Archive for July 15th, 2017

Chicago Fire Department news

Jul 15

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Chicago Fire Department Captain Patrick Ward is retiring after 43 years of serving the city. Since he was 19, Ward has dedicated his life to helping others. Ward started out as an ambulance attendant, then became an EMT and paramedic. In 1996, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a firefighter.

Ward spent the last 19 years in and out of a firehouse, saving lives and teaching the next generation of paramedics and firefighters, including his son.

For Ward, Thursday was a bittersweet end to a career of doing what he loves. Ward will be celebrating his 63rd birthday on Monday.

thanks Dan

Tags: Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department Captain Patrick Ward

Winthrop Harbor Fire Department news (more)

Jul 15

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Kenneth Kauppi, a former Winthrop Harbor firefighter pleaded not guilty Thursday to attempted first-degree murder for allegedly setting a house fire this summer when he knew the residence was occupied by his aunt. He is being held in the County Jail with his bail set at $1 million.

The charges are related to Kauppi allegedly setting fire to the home of his 70-year-old aunt in Winthrop Harbor, and that according to grand jury indictments, he knew she was in the home at the time.

Kauppi also entered not guilty pleas to aggravated arson and arson related to the June 3 fire.

According to police reports, the woman was treated for mild to serious burns.

The judge set a trial date of Oct. 16 for Kauppi and scheduled a case management hearing for Sept. 15.

Prosecutors submitted 192 pages of discovery in the case, as well as DVDs that may be used as evidence, to Briscoe during the arraignment hearing Thursday.

In announcing his arrest, Winthrop Harbor police said Kauppi confessed to intentionally starting the fire.

On Feb. 27, Kauppi was terminated from his position at the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department by Chief Justin Stried after police accused Kauppi in December of forging checks. His aunt refused to pursue charges against him at that time.

According to police, the aunt was arrested prior to the June 3 fire in an arson at a residence in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., but those charges were dropped June 8 after Kauppi admitted to that fire as well.

thanks Dan

Tags: chicagoareafire.com, Fire Chief Justin Stried, former Winthrop Harbor firefighter arrested, Kathleen Kauppi, Keith Kauppi, Winthrop Harbor Fire Department

Working fire in Harvey, 7-14-17

Jul 15

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Scene photos | 9 Comments

This from Eric Haak:

The Harvey Fire Department had an interesting afternoon Friday (7/14). The department was first dispatched at about 12:15 to 14631 S. Halsted Street where they had a 2.5-story, 25×50 frame apartment building with heavy fire and exposures on arrival. Ten minutes later, companies reported there was another structure going at 14538 S. Union Street. This second fire was a 1.5-story, 24×45 frame home and was heavily involved just about a block away. A total of 4 alarms were struck to take care of both incidents which also took into account several departments taking passes according to radio traffic. I took this in 2 hours after the initial call figuring I would just do some reporting on the incident and maybe take some pictures of the rigs on scene. I did not take any pictures of what was left of the home on Union and what you see is what remained of the building on Halsted.