Posts Tagged Highwood Fire Department

Highwood may supplement manning with contract personnel

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The City of Highwood may contract with a private firm for the services of some firefighters and paramedics to ensure the level of staffing required for fire-insurance rating purposes.

According to City Manager Scott Coren, the Highwood Fire Department must have four people on duty to retain the  rating from the Insurance Services Office. The four-person staffing level also is required under Highwood’s collective bargaining agreement with its fire union, an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Under automatic-aid agreements, the city also is served by the Highland Park and Lake Forest departments and is available to assist them in return.

On April 8, the Highwood City Council, in a narrow 4-3 vote, directed staff to negotiate a contract with Kurtz Paramedic Services or another firm to provide supplemental full-time firefighters and ensure that Highwood maintains minimum manning requirements. The small department that serves the city of 5,400 residents currently has four full-time non-probationary firefighters/paramedics. A fifth full-time employee is within the probationary period. The full-time workforce is supplemented by part-time employees.  The council’s vote triggered a 30-day waiting period required by fire union contract. An agreement could be finalized as early as mid-May.

There are no plans to lay off the full-time, non-probationary firefighters/paramedics should the city contract with a private firm for supplemental personnel, the manager said.

Kurtz currently employs more than 750 people as firefighters and paramedics, according to Tom Vana, president and chief executive officer of the firm. It holds contracts with 26 municipalities and fire protection districts. Its client list includes the municipalities of Wheaton, Bensenville, Lyons, Tinley Park, Westmont and Crete and fire protection districts in South Chicago Heights, Frankfort and Plainfield.

Vana told the council the average experience of the firm’s firefighter/paramedic employees is a little less than 15 years. Should the firm win the contract, preferential hiring would be extended to Highwood employees unless an employee assigned elsewhere requests a transfer to work in Highwood, he said.

Addressing the Highwood City Council the night of the vote, Fire Battalion Chief David Mohry expressed concerns over the impact even a few private employees would have on a department of Highwood’s size. He also expressed worry about the rate of turnover.

thanks Dan

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Working house fire in Lake Forest, 1-27-15

This from Niko Stefani:

I went to Lake Forest’s working fire Tuesday evening. They had the full working fire response and they also requested an investigators Box Alarm

There are no pictures of the house out of respect to the homeowners. Here is a run down of companies:

  • Lake Forest: Engine Co. 422, Engine Co. 421, Ambulance 421, Battalion 42, 4201, 4200
  • Lake Bluff Rescue Co. 4520
  • Deerfield-Bannockburn Engine Co. 19 & Ambulance 19
  • Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Truck Co. 53
  • Highwood Truck Co. 37 & 3700
Below are pictures of Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Truck Co. 53, Deerfield Bannockburn Ambulance 19, and Highwood Truck Co. 37
Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD Ambulance 19

Niko Stefani photo

Lincolnshire Riverwoods FPD Truck 53

Niko Stefani photo

Highwood Fire Department Truck 37

Niko Stefani photo

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Highwood donates engine for Pink Heals

Images from Tim Olk of a Highwood FD engine that is being donated to the Sheboygan County Chapter of Pink Heals

Pemfab E-ONE fire engine

Pemfab/E-ONE engine being donated to Pink Heals Sheboygan County Chapter by the Highwood FD. Tim Olk photo

Sheboygan County Chapter , Pink Heals

Tim Olk photo

E-ONE fire truck law tag

Tim Olk photo

E-ONE fire truck law tag

Tim Olk photo

Pin Heals

Tim Olk photo

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Highwood Fire Department apparatus updates

Updated images from Karl Klotz of the current Highwood Fire Department apparatus including new striping.

Smeal fire truck

Highwood Truck 37 with new striping after having some body work done. Karl Klotz photo

fire department decal

New decal for Truck 37.

