Archive for November, 2013

Lisle-Woodridge FPD Box Alarm 11-11-13

This from John Tulipano:

I took in the box alarm in Lisle-Woodrdge at 14 Bittersweet Ct in Woodridge.
Eng 52 arrived to heavy fire in the rear of a 2sty frame (4-unit) town house complex approximately 50×100.
The heavy fire was already knocked down when I arrived, however there was a gas feed fire in the rear of the complex, all companies worked 2-handlines in rear to keep the fire in check until the arrival of Nicor, it took approximately 1-1/2 hours for Nicor to arrival and dig up the rear of the complex find the gas line and cap off the free flowing gas.
Box Alarm Companies were  Downers Grove Eng 5, Bolingbrook Eng 5, Lombard TL52, Naperville TL?, York Center Sqd 77
John
Lisle-Woodridge FPD tackles townhouse fire

John Tulipano photo

Lisle-Woodridge FPD tackles townhouse fire

John Tulipano photo

Lisle-Woodridge FPD tackles townhouse fire

John Tulipano photo

Lisle-Woodridge FPD tackles townhouse fire

John Tulipano photo

Lisle-Woodridge FPD tackles townhouse fire

John Tulipano photo

Lisle-Woodridge FPD press release

Structure Fire, 13-16 Bittersweet Court, Woodridge
November 11, 2013

At 12:42 P.M. on Monday, November 11, 2013, the Lisle Woodridge Fire District was notified by way of a 9-1-1 call from a resident reporting a two story 4-unit multi-family home on fire at 13 – 16 Bittersweet, Woodridge. The first unit arrived on scene and reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the rear side of the structure.

A General Alarm was dispatched at 12:44 P.M. and upgraded to a Box Alarm, sending four (4) engines, two (2) ladder trucks, two (2) medic units, and a Command Team to the scene, providing nearly twenty five (25) Lisle-Woodridge Fire District personnel. In addition, resources were also provided from several surrounding fire departments and fire districts.

The first arriving crews on the scene stretched multiple hose-lines and began extinguishment of the fire while additional personnel set up the two responding truck companies to provide ventilation. The other companies strategically placed ladders around the building, assisted with hose lines and performed search and rescue for occupants inside the homes. There were two people home at the time of the fire; they exited safely from the building.

The majority of the fire was under control approximately forty (40) minutes after the Fire District’s arrival; however due to a gas leak, the fire continued to burn until crews could coordinate an effort to secure the leak and suppress the remainder of the fire. Several Emergency Units remained on the scene until approximately 5:30 P.M. performing salvage duties and overhauling the burned areas of the structure. Power was turned off to the building and all of the units were determined to be uninhabitable.

Other departments provided coverage at Lisle-Woodridge Fire District stations that were vacated to fight the fire. There were no civilian injuries however there were two minor injuries to firefighters during this incident.

The Lisle-Woodridge Fire District fire investigation team is investigating the cause of the fire. No further information is available at the time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. If you have further questions, please contact Bureau Chief Jim French at (630) 353-3030.

photo from Lisle-Woodridge FPD

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2012 US Firefighter Injury Report

Nearly 70,000 hurt in the line of duty

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released the latest edition of its U.S. Firefighter Injury Report, highlighting data on injuries sustained by firefighters on duty that was collected from fire departments responding to the 2012 National Fire Experience Survey.

Firefighter injuries have declined over the past three decades, hovering around roughly 100,000 from the early 1980s through early 1990s. In 2012, 69,400 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty.

Of those injuries, 31,490 (45.4 percent) occurred during fireground operations, with the leading causes reported as overexertion, straining (27.5 percent) and falling, slipping, and jumping (23.2 percent).

The Northeast also reported a higher number of fireground injuries per 100 fires than other regions of the country.

The major types of injuries received during fireground operations were: strains, sprains, and muscular pain (55.2 percent); wounds, cuts, bleeding, and bruising (12.2 percent); thermal stress (5.8 percent); and burns (5.7 percent).

An estimated 13,820 occurred during other on-duty activities, including: 4,190 while responding to or returning from an incident, 7,140 during training activities, and 12,760 occurring at non-fire emergency incidents.

Strains, sprains, and muscular pain accounted for 58.5 percent of all non-fireground injuries. In addition to injuries, there were 8,150 exposures to infectious diseases, and 19,200 exposures to hazardous conditions.

For more information on the NFPA, visit nfpa.org.

– See more at: HERE

thanks Chris

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Bridgeview rollover and Haz Mat Box 11-13-13

This from Keith Grzadziel:

This morning at approximately 08:15 hrs the Bridgeview Fire Department was dispatched for a report of a rollover involving a tanker on W/B 95th Street near the Tri-State Tollway exit ramps. North Palos Battalion 8, who was in the area, arrived first reporting a tanker on it’s side. The driver was treated for minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Bridgeview Battalion 40 requested a Level I HAZMAT Box. Companies were informed that the tanker had approximately 8500 gallons of a gasoline mix product. A special request was made for 3 additional engines and the MABAS 21 Foam Trailer. Crews had to standby while a contractor off-loaded the product prior to the towing company uprighting the truck. Numerous additional agencies assisted with the incident.

