Hi all:
I found your blog while researching the history of an Evanston Fire Department vehicle that was probably sold in the early 1990s. The truck in question is shown in photographs here — — and here.
An online rundown of Evanston F.D. equipment here indicates this Truck 23 was used in reserve duty from 1982-1990. Presumably it was sold shortly afterward.I’m trying to determine the location of the second picture linked to above.So my question is whether anyone in your readership might know to whom the city of Evanston sold this vehicle.Weird question, I know. Thanks for your help.Dan BrekkeBerkeley, California
Archive for category Reader submission
From Ryan Lee:
Does anyone going know what’s going on with engine 89’s house? Drove by yesterday and there was no one on duty.
Ryan Lee photo
This from Asher Heimermann:
I filmed the Air Sea Unit at this year’s Chicago Air & Water Show.
The video includes demonstrations held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Rescue boat, helicopter, swimmers, jet skis, zodiac boats, and a fireboat.
Also, I filmed CPD’s brand-new Bell helicopter.
Of interest … fundraiser
Aug 4
This from Evan Rude:
I came across this fundraiser for a walk that the stepson of Tom Bauer of the Des Plaines Fire Department who died suddenly back in 2021 the stepson Dylan Gieck is raising money for The All Clear Foundation and PB Abbate. One is for emergency personnel and the other is for PTSD of veterans. I knew Dylan when we were in high school and he is really passionate for this cause.
Tom Bauer was born May 29, 1980 just outside Chicago, Illinois. He was the loving husband of Kelly (nee Malohn) Bauer; devoted father of Mason Geick, Dylan Geick, Johnna Geick, and Ty Bauer; caring son of Leo and Mary Bauer; dear brother of Sheila (John) Bauer-Gatsos and Laura Bauer; fond son in law of Jill and Robert Malohn; brother in law of Robert Malohn and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Tom served as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2003. During his service he achieved the rank of E-5 and various awards. He was primarily stationed at Schofield Barracks with 25th ID as an Airborne, Ranger tabbed, Sniper team leader. He served overseas in the Philippines and on other deployments before finishing his contract honorably and separating to pursue his dream of being a father. After a few years at home working in the fitness industry, he again felt called to serve. Upon completion of his schooling and training as an EMT and Paramedic, he entered the Fire Academy and graduated with distinguished honors. He immediately applied for a department in a more troubled community than his own so that he might have a greater impact. He received his first life-saving citation for the revival of a patient in an ambulance in 2014, going on the save and help many others over a long and difficult career. He became a fixture in both the department and the community. However, his lifelong service exacted a heavy toll. Tom struggled with untreated PTSD and burnout, losing this battle and passing on October 22nd, 2021.
This from Austin Lawler:
So I just happened to have this pop up in my YouTube feed, and thought some people might like it. It is a wet down to the extreme, but it also features some great eye candy. While not in the Chicagoland area, it is a pretty fun video.
A request from overseas …
May 23
Can anyone assist Karl?
Dear Sir,
We are planning a trip to Chicago with a group of firefighters from Austria in spring 2025, and of course, they like to visit the CFD on this tour.
So, I like to ask you, if a visit of the Fire Academy and stations is basically possible and if we could see a fire boat also?I am a retired Captain of a large Vol. Fire Dept. in the County of Munich, Germany and had 44 years of active duty there.
The group are also volunteer and professional firefighters from an area around Vienna and along the river Danube.We have already made a tour to New York City and the FDNY in 2023 togehter.
Thank you for any information in advance, I am looking forward to hearing from you,
yours sincerely,
Karl-Heinz Bitzer
85540 Haar
Tel: 089/464956
Mobil: 0176/26406302
Good Afternoon All,
I want to extend an invite regarding our annual Charity Smoking Competition called Smokin’ Heroes taking place on the evening of June 14th (rules and meat handout) into June 15th (Tasting and Judging) 2023 at the Johnston Green Days festival.
The competition will pit Police, Fire, and Military smoking teams against each other for bragging rights, the Smoking Heroes Championship Belt and other cash prizes! We will have teams from all branches of public safety represented and at various experience levels. There is one stipulation of the competition though, that you need at least one Police, Fire, military, or public safety person on your team. If you already have someone like that on staff you’re set to go. We will provide the meat it will be Pork Butt, Ribs, and Whole Chicken you just need a team and a smoker to compete.
The charity competition is being used to raise money to promote a cultural exchange with our sister city Peja, Kosovo. This experience cannot be had in a class room and expresses our overall approach as a department to work toward the betterment of the community at large.
Let me know if you’d like to compete or support this event, if so I’ve attached a registration/interest form to get you started. If you participate you’re more than welcome to put up banner in your smoking area to represent your team and organization, the last competition attendance was calculated at around 1,500-2,000. Your team will also be represented in our social media during and leading up to the event! Please contact me if you’re interested ASAP, my E-mail is zgrandon@cityofjohnston.com my number at the PD is 515.334.2342 if you have any questions about the event. Hope to see you there! Also feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested.
A couple odds and ends
- Since meat handout and rules are on the evening of the 14th you will be able to, if you choose, sleep in a tent or RV to smoke overnight or start as early as possible on the 15th
- If you only wanted to show up for the competition, super early on the 15th that is ok, I can make arrangements for that
- The competition takes place during our Green Days city festival, so there will be music, carnival rides, food and beverages during the competition so it is a family friendly event
Sgt Grandon
Community Policing Unit, Johnston Police
click to download
A request from overseas
Mar 26
Greetings Chicago Fire Department from Ireland.
I am just chasing up on a memory from my childhood. In the mid 1990’s a recently retired chief from “Engine 63” visited Ireland by the name of a Mr. Jack Ryan.
Mr Ryan stayed with us for a few nights back then. I am just wondering if he is still alive or if any family members carried on the tradition with Chicago Fire Department?
My thanks for your assistance,
Kind Regards,
Barry Hayes | Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer | National Ambulance Service | Regional Headquarters South | Unit 5 A | South Ring Business Park | Kinsale Road | Cork | T12 ND6P | Email; barry.hayes@hse.ie
Request for assistance …
Mar 25
Dear Webmaster,
Juergen Schlump from North-West Germany visiting the Elmhurst FD
I´m Juergen Schlump from North-West Germany and I had the fortune to visit the Elmhurst Fire Department in 2014. A dream for me as a volunteer firefighter becomes true due to that visit.
I was really impressed about the new station and the technic which the community provides for their firefighters.
Now I have a very unusual question and I hope that you can maybe answer them.
A good friend of mine, who is on duty as a professional friefighter in the professional fire station of the city Bochum, looks for a hospitation in the USA and ask me if I could help him.
He is a very smart men and his job until August 2023 was leading trainer of firefighter academy City Bochum, since then he´s deputy chief on station 2. In moment he´s on the way to get divorced and looks for a new level of firefighter education.
At 5:55min you can see him as the TOJ Lieutantant (trainer).
Maybe you can give me an advice how or who we can contact to get some advices so that his dream could become true.
Thanks in advance!
Best wishes from Wettrup / Germany
Juergen Schlump
A request for assistance
Mar 22
International Harvester- Hinsdale Agricultural Center Apparatus Photos
Hello,
I was curious if someone on your blog may have photos of the International Loadstar 1800/Pierce fire engine and Travel-All ambulance that were used by the fire brigade at the International Harvester Agricultural Engineering Center in Hinsdale (Burr Ride) in the late 70s. An IH retiree provided the attached photo but looking for additional photos if they may be out there.
Thanks!
Steve Ford
photographer unknown
