This from Steve Redick:
663 takes a hit 1963
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click top download larger file
Posts Tagged Chicago FD history
Excerpts from dnainfo.com:
The same day the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX, the city lost Chicago Fire Lt. Edmond Coglianese.
Coglianese, 42, of Mount Greenwood, died while fighting a fire at the Mark Twain Hotel. He saved two elderly residents who were caught on the third floor of the residential hotel at 111 W. Division St. before he went back into the five-story building to search for more survivors. The 12-year veteran was later trapped by flames and died of smoke inhalation on Jan. 26, 1986.
A bell-ringing ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Coglianese’s firehouse — Engine Co. 98 at 202 E. Chicago Ave. in the Gold Coast. The hardworking father left behind his wife, Eileen, and two children, Allyson and Matt.
In all, 35 senior citizens were rescued from the burning hotel using ladders. Another 100 people came out of the building through stairways.
Allyson Coglianese was just 12 years old and in the seventh-grade at St. Christina School when her father died. Her brother, Matt, was 9 years old and in the fourth-grade at the Catholic school in Mount Greenwood.
Coglianese carries memories with her as a member of the Gold Badge Society of Chicago. Allyson Coglianese serves as vice president of the group that helps support the families of fallen firefighters.
Her mother, Eileen Coglianese, is president of the society. Among their most gut-wrenching duties is to arrive at the hospital and later at the homes of families who are mourning the sudden loss of a firefighter or paramedic who has died in the line of duty.
Their shared experience is meant to help ease the overwhelming emotional toll that is suddenly thrust upon the family. They also help with the finer details such as funeral arrangements, media requests and other issues that come along after such a tragedy.
thanks Dan
Excerpts from DNAinfo.com:
The same day the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX, the city also lost Chicago Fire Lt. Edmond Coglianese.
Coglianese, 42, of Mount Greenwood, died while fighting a fire at the Mark Twain Hotel. He saved two elderly residents who were caught on the third floor of the residential hotel at 111 W. Division St. before he went back into the five-story building to search for more survivors, according to a Chicago Tribune report. The 12-year veteran was later trapped by flames and died of smoke inhalation on Jan. 26, 1986.
In all, 35 senior citizens were rescued from the burning hotel using ladders. Another 100 people came out of the building through stairways, according to a fire department report.
A bell-ringing ceremony was held at 8 a.m. Tuesday (1/26/16) at Coglianese’s firehouse — Engine Co. 98. The hardworking father left behind his wife, Eileen, and two children, Allyson and Matt.
Eileen Coglianese, is president of the Gold Badge Society. Among their most gut-wrenching duties is to arrive at the hospital and later at the homes of families who are mourning the sudden loss of a firefighter or paramedic who has died in the line of duty.
Their shared experience is meant to help ease the overwhelming emotional toll that is suddenly thrust upon the family. They also help with the finer details such as funeral arrangements, media requests and other issues that come along after such a tragedy.
thanks Dan
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
This from Eric Haak:
With things being fairly slow lately, I thought I would share some images of a historical nature. This would be one of the more memorable fires of the past 50 years. The abandoned 9-story Continental Grain Company Elevator at 32nd Place & Benson Street stood on the east side of the South Branch of the Chicago River. Just after 7:00 pm on May 25, 1966, the structure went up in flames. The fire was elevated to a 5-11 with 4 Specials in under 20 minutes. People old enough to remember this need no description, but for those younger fans, the history of the department is an important thing to bring back into circulation from time to time. The photographer is unknown and the images are part of my personal collection.
5-11 with 4 Specials, May 25, 1966 at the Continental Grain Company Elevator at 32nd Place & Benson Street. Eric Haak collection
5-11 with 4 Specials, May 25, 1966 at the Continental Grain Company Elevator at 32nd Place & Benson Street. Eric Haak collection
5-11 with 4 Specials, May 25, 1966 at the Continental Grain Company Elevator at 32nd Place & Benson Street. Eric Haak collection
This from Eric Haak:
Here are a few more images of the 5-11+ that Steve Redick posted earlier this week. The last image appears to be from a day or so later or during a re-kindle. With these images, you can tell the companies on scene by the map Steve provided. Photographer is unknown and they are from my personal collection.
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
Eric Haak collection
This follow up from Steve Redick relates to a rent post Chicago 5-11 at 1520 S Indiana in 1974:
I sent this out a while back and just got some additional info to share. Old time fan Chuck Bleck was working in the insurance industry at the time and prepared an extensive diagram of the fire and was kind enough to share it. Chuck also sent a copy of the report in Turnout magazine from the fire as well as some other good old CFD info.
Warren Redick photo
map by Chuck Bleck
** a note to our younger readers who might be wondering about the odd looking type of the two summaries above … they were created with a typewriter
This from the collection of Steve Redick:
April 12, 1953, 5-11 with many dead, Haber Corporation 908 W North Ave
April 12, 1953 5-11 with many dead Haber Corporation 908 W North Ave . Steve Redick collection
March 13, 1965, 2-11 at Fulton & Damen in Chicago … Great shot .. I can see a 2 fog pressures as well as some great old buggies
March 13, 1965, 2-11 at Fulton & Damen in Chicago. Steve Redick collection
This from Steve Redick:
I returned from Arkansas with a lot of my dad’s collection. One of the things he had displayed on his wall was a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a 5-11 he and I were at in 1974. This was a cold storage warehouse and I recall it burned for days. I also remember at some point the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure causing the transmission of another extra alarm. We took it in well after the initial alarm and toured the fireground getting these shots of some classic rigs in action. The image with Big John in the background is probably one of the few images you will see with both guns working. Most times they couldn’t muster up the water supply to use both. Also note the 2000-GPM LaFrances often used both ports on the hydrant. They had an order that no other pumper was to share a hydrant with a 2,000-gallon rig, thus giving them the ability to use both steamer ports.These photos were in horrendous condition … colors way off and faded. I was surprised at how much of the damaged images I was able to restore. They are far from perfect but at least they are now useable. I bet if I made them B&W they would be near perfect. Enjoy the history.
Steve
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
This from Jeff Harkey:
With recent changes to CFD units, I took the opportunity to update my lists and maps.
I hope to take up the continuing task of plotting significant incidents during the holidays. I’m currently working on the 1930s.
Here’s the link to the site for Chicago Fire equipment:
I want to make this resource available to your readers, but I also know that if there are any errors the readers will point them out immediately!
Have a great Holiday,
Jeff
Map of Chicago FD engine companies
Map of Chicago FD truck companies
Chicago FD history
Sep 22
This from Steve Redick
This image is from January 1986 … a dark day in the CFD. This was the Mark Twain Hotel, 111 W Division, and Lt Edmund Coglianese of 98 was killed here. The fire ocurred on Super Bowl Sunday, when the Bears played New England. The real scope of this tragedy was overshadowed by the super bowl victory … a terrible situation made so much worse by the hooplah of the victory. This was a dumpy SRO with tiny cubicle-like rooms. I believe the the Lt either had a mask malfunction and or ran out of air. They had an aweful time getting him out of the building.I can only imagine how bad conditions were in this case … maze-like interior, zero visibility, severe fire conditions, difficult searches, and a tough time getting a line down what must have been a long nasty hallway. I had recently met Edmund when he brought his son’s Boyscout troop up to the office for a tour. A nice man who left behind a wonderful family. I will never forget the fact that he was the one who answered me on the amplifier when I gave him what turned out to be his last run … this still stays with me 30 years later. I can only imagine the pain his family must still feel every day.Steve
