The Summit FD has acquired a former Tinley Park engine which is now assigned as Engine 953.
Summit FD Engine 953 (X-Tinley Park) on scene at a recent fire. Chi-Town Fire Photos
Archive for May, 2018
New engine for Summit FD
May 29
From Chicago Fire Department Media on Twitter:
The entire Chicago Fire Department’s prayers go out to the family of Firefighter Juan Bucio who tragically passed away answering a call of a person in the water near 2600 S. Ashland.
Excerpts from nbcchicago.com:
The city of Chicago was in mourning after a Chicago Fire Department diver died Monday from injuries sustained during a rescue operation.
Juan Bucio, 46, was among the
first respondersfirefighters called to a report of a person missing in the Chicago River near the 2600 block of South Ashland Avenue at around 8 p.m. Monday night. Fire officials said Bucio was searching for a 28-year-old man who witnesses said they saw jump from a boat into the river. At one point, Bucio lost communication with his dive partner during the rescue attempt.He was later located and CPR was administered before he was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, where he later died.
“An order was given to switch out divers to bring the second team in, give them a break,” Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago said at a news conference. “At that time, they were coming towards the boat. His partner turned around and he was missing, that quick.”
Bucio joined the fire department in 2003, and has been on the dive team since 2007. He is survived by his two sons, ages seven and nine, and nine siblings, including a brother who works for the Chicago Fire Department, and a sister who works for the Chicago Police Department.
Officials did not locate the missing boater, and a search for him was expected to resume in daylight on Tuesday.
Bucio was the 13th member of the Chicago Fire Department to die in the line of duty since the year 2000.
Completion photos of the New ladder truck for Central Stickney FPD ready for final inspection
Pierce photo
Pierce photo
Pierce photo
Elgin Fire Department news
May 28
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Elgin may revise its requirements for firefighters to attract a more diverse group of applicants. The city council unanimously moved forward on changing firefighter application requirements. The city requires 60 college credit hours as a prerequisite for hiring but that would become optional if the city follows through on its proposed changes. A final vote is scheduled for June 13. The testing fee will be reduced from $40 to $20 for the next applicantion sessions, and candidates can have the fee waived if they are in financial need.
The department tests for new members every two years and plans on doing so sometime in July. Elgin gives job candidates preference points for various certifications and military service. Candidates with 60 or more college credit hours will receive points as well.
In 2016, 203 people tested to become Elgin firefighters, with 170 of them identifying as white, 22 Hispanic, two black, and five Asian. Five of the 203 applicants were women.
The college credit requirement was cited by some in the community and the city’s diversity consultant, as a possible barrier to attracting a diverse group of applicants. Some people may have to go to work directly after high school, which would take them out of the talent pool.
The department has 133 members with 40 percent of firefighters eligible to retire if they so choose. The department is predominantly white and male. With recent retirements and a few firefighters out on permanent disability, the department has hired 12 new firefighters since January 2017. Those hired must complete an EMT basic class available at local community colleges within a year of being hired.
thanks Dan
Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
About 4 a.m., Chicago Fire Department paramedics were called to the on the 2700-block of West 68th Street for a female seeking medical attention. The patient became combative during her treatment and began fighting the paramedics inside the ambulance. Latorya Thigpen, 19, allegedly spat at the paramedics, struck them in the body, face, and head with closed fists, punched them multiple times, kicked and scratched them as they attempted to treat her. Injuries to the victims included scratches, abrasions, bruising and even loss of consciousness due to the blows. She was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery.
While paramedics were in the 6800 block of South Damen Avenue responding to this call, their ambulance was struck by a bullet. A group of people gathered outside the ambulance and began banging on the windows and doors to get inside. That’s when several shots were fired somewhere outside. The paramedics drove away with the patient to 69th Street and Bell Avenue, before dropping her off at Holy Cross Hospital. Officers arrived shortly after to a call of gunshots fired in the area and recovered shell casings and a vehicle related to the shooting.
thanks Dan
Former Berwyn FD Station 1 at 6728 W. Windsor built in 1896.
Former Berwyn FD Station 1 built in 1896.
thanks Josh
Peoria Fire Department news
May 27
Excerpts from the pjstar.com:
The quarterly financial report at Tuesday’s Peoria City Council meeting turned into a call for further cuts at city hall. City Manager Patrick Urich told council members that the city was in danger of not being able to put $2 million back into the city’s general fund, a move needed to ensure the city has the liquidity it needs to get good rates when it gets bonds in the future. Revenue wasn’t flowing in as the city expected in the first quarter.
The fire department, already down 10 positions, is burning through its overtime budget at a rapid rate. Fire Chief Ed Olehy told council members that the department has already used up 90 percent of what was allocated for overtime. Olehy outlined cutback plans that the department has under consideration. If all 10 slots were filled, it would take nine weeks to get them on the street.
Urich said he plans to come back to the council at the June 26 meeting with a $3.5 million reduction plan — one that would enable the city to shift $1.5 million to the fire department and $2 million to the general fund.
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Each year, Culver’s of Lake Zurich along with the Lake Zurich Fire Department and students at Isaac Fox School, help collect money for a special and unforgettable one-week camp experience for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns. This year the group collected $1,631.30 for the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.
Through the generosity of donors, supporters and volunteers, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance offers this camping opportunity at no cost to campers, including lodging, meals, activities, and transportation to and from camp, YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside. Campers participate in a variety of adult-supervised, group, age-appropriate activities that provide fun and challenging opportunities for positive outcomes with other burn survivors.
The goal of Camp “I Am Me” is to provide a nonjudgmental atmosphere in which children and adolescents have the opportunity to build their self-esteem while establishing lifelong friendships and positive memories. The camp provides young burn survivors an opportunity to effectively talk to other survivors about their injuries to help them in their approach to life.
In addition to YMCA counselors, the camp is staffed by volunteers including many doctors, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, fire service personnel, teachers, and other professionals. They participates in various professional development and orientation sessions designed to prepare attendees to deal with the specific needs of burn survivors as well as to build a cohesive team. This large group of volunteers results in a nearly 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio.
For more information, visit www.ifsa.org/programs/camp.
As seen around … Chicago
May 27
From Facebook:
CFD ambulance hit by gun fire
CFD ambulance hit by gun fire
thanks Scott
