Posts Tagged Jeff Rudolph

New engine in Antioch – update

May 19

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News, New Delivery | 1 Comment

Jeff rudolph submitted an image of the new UST engine in Antioch with some updates:

The new Antioch engine will run out of sta. 1, the ALF will go to sta. 3, and the ’73 Pirsch is gone.

Antioch Fire District Engine 1 Spartan UST

Antioch Fire District Engine 1 was built by UST on a 2011 Spartan Metrostar chassis. It has a 1,500-GPM pump and 750 gallons of water. Jeff Rudolph photo

The Daily Herald reports that Antioch will have a “wet-down” for the new engine on May 29th.

Two years after it originally received a federal grant, the Antioch Fire Department is gearing up to welcome its newest fire engine with a ceremony from the time of horse-drawn wagons. … the department will host an event featuring the century-old rituals of “wetting down” the new truck, pushing out the old truck and pushing in the new truck.

The ceremony is set for May 29 at 7 p.m. at Fire Station 1, 835 Holbek Drive. It is open to the public.

“In days gone by, when the horses were pulling the fire engines, the tradition was to wet down the wheels and wipe them off and then push the fire pump into the station,” fire Chief John Nixon said. “They wet down the wheels because they wanted to maintain the wooden spokes, so they wouldn’t come into disrepair.”

The truck may look a bit different from the others. The department’s apparatus committee decided the new truck will feature a traditional black roof and red body, as opposed to most of Antioch’s trucks that have a white roof.

“The committee felt this was an opportunity to move ahead as the Antioch Fire Department turns 100 years old next March … (and) adopt a new tradition,” Nixon said. “Black over red is very popular in Chicagoland.”

The truck will also display a newly designed Antioch Fire Department [scramble].

Read the entire article HERE.

thanks Chris

The last area “wet-down” was in Buffalo Grove.

Antioch Fire District Engine 2121 2001 American LaFrance Eagle

This engine was moved to Station 3.

Antioch Fire District 1973 Pirsch engine

This engine went to a private collector.

Also at Station 1 in Antioch is the Lake County Quad 2 Rehab 2 Support Unit.

Lake County Illinois Quad 2 Fire Department Rehab unit

This 2004 Ford F550/Supreme Body unit is the Lake County Quad 2 Rehab Unit 2. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Alexis Fire Apparatus, Antioch FIre Department, Antioch Fire District adopts black over red colors, Antioch First Fire District, Jeff Rudolph, new engine for Antioch Fire Department, new scramble for Antioch Fire District, new US Tanker engine for Antioch, Pirsch custom engine, US Tank, US Tanker, wet-down for new Antioch engine

The color of fire trucks (part 6)

May 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | 3 Comments

Jeff Rudolph is keeping us honest … and making sure that we’re accurate in our historical postings. He recently submitted comments reminding us of some fire departments that had non-red units which were not referenced in the postings about MABAS Division 3 and MABAS Division 4.

MABAS Division 4 additions:

The Abbott Labs Fire Department in North Chicago had this 1978 Darley foam pumper on a Ford C8000 chassis. It carried 500 gallons of water, 20 gallons of foam, and had a 750-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich photo

The Abbott Labs Fire Department previously had two lime green engines and a van.

Bonnie Brook Fire Protection District tanker

The Bonnie Brook Fire Protection District had this tanker built by Boyer on a Ford L8000 chassis. Larry Shapiro photo

The Beach Park Fire Department was formerly the Bonnie Brook Fire Protection District. They had a brush truck, this tanker, an engine, a squad, and a van that were painted lime green before they switched to red.

Round Lake had this FMC Roughneck engine on a Spartan chassis with the CFC cab. Jeff Rudolph photo

In addition to the two white CF Mack engines that were owned by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, they also had this Spartan/FMC engine.

MABAS Division 3 additions:

Evanston Fire Department 1974 How engine

Evanston had two of these 1974 International/Hendrickson Howe engines that were yellow. Both had 1,000-GPM pumps and 300-gallon water tanks. These were later painted red. Photographer unknown, Jeff Rudolph collection

The Evanston Fire Department received twin engines in 1974 from Howe. They were both bright yellow and assigned as Engine 23 and 24.

