Excerpts from the Chicagotribune.com:
Four children under the age of 6 and one adult died in Des Plaines Wednesday morning during a residential blaze. The dead include four girls, Renata Espinosa, 6; Genesis Espinosa; Allizon Espinosa, 3; Grace Espinosa, 1; and Citahaly Zamiodo, 25, the medical examiner’s office said.
Firefighters had heavy smoke coming from the second floor and they learned there were people still inside the 2-story, duplex-type apartment building. Although the more than 100-year-old frame building appears to be a single-family home from the outside, Cook County records say that it has four apartments. Crews immediately went into search and rescue, and fire suppression mode.
The children were pronounced dead at local hospitals, while the adult was pronounced on scene. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to a hospital.
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#1 by Bill S on January 28, 2021 - 1:24 PM
RIP to the family on Oakton. God bless the First Responders.
The Monday morning conversation is for another day, on this thread, gentleman.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
#2 by Tom W on January 27, 2021 - 10:08 PM
I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with anything that has been said here, but can’t we all let the city of Des Plaines, including all the emergency personnel on scene and it’s residents mourn this tragic loss today in their community? I’m sure there are many questions to be answered, but this is like salt in the wound right now.
#3 by The DH on January 27, 2021 - 9:52 PM
#59, how did the union and/or citizens let this chief get away with that reduction? I pretty certain that was not how it was done in Roselle as all the departments in DuComm and ACDC lands have very similar response protocols (4 engines, 3 medics, 2 trucks and a squad, with the requisite slew of chiefs)….I’m pretty sure if my dept’s chief tried that, our local would have boots on the ground informing the citizens of the risks of changing that. That’s terrible. Shame on that chief, letting his citizens down like that….
#4 by MABAS 21 on January 27, 2021 - 7:49 PM
According to Journals and Topics, October 28, 2020:
“One of the fire department’s two aerial ladder trucks, stationed on Thacker Street, will be put out of service. It will be replaced with a smaller rescue squad vehicle which City Manager Mike Bartholomew described yesterday (Tuesday) as “essentially a big toolbox.” Besides the 100-ft. long aerial truck, that vehicle also carried numerous tools firefighters use. The need for an aerial truck at the Thacker Street station is not imperative, said Bartholomew, citing the fact that most surrounding suburbs own those types of trucks that are available for use in Des Plaines when needed. The city’s other aerial truck will remain stationed at the River Road firehouse.
Besides the rescue squad vehicle, stationed at the Thacker Street facility will be an ambulance and a fire truck/pumper, said the city manager.”
#5 by #59 on January 27, 2021 - 7:37 PM
It’s not the same when he took the truck OOS he changed the response plans also. DPFD would send 3 engines, 1 truck , 2 ambos and the BC to a reported fire. Now , the new chief decided he knew better and reduced the response to 1 engine 1 truck1 ambo and the BC
That’s probably the way they responded in Roselle when he was chief and they went to 1 fire a year
It was only last week that he agreed to add a second engine to the response
#6 by The DH on January 27, 2021 - 7:09 PM
Did they cut manpower when they took the truck OOS? I thought the truck company was traded for a squad and kept the same manning? If that’s the case, it stinks, but it’s the same number of people showing up on a fire. A two-story house, you can ladder with engine ladders. Not saying it’s a good thing, just offering perspective. Terrible call all around though. Rest in peace to the family… hopefully the DP personnel seek help if needed. Reach out to someone brothers and sisters if you need it…
#7 by Mike on January 27, 2021 - 3:55 PM
#59, I’m sure it looked good on paper and the bean counters were of the mindset “nothing bad is going to happen.” Des Plaines is busy enough the ambulances are never home and at 1 time they ran 4 ambulances. I’m sure this will be a topic of discussion for a while now. Rest In Peace to the 5 lost today.
#8 by Tom W on January 27, 2021 - 3:50 PM
God Bless that poor family! Thoughts and prayers to the men and women of the Des Plaines Fire Department. No one can ever train or prepare for a tragedy like this! So sad and difficult for everyone involved.
#9 by #59 on January 27, 2021 - 3:31 PM
Maybe the new chief needs to be asked why he took the truck in that still out of service last month, Des Plaines gets fires, this isnt the sleepy town you just came from