Archive for January 12th, 2018

Elgin Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Elgin Fire Department shift staffing cuts took effect Thursday following a court ruling against the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439, which claimed the changes would put first-responders firefighters at risk of injury.

Judge David Akemann issued an order ruling in the city’s favor late Wednesday afternoon. The ruling denies the 130-member fire union’s motion for a preliminary injunction regarding the shift staffing changes, which were the result of cuts to the city’s 2018 budget. Akemann also canceled a court hearing on the matter scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

In the complaint, the union argued, “If the city reduces shift staffing, the union predicts that the number of injuries will increase significantly,” and Akemann wrote that the union had not shown irreparable injury that would necessitate the intervention of this Court.

The lawsuit followed the Elgin City Council’s Dec. 20 approval of a $259 million budget. The budget includes $700,000 in cuts to fire department overtime by reducing two positions per shift. 

The union filed its case Dec. 22 and staffing levels remained as they were until Thursday. Elgin uses a staffing model that relies on overtime to fill fire department shifts to limit costs such as insurance and pension benefits.

Galli said that firefighters will be learning how to adapt to the changes as they go along.

thanks Dan

Tags: , , ,

Box Alarm fire in Des Plaines, 1-10-18 (more)

More from the Box Alarm fire in Des Plaines, 1-10-18 – photos and audio recording

Niles FD Truck 2

Steve Redick photo

Maine Scrap Metals fire

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Squad 7A

Steve Redick photo

Des Plaines FD Tower 63

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Squad 7A

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Squad 7A

Steve Redick photo

Des Plaines FD Engine 63

Steve Redick photo

Niles FD Truck 2

Steve Redick photo

Des Plaines FD Tower 61

Steve Redick photo

more photos are HERE

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Working fire in Des Plaines, 1-11-18

Des Plaines firefighters were called for a kitchen fire at 2148 Chestnut Street at 3:30AM 1/11/18. This occurred as many units were still working at the Maine Scrap Metals fire that started several hours earlier. Callback Des Plaines firefighters staffing reserve units and change-of-quarters companies responded to this alarm. The first arriving units reported fire blowing out of the front windows of this end unit. One occupant signed a release and was not transported. Companies at this fire were Des Plaines Engine 64 (using Engine 62), Des Plaines Ambulance 64, Des Plaines Battalion 62, Rosemont Engine 156, North Maine Engine 1, Niles Ambulance 2, and Glenview Ambulance. Schiller Park Truck 5 and Battalion 5 responded from the other fire scene.

 

aftermath of apartment fire

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters after battling an apartment fire

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter in PPE after battling a fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Rosemone FD Engine 156

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters after battling an apartment fire

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters in PPE after battling a fire

Larry Shapiro photo

scene of gutted apartment fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Des Plaines FD Engine 62

Larry Shapiro photo

North Maine FPD Engine 1

Larry Shapiro photo

Schiller Park FD Truck 5

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos at Shapirophotography.net

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mokena Fire Protection District history

This from Mike Summa:

Here is the Mokena FPD’s 1990 Pierce Lance 1500/500/50′ Tele-squrt.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
Mokena FPD 1990 Pierce Lance 1500/500/50' Tele-squrt

Mokena FPD’s 1990 Pierce Lance 1500/500/50′ Tele-squrt.
Mike Summa photo

Tags: , , , , ,