Archive for February, 2022

Chicago Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from chicago.cbslocal.com:

Retired Chicago Fire Lt. Dwain Williams was murdered in an attempted carjacking in late 2020, and on Saturday, he was commemorated with an honorary street name.

Loved ones, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and the mayor were present for the unveiling of four signs at the each corner of 95th and Peoria streets in Chicago’s Washington Heights neighborhood. The corner now has the honorary designation of Lt. Dwain P. Williams Way.

On Dec. 3, 2020, Williams, was leaving his a store at 11758 S. Western Ave. in Morgan Park when a stolen four-door dark-colored sedan pulled up and four males got out and bum rushed him. The carjackers fired at Williams who returned fire with his legally-possessed weapon. Williams was shot in the abdomen and was later pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.  Four people that were part of a carjacking ring have been charged with his murder. 

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New truck for Frankfort FPD (more)

From Bill Schreiber:

Frankfort FPD Truck 72 update

#rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #chicagoareafire.com; #FrankfortFPD; #RosenbauerViper; #RosenbauerCommander;

Rosenbauer photo

#rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #chicagoareafire.com; #FrankfortFPD; #RosenbauerViper; #RosenbauerCommander;

Rosenbauer photo

#rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #chicagoareafire.com; #FrankfortFPD; #RosenbauerViper; #RosenbauerCommander;

Rosenbauer photo

#rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #chicagoareafire.com; #FrankfortFPD; #RosenbauerViper; #RosenbauerCommander;

Rosenbauer photo

 

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Rosenbauer Electric FIre Truck heads to Los Angeles

From Rosenbauer Group @RosenbauerAmerica:

Curtains up for the RTX 
In recent weeks, Rosenbauer has built the first RTX, the electric tank firefighting vehicle for the North American fire services market. The vehicle is intended for the Los Angeles City Fire Department and was developed jointly with the LAFD. The “core DNA” is identical to the RT according to the European standard, while the technical design complies with the American NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) regulations. Click HERE for more info and photos 
#chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #LAFD; #RTX; #electrickfiretruck;

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #LAFD; #RTX; #electrickfiretruck;

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR; #LAFD; #RTX; #electrickfiretruck;

Rosenbauer photo

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Beecher Fire Protection District updates (more)

More Beecher FPD apparatus a fleet

Beecher FPD Ambulance 44

Beecher FPD photo

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Beecher Fire Protection District updates

Beecher FPD decal

 

 

 

 

This from Chief Joseph Falaschetti Jr.:

 I wanted to provide you with some updated information for the Beecher Fire Protection District

  • 711 Penfield Street Beecher, IL 60401
  • The district is 56.1 square miles
  • 7 career personnel 44 part-time personnel
  • Radio frequency is still 154.2350
  • 1200 calls for service
  • Website www.beecherfire.org
Beecher FPD Engine 44

Beecher FPD photo

Beecher FPD Tender 44

Beecher FPD photo

Beecher FPD Truck 44

Beecher FPD photo

Beecher FPD fire station

Beecher FPD photo

Beecher FPD fire station

Beecher FPD photo

 

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New engine for Peotone FPD (more)

From Bill Schreiber:

Peotone FPD Rescue Engine 14 Final Inspection

#BigRedR; #chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #Commander; #PeotoneFPD; #FireTruck

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #Commander; #PeotoneFPD; #FireTruck

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #rosenbaueramerica; #Commander; #PeotoneFPD; #FireTruck

Rosenbauer photo

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Evanston Fire Department history Part 63

From Phil Stenholm:

Another installment about History of Evanston Fire Department

 

SLAN LEAT 

Assistant Chief Michael Garrity retired in 1962 at the age of 70 after 44 years of service with the Evanston Fire Department. Chief Garrity joined the EFD in 1918 after emigrating from Ireland, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1927, to captain in 1934, and to assistant chief in 1951. Along with Henry Dorband and Jim Geishecker, Chief Garrity helped guide the EFD through the 1950’s, after the retirements of long-time platoon commanders Tom McEnery and Carl Windelborn, and the deaths of Chief Albert Hofstetter and Assistant Chief J. E. Mersch. His Irish brogue was a signature voice on the EFD’s radio channel.

