Archive for July 9th, 2014

Homewood FD receives federal grant

This from durbin.senate.gov:

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced today (July 2, 2014) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $1,795,860 investment in the Homewood Fire Department in Homewood, Illinois. Today’s funding will allow 18 fire departments throughout the south suburbs to buy portable radios, which will improve interoperability among departments in the area when fire fighters respond to fires, severe weather, and other emergencies.  Homewood applied for the grant on behalf of the region’s joint dispatch center.

“We must ensure our nation’s fire fighters and first-responders are equipped with the best, most up-to-date tools to do their jobs effectively. Today’s grants will help meet that goal.”          

The funding is provided through the DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program which seeks to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5.25 billion in federal funding to first-responder organizations across the country to help purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. The AFG is in the process of awarding approximately $320.9 million in competitive grants to fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations from Fiscal Year 2013 AFG funding.

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Oak Lawn fire chief to add Chicago Ridge to his duties

The Southtown Star has an article about a replacement for the Chicago Ridge fire chief who resigned recently:

Oak Lawn Fire Chief George Sheets is getting a new job, but he’s not leaving his current one.

Under an agreement unanimously approved Tuesday night by the village board, Sheets will remain as chief while also overseeing the Chicago Ridge Fire Department through 2016.

The Chicago Ridge Village Board is expected to approved the agreement at its July 15 meeting, Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen said.

Deetjen said Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar approached Oak Lawn with the idea of Sheets becoming fire chief in both villages. Tokar could not be reached Tuesday night regarding Sheets taking over as the village’s fire chief. The move comes a few weeks after Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Robert Muszynski resigned, citing “personal differences” with the village’s elected officials, specifically Tokar, over possible changes the village is considering for the fire department.

His resignation came at the urging of Tokar, several Chicago Ridge trustees have said, but the board accepted Muszynski’s letter of resignation last month.

Muszynski’s resignation occurred several weeks after the village board encouraged Tokar to look at whether firefighting and/or ambulance service could be provided more efficiently — a move that has Chicago Ridge firefighters worried about losing their jobs. The changes under consideration could include hiring a private ambulance service or eliminating the fire department and joining a fire protection district, Tokar has said.

Last month, firefighter/paramedic Christ Schmelzer, president of Chicago Ridge Professional Firefighters Local 3098, said there was a “lot of tension in the firehouse” with Muszynski’s departure and the potential changes to the department.

Deetjen had no comment about Chicago Ridge exploring other firefighting or ambulance options but did say “there’s ample opportunity to run fire departments more efficiently.” He said he expects Sheets to hit the ground running, saying he will soon meet with Chicago Ridge’s 13 firefighters to “get to know them better.”

thanks Dan

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Web site updates

Updated images and station listings have been completed on the site as follows:

MABAS Division 12:

  • Itasca – current apparatus has been updated and decommissioned units removed
  • Wood Dale – current apparatus has been updated with new numbering

MABAS Division 13:

  • Elburn – Station 2 has been added with apparatus

MABAS Division 20:

  • Bensenville – current apparatus has been updated with new numbering and decommissioned units removed
  • Broadview – current apparatus has been updated with new numbering and the new engine

thanks Dennis, John, Josh, and Steve for the images

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Working fire in Niles, 7-8-14

This from Steve Redick:

Heavy smoke was pushing from a vacant warehouse in Niles, IL when companies arrived Tuesday evening. All operations were conducted from the exterior and an in-line pumping operation was established due to the building’s location in an industrial park at 7847 Caldwell Avenue. One additional engine was added to the working fire response, and the fire was declared under control within 30 minutes.

fire engine at warehouse fire

Steve Redick photo

fire in a vacant warehouse

Steve Redick photo

fire engine at warehouse fire

Steve Redick photo

ladder pipe being setup at warehouse fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen cut through overhead door

Steve Redick photo

fire in a vacant metal warehouse

Steve Redick photo

Pierce tower ladder at night

Steve Redick photo

Pierce quint pumping inline

Steve Redick photo

Pierce Dash CF PUC fire engine

Steve Redick photo

ladder pipe being setup at warehouse fire

Steve Redick photo

More photos at fire scenes.net

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