Highwood used this X-Northbrook 1969 American LaFrance as a reserve engine. It had a 1,000-GPM pump with 500 gallons of water. Jeff Rudolph photo

Highwood used a retired engine from Northbrook as a reserve engine. This 1969 AmericanLaFrance 900 Series ran in Northbrook as Engine 60. The rear body work was done while it was owned by Northbrook.

Winnetka purchased a small 'DOT' rescue from Pierce in 1981. Jeff Rudolph photo

In 1981, the Winnetka Fire Department received a small rescue on a Chevy chassis from Pierce. Bought with funding from the federal government, it was painted lime green to match the Department of Transportation spec. It was later repainted red and white.

Tags: American LaFrance 900 series engine, Beach Park Fire Department, Bonnie Brook Fire Protection District, Evanston Fire Department, FMC Roughneck pumper, Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Highwood Fire Department, Howe fire apparatus, Howe top-mount engine, Jeff Rudolph, lime green fire trucks, Northbrook Fire Department, Winnetka Fire Department, yellow fire engine, yellow fire trucks

Truck collision on US 41 3-8-12 (update)

Mar 9

Posted by bgshap in Fire Service News, MVA | 2 Comments

Jeff Rudolph also took in the semi crash in Lake Bluff yesterday:

Came across Lake Bluff semi pin in yesterday. Noon time accident, northbound rt. 41 north of 176. 2 fast moving semi’s approached a slow moving semi stuck behind a dumptruck turning. 1st semi swung to the inside lane and passed the slow truck, the second did not see the slower one in time and struck the left rear of the semi. One pt. the driver was pinned and required extensive extrication. Lake Bluff and Knollwood, with Lake Forest ambulance all dispathed. m/a to scene from North Chicago with an engine, Great Lakes with a truck. Libertyville to Knollwood station. Driver was transported to Lake Forest hospital, the other driver was not injured.

truck crash with trapped driver 3-8-12 route 41 Lake Bluff

An overview of the trucks on the highway after the driver had been removed. Jeff Rudolph photo

truck crash with trapped driver 3-8-12 route 41 Lake Forest ambulance

The Lake Forest ambulance transported the truck driver to the hospital. Jeff Rudolph photo

Damage to the cab of one truck in proximity to the other truck involved in the collision. Jeff Rudolph photo

It took firefighters close to an hour to free the driver of this truck that was trapped in the cab. Jeff Rudolph photo

truck crash with trapped driver 3-8-12 route 41 Ernie's Towing

One of several units on the scene from Ernie's Wrecker Service. Jeff Rudolph photo

A brush unit from the Lake Bluff Fire department. Jeff Rudolph photo

truck crash with trapped driver 3-8-12 route 41 Ernie's Wrecker Service

A heavy wrecker from Ernie's backs down toward the wrecked truck. Jeff Rudolph photo

A firefighter grabs supplies from Lake Bluff Squad 520. Jeff Rudolph photo

Another view of the damage to the truck after the driver was freed. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: accident on Route 41 at Rt 176, ambulance at accident scene, Ernie's Wrecker Service, extended extrication of truck driver, extrication of truck driver, Great Lakes Naval Training Center Fire Department, heavy wrecker tow truck, Jeff Rudolph, Knollwood FIre Department, Lake Bluff Fire Department, Lake Forest Fire Department, Pierce Saber pumper, route 41 closed near Lake Bluff for truck crash

Skokie Engine 17 rehabbed

Oct 4

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Reader submission | Comments off

Jef Rudolph reports that Skokie Engine 17 has returned from Renewed Performance, Inc. (RPI) after having some body work and paint repairs, plus new LED lighting, and some minor work on the pump. It should be in service next week.

