Archive for April 11th, 2018

New engine for Villa Park

From the March 12 board meeting – Villa Park orders new engine to replace Engine 82

16.Resolution of the Village of Villa Park, DuPage County, Illinois, authorizing the purchase of a fire engine from Global Emergency Products for a total net price in the amount of $571,661. The fire department currently has three fire engines (pumpers) in its fleet. Two are frontline engines and the third is a reserve. Reserve Engine E80 is a 24-year-old Emergency One (E-One) with 88,000 miles and over 11,000 hours of engine time. The engine has reached its in-service life with the Villa Park Fire Department. The village has been saving to fund the purchase of this engine for five years. To avoid the 2018 price increase, the engine would be ordered prior to the end of the current fiscal year; however the cost of the engine would be paid out of SY18 funds. Funds are available in the SY18 Equipment Replacement Fund account number 65.502.02.401 for this purchase. It is estimated that the shipment date will be in March of 2019. 

thanks Tim

Tags: ,

Harvey Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from abc7chcago.com:

The Harvey Firemens Association IAFF Local 471 said the city has laid off half the fire department after the city was ordered to pay its police and fire pension fund. The issue has been a longstanding problem with the fire and police pension funds. After failing to make payments for more than a decade, the city recently began contributing to the pension funds again.

But per state law, Comptroller Susana Mendoza is currently withholding more than $1 million in revenues due to the city to make sure the pension fund is paid. City officials are crying foul, saying the city’s collection rates on property taxes are not enough to sustain government operations, and they need those state funds to operate. But Monday, a judge agreed with the state and the money will be on hold to deal with the pension problem.

The union posted about it on their Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, saying, “The city has laid off 18 firefighters, half the fire department is gone! Prayers for the citizens and families of those laid off.”

Harvey officials held an emergency meeting Monday night with city employees and warned there could be major layoffs due to lack of funds. Officials argue the city has engaged with negotiations with police and fire officials with no resolution.

Tuesday morning, Harvey officials were speaking with the state comptroller’s representatives. The Harvey comptroller said pensions will not be sustainable going forward and Harvey’s city attorney said the city is planning on filing appeal to stop the state from withholding funds. Officials say employees will be paid on Friday, but after that, no one knows if they can pay their bills.

A spokesperson for the comptroller’s office said in a statement Monday, “The legislature passed a law allowing pension funds to certify to our office that municipalities have failed to make required payments to pension funds. The municipality has a chance to respond. A judge ruled today in favor of the Harvey Police Pension Fund, saying the funds were appropriately put on hold. This dispute is between the pension fund and the city of Harvey.”

Tags: , ,

Joliet Fire Department news

From the Joliet Fire Department Facebook page:

Today, April 9th, 2018 the Joliet Fire Department welcomed 8 new recruits: Anthony Doukas, Carissa Smith, Kevin McCool, Chris Gotter, James Ryan, David Ivnik, Kyle Snelten and Frank Cavallone. Each new recruit was sworn in with the Oath of Office and each signed “The Book”. Every firefighter that has started with the Joliet Fire Department since 1908 has signed “The Book” and added their previous profession. Many friends, family and JFD personnel joined in the ceremony to welcome these new recruits. Congratulations to All!

New recruits join the Joliet Fire Department

Joliet Fire Department photo

New recruits join the Joliet Fire Department

Joliet Fire Department photo

first female Firefighter to join the Joliet Fire Department

Joliet Fire Department photo

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

Box Alarm fire in Tinley Park, 4-8-18 (more)

This from Tom Clifton:

I have a couple more photos to add of the Tinley box alarm at 7121 Laverne Ln. I was also a little late to the party but here is what I have.

Tom Clifton

apartment fire in Tinley Park IL

Tom Clifton photo

apartment fire in Tinley Park IL

Tom Clifton photo

apartment fire in Tinley Park IL

Tom Clifton photo

apartment fire in Tinley Park IL

Tom Clifton photo

apartment fire in Tinley Park IL

Tom Clifton photo

Tags: , , , ,