetary contribution, please direct those to Local 2’s headquarters, located at 440 w. 42nd Street in Chicago.

Several Local 2 members traveled to central Illinois over the last week to assist the clean-up effort amid the astounding devastation. Homes were leveled and residents have lost everything. Local 2 is America’s second oldest firefighter and paramedic union. They say they’re at their best when you’re at your worst – always there to lend a helping hand when you’re in need.

thanks Dan

Tags: Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Firefighters Local 2 Union, donations to help tornado victims, firemen hep tornado victims