Archive for May, 2017

Working fire in Chicago Heights , 5-24-17

This from Brad Steinweg:

Pictures from Chicago Heights’ house fire on 15th & Lowe on Wednesday. Pretty well knocked when I got there, in overhaul and hitting hot spots. Also pictured is Flossmoor’s former ambulance 1370 which now belongs to Chicago Heights as ambulance 681. While fighting the house fire, they also responded down the street for a vehicle smoking heavily.

-Brad S.
Chicago Heights FD ambulance formerly a Flossmoor FD ambulance

Brad Steinweg photo

house fire scene in Chicago Heights IL

Brad Steinweg photo

Chicago Heights FD Truck 672 formerly from the Tinley Park FD

Brad Steinweg photo

house fire scene in Chicago Heights IL

Brad Steinweg photo

car smoking

Brad Steinweg photo

house fire scene in Chicago Heights IL

Brad Steinweg photo

house fire scene in Chicago Heights IL

Brad Steinweg photo

HME Ahrens Fox fire engine

Brad Steinweg photo

HME Ahrens Fox fire engine

Brad Steinweg photo

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1-Alarm fire in Portage, IN 5-28-17

This from Eric Haak:

This was a 1st alarm fire in Portage, Indiana on Saturday afternoon (5/28). I was a little late arriving and, although it doesn’t look like much, one elderly victim was transported from the scene. Conditions for rig shots were unfortunately not optimal but thought I would submit some images regardless.

firefighters at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

New Haven FD fire engine

Eric Haak photo

Portage FD Engine 2 Spartan Metro Star

Eric Haak photo

firefighters at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

firefighters at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

firefighters at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

firefighters at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

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State mandated consolidation of 911 dispatch centers

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The consolidation of 911 emergency dispatch services in Lake County continues following passage of a state law requiring it in 2015, but a separate effort involving a Lake County 911 Emergency Dispatch Task Force is also moving forward.

The task force met to go over a study they commissioned which shows the current status of dispatch services in the county and possible cost savings from consolidation.

Titled the “Complexity of Current Environment” in the report summary, the study found that there are 52 municipalities, 41 law enforcement agencies, 30 fire/EMS agencies, 21 Emergency Telephone System Boards (ETSBs) and 20 communication centers or dispatching centers in Lake County.

The state law, Public Act 99-0006, required any municipality or city with a ETSB board and no dispatch center to consolidate with another system that had a dispatch center. The law did allow governments with more than 25,000 residents to keep their ETSB if they had a dispatch center. Those larger than 25,000 in population but without a dispatch center also had to consolidate.

David Dato, a retired Wauconda fire chief, is chairman of the county task force that is looking to consolidate as many 911 emergency dispatch centers as possible. The study showed how presently there are 20 such facilities with 233.5 full time equivalent (FTE) employees, but if there were nine centers, they would only need 228 FTEs and save about $400,000. If they fully consolidated into just two facilities with 192 FTEs, there could be savings of $2.3 million, he said.

“That’s in the first year,” Dato said. “But the biggest thing is that we have a lot of 911 call transfers (among departments). A person calls and they get center A, they need police or fire at their location and they could be transferred to center B or center C.” 

Meanwhile, because of the state law, entities like Zion and Winthrop Harbor are considering consolidation.

With the county’s ETSB serving 17 communities and approximately 220,984 residents, local officials took the lead to form the task force.  McHenry County has just one ETSB, and Will County, which is very similar to Lake County, also has just one, and six of its dispatch centers were consolidated into three.

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Lisle-Woodridge Fire District news

Excerpts from eehealth.org:

Edward Hospital’s EMS (Emergency Medical Services) “Run of the Quarter” for January-March 2017 has been awarded to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, Station 52. Fire district personnel were recognized for care they provided to a patient who was initially treated for an allergic reaction to medication, but who paramedics noticed was exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack. After being taken to Edward Hospital, it was discovered one of the patient’s coronary arteries was 100 percent blocked. Following treatment that included the placement of a stent to keep the artery open, the patient left the hospital a few days later.

In the “Run of the Quarter” program, the Edward EMS Team reviews runs by pre-hospital providers and selects one to be recognized every three months based on the following criteria:

  • Excellent communication from the field that resulted in the timely delivery of pertinent clinical information to the Edward Emergency Department staff
  • Clear and thorough documentation
  • Superior clinical assessment skills that resulted in accurate recognition of a clinical situation
  • Behavior exceeding the call of duty in the field
  • Superior partnership and teamwork with Edward Hospital

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Naperville Fire Department news

Excerpts from positivelynaperville.com:

The sound of a bugle playing Taps resonated along the Riverwalk in Naperville just after 8:30AM Thurs., May 25, coming from the direction of the Firemen’s Memorial Park along Jefferson Avenue.