Capt Herb Claussen (35 years of service) and Capt, Roy Decker (20 years of service) also retired in 1962, Capt. George Beattie (a future chief) was promoted to assistant chief and replaced Michael Garrity as a platoon commander, and firemen Ed Majkowski, Richard Zrazik, and Robert Schumer were promoted to captain. New firemen hired in 1962 were Tom Linkowski, Raymond James, David Johnson, and James Mersch Jr. Both Linkowski and Mersch would eventually retire as division chiefs.

A fire gutted second and third floor apartments above the Maple Market grocery store at 1936 Maple Avenue in June 1963, resulting in $70,000 damage. The fire started on a rear porch and communicated to apartments on the second and third floors. The grocery store sustained extensive water damage, but Evanston firefighters were able to check the fire before it could communicate to residences to the west and businesses to the north. Several firefighters were overcome by heat while battling this blaze.

Capt. William Windelborn retired in April 1963, Fire Equipment Mechanic “Marvelous Marv” Hofstetter retired in July, and Fireman Ed Downey retired in August. The trio were among several men in their 30’s who were hired during WWII to replace younger members of the EFD serving in the military, and despite getting a late start, they each had a solid 20-year career as a firefighter. Fireman LeRoy Dullin was promoted to captain and replaced Capt. Windelborn as a company officer, and Fireman Ernie Bongratz replaced Marvin Hofstetter as a fire equipment mechanic. New firemen hired were James Drohan, John Bjorvik, Victor LaPorte, and Leo Ranachowski.

At about 5:00 PM on the afternoon of October 7, 1963, the Evanston Fire Department received a report of a fire at the American Hospital Supply Corporation plant at 2020 Ridge Avenue. Engine Co. 23, Engine Co. 21, Truck Co. 21, and Squad 21 responded, and what was initially a small fire on the loading dock spread quickly to the interior of the warehouse. F-2 immediately called for a second alarm, and Engine Co. 25 and Engine Co. 22 responded, with Engine Co. 24 and Truck Co. 22 transferring (changing quarters) to Station #1. Chief Geishecker (F-1) arrived and ordered a full “Code 10” (a call-back of all off-duty firefighters).

Engine 23 and Squad 21 pulled up to the loading dock and attacked the fire with two 1-1/2 inch pre-connects off Engine 23, while Engine 21 and Truck 21 parked on Ridge Avenue and entered the structure through a door on the east side pf the building, with Engine 21’s crew pulling a hand line through the door. Engine 25 and Engine 22 arrived within five minutes, with Engine 25 dropping two loads of 2-1/2-inch hose westbound down Leon Place, before grabbing the hydrant on the north side of the street across from the loading dock. Engine 25 then supplied Engine 23 with one of the 2-1/2-inch lines, and manned the other one.

Engine 22 backed-down Ridge Avenue from Foster Street, and laid two 2-1/2 inch lines, before taking the hydrant at the corner of Ridge and Foster. One of Engine 22’s 2-1/2 inch lines supplied water for Engine 21, and the other was manned as a hand-line by Engine 22’s crew. Truck 21’s aerial ladder was extended to the roof and the company initiated vertical ventilation to release the heat and smoke that had migrated to the second floor. Cross-trained Evanston police officers assisted on the fireground. While firefighters attacked the blaze, employees of the company carried out boxes and file cabinets full of valuable documents, placing them in the AHSC parking lot at Ridge & Leon, under police guard.

Chief Geishecker requested mutual aid from Wilmette and Skokie – the first time a fire department other than Chicago’s was requested to assist the EFD since 1906 — to provide coverage at Station # 1, which would allow Engine 24 and Truck 22 to respond to the fire. Other than the men assigned to liaison with the Skokie and Wilmette units at Station # 1, just about the entire EFD — including several men who were on vacation — were summoned to fight the conflagration.

Reserve Truck 23 (1937 Seagrave 65-foot aerial ladder truck) was manned by off-duty personnel at Station # 3 and was ordered to the fire, to provide truck tools and salvage covers for the dozens of off-duty firemen arriving on scene. Reserve Engine 27 (1937 Seagrave pumper – ex-E23) was manned at Station # 3 and responded to the fire, Engine 28 (1937 Seagrave pumper – ex-E24) was staffed by off-duty personnel from Station # 4, off-duty men arriving at Station # 5 manned Engine 26 (1927 Seagrave pumper – ex-E2), and some of the off-duty men arriving at Station # 1 responded to the fire aboard Squad 22 (1924 Seagrave high-pressure / hose truck – ex-T1 tractor). Off-duty men arriving at fire stations after the reserve rigs departed were transported to the fire via CD pick-up truck or FPB station-wagon (F-3).

