Archive for March, 2014

Park Ridge apparatus updates

This From Bill Smaha;

2013 Ford Expedition Command Vehicle.  Replaced a 1998 Ford Econoline Van which has been reassigned as Utility 36 and also serves as a back-up (reserve) command vehicle.

Bill Smaha

fire department Ford Expedition

New unit for Park Ridge BN36. Bill Smaha photo

fire department Ford Expedition

New unit for Park Ridge BN36 with lights. Bill Smaha photo

fire department Ford Expedition

New unit for Park Ridge BN36. Bill Smaha photo

fire department Ford Econoline van

Previous Park Ridge command unit. Bill Smaha photo

 

 

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New aerials for CFD (more)

SpartanERV has updated images of the two CFD aerials currently in production:

Chicago Fire Department, IL (213115-02)

fire truck being built

New aerial being built for Chicago. Spartan ERV photo

Chicago Fire Department, IL (213115-01)

fire truck being built

A second aerial being built for Chicago. Spartan ERV photo

thanks Martin

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Box Alarm in Lyons, 3-30-14 (more)

This from Drew Gresik:

Guys,
Here a few shots from the Lyons Box Alarm Fire @ 4142 Maple. A complete gallery will be uploaded to our site (chi-townfirephotos.smugmug.com) within the next couple days! All photos courtesy of Chi-Town Fire Photos’ newest contributor, Dylan Gresik. Thanks again.
Drew Gresik
fire trucks at fire scene with smoke

Dylan Gresik photo

fire through the roof of a house

Dylan Gresik photo

fire through the roof of a house

Dylan Gresik photo

Seagrave quint at fire scene

Dylan Gresik photo

Pierce fire engine

Dylan Gresik photo

ire engine drafts water from a pond

Dylan Gresik photo

Pierce fire engine

Dylan Gresik photo

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Box Alarm in Lyons, 3-30-14

This from Eric Haak:

Here is a synopsis of rigs that were working at Lyons Box alarm on Maple Avenue Sunday.  I was too late to get anything else.  There were four rigs working on Maple in front of the fire building.  Lyons Engine 1312 was directly in front with McCook Engine 1411 directly north of them.  Riverside Truck 1629 was working directly to the south of 1312 and Bedford Park Truck 709 was set up directly to the south of them.  Lyons Engine 1316 had a hydrant on the corner of Maple and 41st Place.  From there, there was a long lead to the Cermak Quarry where Berwyn Engine 903 was drafting from the pond.  Forest View Engine 813 was originally set up in that position but was not pumping.  Finally, Lyons Engine 1311 had a hydrant at the corner of Joliet Road and Elm Avenue, a good 2-plus blocks south of the fire building.

 

Pierce aerial ladder at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

fire chief Gordon . Nord Jr

Eric Haak photo

fire trucks at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

long LDH hose lay to fire

Eric Haak photo

ire engines draft water from a pond

Eric Haak photo

fireman supervises drafting water from a pond

Eric Haak photo

ire engine draft water from a pond

Eric Haak photo

Pierce fire engine at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Pierce fire engine at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Spartan fire engine at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Seagrave aerial ladder at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

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New squad for Palatine (more)

This from Mike Walsh:

Saw Palatine’s new squad behind station 85 Saturday morning. Snapped a couple shots with my phone.

Mike

new fire truck for Palatine FD

Officer’s side of Palatine Squad 85. Mike Walsh photo

new fire truck for Palatine FD

New unit for Palatine Squad 85. Mike Walsh photo

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Full Still Alarm fire in Harvey, 3-30-14

This from Eric Haak:

Just three quick shots from Harvey’s full still Sunday afternoon.  I did not arrive in time to get much but with the nice sunlight and blue skies, I thought I would send in a couple of rig shots.  Harvey’s first-in engine was the ex-Dixmoor Engine 33.  Fire was in the rear porches and gave off an impressive header.  Companies did a great job of keeping it out of the attic and keeping it from extending into the rest of the structure which was an occupied residence.

