From Wayne VanBeveren :
I spotted these in a public works yard at 202nd and Ashland in Chicago Heights. There’s an unknown trailer, a former ambulance/police command center, ex-squad 663, and a former ladder truck.
Wayne VanBeveren photo
Wayne VanBeveren photo
Wayne VanBeveren photo
This from Tyler Tobolt:
Brand new Schaumburg Engine 52, only been in service for less than 2 weeks
Tyler Tobolt photo
Tyler Tobolt photo
May 9
This from Eric Haak:
For #TBT. I wanted to share these great color images taken in the Summer of 1963 of Truck 49 and Engine 126 outside of their quarters. No idea who the lucky young man is.
photographer unknown
photographer unknown
Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:
Four years after former Highwood Fire Department Deputy Chief Ronald Pieri was arrested on charges related to payroll fraud, a Lake County Circuit Court judge has found him guilty on a single count of false entry for falsifying time records. But Judge Victoria Rossetti found Pieri not guilty on two counts of official misconduct and two counts of theft of government property.
Sentencing on the lone conviction, a felony, is scheduled for Feb. 17. Pieri could face probation or up to five years in prison.
After the verdict, defense lawyer Richard Blass said he “respectfully disagrees” with the outcome, as he does not believe the state’s evidence supported a count of false entry beyond a reasonable doubt.
Before ruling on the case, Rossetti summarized the content of many of the state’s 45 exhibits, which contained thousands of pages of documents, as well as the testimony of key witnesses. She said Pieri was very familiar with the firehouse computer system for tracking personnel on duty, as he managed the system and taught others how to use it. He also was aware of the city’s personnel policies for fire employees.
Pieri stood trial this fall before Rossetti on felony charges related to the falsification of time records from January 2006 to December 2010.
During opening and closing arguments, Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Turk had portrayed Pieri as a disgruntled employee who felt he had been wronged and wanted to work a 9-to-5 job. Despite his job title, he was required to work a 24-hour shift every third day — like other firefighters in the small department, prosecution witnesses testified.
Pieri’s defense lawyers, Blass and Julie Trevarthen, said the state’s case was built on flawed, unreliable data, as evidenced by discrepancies in three sets of calculations created by the state’s fraud examiner in preparing the prosecution’s case. Moreover, the defense said the state’s analysis had assumed that if Pieri’s time sheets did not match the on-duty records kept in the firehouse computer system that the time sheets rather than the firehouse records were in error. An expert witness, Benjamin Wilner, had dismissed the time records as unreliable after finding an anomaly showing that a fire official had worked 1,500 hours in one day.
Pieri was arrested on criminal felony charges in fall 2011 and initially was placed on paid administrative leave by the city of Highwood pending an internal investigation. At the time of his arrest, Pieri was the highest-ranking member of the Highwood Fire Department, the husband of an alderman and the son of a former alderman.
He continued to draw his salary of about $66,000 until fall 2013, when city’s fire and police commissioners board voted 2-1 to suspend him without pay.
The commission has been awaiting the outcome of the criminal trial before considering his employment status.
“The burden is now on the city to take the next step, and that will continue now,” Pecaro said.
Previous posts can be found HERE
This from From Bob Daluga,
[evp_embed_video url="http://shapirophotography.net/videos/IMG_0028.MOV"]After a successful debut last fall, Old Style will salute Chicago’s heroes once again with the limited-release commemorative can. Old Style is proud to support those who heroically defend this great city and their families. Proceeds from each case sold will benefit Ende, Menzer, Walsh and Quinn (EMWQ) Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund, a local organization that provides annual financial assistance to the neediest widows and orphans of members of the Chicago Fire Department.
This is the second year of the commemorative can, after having a successful debut last fall for a limited-time only and becoming an instant collectable for Chicagoans, Old Style enthusiasts and those who work for or honor the Chicago Fire Department. New this year, the limited run (July through early September or while supplies last) commemorative can will be available in 24-packs, 12-packs, and 16 ounce cans, with Old Style donating a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to the organization.
Old Style has a long and storied history with the city of Chicago. Showing its dedication to the community that has generously supported the brand throughout the years, Old Style launched the Chicago Heroes program to pay tribute to the hard-working men and women who keep Chicago safe and protected every day. The commemorative can, adorned with an image of a firefighter and details about the organization, is available at retailers throughout Chicagoland.
“When we launched the Chicago Heroes program last year, it was a unique way for us to pay tribute to the everyday heroes who don’t get thanked enough for all of their courageous work,” said Dan McHugh, CMO for Pabst Brewing Co. “We selected EMWQ Assistance Fund as our partner for this initiative because we’ve been so impressed with their work and the tremendous support they provide to Chicago firefighters and their families. The funds raised from last year’s commemorative can made a significant impact on those who received donations, and it’s such an honor that we can do something truly meaningful. We look forward to re-launching the can, and once again seeing Chicagoans embrace it and the cause.”
The final donation from last year’s limited run went on to assist several Chicagoland families, helping those who received contributions put money toward their children’s education, pay off outstanding bills, and in general continue to be able to afford day-to-day necessities. This year, Old Style hopes to help even more families with the program expanding to the 12- and 24-pack Old Style 12 oz. cases.
EMWQ Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund works each year to identify the families and children most in need of monetary donations. An annual gift is presented to the neediest widows – those who receive a pension of $1,000 to $1,500 a month and many without social security – as well as an annual gift to the orphaned children of members of the Chicago Fire Department. The organization also provides immediate assistance to the children of an active member who passed away in the line of duty or off duty. A 22-year-old organization, the EMWQ Assistance Fund has donated more than $10 million dollars over the years through the generous support of the community, the annual charity softball event and more.
thanks Dan
This from Eric Haak:
I took in this still at 3259 S. Halsted at about 9:15 on Saturday morning (2/7/15). I arrived about 5 minutes too late and the fire was knocked pretty good by the time I walked down. The fire appeared to be mostly contained to the rear porches of a fairly large 3-story mixed occupancy. Engines 29 and 28 with Trucks 8 and 11. It was hard to get a good shot of 29 shooting into the sun.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
