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Posts Tagged Deputy Chief Peter Ahlman

2-Alarm fire in Arlington Heights, 12-3-15

Dec 3

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | Comments off

building fire in Arlington Heights

Tim Olk photo

building fire in Arlington Heights

Tim Olk photo

building fire in Arlington Heights

Tim Olk photo

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

A massive extra-alarm fire ripped through a vacant building in Arlington Heights that once housed a plastics manufacturing company Thursday afternoon and left it a total loss.

Deputy Chief Pete Ahlman said the fire department responded to a 911 call at 6 a.m. and discovered that the sprawling, one-story brick building at Arthur Avenue and Davis Street, just south of the Metra Union Pacific railroad tracks, was engulfed in flames. “When we arrived, we had fire showing through the roof, and one minute later, the roof collapsed,” Ahlman said.

About 100 firefighters from Arlington Heights and several neighboring northwest suburban towns fought the blaze, which Ahlman said was one of the biggest commercial building fires in the village’s recent history, with 40-foot flames shooting through the roof. Firefighters had the blaze under control by noon, using a backhoe to demolish some portions of the building that were partially collapsed in hopes of providing better access to the structure’s interior.

thanks Tom

Video clips from Scott Peterson

more coming tomorrow

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Fire science program at Harper receives recognition

Nov 24

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

Excerpts from HarperCollege.edu:

Harper College’s Fire Science Technology program has earned national recognition from a U.S. Fire Administration program.

The Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education initiative, which aims to promote higher education and enhance the recognition of the fire and emergency services as a profession to reduce loss of life and property from fire and other hazards, certified that Harper’s program meets all standards of excellence. Harper is just the fourth community college in Illinois to receive this recognition.

“The new recognition and certificate means Harper College’s Fire Science Technology Associate of Applied Science degree is recognized nationally by fire departments across the country,” said Professor Sam Giordano, Fire Science Technology program coordinator.

Giordano said the national initiative encourages collaboration among college degree programs and state fire training agencies. The mark of excellence represents the idea that firefighters and fire officers armed with the knowledge and degree they receive at Harper can reduce the human and economic impact of fires in their communities.

“Our goal is to train firefighters to be the best in the nation, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to save lives and property while keeping themselves safe,” Giordano said.

Firefighters across the suburbs credit the program for launching or furthering their careers. Firefighter-paramedic Joseph Rosner said the degree gave him an edge in the hiring process, and set him up for success once he became part of the Crystal Lake Fire Department. Deputy Chief Peter Ahlman of the Arlington Heights Fire Department was already a veteran in the field when he came to Harper.

“I have learned a lot through practical experience and various classes over the last 25 years, but the Harper Fire Science Technology program provided a whole new depth of understanding in everything from the most basic to the most complex fire technology subjects through excellent and innovative materials, teachers and teaching methods,” Ahlman said.

Harper’s Fire Science Technology degree dates back to 1967.

 

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