Skokie Engine 17 received some body and paint work from RPI as well as the installation of new LED lighting. Jeff Rudolph photo

Previous to returning from RPI, Engine 17 had a plain grille and conventional lighting. The door seal and 'Skokie' decals have also changed since the engine was originally delivered. Larry Shapiro photo

The rear view highlights the new chevron striping. Jeff Rudolph photo

The grille now shows the unit number, and Engine 17 has an LED lighting package. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Jeff Rudolph, Renewed Performance Inc, RPI Inc, Skokie Engine 17, Skokie Fire Department

Waukegan Box Alarm 5-4-11 update

Sep 17

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News, Reader submission | Comments off

Arson fire at 133 s Genesse in Waukegan May 4, 2011

The vacant Salvation Army Store fire on Genesse Street in Waukegan on the 4th of May was determined to be arson. A suspect is currently in custody for setting the fire. Jeff Rudolph photo

On May 4, 2011 the Waukegan Fire Department fought a fire in the vacant Salvation Army store at 133 S. Genesee Street. (photos from that fire can be seen HERE and HERE). Jeff Rudolph found an article in The Chicago Tribune pertaining to an arrest relating to that fire which was determined to be arson.

A longtime Waukegan business owner who ran for mayor and the Lake County Board has been arrested on charges that he intentionally set a fire that destroyed a local building in May.

Gregory D. Flesher, 48, of the 2500 block of Chestnut Street, appeared in bond court this afternoon on charges of arson and criminal damage to property.

Authorities allege that in the early-morning hours of May 4, Flesher used bolt cutters to enter the long-vacant former Salvation Army building at 133 S. Genesee St., and started a fire using fireworks and gasoline. No one was injured in the blaze, which took dozens of firefighters from multiple departments hours to douse, but the building was a total loss and had to be demolished.

Flesher is also being eyed as a suspect in a fatal fire in Canada that occurred on May 19. Officials in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, said Flesher has not been charged in the apartment building blaze, which killed a 48-year-old woman. But Lake County prosecutors said during Flesher’s bond hearing today that he admitted to setting that fire while he was being questioned about the Waukegan blaze.

The complete article can be found HERE.

Information on the fire in Cana a is HERE, HERE.

Tags: arson, arson suspect arrested, Jeff Rudolph, Salvation Army building fire in Waukegan, Waukegan Fire Department

North Chicago 3rd Alarm fire + 1 special 9-12-11

Sep 13

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Reader submission | Comments off

After 10AM on Monday morning, the North Chicago Fire Department received reports of smoke coming from a building at the vacant Knights Inn Motel property, 2315 Greenbay Road. The first arriving companies entered and found two fires. After attempting an interior fire attack, the ceiling began to give way and they backed out of the building and initiated a defensive attack. A MABAS Box Alarm was struck followed shortly by a 2nd Alarm, a 3rd Alarm roughly an hour later, and eventually one special alarm for relief companies. Departments responding to assist North Chicago were Lake Forest, Gurnee, and Highland Park with trucks, Newport, Deerfield, and Libertyville with squads, Winthrop Harbor, Waukegan, Great Lakes, Knollwood, Lake Bluff, Beach Park, Mundelein, Countryside, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, and Grayslake with engines.

North Chicago vacant motel fire 9-12-11 arson

Multiple colors of smoke can be seen here as the fire begins to burn through the roof. Jeff Rudolph photo

Heavy smoke and fire blows out the front of the building which most recently housed a night club. Scott Lasker photo

Four aerials with master streams went to work along with multiple hand lines and multi-versals.

A company from Lake Bluff works a hand line into a side door. Jeff Rudolph photo

The Chicago Tribune reported the following information:

North Chicago firefighters will have to find a new place to practice after vandals set a fire this morning that destroyed a vacant building earmarked for fire training.

The fire department had recently received permission to use the building for training. But firefighters were called there for a real emergency shortly after 10 a.m. following a report of smoke coming from the shuttered hotel and restaurant at 2315 N. Green Bay Road, said fire department shift commander Dell Urban.

The complete article can be found HERE.

Jeff Rudolph, Scott Lasker, and Tim Olk went to the fire and submitted images.