Keith Grzadziel

 

Bridgeview Fire Department haz mat

Keith Grzadziel photo

Bridgeview Fire Department haz mat

Keith Grzadziel photo

Bridgeview Fire Department haz mat

Keith Grzadziel photo

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Palos FPD truck burns

This from a reader … no information about where or when this happened

Palos FPD fire truck catches fire

Palos FPD truck

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BGFD DC Doug Postma Walk Out Ceremony

Buffalo Grove Deputy Fire Chief Doug Postma Walk Out Ceremony

Deputy Fire Chief Doug Postma Walk Out Ceremony

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New ambulance for Mokena FPD

This from Kevin Griffin:

Here is a picture of Mokena's 2014 Frightliner Horton ambulance 
new ambulance for Mokena FPD

New ambulance for Mokena FPD. 2013 Freightlinner M2106/Horton. Kevin Griffin photo

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Lake Forest 2nd Alarm fire, 11-11-13 (more)

More on Lake Forest’s fire yesterday from Larry Shapiro:

Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

Larry Shapiro photo

I got to the fire shortly after it was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm. The roof was already in and the bulk of the fire had been knocked down. Knollwood’s quint was woking in the driveway and they were getting water to Countryside’s tower. Departments represented were:

  • with engines – Waukegan, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Beach Park, Newport Township, Lake Villa, and Grayslake
  • with trucks – Knollwood, Countryside, Lake Forest, Wauconda and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods
  • with squads – Deerfield-Bannockburn and Gurnee
  • with ambulances – Lake Forest, North Chicago, Long Grove, Wheeling, and Highland Park
  • with chiefs – Lake Forest, Highland Park, Countryside, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, North Chicago

 

Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Pierce fire engine at night fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Pierce fire engine at night fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Seagrave fire engine at night fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

From the Chicago Tribune:

Lake Forest firefighters battled a massive blaze that destroyed a Lake Forest mansion early today.

Eric Kositzki, a Lake Forest firefighter, said the blaze in the 1100 block of Keswick Drive started just after midnight, and firefighters finally put out the fire around 4:30 a.m.

Firefighters said the house was a complete loss.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Montanello said officials are unsure what caused the fire, but do not suspect foul play.

Right now, officials are estimating the damage, and Montanello said he predicts it’s at least $1 million. Officials might not know for a few days the cause or the cost, he said.

The blaze took firefighters at least an hour to control as the roof and second floor were fully engulfed in flames, he said.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

According to Lake County records, the house is valued at about $1.9 million, and records also show the home sold in 2008 for more than $2 million.

thanks Dan

Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

Larry Shapiro photo

More photos can be found HERE.

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Barrington FD signs auto-aid agreements

The Daily Herald has an article about the Barrington Fire Department signing several automatic-aid agreements with neighbors:

Barrington trustees Monday approved two of the four automatic-aid agreements they’ve had to revise with neighboring fire departments due to the village’s coming Jan. 1 split from the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.

The new agreements reached were those with the Lake Zurich and Long Grove departments. But Barrington is also aiming to have further agreements soon with both the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District and Barrington Countryside itself.

The aid agreements spell out the locations, situations and equipment involved for one department to respond automatically to another’s call — usually driven by whose station is closest. Though the village of Barrington isn’t starting a new fire department from scratch like the Barrington Countryside District, the ending of the two agencies’ decades-long contract for service is changing the jurisdictional boundaries for both.

The fire district will now take independent responsibility for fire protection and ambulance service for parts of Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington, South Barrington and Inverness and unincorporated Cook, Lake and McHenry counties.

On the eve of their contractual split, Barrington and Barrington Countryside have found an auto-aid agreement between themselves to be the most time-consuming to negotiate. But Barrington Village Manager Jeff Lawler said Monday he believes the two agencies are getting there.

In contrast, talks aimed at an auto-aid agreement for Palatine Rural to respond to calls in Barrington Countryside’s area of Inverness seem to have broken down completely.

Barrington Countryside rejected a request to give a significant portion of its property tax from Inverness to Palatine Rural, while Palatine Rural has similarly declined three counterproposals, officials said.

thanks Ron & Dan

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Chicago Still & Box Alarm, 10-11-13

This from Josh Boyajian:

MFAO dispatched companies to a still and box alarm @ 3143 w Arthington for a fire with reported people trapped. 107 arrived and had smoke showing from the 3rd floor. Truck 36 made the roof while 107 and 44 were leading out. Fire sounded like it started in the basement and traveled up the walls and into the floors above. Here are some of my shots from the first snowy fire of the year.
-Josh
Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago FD ladder truck photo

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

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New engine for Carpentersville FPD

This from Ron Wolkoff:

Here is carpentersville's new Ferrara eng from Ferrara website
  • Chassis: Ferrara Ember custom fire chassis; Cummins ISL9 450 hp engine; Allison 3000 EVS transmission;
  • Type: Custom Rescue Pumper Ember extended medium cab with 12” raised roof; Seating for 5; EMS cabinet behind officer seat
  • Body: Heavy duty extruded aluminum fire body; Left and right side full height compartments, 15” deep upper/28” deep lower; Ferrara Ladders-Thru-The-Tank storage module; Spare SCBA over rear wheels
  • Pump: Hale QMAX 1500 GPM; Side panel controls; Fire Research Pump Boss pressure governor; Hale MIV-E intake valves in each steamer inlet; Triple speedlays; Right side LDH discharge; Rear 2-1/2” discharge; Deck gun plumbing with TFT Extend-A-Gun and Akron 3416 monitor Tank: 1000 gallon poly water tank
  • Feature: Whelen LED warning lights; Whelen LED Traffic Advisor; Federal GH scene lights; Fire Research Evolution 12V LED telescopic lights, 2 rear body and 2 on rear cab wall; Fire Research 12V LED brow light
new Ferrara fire engine for the Carpentersville FPD

New engine for Carpentersville. 2013 Ferrara Ember (HME) chassis 1500/1000. Ferrara photo

 

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