Archive for March 16th, 2016

Woodstock Fire Rescue District chief to retire

Excerpts from the WoodstockIndependent.com:

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Chief Ralph Webster has announced he will retire in October 31. 

“It is my intent to step down before the end of my contract,” Webster said. “This is all amicable. (The board) knows it’s time for a change. I feel like it’s time for some new leadership. Because of all the changes with the Lakewood contract, this seemed like a good time for me to go.”

Webster, 53, said it seemed fitting for him to retire in October, which marks his 25th anniversary with the district. He has presented a leadership transition plan to the WFRD Board of Commissioners, which has yet to be approved. 

He has agreed to stay on with the district, likely in a part-time capacity, for approximately six months, to help the new chief. He estimates the hiring process to tap a new chief will take approximately four months. 

Webster was named chief of the Woodstock Fire Rescue Squad in October 1991. In November 1993, the Woodstock Fire Rescue Squad consolidated with the Woodstock City Fire Department and Woodstock Rural Fire Protection District, forming the WFRD.  At that time, Webster was named chief administrator of the district. Eventually, the administrator portion of his job title was dropped and he became known simply as chief. 

The WFRD has been undergoing staffing and restructuring changes since losing its contract to provide emergency services for the village of Lakewood in November. Lakewood opted to contract with the Crystal Lake Fire Department instead, forcing the WFRD to cut back on the department’s work hours and staffing, particularly those who worked at the Haligus Road station in Lakewood. 

thanks Dan

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Fox Lake voters agree to join fire district

Excerpts from MySuburbanLife.com:

Voters in Fox Lake’s two referendums were in favor of incorporating the village into the Fox Lake Fire Protection District but against a proposed increased sales tax.

Officials said the increase would have raised a little more than a million dollars and would have gone toward hiring new police officers, resurfacing roads, continuing the village’s facade program for businesses, maintaining the bus service and acquiring land for parks and recreation.

Voters were much more supportive of incorporating the village into the Fox Lake Fire Protection District’s territory, with 58.7 percent voting yes. Previously, the village had levied for fire services and then turned those dollars over to the fire district.

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Still & Box Alarm fire in Chicago, 3-16-16

From CFD Media:

  • Still and Box Alarm 3336 Berteau four unit building, rear porches going. Two victims rescued and several pets.
  • Two ambulances requested one in front one in rear on Berteau
  • Fire under control searches continue two victims being treated
  • One injured firefighter being looked at other patients appear to be in good condition.
  • Total 2 ff injured minor. 2 residents transported 1 green 1 yellow. Several pet saves EMS used pet masks to give oxygen all critters ok!
  • Firefighter going to Illinois Masonic Minor injury. Several dogs and cats rescued fire undercontrol
Chicago FD Engine 124

Tim Olk photo

cat rescued from fire

Tim Olk photo

fireman after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

pet gets oxygen after fire

Tim Olk photo

fire chief at command post

Tim Olk photo

fireman after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

fireman after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

fireman helps rookie learn

Tim Olk photo

firemen overhaul back porches

Tim Olk photo

Chicago firefighters at work

Tim Olk photo

firemen overhaul back porches

Tim Olk photo

more photos at firescenes.net

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New engines for Chicago

Production photos of the new engines being built for Chicago at E-ONE

fire truck being built

E-ONE photo

fire truck being built

Cab for new CFD engine. E-ONE photo

fire truck being built

E-ONE photo

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Chicago 4-11 Alarm + 1 Special and Haz Mat Level I, 3-8-16 (more)

This from Steve Redick:

I was able to take in the big job on Tuesday, a 4-11 (actually with all the extra units well over a 5-11 response) at Haddon & Kilbourn. First let’s have a little history lesson. September of 1990 a 4-11 alarm occurred in the same building. A certain famous west side chief gave a radio report describing a concrete structure converted into a flea market and asked for a precautionary box that elevated to a 4-11 Alarm. One comment was made to the effect of this is a concrete structure … the fire is not gonna go anywhere … after this transmission a phantom voice came on the radio and said yeah so was McCormick Place. A fun thing to share and the chief involved is a well respected and admired guy, now enjoying retirement. Perhaps history has enhanced this little anecdote but it’s worth recalling.

Anyway I have enclosed an aerial view of the building involved. It was a massive structure containing thousands of square feet of flea market booths, many sealed off with cyclone fencing. Everything under the sun was stored and sold here. There were no real windows and to make matters worse the entire roof consisted of a concrete parking surface … impossible to ventilate in any way. The building backs up to an elevated railroad embankment, and other access is generally poor with narrow streets in a crowded industrial district. A perfect storm of factors created a massive and dangerous incident.

Arriving units reported heavy smoke conditions and could barely see to maneuver apparatus down the street. Heavy fire was in an area set back from the street, under the parking deck. I arrived about 35 minutes in and observed fire and smoke venting from the inaccessible center portion of the complex. Cars were falling into the fire as the concrete roof deck collapsed.Tower ladder 14 was operating with it’s brand new E-One tower ladder, only days in service.

The fire traveled into a massive portion of the building to the north and caused dangerous smoke conditions making Division Street impassable. A truck company attempted entry into this section using a searchline and TIC but made little headway due obstructions. Several in-line operations were conducted, including two engines driving up on the railroad right-of-way. The hose wagon performed two massive hose lays along Division Street, one east and one west of the fire building. The new Turret Wagon 6-7-3 was also put to use.  Smoke conditions downwind were punishing to the engineers as well as members in the tower buckets. The incident lasted many hours and units were on the scene all night long. The building was so large at least one additional RIT was in place.

All of the images can be seen on my website:

FullSizeRender

Chicago firefighter at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago firefighter at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago firefighter at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago firefighter at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Chicago firefighter at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago fire engine

Steve Redick photo

Chicago fire scene

Steve Redick photo

heavy smoke at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Hose Wagon 6-1-2

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Hose Wagon 6-1-2

Steve Redick photo

more photos at firescenes.net

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