Uniformed Naperville firefighters, city officials as well as friends and family had come to the Annual Naperville Fallen Firefighter Remembrance Ceremony to pay tribute to the memories of Lieutenant Richard Rechenmacher, Engineer Jerry Herring, Firefighter Bernard Petrowski and Lieutenant G.S. Winckler.

According to an entry in the Illinois Fire Service Institute Firefighter Record, “On December 7, 1970, the Naperville Fire Department received an alarm at 7:55AM for a house fire west of the city. Firefighters immediately responded, but a fire truck carrying five firefighters collided with a semi-trailer truck at the intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 65. Several fatal car accidents had occurred at the intersection during the preceding years and traffic lights had been installed at the intersection only two weeks prior to the accident.

“Lieutenant Richard Rechenmacher, Engineer Jerry Herring, and Firefighter Bernard Petrowski, who were riding in the cab of the fire truck, were all thrown from the vehicle by the collision and killed instantly. Firefighter Mike Hill, who was also riding in the truck’s cab, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but Firefighter James Heinke, who was riding on the tailboard of the fire truck, escaped injury. Mutual aid responders from the Moecherville Fire Department responded to the house fire, and the Downers Grove Fire Department sent firefighters and fire apparatus to Naperville to assist with fire calls.”

Twenty-one years later, another IFSI incident report reads, “On October 18, 1991, Lieutenant George Winckler of the Naperville Fire Department died in the line of duty during a training exercise. Winckler, who had been with the department since 1965, suffered a heart attack during a live burn training exercise at the department’s training tower. About ten minutes into the exercise, Winckler exited the tower and collapsed. The other firefighters immediately started CPR and called an ambulance, and Winckler was taken to Edward Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“On October 22, 1991, Winckler’s funeral was held at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Naperville. More than 100 fire apparatus from neighboring departments took part in the funeral procession, in which Winckler’s casket was carried in an antique fire truck to Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery.”

According to Ruthi Sommers at the Naperville Fire Department, every year in late May, officials hold the Naperville Fallen Firefighter Remembrance Ceremony at Firemen’s Memorial Park.

And every year the public is reminded of the risks local firefighters/paramedics are prepared to take every day in the line of duty as they serve to keep the community safe. In fact, members of fire departments around the world often are the first uniformed officials to arrive at fires, car accidents and other emergencies, likely the reason they have earned respect and the name of “first responders.”

Firemen’s Memorial Park is located at 1072 W. Jefferson Ave., just west of the DuPage River and the entrance to the Riverwalk.

thanks Dan

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Countryside Fire Protection District news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

On Wednesday, part-time Countryside Fire Protection District Firefighter David Senescu was surrounded by coworkers, whom he considers to be his family, and the team of doctors who saved his life four months ago when he had a heart attack while on duty.

The gathering at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville gave Senescu another opportunity to thank the people who are responsible for him being alive today.

Senescu recalled how Jan. 6 started like any other workday, but by the end of that night his whole life was changed.

It was Friday night when he started his shift at the firehouse, but something wasn’t quite right. “I wasn’t feeling my best, but I wasn’t feeling a heart attack either,” Senescu said. His discomfort persisted, and since he had eaten a spicy chili meal for dinner, he thought an antacid might help. He also gave in to his vice and smoked a cigarette.

The following hours were a whirlwind of action in probably the best place he could have been, with paramedics who paid attention to the signs and hooked him up to a monitor that showed he was in distress.

While enroute to the hospital, Countryside Firefighter Daniel McCormick and Firefighter Mike Raasch used a defibrillator three times on Senescu.

“I woke up at one point and heard Mike screaming my name. I asked him what he was screaming for. I thought I had just closed my eyes, but they said they had just shocked me,” Senescu said. “If it wasn’t for those guys, I wouldn’t be here.”

On Wednesday, Senescu said his close call with death has taught him a valuable lesson that he won’t forget or take for granted. Having been a smoker for close to 30 years and quitting suddenly has been a challenge, said the father of two boys, but he added that it’s a challenge he’s willing to take on. He is working to get healthy enough to go back to work at the fire station and be on the other end of a defibrillator, saving other lives along his coworkers.

thanks Dan

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Fire departments share fire chief

Excerpts from the reporteronline.net:

Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge have shared a fire chief since 2014, and by mutual agreement between the neighboring villages, Chief George Sheets will continue wearing two hats for at least four more years.

