Posts Tagged Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

Fire service loses a good friend, Greg Melyon

From legacy.com:

Greg Melyon March 20 1962 to October 7 2020WHITING, IN – Gregory J. Melyon, 58 of Whiting, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Donna (nee Klapak); loving brother of Dan (Ellen) Melyon and Mark (Gerardette) Melyon; dearest uncle to many nieces and nephews; dear brother-in-law of Paul “Otis” Klapak and Frank (late Janet) Lowry; and his best friend Guinness Melyon.

Private funeral services will be held, there is no visitation. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on-line at www.baranfh.com.

Greg Melyon was born on March 20, 1962 to Henry and Alice (Simala) Melyon and was a lifelong resident of the Calumet Region. He was a graduate of Bishop Noll Institute, Class of 1980 and was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting. Greg was a 2nd generation firefighter and began his career with the Gary, Indiana Fire Department. He was one of a dozen firefighters in the city chosen to form Squad 2, a flying manpower squad, running to literally hundreds of emergency calls a year. Squad 2 would become one of the busiest heavy rescue squads in the country and its members, some of the most skilled firefighters in the industry. When our country was attacked on September 11, 2001, he responded with a group of fellow firefighters to New York City to support the efforts of the FDNY. Greg came up through the ranks, holding many positions, and retired as Chief of Operations from the City of Gary with 27 years of dedicated service. After retiring from Gary, he became a training instructor at the BP Whiting Refinery, where he continued to share his incredible knowledge of safety and emergency response. Greg was a member of the IAFF Local 359, the 5-11 Club of Chicago, the Fire Buffs of Illinois and was a founding member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. He enjoyed photographing fire apparatus and collecting fire apparatus pictures, memorabilia, and die-cast emergency vehicles. Greg was an avid traveler and connoisseur of local cuisine. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, 5218 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60609. (219) 659-4400

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago presents …

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

This from Steve Redick:

Had a great opportunity for a good tour of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago yesterday. It is the former quarters of Eng 123. They have an operating exhibit that showcases the old fire alarm office dispatching system as it was for many years … telegraph signals and all. I recorded the entire demo and have included a link to the youtube video. It is well worth a look. Afterwards they fired up old Engine 10’s Ahrens Fox and took it for a spin. I shot some images of that as well.  The driving force in developing the joker stand demo was Ken Falk and Wally Mitchell, as well as many other dedicated members of the museum crew. We owe them a great deal for preserving these memories for generations to come. This place is a must see for anyone in the Chicago area.

Steve

Chicago FD Engine 10 1926 Ahrens Fox fire engine.

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Engine 10 1926 Ahrens Fox fire engine.

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Engine 10 1926 Ahrens Fox fire engine.

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Engine 10 1926 Ahrens Fox fire engine.

Steve Redick photo

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Chicago FD history – the Joker Stand

The following is a video from the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

This video is of the Chicago Fire Dept’s. former “Joker Stand” that was used in Chicago firehouses for over 90 years until it was replaced by the O.E.M.C. and computer aided dispatching in the mid 1990’s.

thanks Dan

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

This from Bill Kugelman:

The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago … will host an Open House next Saturday from 1000 till 1400 hrs.

Bring a camera and a friend. Kids welcome. No entry charge.

It’s at 5218 S. Western Ave. Chicago

Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

 

Check out the recent video if you missed it

 

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

The Chicago Tribune has a short video created recently at the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago.

 

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Historical CFD program today!

Today,

at the Quinn Fire Academy, The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago is sponsoring a double program:

  • The History of the fire academy
  • The 1961 fire which resulted in the deaths of Tom Hoff and Bob O’Brien

The program begins at 10AM and will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

Tomorrow is the fundraiser for the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

 

Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

 

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Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago is hosting a fundraiser next week.

The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

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CFD Swap Meet and Muster (update)

More images from the Fire Buffs of Illinois and 5-11 Club muster at the Quinn Fire Academy on June 16th.

 

Fire muster in Chicago 2012

Apparatus lined up for display outside the Quinn Fire Academy. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 CFD Comm-Van 2-7-1

Command Van 2-7-1,a 2007 Ford F-650/Road Rescue (G-559) was on display at the muster. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Loudonville Century Series American LaFrance

This 1977 Century Series American LaFrance engine (1,500/500) which is owned by John Carter is X-Loudonville. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Sauk Fire District FWD engine

Owned by Gary Jensen, this 1961 FWD (750/750) engine from the Sauk Fire District in Wisconsin was on display. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Hillside Fire Department American LaFrance Eagle engine

Hillside brought Engine 402, a 2001 American LaFrance Eagle/3D (1,500/750). Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Hillside Fire Department American LaFrance Century engine

X-Hillside Engine 405, a 1975 American LaFrance Century Series (1,500/750) which is privately owned was also at the muster. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Hillside Fire Department American LaFrance

Both Hillside engines sat side by side showing the different generations of American LaFrance engines. Bill Friedrich photo

Fire muster in Chicago 2012 Fire Museum of Greater Chicago Ahrens Fox engine

This Ahrens Fox from the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago was center stage. Bill Friedrich photo

Not shown in photos but also on display were the replica of LA County Squad 51 and a Chicago Ridge engine.

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