The North Chicago tower ladder gets ready to go to work as firefighters hope to burn off some of the roof to allow access to the fire inside the building. Jeff Rudolph photo

Jeff Rudolph had the following description:

Companies responded to a smell of smoke in a vacant building. Companies found a small rubbish fire inside the rear portion of a vacant night club about 100′ x100′. Crews came back in with extingushers, but found a heavier body of fire on the other side of a wall and backed out to grab a hand line. The fire was fueled by foam and other highly combustible materials used in the nightclub, and when crews reentered they where forced out as the ceiling collapsed. Command requested a box that would go up to a third with a special for manpower. Most of the fire was knocked by elevated master streams provided by North Chicago,Lake Forest, Gurnee, and Highland Park. Plywood covered the inside of the front windows . Once the main body of the fire was knocked an excavator was brought in to tear down the structure .

The Lake Forest tower ladder stands ready on Greenbay Road. Scott Lasker photo

Great Lakes Engine 1912 supplied master streams and hand lines from Greenbay Road. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters work from the bucket of North Chicago Tower 9. Tim Olk photo

Lake Bluff Engine 519 was also pumping. Jeff Rudolph photo

Gurnee's tower ladder was one of four aerials using elevated masters streams. Tim Olk photo

Newport Squad 1455 sits staged down the street. Jeff Rudolph photo

Waukegan Fire Department 2011 KME engine

Waukegan responded with two engines, one was Engine 3 with their new KME. Jeff Rudolph photo

After the bulk of the fire has been extinguished, the Lake Forest and North Chicago tower ladders brought their buckets to street level and directed the streams in through the front windows. Tim Olk photo

After the fire was out, this view from a tower ladder basket shows the roof of the building and just how much remained intact. Multiple HVAC units remain precariously supported in place. Tim Olk photo

Tim Olk has a gallery of images HERE.

Jeff Rudolph has a gallery of images HERE.

Tags: 3rd alarm commercial fire, defensive fire operations, Gurnee Fire Department tower ladder, Highland Park Fire Department, Jeff Rudolph, Lake Forest Fire Department, North Chicago Fire Department, Scott Lasker, Tim Olk, vacant building fire, vacant motel fire in North Chicago

Skokie responds to man trapped under a car

Sep 2

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Service News, MVA, Reader submission | 3 Comments

Jeff Rudolph submitted images from a response in Skokie this week and provided the following description:

08/30/11 – 1500hrs; 7700 blk. of Kilbourn
Came in as a report of a child pinned under a vehicle. Skokie dispatched a full extrication assignment of 2 engines, a truck, the squad, an ambulance, and B/C. On arrival, Engine 16 determined it was not in fact a child, but an adult male ( who was slightly intoxicated ) . He had jacked up one side of his car and slid under to make some repairs to his exhaust. He got himself wedged under the exhaust, and his buddy ( who was slightly intoxicated ) attempted to help, but only made matters worse. When Squad 18 arrived, they chocked the vehicle and used airbags to lift it off of him. He slid out with only some minor abrasions, did not want transport, and his exhaust was still in need of repair.

Skokie Fire Department man stuck under a car 8-30-11

Skokie firefighters responded to a man trapped under a car in the 7700 block of Kilbourn. Jeff Rudolph photo

A man attempting to perform repairs underneath his car became stuck and needed the help of firefighters to get out. Jeff Rudolph photo

Firefighters used airbags to lift the car so they could remove get the man out. Jeff Rudolph photo

After the car was chocked and the rear was elevated with air bags, firefighters were able to assist the man out from underneath the car. Jeff Rudolpho photo

After being pulled free from the car, the man was not injured and refused transport to the hospital. Jeff Rudolph photo

Skokie Fire Department Tower Ladder 16 Pierce Dash tower ladder

Skokie Tower 16 was one of the companies dispatched tot he scene. Jeff Rudolph photo

Skokie Battalion 16. Jeff Rudolph photo

Jeff has more photos HERE.

Tags: air bags used to lift car, extrication, Jeff Rudolph, man pinned under a car, Skokie Battalion 16, Skokie Fire Department, Skokie Tower 16

Wilmette dive box 8-27-11

Aug 27

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News, Reader submission | Comments off

updated 9:30PM

The Wilmette Fire Department received a call before 6PM this evening about a swimmer in Lake Michigan who was caught in the heavy currents and disappeared new Gillson Park. When the fire department arrived, they requested divers from throughout Division 3 plus the Coast Guard and a helicopter from the Chicago FIre Department. The helicopter was initially unavailable as Chicago had a rescue of their own in progress. The helicopter was able to make one pass over the area before returning to Midway Airport to refuel.