The Oak Lawn Village Board passed the new intergovernmental agreement to continue the arrangement last week without much comment, and the Chicago Ridge Village Board followed suit at its meeting on Tuesday.

Oak Lawn, being the larger community, covers two-thirds of Sheets’ salary, in addition to benefits, and Chicago Ridge is responsible for one-third. The exact salary agreement was not available this week, but it costs the Chicago Ridge about $50,000 annually. Sheets, who lives in Oak Lawn, said the agreement calls for the Chicago Ridge portion of the salary to increase by 5 percent each year.

The relationship between management and members of the firefighters union in Oak Lawn has been difficult at times in recent years, primarily due to staffing and other issues that have led to lawsuits. But everyone in Chicago Ridge seems to agree that having Sheets on board has worked out very well.

Prior to the vote on Tuesday, Chicago Ridge Fire Lt. Chris Schmelzer, president of the Chicago Ridge Firefighters Union Local 3098, sent Tokar a glowing recommendation letter regarding Sheets’ value to the department, and asked him to share it with the trustees.

Schmelzer cited several accomplishments that have been achieved under Sheets’ leadership in Chicago Ridge, including the introduction of a part-time firefighter program in which part-time and full-time staff work together. This has also allowed for the opening of the Lombard Avenue fire station. That station initially opened part-time, but was expanded to full-time this year, providing ambulance service to the main residential section of the village.

Last year, there was talk that he might leave the Chicago Ridge role after seeing projects through to completion, including the part-time program and the opening of the Lombard Avenue station.

He splits his days between the two villages, and their close proximity allows him to travel between his offices quickly.

thanks Dan

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MVA with entrapment in Buffalo Grove, 5-27-17

Buffalo Grove police and fire responded to a two-car crash in front of 194 Bernard Drive Saturday morning (5/27/17). Arriving units found one car on it’s side with the driver still inside. While a firefighter/paramedic was inside the car with the patient, others cleared the glass panels before cutting the passenger side posts and folding the car’s roof down onto the ground. The driver was removed and transported to a hospital. The other vehicle’s driver was unharmed. Arlington Heights Engine 4, Buffalo Grove Tower 25, Ambulance 25, and Battalion 4 were at the scene.

car rolled onto side during crash

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters free driver trapped in a car

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighter cuts windshield of car

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters free driver trapped in a car

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighter uses Holmatro rescue tool at crash

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighter uses Holmatro rescue tool at crash

Larry Shapiro photo

Holmatro and Hurst rescue tools at crash

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters free driver trapped in a car

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters free driver trapped in a car

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters move patient on Stryker cot

Larry Shapiro photo

crash scene in Buffalo Grove

Larry Shapiro photo

Hillside Towing flipping a car

Larry Shapiro photo

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Winnetka Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Winnetka trustees have solidified an agreement between the village and the neighboring communities of Wilmette and Northfield that allows each community to make brief use of emergency equipment from the other town, while defining which community is responsible for equipment damaged while being used in that manner

According to Winnetka Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky, the village has had for several decades an unofficial agreement with Northfield and Glencoe, allowing each municipality to borrow pieces of equipment such as ambulances for short periods of time, usually a day or two, when necessary. The ability to do so has been beneficial to each community.

Discussions about making such agreements more official came up during recent meetings of members of MABAS Division 3.

The previous village council approved an initial resolution last October laying out the liability of communities borrowing Winnetka apparatus if the equipment was damaged while it was in their care. At that time, Wilmette asked to join the agreement. Officials in the other towns involved then asked for a reworked resolution that made equipment liability reciprocal. 

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New area apparatus orders

Arlington Heights Fire Department – Pierce Velocity pumper; 2,000-gpm pump; 750-gallon water tank; two 30-gallon foam cells; Class A and B foam systems. Delivery in January 2018.
Belvidere Fire Department – HME 1871/Alexis pumper; 1,500-gpm pump; 650-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell.  Delivery in November.
LaGrange Park Fire Department – Pierce Enforcer PUC 107-foot Ascendant quint; 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon water tank. Delivery in January 2018.
Lake Zurich Fire Department – Pierce Saber pumper; 1,500-gpm two-stage pump; 750-gallon water tank. Delivery in November.
North Aurora Fire Department – Pierce Impel PUC 107-foot Ascendant quint; 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; 500-gallon water tank. Delivery in March 2018.
Skokie Fire Department – Pierce Dash CF PUC pumper; 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; 500-gallon water tank. Delivery in November.

thanks Ron

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