Archive for December 4th, 2016

Streator Fire Department news

Excerpts from mywebtimes.com:

The Streator Fire Department received a boost toward building its planned regional training center Wednesday.

Bill and Peggy Harrison donated $65,000 to the department, to be used for the construction of a 30-by-30-foot classroom in the spring. This is phase two of a five-year project for the center at the end of 10th Street. Jim and Marjorie Rhodes donated the property for the center earlier this year.

“We were talking about some donation ideas and had been thinking about it for four to five years,” Peggy Harrison said. “We heard the city was getting the land and thought that would be ideal. It will be a real asset to the community.”

“It’s going to help other communities too and law enforcement, it won’t only be for fire training,” Bill Harrison said. “We wanted to try to help Streator in some way. This came about and was a good opportunity to see if they needed help.”

Fire Chief Gary Bird said the classroom will be used for fire and police training, while the rest of the facility will be used for hands-on training.

“(The donation) helps the city by alleviating the cost and will speed up the building of the training center,” Bird said.

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Working fire in Chicago, 11-25-16

This from Eric Haak:

On Friday, November 25, Chicago had a working fire at 2528 N. Fairfield.  The fire was rather small in terms of the time it took for it to be considered out but I did arrive in time for some interesting overhaul shots.  There were no front stairs and ladders had to be placed at the doors in order to access the front hallways.  The fire appeared to be mostly in the front living room, right at the window but resulted in some hidden fire extending into the wall above the front doors.  Accessing this fire was a little difficult due to its location over the area where the stairs were missing.  I included a rear shot of Truck 28 for all of you blue light fans!

Chicago FD Engine 43

Eric Haak photo

aftermath of house fire in Chicago

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters overhaul after fire

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters overhaul after fire

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters overhaul after fire

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters overhaul after fire

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters overhaul after fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD Truck 28

Eric Haak photo

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Fire departments to share resources

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The Carpentersville, East Dundee, Rutland, and West Dundee fire departments have agreed to share expenses for equipment that will be used for incidents involving hazardous materials, water, and technical rescues, and special investigations in all four areas.

Rutland’s decommissioned squad will carry needed equipment and be housed at one of the Carpentersville fire stations.

“Carpentersville is firmly committed to the implementation of interdepartmental cooperation with the possible goal that at a future date we will merge the departments to provide economies of scale through better use of equipment, better use of staff, shared leadership and creative new ideas,” said Carpentersville Village President Ed Ritter.

According to West Dundee Fire Chief Randy Freise, Carpentersville Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling has offered to send personnel as needed for the special-incident teams and will coordinate with all other fire departments.

A committee of representatives from the four departments has met. Their plans include that initial crews from each department will respond to incidents, with the special-teams vehicle used as an additional resource for large incidents when needed,” said Freise.

This is an excellent way to combine resources for the betterment of the community. According to the agreement, the four fire departments involved will be sharing expenses associated with equipping, maintaining, insuring and storing the squad. It will remain titled in the name of Rutland-Dundee.

With smaller communities in the Rutland Dundee Township Fire Protection District like Sleepy Hollow struggling to make ends meet, this agreement could be the start of continuing partnerships with larger municipalities to provide shared services.

thanks Dan

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New engine for Buffalo Grove (more)

The new Buffalo Grove engineready for final inspection with striping

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

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Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

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Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

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Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

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Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

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