This from Mike Summa for #TBT:
For TBT – This was the Tinley Park Fire Dept.’s Engine 209, then Squad 201, unknown year Spartan/Darley 1000/500. Sold to Chicago Heights FD where it became Squad 652. Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa photo
and from our files:
Larry Shapiro photo
Karl Klotz photo
From Chicago Heights Fire Department on Facebook:
After 26 years of distinguished service, Fire Chief Anthony Mascolino bids farewell to the Chicago Heights Fire Department. He is one of the few that have held every rank inside the department. His legacy of bravery, leadership, and compassion will continue to inspire future generations of firefighters.Enjoy your retirement!
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Congratulations and a big Thank You to Chief Jeffery Springer and the members of the Chicago Heights Fire Department on the recent delivery of a new Frontline Model M1 ambulance. This unit was built on a 2016 Chevrolet C3500 4×2 Silverado chassis. It is equipped with a 6.6L diesel. This is the 4th new unit for this busy south suburban Chicagoland department. This comes equipped with all LED emergency and interior dome lighting, Tomar Opticom System, Havis custom swing-out tablet docking station, 20A Kussmaul Super Auto Eject, custom installed Med-Vault, and an additional wall mounted suction unit/charger. This short wheel based Frontline Model M1 is the newest model in RevGroup’s long line of ambulance manufacturers and is designed as a small, sturdy, and dependable addition to any ambulance fleet. This all aluminum, extruded modular body comes equipped with over 56 cubic feet of exterior storage and 45 cubic feet of interior storage. The standard 146” long x 90” wide body comes standard with 68” interior headroom. These frontline models are also offered with or without a CPR seat.
Fire Service Inc. photo
Fire Service Inc. photo
Fire Service Inc. photo
Fire Service Inc. photo
Fire Service Inc. photo
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Chicago Heights police arrested Chicago Heights Firefighter Michael Janusek, a 12-year member of the department who also serves as its EMS coordinator, on Jan. 25 after a month-long investigation, police chief Thomas Rogers said in a statement. Janusek is charged with felony theft and official misconduct for allegedly misappropriating money from the Chicago Heights Fire Department’s foreign fire tax fund. He is currently free on a $25,000 unsecured bond after being released from custody Saturday. His status with the Chicago Heights Fire Department was not immediately known.
The police investigation found that approximately $6,000 worth of merchandise purchased with fund money, which state statute says must be used for the maintenance, use and benefit of the department, had not been authorized by the fund’s board of directors.
Janusek’s attorney Robert Olson said his client denied any wrongdoing and was still in the dark about the allegations. Olson said his client was a member of the Chicago Heights Foreign Fire Insurance Board, whose officers are responsible for spending the allotted foreign fire funds that Janusek is alleged to have stolen.
Foreign fire tax funds are derived from the insurance taxes companies outside the state pay to the Illinois Municipal League, which in turn distributes the money it collects to individual departments for use as they see fit.
Janusek, who also worked part-time as a police officer in Crestwood, resigned his position there earlier this week after the charges were announced.
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Congratulations and a big Thank You to Fire Chief Jeffery Springer and the members of the Chicago Heights IL Fire Department on the delivery of their new 2018 Wheeled Coach, Type 1 Ambulance. This new unit is their third recent purchase and will be a welcome addition to their busy EMS fleet. This 2018 F-450 4×2 chassis comes complete with Liquid Sping suspension system, Custom Coolbar, All LED Emergency and Interior Lighting, Compartment Strip Lighting, Custom Interior configuration etc. Radios, Computer docking stations, monitor mounts, PAC tool brackets and fire extinguishers were also installed prior to final delivery. Lettering and Striping was professionally installed by Strypes Plus More. This unit was sold by Pete Lombardi. If you would like additionall information on this unit or any other recent delivery, please contact your local FIre Service Inc. reprsentative.
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Last week, Ron Lucarini, paid-on-call fire chief retired after 40 years of service to the community. Almost a hundred Chicago Heights paid, POC, and past firefighters stopped by to wish Ronnie well.
Mementos from his career filled two tables in the firehouse. There were many photos from newspapers of Ronnie fighting fires, toy fire engines and awards. One of the most treasured is a thank you letter from President Ronald Reagan. The President thanked Ronnie for his service while visiting Chicago Heights on June 28, 1985.
“I walked into the fire house to see if I liked it, I stayed for 40 years,” Ron said. “I have a lot of great stories … One of the good memories was an outcome of a fire on 14th street. A lady named Frankie lost her husband in a house fire. She had her life savings in a paper bag. The roof caved in and every thing was impassable. Chief Puinti and I went inside. I kicked some wood away that was blocking the flow of water. As the water was leaving the second floor, here comes a paper bag with her life savings. We gave it to her and she hugged us both so tight and couldn’t thank us enough.”
“There was a house fire right down the street from # 1 station” recalls Ronnie. “I was the first one at the house. Myself and a police officer tried to go in the back door, I got down to crawl into the kitchen but the heat and smoke were to intense. After the fire was out, I went back into the kitchen and I was about two feet away from one child. I felt really bad. I kept thinking if only I could have held my breath for a few more seconds maybe I could have gotten him out. He and his two other brothers died.”
From the Fire Service Inc. Facebook page:
Thanks to Chief Jeffery Springer and the Chicago Heights Fire Department on the new order of a 2018 Wheeled Coach F-450 ambulance. This is Chicago Heights’ third Wheeled Coach and is another excellent addition to their busy EMS fleet. The new unit comes equipped with Whelen LED emergency and interior dome lighting, Liquid Spring Suspension System, custom interior cabinet configuration, LED compartment strip lighting, power cab and module door locks, OptiCom emitter, Federal EQ2B siren, Vanner inverter, custom SCBA/gear compartment and extended conversion warranties. We congratulate the CHFD and appreciate their continued business with Fire Service Inc. and Wheeled Coach. Delivery in approx 90 days. We will post additional pics once the unit arrives.
This from Brad Steinweg:
Pictures from Chicago Heights’ house fire on 15th & Lowe on Wednesday. Pretty well knocked when I got there, in overhaul and hitting hot spots. Also pictured is Flossmoor’s former ambulance 1370 which now belongs to Chicago Heights as ambulance 681. While fighting the house fire, they also responded down the street for a vehicle smoking heavily.
-Brad S.
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
Brad Steinweg photo
From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Congratulations to Chicago Heights Fire Department on the delivery of their two, 2016 Wheeled Coach Type I ambulances. We thank you for your business and look forward to working with you again.
Chicago Heights Ambulance 687. Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