E-ONE Typhoon fire engine at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

firemen with hose at house fire scene

Eric Haak photo

E-ONE Typhoon fire engine at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Piece Velocity tower ladder

Eric Haak photo

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As seen around … O’Hare

This from Melvin Bernero:

Here is a photo of Engine 12 that I took at O’Hare the other day.
Melvin Bernero
Spatan ERV fire engine

Chicago Engine 12 at O’Hare Airport. Melvin Bernero photo

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New ambulance for Westchester

Fire Service, Inc. posted images of the new Freightliner/Wheeled Coach Type I from Wheeled Coach for Westchester.

brand new ambulance

Fire Service, Inc. photo

brand new ambulance

Fire Service, Inc. photo

brand new ambulance

Fire Service, Inc. photo

brand new ambulance

Fire Service, Inc. photo

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Antioch looking at tax referendum for EMS

The Daily Herald has an article about a new tax levy to fund EMS operations in Antioch.

Antioch-area officials say they will streamline the area’s emergency services by creating a new unified fire and rescue operation and ask residents to help fund it. The proposal, which could be launched within two months, would put the Antioch Fire Department in charge of all fire and rescue services covering the village of Antioch and Antioch Township. It would be overseen by a new five-member emergency services board.

A key component is creating the area’s first tax levy for emergency services. Antioch Fire Chief John Nixon said members of the area’s fire safety commission are beginning to meet with village and township leaders about placing a 25-cent property tax rate referendum on the November ballot. If the referendum lands on the ballot and is approved by voters, the owner of a $150,000 home would pay about $140 annually to fund the new operation, Nixon said.

The measure would include separate questions for village and township voters, and approval of both would generate about $1.6 million annually for the fire department, he said.

The proposal from the fire safety commission — made up of township and village officials — would overhaul the confusing system of fire and rescue services in the Antioch area. Currently, the First Fire Protection District of Antioch, the Antioch Rescue Squad and the Antioch Fire Department share responsibility for providing emergency medical service in the 37-square-mile area.

The fire district covers fire calls in the village and the unincorporated areas of the township. Rescue calls are split between the fire department in the village and Antioch Rescue Squad in the unincorporated areas.

Next steps call for village and township boards to sign an intergovernmental agreement naming the Antioch Fire Department as the sole provider of fire and rescue service in the area. The five-member emergency services board would replace the current three-member First Fire Protection District board, Nixon said. That new board — made up of appointed representatives from the village and township — would oversee the fire department operation.

The same intergovernmental agreement would require the village and township to provide any additional funding needed above and beyond the tax levy proceeds.

The fire department would staff three stations to create an overlap of coverage, officials said. Two stations are in the village, which generates 65 percent of the fire calls. The third station on Grass Lake Road would serve unincorporated areas in Antioch Township.

Currently, the village, township, insurance companies and private fundraising donations cover operating costs for the three emergency agencies serving the area. Nixon said it’s impossible to continue funding fire and rescue operations that way.

Antioch Village Administrator Jim Keim said the village pays about $66,000 a month to Metro Paramedic Service to staff village-owned ambulances at the Antioch Fire Department and to handle rescue calls. The village recoups about 50 percent of the total cost from the patients or insurance reimbursements, he said. The difference, he said, falls on the local government to fund.

“We need to find a way to fund this,” Keim said. “Until then, it will put stress on the village’s general fund and a shortfall will exist.” One casualty of the overhaul was the Antioch Rescue Squad (ARS). The First Fire District announced last week it would not renew a contract with Antioch Rescue Squad, ending their partnership. The contract expires in May.

It’s the latest loss for the 75-year-old volunteer-based group beset by problems that have undermined its influence and importance since May 2012. Nixon said the rescue squad operated as a subcontractor for the fire district, and the service wasn’t renewed. ARS Chief Brian DeKind said Friday the group will now shift its focus to community paramedicine, including wellness checks and home health care.

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Former Huntley FPD ladder truck in new home

This from Kevin Griffen:

Here is the X-Huntley truck in its new home http://shavertownfire.com/apparatus-2/current-apparatus-1/

used fire truck finds second home

This former Huntley FPD truck is now in Shavertown, PA. Shavertown FD photo

Truck 251 is a 2002 Pierce Dash purchased from Huntley Illinois in September of 2013 . It is equipped with a 8 man cab, 2000 GPM pump and a 500 Gallon water tank. Carries 800? of 5? supply line as well as 300? 3? supply line. It has 4 preconnected crosslays (2) 1 3/4?  x 200? , (1) 2 1/2? x 200? and (1) 2? x 200? as well as (1) 1 3/4? x 150? trashline. It  also carries 10 Scott Nxg2 4500 psi SCBA as well as a full compliment of truck company tools including saws, hooks and ventilation fans. Also it carries rope rescue equipment, Thermal Imaging Camera and first aid equipment.  Also it has MDT with preplanning software as well as CAD software with mapping.

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