Archive for October 6th, 2016

Chicago Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:

More than 2,300 people have signed a petition criticizing Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago in connection with the suspension of a lieutenant for refusing an order.

 Lt. Steven Spallina refused an order to send members of the fire department into an area where he suspected they might come into contact with Ebola, the deadly disease, according to union officials.

Spallina was suspended for 60 days, but on July 12, arbitrator Jacalyn Zimmerman overturned the discipline. She ruled he was not guilty of insubordination the union said in a recent letter to members.

The letter said Zimmerman decided Spallina could disagree with an order he believed would endanger the health and safety of him or other employees, the union said.

“We were recently informed that the department is going to seek to have the arbitrator’s decision overturned on the basis that it is against public policy — that the firefighters would stop doing their inherently dangerous jobs because of this decision,” the letter said.

On Sept. 21, the executive board of Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 declared a vote of no confidence in Santiago and urged members to sign a petition expressing disappointment “in the CFD’s decision to challenge this final and binding arbitration award,” according to the letter.

In a text message, Tom Ryan, president of the union, told the Chicago Sun-Times: “Local 2 is expected to honor arbitrator’s rulings — good or bad. Arbitrator Zimmerman was very clear in her ruling that Lt. Spallina was vindicated and should be made whole. The petition is in response to this CFD action.”

The union represents the city’s 4,645 rank-and-file firefighters and paramedics. It’s unclear how many of the signatures on the petition belong to members of the Chicago Fire Department.

Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford refused to comment on the petition drive. Instead, he issued an emailed statement defending Santiago’s decision to order a lengthy suspension.

“Lt. Spallina was given a 60-day suspension for insubordination after not following a direct order,” Langford wrote. “We continue to evaluate our legal options and the decision has not yet been made on whether to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.”

thanks Dan

Tags: , , , , ,

Of interest … the Axemen

Excerpts from DNAinfo.com:

It seems only appropriate that the emblem for the Chicago Axemen be surrounded by flames. After all, the motorcycle club is almost entirely composed of area firemen.

The Axemen will host an Octoberfest fundraiser from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at O’Rourke’s Office in Morgan Park. The event last year raised $7,000 for the Gold Badge Society of Chicago, which supports families of fallen firefighters.

It costs $10 to attend the benefit at 11064 S. Western Ave., and this time the proceeds support the Ignite the Spirit Fund. About 150 people are expected, according to Larry Anoman, also known as Dog. He is president of the inaugural Illinois chapter of the Axemen. The upcoming fundraiser aims to help the families of firefighters in need. The chapter also hosts an annual birthday party to raise money for charity.

Anoman’s chapter has about 20 members. All club members must own a motorcycle, and 80 percent of the club is required to be made up of active or retired union firefighters. Other members tend to be nonunion firefighters and other biker buddies.

The group gathers to ride for charity events almost every weekend. Often, they ride to support fundraisers held by surrounding Axemen chapters or charities that speak to the group’s overall mission to help the less fortunate, police officers and firefighters, veterans, and others, Anoman said.

Among the frequent rides this summer was a trip to the Original Island Shrimp House in south suburban Palos Park. These monthly cruise nights raised money for the Ende, Menzer, Walsh & Quinn Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund, which provides financial support to widows and orphans of the Chicago Fire Department members.

Anoman’s group was the first in the state to align with the Axemen in 2008. The Axemen’s national club was founded March 1, 1998, in Detroit. There are now four Illinois chapters — 27 overall in 11 states, according to Anoman, a Morgan Park resident.

Axemen from Detroit showed up in force for a 2001 fundraiser for the family of Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed after being struck by a car on the Bishop Ford Expy. The 14-year fire department veteran was married and had five daughters.

 

thanks Dan

Tags: , , ,

Of interest … Chicago Engine 78

Excerpts from WGNTV.com:

One group of Chicagoans has been in on the action every time the Cubs have done well or not. The Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 78 has witnessed the team’s history since the day the ballpark was built.

The firehouse on Waveland has been a staple of the Wrigleyville neighborhood since the late 1800s.  It has experienced every win and every loss inside the Friendly Confines and has turned into a destination in itself for anyone heading down to Wrigley Field.

The building we see today is a historic landmark built in 1915, one year after Wrigley Field. Wrigleyville and Wrigley Field are very much the pulse of the firehouse which roughly serves the densely populated area from Diversey to Ashland and Lawrence to the lake.

It is one of the busiest houses in the department.

The firehouse location makes it arguably the most public face of the fire department   You`ll often see the guys outside on game days welcoming fans to the neighborhood  and they`ve had their fair share of celebrity guests themselves.

The firehouse is important to the (mostly) Cubs fans in it who have dedicated their lives to keeping Wrigleyville and Chicago safe.

thanks Dan

Tags: , ,

New engine for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD (more)

HME video of the new engine for the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD

From the HME Facebook page:

Congratulations to the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Lincolnshire, Illinois, Chief Steve McCaughey and crew on their new HME custom sidemount pumper.

This stainless steel HME sidemount pumper, headed for the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Lincolnshire, Illinois, features an agile HME SFO® chassis, 96” wide cab, 12” raised roof, secure medical cabinet with left and right access, ISL9 350-hp engine, 1500-GPM sidemount pump and more.

Tags: , , ,