Archive for February 13th, 2018

Of interest … CPD officers injured at fire scene

Excerpts from nbcchicago.com:

Two Chicago police officers were among three people injured around 9:15 p.m Monday at a fire in the 3800 block of North Fremont Street in the city’s Lake View neighborhood. Firefighters were able to fairly quickly extinguish the fire on the third floor of a five-story building.

Two male Chicago police officers were injured in the blaze. One suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, while the other was transferred Stroger Hospital’s burn unit.  A police escort accompanied an ambulance that transferred the second officer overnight, and a large police presence remained at Stroger as officers awaited word on one of their own.

The conditions of both officers were stabilized. A third victim, a 34-year-old female occupant of the apartment, was also taken to Illinois Masonic for smoke inhalation and was listed in good condition. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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Oak Lawn Fire Department news

Excerpts from the oaklawnleaf.com:

Oak Lawn Fire Chief George Sheets, who has pulled double duty as chief of neighboring Chicago Ridge, is out as the fire chief of Oak Lawn. The specifics of how, why, when, and where are being sorted out but the who in the story so far is Sheets. Chicago Ridge’s Mayor sent a letter to Oak Lawn’s Village Manager Larry Deetjen last Thursday informing him that Chicago Ridge was ending the arrangement that has been in place since July of 2014 and which allowed both village leaders to pat themselves on the back for thinking outside the box. Tokar’s letter did not have an explanation although according to Chicago Ridge sources, Tokar met with Sheets and another employee of the village last week. Shortly thereafter, Sheets met with Oak Lawn’s village manager. Sheets has been chief in Oak Lawn for nine years and has 36 years of fire service in various fire departments.

Sheets appeared in a controversial piece of literature paid for by Mayor Sandra Bury’s campaign in 2017 and is considered a favorite of Deetjen. However, Sheets dropped the other shoe and announced to the fire department that he is retiring as of July 2018. But wait, there’s more because on Tuesday the village manager is asking the board to approve an agreement that removes Sheets as chief but places him in some kind of advisory role that doesn’t exist in the Illinois Municipal Code for a fire department employee. That’s a very long transition period and not standard operating procedure. If you’re confused, stay tuned because the village board will be asked to vote for this agreement even though it isn’t on the agenda for Tuesday. If you look at the agenda, it states, Action on Executive Session Items.  Who’s hiding what and where are they hiding it?

thanks Keith

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2-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 2-12-18

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

Chicago firefighters rescued a disabled woman from a fire in a building in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood Monday night.Firefighters responded to the blaze in the two story at the intersection of 71st Street and South Chicago Avenue at about 8:30 p.m.

The first floor of the building is home to a house of worship, and there are apartments on the second floor.Firefighters said they had to pull a woman with disabilities from inside her apartment because she was unable to make it out on her own. Several other families were also displaced.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. An investigation is ongoing.

From Chicago Fire Media on Twitter:

S&B at 7130 S. South Chicago Ave. Going defensive. Will update as soon as possible

2-11 alarm at 7130 S. South Chicago Ave. 4 lines on fire. Defensive operations.

Chicago FD Media photo

Rescue st 2 11 by Truck 30. Handicapped individual on floor 2. Fire in a house of worship.

Chicago FD Media photo

Fire is in the Hebrew Ysraelite Cultural Center. No injuries are reported. 

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Buffalo Grove Fire Department news

From the Buffalo Grove Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Local 3177 Facebook page:

It is with very heavy hearts that we report Deputy Chief (Retired) Doug Postma has passed away. Our Condolences go out to the Postma Family:

Visitation:  Wednesday, February 14, 2018, 4:00-9:00 PM, Smith Corcoran Palatine Chapel, 185 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine.
Fire Department Walkthrough 7:00PM

Funeral:  Thursday, February 15, 2018 10:00 AM, Smith Corcoran.

 

Buffalo Grove Fire Department Deputy Chief Doug Postma

Doug Postma, age 57, went on his final adventure to heaven on Friday, February 9, 2018. Doug will be forever remembered and loved by his wife and best friend Julie and by their precious children Matt, Jillian (Jay) Sullivan, and Mark. He was the adoring Papa of Finnegan and Ethan Sullivan; dear brother of Pat (Frank) Jedlicka; loving uncle to Andy, Keith, Frank, Jim, Kerri and Kristi; great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. Doug was predeceased by his parents Frank and Christine Postma and siblings Greg Postma and Barb Haan. Most of all, Doug was a loving and dedicated husband and daddy. He lived life with a servant heart and spirit. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Dolton, and then served for 30 years in the Village of Buffalo Grove beginning as a FireFighter/ Paramedic and retiring as Deputy Chief. He served as a church youth group leader, advisor to an Explorer Post and a Salt Creek Park District Commissioner. He thrived on relationships and his friends were considered “family.” Doug was a dear friend, inspirational mentor and quiet hero. He treated every day as an adventure and embraced the unexpected. His love of life was contagious. His memories will live in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 100 Club of Chicago, National Park Conservation Association or Special Olympics. Funeral Service Thursday February 15, 10 am at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Interment private. Visitation Wednesday from 4-9 pm with a 7pm Fire Department walk through. Info, 847-359-8020 or visit Doug’s memorial at smithcorcoran.com.

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