Archive for November 10th, 2015

Elgin Fire Department promotions

Excerpts from the ChiagoTribune.com:

Braydon Whalen pinned his grandfather’s Elgin Fire Department badge on his own father, Mitch, marking the Elgin firefighter’s promotion to lieutenant in a ceremony Monday filled with tradition.

Mitch Whalen was one of four Elgin firefighters promoted up the fire department’s higher ranks Monday. Bryan McMahan became assistant chief, Robb Cagann became a battalion chief and Joseph VanDorpe became a captain. The department also swore in two new firefighters, Matthew Regan and Adam Subleski during a ceremony at the Centre of Elgin.

Monday’s ceremony was “historic in nature” and meaningful not only to firefighters but for the Elgin community to see its fire department growing, Fire Chief John Fahy said.

The Elgin Fire Department is among the top 2 percent in the nation and responds to more than 11,000 emergency calls a year, Fahy said.

“Today, you become one of us. I expect you live by the duty, tradition and honor of the Elgin Fire Department,” Fahy said, introducing the new fire candidates.

McMahan, Cagann, Whalen and VanDorpe thanked their families and those who helped them throughout their careers. McMahan said his wife helps him find balance between family and work. Cagann was overwhelmed by the number of people coming out to support the fire department. Becoming a battalion chief has been a dream, he said. “I am truly honored to be given this opportunity,” he said.

VanDorpe was joined by his wife, children, his father, Fred, a retired Chicago firefighter and three brothers, two Chicago firefighters and one, Peter VanDorpe, who is chief of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District. Joseph VanDorpe’s son, Chris, is a Chicago firefighter.

Whalen’s family has a long history of firefighting in Elgin. His great-grandfather was on the fire department and his father, Marc, was on the department for 27 years. His uncle, Michael Whalen, was one of two Elgin firefighters who gave their lives in 1974 trying to save a teenager caught in the Kimball Street dam.

thanks Dan

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Live-fire training in Prospect Heights, 11-9-15

This from Larry Shapiro:

Day one of live-fire training in the 700 block of Elmhurst Road in Prospect Heights. The fire department has two houses available to them for training that are to be torn down for a new assisted-living facility.

firefighters enter house under smoke

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters enter house under smoke

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters enter house under smoke

Larry Shapiro photo

smoke vents from window at house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter lights room on fire during training

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department water tender with portable tank

Larry Shapiro photo

rainbow at house fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter overhauls window

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter breaks window doing overhaul

Larry Shapiro photo

More photos at shapirophotography.net

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Vacant house fire in Prospect Heights, 11-9-15

This from Larry Shapiro:

Prospect Heights firefighters were called to 702 S Elmhurst Road shortly before 9PM on Monday night (11/9/15) for fire in a vacant house. This was a house that they’d been training in that afternoon. Police called it in reporting heavy smoke with fire in the attic.

Wheeling, Long Grove, and Arlington Heights companies responded on the Code 3 alarm . The fire was contained in under 30 minutes and it never broke through the roof.

Here are some photos and a video.

firefighters at night house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters at night house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Spartan fire engine with lines off at night

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter cuts hole in roof with chain saw

Larry Shapiro photo

firemen overhaul house after fire

Larry Shapiro photo

FD Lieutenant Patrick Leahy

Larry Shapiro photo

aftermath of fire in a vacant house

Larry Shapiro photo

More photos are at shapirophotography.net

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