Archive for March, 2020
Antioch Fire Department news
Mar 19
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Despite a growing call volume, Antioch fire officials will have to make do with existing revenues as voters Tuesday rejected a tax increase to generate another $1.57 million per year for personnel and building repairs. With all 16 precincts reporting, unofficial totals — including early and mail ballots — showed 1,905 votes, about 52% of the total, against the measure, and 1,738 in favor. Approval would have provided funding for an expected increase in calls, as well as building and personnel needs. Call volume rose 10% from 2017, a trend officials say will continue. The annual tax bill for a home valued at $200,000 would have increased by $163 if the measure passed.
The hope was to get the message out during what was expected to be high interest primary election, but turnout well below the expected level may have had a hand in derailing the tax hike question.
The First Fire Protection District of Antioch Township covers 35 miles in the village and unincorporated areas.
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Voters in the Yorkfield Fire Protection District appear to be supporting a property tax increase to help pay for fire and ambulance services. With 2 of 4 precincts reporting in DuPage and Cook counties late Tuesday, 202 voters approved the tax increase while 60 opposed it, according to unofficial tallies.
Yorkfield Fire is a “paper” fire protection district that doesn’t have any buildings, staff, or equipment. The district acts solely to collect taxes to pay for fire and ambulance services for parts of Elmhurst and some unincorporated areas. According to the board that oversees the district, the tax increase was needed to help pay for its contract with the Elmhurst Fire Department. The district has been spending reserve cash to help make the yearly payments to Elmhurst.
Tuesday’s vote means the district will boost its annual property tax revenue by roughly $107,000 — to roughly $224,000. The owner of a $300,000 home in the DuPage part of the district will pay an estimated $200 extra in property taxes each year. The owner of a $300,000 home in the Cook portion of the district will pay an estimated $174 extra in property taxes.
Gary Fire Department history
Mar 19
This from Wayne Stuart for #TBT:
The Gary Fire Department operated this 1962 Maxim “S” model pumper. It carried Maxim serial # 2308. It had a 1000-GPM pump and a 300-gallon tank. The engine companies of the era also carried a 35′ three-section ladder along with the standard 24′ and 14′ ladders. This apparatus was assigned to Engine Company 6.wayne stuart collection
Wayne Stuart collection
More Cicero Fire Department history from the files of Joseph Salerno:
Here are a few more. We grew up in the houses. Picture is of me at 6 months (1970) on the hook and ladder. Good memories ! The newspaper clipping of the smashed truck was the truck that my grandfather got thrown off of after getting hit on the way to a call- I think it was a Seagrave.
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
from the collection of Joseph Salerno
Excerpts from the dailyHerald.com:
The Elk Grove Village Fire Department has earned accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, making it just one of 250 agencies worldwide and 16 in Illinois to achieve that status.
To earn the designation, the department underwent a two-year process that included a community risk assessment, an update to response plans, and a review of operations by a team of outside assessors. To maintain accreditation status, the department must meet certain annual performance metrics and undergo the accreditation renewal process five years from now.
Excerpts from cbs46.com:
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta has been distributing make-shift bottles of hand sanitizer.Starting today they are shifting their efforts and giving back to those on the front lines.
Co-Owner of Old Fourth Distillery Jeff Moore has been making hand sanitizer with their own in-house alcohol. At first he was handing the hand sanitizer out to everyone, but as the crisis worsens, he’s now only giving it to
first respondersemergency personnel.“It was really something that helped us not feel so helpless. We were able to play a small role in comforting people in this time of need,” said Moore.
Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:
At least one Chicago firefighter is refusing to go on call Wednesday morning amid growing concerns about the coronavirus. This comes as a paramedic tested positive for COVID-19. The firefighters’ union wants the entire fire house where the infected paramedic worked to be shut down. The city isn’t revealing which firehouse was impacted.
The infected paramedic is now in quarantine along with his partner, and the firehouse has been deep cleaned. The city doesn’t believe the paramedic who tested positive contracted the virus while responding to a call. He worked his shift Saturday, starting feeling sick Sunday, and got a positive test Monday.
A source within the fire department said that firefighters are not getting the results of COVID-19 tests from people they come into contact with on the job, who are showing symptoms. This is leaving them unsure of whether or not to quarantine.
While the department has given firefighters and paramedics protective gear and masks, a source within the department says those masks haven’t been spray tested, which ensures a proper fit.
Chicago Fire Department news
Mar 18
Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Chicago’s oldest residential buildings would have until 2023 to install smoke detectors with 10-year batteries under a costly fire safety mandate advanced Monday over the objections of the Chicago Fire Department.
Fire Commissioner Richard Ford II and Public Safety Committee chairman Chris Taliaferro are against the idea. They’re concerned about the added cost to homeowners already absorbing a punishing parade of property tax increases.
The new mandate threatens to undermine years of public education campaigns and free smoke detector distribution by CFD.
“There’s a reason why we say, `Daylight savings time, check your batteries.’ Now, we’re gonna say, `Don’t check it for 10 years.’ Now you’re asking seniors to remember ten years down the road to change or check their batteries when we have put years embedded in” a public education campaign, Beale said.
The Chicago Fire Department will pass out the old versions until Jan. 1, 2023, when the mandate takes effect. But once those smoke detectors expire, the owners of buildings erected or converted to residential use before June 1, 1984 must install smoke detectors with the 10-year batteries.
“The cheapest standard detector is $5. The cheapest 10-year we find is $15. While it’s true that, in the long run, it’s cheaper to operate, most people make the purchase based on what they can spend now,” Langford wrote in a text message to the Sun-Times.
“We give away thousands of units every year, but we have to pay for them. This means we will pass out 66 percent less. If we’re giving out 66 percent less and the cost to poor folk is tripled to $15-plus, we will lose on private homes. … Single family homes will see a big drop in purchases.”
Found at govdeals.com:
1982 MACK CF611FA/106′ LTI QUINT STARTS AND RUNS.
ENGINE: MACK ENDT 6 CYL DIESEL WITH 6106 HOURS AND IS OPERABLE.
TRANSMISSION IS AUTOMATIC AND IS OPERABLE. REMOVED FROM SERVICE IN 2015.
MAINTENANCE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE. 106′ LTI AERIAL LADDER, CERTIFICATION EXPIRED 11/30/10.
PUMP: WATEROUS MODEL #CSUYBX, SERIAL #42150, CERTIFICATION EXPIRED 2/16/11.
150-GALLON POLY TANK
3 INTAKES – DRIVER SIDE: 2.5″ & 6″, OFFICER SIDE: 6″
5 DISCHARGES – DRIVER SIDE: 2-2.5″, OFFICER SIDE: 3-2.5″
TIRE CONDITION: FAIR
EMERGENCY LIGHTS
FEDERAL Q SIREN
2 MOUNTED ELECTRIC CORD REELS
STADCO RD20-98 20,000 WATT GENERATOR
LADDER PIPE
thanks Dennis