Wilmette Fire Department swimmer drowns in Lake Michigan 8-27-11

Chicago Fire Department Helicopter 6-8-2 makes a pass over the lakefront in Wilmette trying to spot a swimmer that was in distress. Jeff Rudolph photo

The water was deemed to choppy for divers, so firefighters walked the breakwater and into the surf looking for signs of the swimmer. Evanston responded with their jet skis which enabled divers to venture into the lake. The swimmer’s body was spotted by firefighters walking the beach after more than an hour on-scene, and the jet skis were used to bring the swimmer’s body to shore.

Fire department divers in swift water gear walk in the waters off the beach in Wilmette searching for a missing swimmer. Jeff Rudolph photo

Divers wade through rough waves as others walk the breakwater looking for a swimmer who was overcome by the current. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tim Olk and Jeff Rudolph were on the scene and photographed the operation.

Jeff Rudolph provided the following description:

At the Wilmette Code 4 and dive box at Gillson Park today, a 15 year old male was pulled under by a strong current. Conditions where too severe to put divers under the water, so instead they did walking patterns using pike poles to locate the victim. After 1.5 hrs, the victim was spotted in the surf break by a spotter on shore. The victim was pulled out unresponsive. ALS care was started on the beach and the patient was transported up to Wilmette Ambulance 27. Medics from Wilmette, Deerfield, and Skokie worked on the victim and transported him to Evanston Hospital where he was pronounced. The waverunners used belong to the Evanston FD. Chicago FD Air 1 assisted with an overhead look, but the churned up water was to murkey to see anything.

The Evanston Fire Department wave runner tows a diver along the shoreline in Wilmette on Saturday. Jeff Rudolph photo

A staging officer manages resources as they arrive at Gillson Park to assist the Wilmette Fire Department with rescuing a swimmer in distress. Jeff Rudolph photo

The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE.

A 14-year-old boy died after being pulled from Lake Michigan this evening off of Gillson Park in Wilmette.

The search began sometime after 6 p.m. in the water off the beach near Sheridan Road and MichiganAvenue in the North Shore suburb, and the search ended about 7 p.m. when a male of unknown age was pulled from the water.

A witness saw officials pull the person from the water and put him onto a stretcher while performing CPR. The person was then placed into a Wilmette fire ambulance and taken from the scene.

Wilmette Battalion 26 took command of the scene. Jeff Rudolph photo

Wilmette Fire Department swimmer drowns in Lake Michigan 8-27-11 Wilmette Fire Department Squad 26

Wilmette Squad 26 carries gear for the department divers. Jeff Rudolph photo

Glencoe divers responded with Ambulance 30. Jeff Rudolph photo

The Des Plaines Fire Department Dive Squad 78 and boat. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Chicago Fire Department helicopter 6-8-2, Des Plaines Dive Squad 78, Des Plaines Fire Department, dive rescue, fire department divers, Glencoe Ambulance 30, Glencoe Fire Department, Jeff Rudolph, swimmer drowned in Wilmette, swimmer recovered from Lake Michigan, Tim Olk, US Coast Guard, water recovery, Wilmette Fire Department

Abbott Fire Department updated

Aug 25

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, New Delivery, Reader submission, updated listing | Comments off

Jeff Rudolph submitted images of two units belonging to the Abbott Fire Department running out of Libertyville Station 3.

Abbott Fire Department Illinois

Tags: Abbott Fire Department, Abbott Labs Fire Department, Jeff Rudolph, Libertyville Fire Department

Beach Park gets help after storms

Jul 14

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News | 7 Comments

The storms that passed through the area on Monday evening caused heavy damage to many communities. Beach Park requested a MABAS Box Alarm to get help with the damage in their district. Jeff Rudolph sent in some camera phone pictures from the staging area located at Beach and Sheridan.