The EFD took a beating battling the fire on the first floor, but the employees finally finished removing company documents, and firefighters thought they  might have it knocked-down. However, as firemen began to overhaul and do some salvage work, the fire unexpectedly re-appeared on the second floor, eventually charging the entire building with heavy smoke. With a concern that hazardous chemicals stored in the plant might explode, Chief Geishecker ordered firefighters out of the building. 

As the fight went defensive, Engine 24 backed-down Ridge Avenue from the south, leading-out lines used to supply Truck 21’s elevated master stream now set-up on the east side, before grabbing the hydrant at Ridge & Garnett. Truck 22 extended its aerial ladder on the west side to further ventilate the roof before deploying an elevated master stream from that location, as hand lines used when operating inside the plant were replaced with larger diameter hose lines and Squad 21’s portable monitors on the exterior.  

As the situation deteriorated, a firefighter was ordered to move Squad 22 to a position on the west side of the plant, where the rig’s powerful deluge turret would be set-up at the loading dock. The high pressure wagon’s three-inch “fireboat hose” would be connected to Engine 27, which was being set-up to pump from the hydrant at Ridge & Simpson. Leon Place was an old brick street at that time, and as Squad 22 came rumblin’ and backfirin’ down the hill from Ridge Avenue, it appeared that the brakes may have gone out, because the driver couldn’t stop the rig before it ran over a charged hose line, causing it to burst and sending a geyser 30 feet into the air.

A chief came running up to the man who was driving the rig and started yelling at him, which made it even more of a clown show for the hundreds of spectators standing nearby. It was like watching a Laurel & Hardy movie. By the time another supply-line could be led-out and connected, the fire had gained more headway, and the plant was lost. The high-pressure wagon was parked off to the side for the balance of the fire, and was later towed back to Station # 1. The $1.9 million in damage would stand for more than twenty years as the highest property loss from a fire in Evanston’s history. 

Several firemen sustained career-ending injuries while battling the blaze. Chief Jim Geishecker suffered a disabling stroke, went on extended medical leave, and then officially retired when he turned 70 in February 1964, after 43 years of service with the EFD. Capt. George Jasper (27 years of service), Capt. Hjalmar Okerwall (21 years of service), and Fireman Arnold Windle (20 years of service) retired immediately after the fire. Capt. Ronald Ford (38 years of service) retired a few months later, and Capt. Harold Dorband and Fireman John Steinbuck were unable to return to active duty and took disability pensions in 1964.

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Chicago Fire Department history

Excerpts from the southern.com:

The year after the Great Chicago Fire, city officials kept their fingers crossed and hired six Black firefighters.

The Tribune reported on Dec. 6, 1872, that a Black fire company would be stationed on the foot of May Street, and cautioned those who might decide to protest: “Any infringement on the rights of the members by the people residing in the vicinity will be punished by the removal of the engine.”

That was a credible threat in a city where 300 had been killed and 100,000 made homeless by the enormous fire of 1871, for which the city’s fireD department was woefully unprepared. New pumpers were acquired, including one to be staffed by the city’s first Black firemen.

Even if city officials hadn’t foreseen that a small measure of integration would be anathema to white Chicagoans, they would have realized that the day after Engine 21 with its Black crew was assigned to May Street, near the site of the previous year’s fire.

Two crew members ordered drinks at Chaplin and Gore’s saloon on Monroe Street, as the Tribune reported. They were told Black people weren’t served at the bar. “One of them appeared to take the refusal in good part, but the other fellow declared it was a direct insult to the whole fire department, of which he was proud to be a member.”

Mr. Gore won the physical confrontation that followed but said he would complain to the fire marshal about his missing gold watch.

Engine 21?s firemen were not about to acquiesce to the indignity they’d experienced in Southern childhoods.

Born a slave in Kentucky, Stephen Paine served in the Union Army, then came to Chicago where he worked as a coachman. Being a fireman gave him a social standing equal to white people. Others on Engine 21?s crew had taken a similarly big step up. When challenged, they were more likely to fight back with a demonstration of their prowess than their fists.

In 1885, Engine 21 was called to the scene of a lumber fire that threatened the South Side and the adjoining town of Lake.

The crowd of spectators made fun of the men as they dragged their hose in, according to a Tribune report. “But the levity was soon succeeded by admiration. … They went up to within 10 feet of the burning lumber pile so full of danger to the city and Lake, and soon made an impression on the flames. The pipe got away from three of them once, but the fourth held on though he was knocked down and thrown around and knocked around on the ground.”