Highwood Fire Department

Highwood Battalion 37 is a 1999 Chevy Tahoe (X-Northbrook FD). Karl Klotz photo

Highwood Fire Department Engine 37

Highwood Engine 37 is a 1987 Pierce Lance 1250/500 (X-Northfield Squad 29). Karl Klotz photo

Highwood FD ambulance

Highwood Ambulance 37 with new striping. Karl Klotz photo

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Highwood house fire, 8-1-14

From Tim Olk:

Highwood had heavy smoke on arrival just before midnight at a two-story vacant house at 348 Prairie.

firemen climb a ladder to the roof of a house on fire

Tim Olk photo

firemen climb a ladder to the roof of a house on fire

Tim Olk photo

father and son firefighter together

Tim Olk photo

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Box Alarm fire in Vernon Hills, 7-20-14

This from Sam Borcia:

The Countryside Fire Department were dispatched initially to a smoke investigation inside a townhouse at 821 Faulkner Place in Vernon Hills Sunday, 7-20-14, at around 8:40 PM. It was upgraded to a working fire and soon after a Box Alarm. I’ve included some of the photos,
Thanks, Sam Borcia.
fire engine at night

Sam Borcia photo

ambulance at night

Sam Borcia photo

night fire scene with smoke

Sam Borcia photo

fire truck at night

Sam Borcia photo

firemen at night at smokey fire scene

Sam Borcia photo

night fire scene with smoke

Sam Borcia photo

night fire scene with smoke

Sam Borcia photo

fire engines at night

Sam Borcia photo

here is a link to the photos on my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.684353098313590.1073741907.229793033769601&type=1.

Some images from Larry Shapiro who arrived much later.

firemen use high expansion foam to fight a basement fire

High expansion foam generator. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen use high expansion foam to fight a basement fire

A hole in the kitchen floor allows for foam to be dispensed into the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

townhouse damaged by fire at night

The rear of the unit that was involved. Larry Shapiro photo

sign noting dangerous conditions at house

Warning sign posted at the fire unit. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen use high expansion foam to fight a basement fire

Front door of the end unit where the fire occurred. Larry Shapiro photo

Pierce fire engine at night

Countryside engine with lines off. Larry Shapiro photo

While one engine, investigators, and the shift commander were still on the scene around 1:40AM, they noticed smoke in the residence adjoining the original fire unit. A full still alarm response was sent back to the scene as they uncovered the fire in a void space between the units. Highwood Truck 37, in Vernon Hills on a change of quarters from the original alarm, sent their company to the roof after setting up thee aerial.

Companies were released around 3AM.

More images from Larry Shapiro:

fire truck at night on scene

Highwood Truck 37 was deployed to the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen immersed in high expansion foam

High expansion foam on the rear deck and inside of the original fire unit. Larry Shapiro photo

fire department ladder truck at night fire scene

Highwood Truck 37 sporting new decals and striping after being refurbished. Larry Shapiro photo

fireman directing whose line into a townhouse

Countryside firefighters on the rear deck of the original fire unit wetting down the common wall. Larry Shapiro photo

 

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Highwood mayor wants deputy fire chief to lose pay

The Chicago Tribune has an article about the Highwood FD deputy chief who has been on an administrative leave for the past two years.

Nearly two years after Highwood placed Deputy Fire Chief Ronald Pieri on paid leave amid allegations that he received compensation for hours that he didn’t work, the city manager took the first step toward suspending Pieri without pay. Highwood City Manager Scott Hartman filed a formal complaint Friday with the city’s Board of Fire and Police Commission seeking to suspend Pieri as the longtime city employee awaits trial on felony criminal charges of theft and official misconduct.

Hartman also asked that Pieri be suspended from his job immediately, but the three-member commission instead agreed to delay a decision until a formal hearing Oct. 8. “You have the authority to suspend him without pay today,” Hartman’s lawyer, Jolanta Zinevich, argued. “You don’t want a person getting paid for not working while waiting on these charges.”

Zinevich said that Pieri has “been interrogated three times” in a recent city investigation and that he would be reimbursed for lost pay should he be found not guilty of theft charges. But Pieri’s lawyer, Richard Blass, said that he had just learned about Friday’s meeting this week and asked that Hartman submit his motion for suspension in writing. “Mr. Pieri should be given the opportunity to review the charges and respond,” Blass said, adding that city officials have “sat and stared at this for two years.”

Pieri’s annual salary is about $66,000, Blass said. Though Pieri’s title is deputy fire chief, at the time he was placed on leave, he was the highest-ranking member of the Fire Department, city officials have said.

According to Hartman’s complaint with the commission, Pieri “falsely claimed and/or reported” compensatory time “for work that he could have performed (at least in part)” during his regular shift and received full pay “without fully working the shifts he was assigned to work” and “without properly reporting” benefits like sick or holiday pay.

Those alleged actions cost the city’s taxpayers “some $50,000” since Jan. 1, 2007, the complaint states.

