Berwyn FD deputy chief to tretire « chicagoareafire.com

Excerpts from ABC7Chicago.com:

Berwyn firefighters and police responded to reports of a fire in the 3300-block of South Home Avenue on Friday afternoon.

Police say there was excessive smoke and fire coming out of the roof and windows.

After firefighters extinguished the blaze, officials say they discovered a body inside the house. The identity of the victim is not known.

Berwyn police and fire officials are still investigating the blaze.

thanks Scott

A few images of the scene of the fatal house fire in Berwyn (5/5/17) from Josh Boyajian.

Josh Boyajian photo

Josh Boyajian photo

Berwyn FD Seagrave ladder truck at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Josh Boyajian photo

Tags: Berwyn FD deputy chief to tretire, Berwyn FD Engine 902, Berwyn FD Engine 903, Berwyn Fire Department, fatal house fire in Berwyn, fire engine on a hydrant, Josh Boyajian photo, Oak Park Truck 631

Excerpts from AroundBerwyn.com:

Berwyn Deputy Fire Chief Paul Gardner Jr. has worked at the Berwyn Fire Department for 34 years. He is one of four deputy fire chiefs in the department and is set to retire on Sept. 7.

“He was truly a fireman’s fireman,” Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran said. “He isn’t afraid to get dirty, go in there and get the job done. He will be missed.”

Gardner started his career as a paid on-call firefighter/EMT with the Stickney Fire Department. In 1980, he began working full-time with the Berwyn Fire Department as an EMT. In 1981, he took his fire test and was hired as a Berwyn firefighter.

Gardner was promoted to engineer, lieutenant and finally as deputy chief. His father, Paul Gardner Sr., served as a captain on the Berwyn Fire Department. Combined, they have more than 70 years of fire service with the city of Berwyn.

As Gardner retires, this leaves an opening that must be filled. According to city ordinance, a deputy chief’s position must be filled by one of the department’s 12 lieutenants. Once Gardner’s replacement is selected, the vacant spot in the lieutenants ranks will need to be filled.

thanks Dan

Tags: Berwyn Deputy Fire Chief Paul Gardner Jr, Berwyn FD deputy chief to tretire, Berwyn Fire Department