Still, why did city officials risk confrontations between Black firemen and racist whites, given all else they had to do to get Chicago up and running in 1872? The credit is due to Mayor Joseph Medill, says Dekalb Walcott, Jr, author of “Black Heroes of Fire,” an account of Engine 21.

A retired battalion chief, Walcott notes that Medill was committed to the cause of Black people’s freedom.

As editor of the Chicago Tribune he championed Abraham Lincoln for president and hectored him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Elected mayor after the Chicago Fire, Medill rejected his own Republican Party’s courting of voters grown weary of the race issue.

Indeed, Engine 21 would experience mixed fortunes as the nation swung to the right in the 1870?s. Its initial captain was white, and in 1889, the city turned down a petition for Engine 21 to get its first Black captain. That was hardly surprising. From the beginning, its Black crew was badmouthed.

In 1874, F. A. Bragg, a real estate dealer and former volunteer fireman, told insurance adjusters evaluating Chicago’s Fire Department that Engine Co. 21 was political payback to the Black community.

He thought the men “were good drivers and horsemen, generally, but not good firemen,” the Tribune reported. “There was no lack of good and experienced firemen in the city and the existence of this company kept just so many efficient men out of the force,” Bragg insisted. In response to that put-down, Black firemen strove to prove themselves as good, if not better than, white firemen.

In the 1870s, pumpers were drawn by horses stabled on a fire station’s lower floor. The firemen lived on the upper floor and were graded on how fast they could get downstairs and the engine out the door. Seconds matter to someone trapped in a building on fire. Not only did Engine 21 consistently get excellent reviews, but it added a tool to a fireman’s kit that quickened the response time of all companies. A Tribune reporter was shown the prototype by Paine, the former slave, on a visit to Engine 21?s quarters in 1888. “Steve brought it out,” the reporter noted. “It was polished a dark brown and was smooth as ebony and was handled by Steve something as an old battle-flag is handled by a soldier.” It was a pole used to hoist hay to the third floor, where feed for the horses was stored. One day an alarm was sounded, and George Reed slid down the pole and was waiting for the other firemen, who took the stairs.

That prompted David Kenyon, the company’s white commander, to ask his superiors if a circular hole could be cut in the second floor and the pole installed permanently. Walcott notes that permission was granted on condition that if the experiment failed, he would pay for repairing the floor. It worked, and the fire department’s annual report for 1878 noted that sliding poles were being installed in firehouses across the city. The later ones were made of brass, as sliding down a wooden one meant a fireman sometimes took a sliver with him.

For Kenyon, the invention kick-started his rise through the department’s ranks. As deputy fire marshal, he was thrown from his buggy, run over by an engine, and died of his injuries in 1887.

Though the sliding pole was adopted worldwide, it didn’t end the harassment of Engine 21?s crew or quicken the department’s integration. To the contrary, when a Black fireman was assigned to Truck 17, the white firemen burned a Black man in effigy, the Tribune reported in 1907, writing that the white members were so against the idea of a Black colleague that the firemen said they wouldn’t sleep in the same dormitory with him.

The first Back captain was appointed in 1923, and a second Black company was established in 1943. With each small breakthrough, more Black children experienced a thrill a Tribune reporter witnessed when Engine 21 went roaring out of its quarters in 1888.

Little by little, the Black community’s demand for an equal shot at fire fepartment positions grew more insistent. In 2011, a judge ordered the city to hire 111 Black firefighters as compensation for its discriminatory practices. Female applicants won a similar lawsuit.

And so it was that in 2021, a mere 143 years after a Black fireman slid down the first fire pole, Annette Nance-Holt, a Black woman, was appointed commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department.

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3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 2-21-22 (more)

This from CFDMike:

Here are some pics and video from the 3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 2-21-22

 

Chicago FD Engine 78 at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Firefighters at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Chicago FD buggies at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Chicago FD ladder truck at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Chicago FD ladder truck at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Chicago FD fire trucks at fire scene

CFDMike photo

Chicago FD Engine 43 at fire scene

CFDMike photo

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New engine for the Dekalb Fire Department

From Bill Schreiber:

#chicagoareafire.com; #FireTruck; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR;

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #FireTruck; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR;

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #FireTruck; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR;

Rosenbauer photo

#chicagoareafire.com; #FireTruck; #rosenbaueramerica; #BigRedR;

Rosenbauer photo

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