A few of his supporters in attendance later said they believe Pieri is being targeted for political reasons. Pieri’s wife, Kathy Murphy-Pieri, is a former city alderman who lost her bid for the mayor’s seat this year.

The Fire and Police Commission members said they, too, needed time to read Hartman’s complaint. “We have been basically kept in the dark as a commission,” said member Alan Lasday. “This is the first written information I’ve seen on this.”

Pieri is due in Lake County court on the criminal charges Monday.

 

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2-Alarm building fire in Northbrook 7-1-13 (more)

Images from Tim Olk from the 2-Alarm condo building fire in Northbrook at 620 Ballantrae Drive on July 1st.

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

The Northbrook fire chief in Sector B alerts interior companies about deteriorating conditions from outside the building. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Firefighters on the balcony address the fire from the outside. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

A Highwood firefighter benting the mansard roof and exposing hidden fire. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

A Glenview lieutenant on the tip of Truck 14’s ladder after exposing fire behind the mansard roof. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Two Glenview firefighters on the ladder continue to create access to the fire hidden in the void spaces behind the mansard roof. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Glencoe firefighters with a 2 1/2-inch line at the B-C corner of the building. Tim Olk photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Medical supplies from the EMS company on standby. Tim Olk photo

 

Tim has a gallery with more images HERE.

More images from the scene were posted HERE.

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2-Alarm building fire in Northbrook 7-1-13 (more)

Additional images and a video from the 2-alarm fire yesterday in Northbrook.

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Glenview firefighters work from Truck 14 to open sections of the mansard roof on the east side of the building. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Winnetka Engine 28 working off a hydrant from the parking lot behind Northbrook Station 11. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Highwood Truck 37 working from the B-C corner. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Fire vents through a hole in the mansard roof cut by the Glenview company. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

The north end of the third floor unit shows where the initial fire was. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

The new Glenview Truck 14, possibly working it’s first fire, is engulfed in smoke on the access road along the east side of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

A 5″ line is stretched from Wheeling Engine 42 to supply Glenview Truck 14. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Two hand lines and the deck gun from Glencoe Engine 30 work in the C Sector. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Highwood firefighters on the ladder tip overlook flames venting through the mansard roof. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Highland Park firefighters in the foreground shield themselves from the spray of a hand line while a Highwood firefighter cuts into the mansard from another ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with many images can be found HERE.

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2-Alarm building fire in Northbrook 7-1-13

The Northbrook Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a third floor apartment behind Station 11 at 620 Ballantree Drive shortly after 6PM on Monday evening. Initially, the reports from police officers left fire officials to believe that it was a barbecue grill on a deck, but companies soon found fire inside the third floor unit. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 for the working fire, and multiple companies entered the building. Not long after they were inside the building, conditions deteriorated and an evacuation order was given. Heavy smoke pushed out of the building as it flashed, and a MABAS Box Alarm was requested as companies went defensive.

Units on the initial alarms included Northbrook Engines 11 and 10, Ambulance 11, Battalion 11, Tower 12, and Glencoe Engine 30. The Code 4 brought  Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Ambulance 52 and Northfield Truck 29. The box alarm added Glenview Truck 14, Wheeling Engine 42, Winnetka Engine 28, Prospect Heights Squad 9, and Highland Park Quint 33 in addition to companies for change of quarters.

A 2nd Alarm was requested shortly after the box and brought Highwood Truck 37, Deerfield Engine 20, Morton Grove Squad 4, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Truck 53, the Division Comm Van, and several chief officers.

The building had a mansard roof which masked a fair amount of fire and required extensive ventilation to extinguish all of it. Engines 11 and 32 had deck guns flowing, there were elevated master streams from Tower 12 and Truck 14 in addition to at least three hand lines.

Tim Olk arrived with the first-due companies and Larry Shapiro arrived after the box alarm. Both will have many images plus there will be a video from Larry.

Here are a few images that were submitted.

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Northbrook Tower 12 working from the D-side (south side). Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Glenview Truck 14 setting up to go to work. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Glencoe Engine 30 with the deck gun at work plus Glencoe personnel manage a 2 1/2 inch line. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Engine 11 using the deck gun and Tower 12. Larry Shapiro photo

2nd Alarm building fire in Northbrook

Northbrook Engine 11 flowing the deck gun in Sector A and Tower 12 on the D side. Larry Shapiro photo

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