Archive for January, 2021

Bradley Fire Department news

Excerpts from the daily-journal.com:

Three Kankakee County engineering and construction companies are seeking the project manager role for the proposed construction of a second fire station in Bradley. The selection of a project manager will likely take place within the next 30 days. The project manager will oversee the project on behalf of the village, from start to finish.

The village is looking to construct a second fire station at 1690 Newtowne Drive, the location which was at one time the home of the Bradley-Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce office. Expected additions to the site include a 3,500-square-foot garage to house a fire engine and an ambulance so that the department can better serve the north and northeast portions of the village. Renovations are also planned to the 4,200-square-foot former chamber property, which the village has owned for about 20 years, to make it compatible for fire and public safety needs.

The village’s only fire station is located at the Bradley Village Hall complex along West Broadway Street. A recent study showed the village’s fire and ambulance response times to the north and northeast sections of Bradley are far behind industry standards.

Village leadership hopes to have the anticipated $800,000-plus project completed by late summer to early fall.

thanks Dennis

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History of Evanston Fire Department – Part 6

More from Phil Stenholm:

At 4 AM on Saturday morning, September 14, 1889, fire struck the brand-new J. J. Foster Building (stores and apartments) at the northeast corner of Church & Benson. With Fire Marshal Sam Harrison absent from the village, former EFD Chief W. R. “Bob” Bailey took command, assisted by several former members of the legendary Pioneer Fire Company.

A main broke after water-pressure was increased, causing the direct-pressure system to be ineffective. With very low water-pressure, firefighters were unable to get enough water on the fire, and the blaze communicated to the 2nd Baptist Church chapel to the north and threatened Haven School to the east. (The original Haven School was located at the northwest corner of Church & Sherman). Bailey called for assistance from both the South Evanston and Chicago fire departments. The fire was finally extinguished after a Chicago F. D. engine company arrived with a steam fire engine, but not before $25,000 worth of damage.  

On Saturday, December 26, 1891, Evanston firefighters battled a blaze in a barn situated behind the French House. (Located at the northwest corner of Hinman & Greenwood, the French House was one of Evanston’s two hotels at the time). The barn and its contents were quickly destroyed, and high winds threatened to extend the fire to several surrounding homes, as well as to the hotel itself. Chief Harrison called for assistance from neighboring towns, and firefighters from the Village of South Evanston, the Village of Rogers Park, and the City of Chicago responded.

Although the assistance provided by the South Evanston and Rogers Park fire departments was appreciated, it was the steam fire engine from the Chicago F. D. (Engine Co. 55, under the command of Capt. Galbraith) that made the difference. Supplying three 2-1/2 inch hose lines, Engine 55 made quick work of the battle, and the neighborhood was saved.

The Village of Evanston (population 12,072) annexed the Village of South Evanston (population 3,205) in 1892, forming what is known today as the “City of Evanston.” The Village of South Evanston’s waterworks had failed during 1891, and Evanston would only provide water to South Evanston if its residents agreed to annexation… which they did, albeit reluctantly.

Evanston’s firefighting force was increased from four men to seven, and the position of Fire Marshal was made full-time (and the Fire Marshal’s annual salary was increased from $200 to $1,000) after the annexation. The annual salary for Evanston’s “line” firefighters was increased from $480 to $600 in 1893.

The fire & police departments moved into the new city hall at the northwest corner of Davis & Sherman in 1893. The fire department was evicted from the facility in 1897 however, amid complaints from fellow city hall occupants regarding residual smoke from the fire department’s steam fire engine, and the sickening odor caused by the stabling of the EFD’s horses inside the building.     

Lincoln Avenue is what Main Street was called at the time Evanston annexed South Evanston in 1892, and by 1894, the street name still hadn’t been changed. The Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse was the only school in South Evanston at the time. It was located at the southeast corner of Lincoln & Benson (Main & Elmwood), the future site of Central School, and consisted of the original school building (a three-story brick structure — two floors plus attic, with a full basement), and an attached annex (wood-frame & brick) that was built in 1890.

This incident occurred on the first day of Spring (Wednesday, March 21, 1894) at 10:20 AM.

SOBS AND MOANS FILLED THE AIR AS THE FLOOR WHERE THE CHILD WAS LAST SEEN BROKE AND CRASHED DOWNWARD. BUT THEY WERE SUDDENLY CHANGED TO SHOUTS OF JOY AS BRAVE SAM HARRISON AND GEORGE HARGREAVES CAME INTO VIEW BEARING THE LIMP FORM OF THE CHILD FOR WHOM THEY HAD RISKED THEIR LIVES. THEIR FACES WERE BLACKENED AND THE BLOOD WAS RUNNING FROM A PAINFUL WOUND IN HARRISON’S HAND.

