Dec 18
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
It’s #MedicMonday !!!
Credit: Aurora Fire Dept. of Illinois
Want to see YOUR Department’s truck showcased on here next week? Direct Message us your best photos of your Wheeled Coach, Road Rescue, and FrontLine Ambulances as we will be posting a new selection every Monday!
Let’s see what awesome trucks we’ve got out there in Indiana/Illinois!
Aurora FD photo
Dec 12
Excerpts from the Chicagotribune.com:
The Aurora City Council this week approved a $477 million budget for 2020 that includes new police officers and firefighters, a major increase for the Aurora Public Library and money toward a new Public Works building. The budget passed 11-1 with city staff and most aldermen saying the budget reflects solid financial management by the city.
The overall budget is about 9.3% higher than last year’s $431 million. Some of that is due to almost $35 million carried over from the 2019 budget for projects that did not get finished during the year. Meanwhile, revenues are projected to be $437.3 million, or about 6.4% higher than in 2019.
The general fund, which is the city’s main operating fund, is expected to increase from about $182 million to $195 million, or about 7.1%. Most of the increase is in three areas: $5.1 million more for police, $4.1 million more for the fire department, and $1.3 million more for innovation and core services.
The city plans to add seven police positions – six patrol officers and a records clerk – and the fire department will add two. There also is more money budgeted for equipment, a direct reaction to the shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in February that killed five Pratt employees and injured five police officers and a Pratt worker.
One of the key expenditures that must come out of the general fund, which is funded largely by property taxes, is a $3.5 million payment into the public safety pension fund. Funding public safety pensions is mandated for local government by the state. It is a situation every municipality in the state faces, as well as the state government itself, Lyons said.
Aldermen will look at the property tax levy to support the budget later this week.
Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
The abandoned Lincoln Masonic Temple in Aurora has been destroyed by a fire that broke out after 10 p.m. Monday night. The structural integrity of the building was a challenge as the building quickly began to crumble. Some of the building collapsed onto power lines knocking out power for some homes.
The longtime historic landmark in downtown Aurora hasn’t been used in over 10 years. The Masonic Temple built in 1922 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The 50,000 square foot building has been empty since 2008 when it was being used as a banquet hall. Neighbors say homeless people and teenagers often break in the building. The old structure continues to present challenges for firefighters.
Sep 17
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aurora’s 911 Center received a report of a woman spotted floating downstream in the Fox River near the New York Street bridge. Multiple police officers responded, along with the Aurora Fire Department, positioning themselves on bridges downstream as they attempted to catch a glimpse of the woman.
The Aurora police department’s drone team was also deployed, hoping that a bird’s eye would aid in the search.
Approximately 11 minutes after the initial 911 call, an Aurora police officer saw the woman floating in the water in the 100 block of South River Street.
Aurora Police Officer Shane Leadbetter, Officer Jason Contreras, Sgt. Jeff Talley, and Aurora Fire Lt. Steve Buono were able to run down to the bank of the river and pull the woman out of the quick-moving current. Aurora Fire Department paramedics transported the woman, who was conscious and breathing, to an area hospital.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources closed the Fox River through Aurora to recreational boats on Friday until further notice due to the high water and increased current following recent rainfall.
Jul 11
From the Aurora FD Facebook page:
Around 4:30 p.m. on July 9, 2019, the Aurora Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Spruce Street on the near West Side of the City. Upon arrival firefighters found a 1-story brick building with heavy smoke showing from all sides. The business located in the building was a scrap metal recycling company. Due to the rapid spread of fire throughout the front half of the building, a 3rd Alarm was requested brining a total of 38 firefighters to the scene where an exterior defensive operation was established.
The building was divided into three sections and firefighters were able to contain the fire to the front section preventing a total loss of the entire structure. As the fire progressed the roof and an exterior wall collapsed. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians and the fire is under investigation at this time. The estimated total dollar loss is $400,000.
Aurora Fire Department photo
Aurora Fire Department photo
Aurora Fire Department photo
Aurora Fire Department photo
Apr 13
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Fire Service, Inc. congratulates Chief Gary Krienitz and the Aurora Fire Department on the recent delivery of their latest Wheeled Coach Type 1 Ford F450 4×4 ambulance. This is the 8th Wheeled Coach Type I purchased by Aurora, finalizing the conversion of the entire AFD front line EMS fleet. The consistency of their custom interior design is enhanced with the Stryker Power Load system, and the conversion of the interior cabinetry to be CN-10 compliant. The IMMI Per4Max restraints offer fully retractable straps without sacrificing comfort and restriction. With the patented Cool Bar HVAC system and Whelen LED interior and exterior lighting and warning systems, Aurora remains prepared to offer their community consistent and safe EMS transportation for all missions. We are thankful that the City of Aurora places their trust in Fire Service, Inc for their EMS and fire apparatus needs. We remain committed to Aurora and all of our Fire Service, Inc. current and future family members.
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The Aurora City Council approved buying 60 bulletproof vests for firefighters who accompany police into dangerous situations. The purchase comes in the wake of the Feb. 15 mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. building that claimed the lives of five workers and injured six police officers.
The city will spend $86,349 to buy the vests, as well as helmets, accessories, goggles, and medical supplies.
Mar 6
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Congratulations and a big Thank You to Chief Gary Krienitz, Deputy Chief John Gilbert, Support Services Assistant Chief Dave McCabe and all the members of the Aurora IL Fire Department on their recent purchase of two (2) Emergency One top-mount pumpers. These new units will feature E-One’s popular Typhoon chassis with Vista Raised Roof, and a 330 HP Cummins L9 motor with Allison transmission retarder. These pumpers will come equipped with E-One’s custom aluminum extruded body with ROM painted roll up doors, 780-gallon water tank, hydraulic ladder rack, Hale 1500-GPM QMAX pump, Federal Signal emergency lighting package, Hi-Viz Firetech brow light and scene lighting, and a custom interior designed for this busy department. These two units will be a welcome addition to Aurora’s all E-One Fleet. We appreciate the business from this long time customer and look forward to a December 2019 delivery.
thanks Keith
Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Firefighters responded to a fire in a four-unit townhouse in the 1800-block of Carnation Court on the city’s west side around 1:57 p.m. where a 4-year-old girl died and two other people were injured in a fire Wednesday afternoon in Aurora.
A 25-year-old woman and a 5-month-old girl were being treated at Loyola University Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burns.
Feb 27
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
An Aurora City Council committee Tuesday recommended moving ahead with buying bulletproof vests for firefighters who are part of special tactical units, less than two weeks after they were involved at the scene of a mass shooting.
The move comes less than two weeks after firefighters moved into the Henry Pratt Co. building with police to confront an active shooter who had killed five Pratt workers and was shooting at the
first responderspolice officers and firefighters. As it happens, plans were already underway for purchase of the vests, but those plans did not materialize in time for the Feb. 15 incident.The firefighters involved were part of a police and fire tactical unit during the incident. It was the first time the city had used the combined units. The idea is that paramedics are on the scene to quickly help with injuries during an incident, such as the mass shooting at Pratt.
Aldermen voted to recommend spending $86,349 to buy 60 bulletproof vests, as well as helmets, accessories, goggles and medical supplies. At one time earlier in 2018, fire officials applied for a grant for the purchase.
Originally, officials planned to spend $70,000 on the purchase, but had upped that in the budget to $110,000, so the final price was about $30,000 under the budgeted amount.
The City Council Committee of the Whole will consider the purchase next week, and move it to the full council to discuss on March 12.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
