Archive for July 27th, 2015

Algonquin-Lake in the Hills FPD promotes new fire chief

Excerpts from the NorthwestHerald.com:

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District will get a new fire chief in August from within its own ranks.

The district’s board voted Wednesday to promote Assistant Fire Chief Peter Van Dorpe to fire chief. Van Dorpe said he agreed to replace retiring Fire Chief Patrick Mullen knowing that he has a strong team to lead and some financial hurdles to overcome.

Van Dorpe will be in charge of the approximately 66 part- and full-time firefighters and staff. He sees his biggest challenge as managing the fluctuating costs of health insurance because of changes in the Affordable Care Act. He said rates could change by 20 percent to 30 percent, which would affect the agency’s $9 million budget.

Trustees had Van Dorpe pegged as the next chief when he became assistant fire chief in October 2013 after 33 years with the Chicago Fire Department.

Van Dorpe’s salary for his first nine months on the job will be $93,517. His salary will increase to $127,300 on May 1 and will continue at that rate until April 30, 2018. At that point, Van Dorpe and district trustees can negotiate a new salary, according to his two-and-a-half-year contract.

Van Dorpe will receive five weeks of vacation time from August to May, and six weeks in 2016. Starting May 1, Van Dorpe will receive 10 sick days. He also is allowed three personal days a year. The district also will contribute 6 percent to a retirement health care account and pay for his health and life insurance, the contract states. The deal also provides Van Dorpe with a vehicle to use for official purposes.

Mullen announced he was retiring for personal reasons and has been chief for two years. Van Dorpe has started searching for his replacement within the department, and plans to promote from within the ranks.

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Overseas request

From a reader in Austria:

Hello. I must apologize for my English, it’s not really good 🙂
My wife is a very enthusiastic firefighter. You make this work in our country without payment.
She likes everything related to the fire department. Especially she likes the fire department in America. I would therefore like to give her a flight to America, looking for fire station where we can visit.
Of course, she is a big fan of Chicago Fire so I try it with you. You would make her a very, very great pleasure if we could come visit you.
Because I want to give it to her as a gift, it would be incredibly nice if you perhaps a video invitation or make like can.
It would be great if you could fulfill that dream.
Thank you so much already in advance.
Sven Findeis
Paramedic
Vorarlberg – Austria
sven.findeis@gmail.com

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A request for some information

To whom it may concern,
I’ve enjoyed seeing the historical photos posted on the Chicago Area Fire site. While researching my family history, I’ve come across some interesting photos. I recently received advice about sending them here to get some expert opinions. I am trying to figure out the date and other details for these photos (3 attached). Based on what I know about my great-grandfather’s years of service, I believe these 3 photos may depict firemen between 1918 and 1924. This assumption is based on the the fact that his fireman’s badge has 1918 inscribed on it, and that he was in the Curran Hall Fire of 1924. Possibly the men shown in the photos are from Engine Company 5.
I am not very knowledgeable about the uniforms and engines and other details from this period, so I’m wondering whether anyone who may have expertise and may be able to offer some additional insights.
Thank you,
Anne
Fire truck 1920s

Fire truck 1920s

Fireman 1920s possibly Capt John Brennen

Fireman 1920s possibly Capt John Brennen

Historical Chicago Fire Department group photo

Historical group photo

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