THEY FOUND THE CHILD IN ONE OF THE AISLES, LYING FACE DOWNWARD. THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK THAT IT WAS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THEY RETAINED STRENGTH TO REACH THE DOORWAY LEADING TO THE STAIRS. ONCE HARRISON FELL, BUT FORTUNATELY RETAINED HIS SENSES. IT WAS THEN THAT HE INJURED HIS HAND.

JUST AS THEY REACHED THE HALL OF THE REAR ANNEX, THE FLOOR AREA OVER WHICH THEY HAD GROPED WENT DOWN. HAD THEY BEEN A MOMENT LATER, BOTH RESCUERS AND GEORGE HARGREAVES MUST HAVE PERISHED.”

Chicago Herald, March 22, 1894.

Fire destroyed the school, but all of the children were rescued, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Evanston firefighters (Sam Harrison and George Hargreaves in particular) and an expressman named Sam Mack. Mack was passing by the school en route to the South Evanston C&NW RR depot when he noticed smoke pouring from the school’s windows, and children crawling out onto a second floor ledge. Mack calmly directed the children to jump into his arms to escape the flames, repeating the drill until the arrival of the Evanston Fire Department. Chicago F. D. Engine Co. 70 assisted Evanston firefighters in quelling the blaze. 

The Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire would stand for more than ten years as the single worst fire in Evanston’s history, until the Mark Manufacturing Company fire of December 1905.

In the aftermath of the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire, the Evanston City Council gave the EFD virtual carte blanche to improve its operations. Chief Harrison successfully lobbied for acquisition of a fire alarm telegraph, with placement of fire alarm boxes on street corners to provide citizens with the means to report a fire quickly. In the case of the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire, a citizen ran three blocks to report the fire in person at Fire Station # 2 on Chicago Ave..

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New engine for Lemont FPD (more)

From Bill Schreiber:

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New ambulance for Bloomingdale FPD

New bloomingdale fire ambulance

Bloomingdale FPD Board of Trustees meeting minutes 2021

click to download

thanks Tim

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Still alarm fire in Chicago 1-29-21

From Steve Redick:

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Winfield Fire Protection District news

From the Winfield Fire Protection District Facebook page:

Engine 31 which is our only operational fire engine is going back to the factory for a major overhaul of the engine, pump, mechanical systems and rotting frame rails. Our only fire apparatus left is Tender 31, which was designed to haul water to areas with no hydrants. With repairs to Engine 31 expected to take 3-6 months and no reserve fire apparatus, the West Chicago Fire District loaned us their engine that has been retired from service because it is 27 years old. So when you see a West Chicago vehicle driving around Winfield this is the reason.

Winfield Fire Protection District fire engine

Winfield Fire Protection District photo

West Chicago FPD loans spare engine to the Winfield Fire Protection District fire

Winfield Fire Protection District photo

West Chicago FPD loans spare engine to the Winfield Fire Protection District fire

Winfield Fire Protection District photo

thanks Danny

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Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:

A space heater likely caused a fire that killed a mother and her four young children Wednesday in Des Plaines is the assessment of city fire officials, whose preliminary investigation shows the blaze started at the top of the stairs to a second-floor unit — the only exit from the unit where the family was found. The investigation is now focused on how the heater might have ignited the fire.

There were no working smoke detectors on the second floort. Initial findings don’t point to foul play.

Autopsies by the medical examiner’s office ruled the deaths an accident, saying they died of thermal and inhalation injuries from the fire.

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Chicago Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:

Chicago aldermen and Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday paid tribute to retired Chicago Fire Department Lt. Dwain Williams, who was gunned down last month during a carjacking attempt in Morgan Park. Four people have been charged with his murder.

Lightfoot, who attended Williams’ funeral, said she was particularly moved by his nephew, who said that if the four young men who tried to steal Williams’ car had given him just five minutes, “he would have talked them out of the actions that they were taking that day,” and even offered to mentor them. 

Williams’ eldest daughter, Tarmarcea Humphrey, said the family has started a charitable foundation in his honor, and that Williams’ family is praying not only for other families, but for the four young men now charged with his murder.

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New quint for the Carpentersville Fire Department (more)

From Randy Buttliere:

Delivered today 1-29-21
Pierce Impel 107′ Ascendant
450 Cummins
1500 PUC pump
500 water
3 in 1 life safety harness system on ladder.
 2021 Pierce Impel PUC quint

Randy Buttliere photo

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New battalion buggy for the Crystal Lake Fire Department

From the Eby Graphics Facebook page:

Incident command van we striped for Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department

Crystal Lake FD 330

Eby Graphics photo

Crystal Lake FD 330

Eby Graphics photo

thanks Danny and Tyler

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