Archive for December 23rd, 2015

Joliet will not close Fire Station 3

Excerpts from the Heraldnews.com:

The Joliet City Council approved its 2016 budget Monday, and opted not to close Fire Station No. 3 on Laraway Road, a move designed to save $1.2 million in overtime costs. City officials said they still expect to reduce overtime costs, and the station could be closed later in the year if they can’t.

Keeping the station open follows the council’s earlier decisions to block a proposed 5 percent increase in the city property taxes and a proposed increase in the real estate transfer tax. All three decisions increased the budgeted deficit for the General Fund, which is now at $6.8 million. The city will cover the deficit with reserve funds.

The council met in closed session for more than a half-hour before voting on the budget. Fire Chief Joseph Formhals was included in the session, making it apparent that the discussion was about Fire Station No. 3.

Mayor Bob O’Dekirk said later … the city will look for concessions from firefighters on manning requirements that are driving up overtime costs. But, he said, the $900,000 now in the fire department overtime budget is a hard number. O’Dekirk said that the station will be closed if overtime runs over budget again this year.

Formhals said he plans to reduce overtime in the meantime by replacing two trucks with a quint at Station No. 9 and reducing manning requirements there.

thanks Dan

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 12-21-15 (more)

More from Steve Redick at the 2-11 Alarm Fire at 3057 N. Rockwell 12/21/15

This from Steve:

a video of the series of images I shot at the time of collapse

And the from Steve:

3057 N Rockwell Monday night. An occupied commercial building with an operable sprinkler system. I arrived just after the first 2-11 units and observed a moderate smoke condition. They did have the sprinkler system siamese supplied, and based on fireground traffic felt the sprinkler system was doing some good. Members put a lot of effort into removing the glass block windows in the front of the building. Conditions soon changed and the fire advanced throughout the building. There was a sudden collapse as the snorkel was being positioned. No damage to members or rigs.
A note with these images and video. I did not have my usual camera equipment with me so this was all shot on an Iphone and an old digital point and shoot. The quality is not up to my usual standards, but lousy photos are better than no photos right?
Steve
massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Steve Redick photo

Radio traffic from the fire

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 12-21-15 (more)

Images from Gordon J. Nord, Jr. from the 2-11 Alarm fire at 3057 N. Rockwell Street 12/21/15

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

massive building fire scene in Chicago at night

Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo

More of Gordon’s photos are at firescenes.net

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Huntley FPD to sponsor Fully Involved

The Huntley FPD is sponsoring a seminar – Fully Involved

Captain Mark vonAppen to teach fire service class registration form

Registration Form

 

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