Archive for August, 2015

Sexual harassment lawsuit against Country Club Hills (more)

Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:

Country Club Hills has suspended a firefighter who complained about gender discrimination, sexual harassment and porn in the fire station, according to the woman’s attorney.

Dana Kurtz, Lewis-Bystrzycki’s attorney, said the suspension is “simply more retaliation against her. It sends a clear message to everyone ‘do not complain or this is what will happen to you.'”

Earlier this month, Lewis-Bystrzycki filed a supplemental complaint against Country Club Hills alleging lieutenants have admitted knowing that employees watch porn in the fire station. Court records allege at least 45 instances of sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation against Lewis-Bystrzycki dating back to the beginning of her employment.

Country Club Hills attorney Daniel Boddicker declined to comment, citing pending litigation, but said he believes the department will be successful on the merits of the case. Boddicker previously said the fire chief has “terminated access to the premium movie channels” where there is “nudity.”

thanks Dan

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New ambulance for Berwyn

This from Josh Boyajian:

New Berwyn Ambulance 907 – 2015 Ford E-450/Wheeled Coach  Type III
Old Berwyn Ambulance 905 – 2011 Ford E-450  Wheeled Coach Type III
Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance

Josh Boyajian photo

Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance

Josh Boyajian photo

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Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire with Mayday alert, 8-31-15

From Steve Redick of the 3-11 Alarm fire with a Mayday alert at 4874 N. Lincoln Avenue (8/30/15)

bowling alley fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

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Historic fire in Lincolnwood, 11-3-92

Images from Steve Redick:

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

10 Rescued From Blaze At Lincolnwood Bank   11/3/92

Firefighters rescued 10 people from a fire that spread through offices in the Lincolnwood Bank Building in the north suburb Monday evening, fire officials said.

“We had quite a rescue effort,” said Cmdr. Drew Smith of the Lincolnwood Fire Department. “It took some time to fight the fire. We couldn`t put water on it because we were rescuing people. One man was hanging from the (third-floor) window, and we had to rescue him by ladder.” Seven other people also were rescued by ladder from windows of the five-story building at 4433 W. Touhy Ave., he said.

Smith said he didn`t know how many people were working in the building at the time. The fire started about 5:15 p.m. on the third floor in the south central portion of the brick and glass building. The building houses several offices on the second through fifth floors. The bank, which is on the first floor, was not damaged.

Seven engines, five trucks, and 50 firefighters helped fight the extra-alarm blaze. Lincolnwood was assisted by firefighters from Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove, Evanston, Glenview, Rosemont, Des Plaines, Northfield, Park Ridge, Winnetka, and Wilmette.

this from Drew Smith:

Here’s what I can add:

For those that don’t know the geographical location of Lincolnwood, it is surrounded by the City of Chicago on three sides and Skokie to the north. While Skokie companies arrive quickly, the other suburban mutual aid takes a little longer. Also, with the exception of Evanston, all the mutual aid comes from the north and west as Chicago is to the south and Lake Michigan is on the east. In the past several years Chicago has begun to respond into the suburbs on MABAS alarms when requested.

Lincolnwood FD (LFD) was already on two ambulance calls and as such the truck crew was staffing the second ambulance, not the truck. Terry Menzel was the Commander (BC) on duty and IC. He is currently the deputy chief at the Woodstock Fire Rescue District. I came in when they called the MABAS box alarm and assisted at the command post. The media was everywhere. When this fire occurred, the LFD was just a little over two years old having been created 1/1/1990 after the village informed Chicago they would no longer rely on the CFD for fire suppression. Lincolnwood Police had used Paramedic Services of IL for ambulance service since 1977 and after going out for bids, PSI was selected over two other contractors to run the LFD. I am proud to say I was part of that original group and worked to purchase the apparatus and equipment in the ten months leading up to the start of the FD.

As I recall (its been over 23 years now) …

Skokie T16 arrived pretty quick as they are about a mile to 1.5 miles down the road. They were presented with multiple people at the third floor windows and as shown in the photos began rescues.

The fire was on the third floor. Getting the hose flaked and charged took some time in the heavy smoke, and manpower in the first ten minutes was limited. Skokie sent additional companies and chiefs when the rescue was announced. When I arrived the rescues were over and the fire suppression was underway. It was a standpipe operation, I believe, but I recall that in the building just about each floor had a different floor plan and the two stairwells, while they discharged remote from one another at ground level, were pretty much back to back inside a center core. One went from the roof and penthouse to the basement while the other was just from the lobby to the top floor.

It could have been much worse.

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Where are they now … Bridgeview

This from Matt Schumann:

Broadlands Longview Fire-Rescue – 1997 HME 1871/Luverne 1500/750 xBridgeview, IL FD
Longview FPD fire engine that was formerly owned by the Bridgeview Fire Department

Matt Schumann photo

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Elmwood Park open house

Open House/Safety Fair
The Elmwood Park Fire Department will be holding an Open House Safety Fair on Saturday, September 5th from 10 AM until 2 PM at the Fire Department (7 Conti Parkway). The fair is open to the public, and aims to inform residents about how the department operates on a day to day basis.

The open house will feature:

  • EMS Q & A
  • live-fire & rescue demos
  • utilities safety
  • daily operation Q & A
  • MABAS Division 20 Specialty Teams; HAZMAT, Investigators, Technical Rescue & Smoke Ejector
  • home safety product displays
  • Heartland Blood Drive
  • children’s activities

For more information, visit the Village website and watch the informational video.

thanks Carl

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Vintage Hawthorne Race Track fire of 1978

This from Steve Redick:

I found some of my images from the Hawthorne Racetrack fire. The slides are stamped Nov 78. My buddy Hank and I were fanning at 84 truck 51 when the man on watch woke us up and told us to look out the 2nd floor window of the firehouse. Needless to say we went running for our cars. I recall the Cicero ALF tiller arrived about the same time we did and took a corner so fast we thought the tiller wheels were gonna come off. CFD had sent a few companies as well … 34, 364, 88, a turret wagon, and a buggy. This was a real old time classic suburban extravaganza!

Steve

Forest View Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Sticky Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Sticky Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Sticky Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Cicero Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Berwyn Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department at the Hawthorne Race Track grandstand fire of 1978

Steve Redick photo

Excerpt from theChicagoTribune.com:

Another big fire, on Nov. 19, 1978, destroyed the grandstand and heavily damaged the clubhouse at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney. The park was rebuilt and reopened in September, 1980.

Before they were destroyed, Hawthorne and Washington Park were considered extremely susceptible to fire because of extensive wooden structures. Hawthorne was built in 1891 and Washington Park in 1926, when building restrictions and fire codes were not as strict as today`s.

 

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Carpentersville Fire Department receives grant

Excerpts from theChciagoTribune.com:

Carpentersville Fire Chief John Skillman said he was notified the department would be receiving $61,819 in grant funding to outfit two ambulances with Stryker Power-LOAD systems and cots. The battery-operated systems allow medics to lift and lower patients to ambulances with the touch of a button, allowing for safer patient transport and minimizing the risks of back injuries to personnel.

He said the department recently purchased a system for its new ambulance, set to be delivered in early October. Now, because of the grant, three out of the four department ambulances will have the systems … funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

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. This year, the AFG will award $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types, according to a release.

thanks Dan

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Double Fatal fire in Chicago, 8-29-15

From CFD Media at 10AM this morning:

A Still and Box alarm 5205 S Lorel A Still and Box alarm 5205 S Lorel| E32 E127 E34 E88 T60 TL54 T52 TL39 BC16 BC6 BC15 BC14 224 274 SQD5 466 467 455 457 A21 A12 A54

scene of fatal house fire in Chicago 8-29-15

Eric Haak photo

scene of fatal house fire in Chicago 8-29-15

Eric Haak photo

scene of fatal house fire in Chicago 8-29-15

Eric Haak photo

scene of fatal house fire in Chicago 8-29-15

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Police Department arson detectives are investigating a suspicious fire in which two men died Saturday morning on the city’s Southwest Side. According to police, the fire broke out shortly before 10 a.m. at a structure on the 5200 block of South Lorel Avenue in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood.

Chicago Fire Media said on Twitter that two people, both adult males were discovered unresponsive inside of the building and died in the fire.

 

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Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire, 8/26/15 (more)

Images from Adam Koscielski of the 3-11 Alarm fire at 1610 N. Wells (8/26/15)

Chicago Squad 1 at fire scene

Adam Koscielski photo

smoke from roof of burning building

Adam Koscielski photo

Chicago fire scene

Adam Koscielski photo

Chicago fire scene

Adam Koscielski photo

Chicago fire scene

Adam Koscielski photo

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