Posts Tagged John Tobin

A reflection on 34 years as a firefighter (part 1)

This from John Tobin:

How does the song go … “reflections of my life.” Well the pictures here are a reflection of time and how it’s moved on. Throughout that time, it was quite a ride and after 34 years I can’t believe it’s over! I made many friends, some enemies, and pretty much did what I set out to do in 1979 when I was hired by the EFD. (Elgin Fire Department)

I said more than once … “one day I rolled under a rig that needed fixing and when I rolled out my first wife had left me, the kids were grown, and I was an old man” … there is a lesson there. Some have changed their colors so many times over the years they become someone completely different. I never thought I was anything special, but I had a special job and I was very fortunate to have it!

There is a saying “don’t confuse me with the facts.” When that became a reality, rather than just a joke … I knew my end was near. So if you will, glance at the pictures and see if any of them will take you on a journey. Time for the next chapter in my life and the EFD will do just fine without me.

As the French say … C’est la vie

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

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Mundelein orders new engine

This from John Tobin:

A big thank you to the Mundelein FD for ordering a stainless steel (cab and body) pumper. The new rig should be delivered in October or November of next year! 

 Mundelein Fire Department orders new fire engine

Specs include:

  • KME Severe Service XMFD cab with 10″ raised roof
  • 1,500-GPM pump
  • 750-gallon poly water tank

thanks Bill

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New truck for Springfield FD

From Zach Cox:

Springfield Illinois will be taking delivery of this new KME 103 ladder truck within the next few days.  This truck was sold by Mac’s Fire & Safety, Inc.

 

Springfield Fire Department

New KME quint for the Springfield IL Fire Department. Zach Cox photo

This truck was on display last week at the Fire Rescue International trade show at McCormick Place. John Tobin also submitted images of the other two units that were in the KME booth.

Westminster MA Fire Department

New KME Renegade rescue pumper for Westminster, MA. John Tobin photo

Los Angeles County Fire Department fire engine

New KME Severe Service CAFS pumper for Los Angeles County. John Tobin photo

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Palatine LODD Anniversary

Today marks the anniversary of the 1973 fire in Palatine that claimed the lives of three firefighters.

The Daily Herald has an article about the tragic event with photos from John Tobin and a short video with John.

Once the burning Ben Franklin five-and-dime store in downtown Palatine began to breathe in and out — the intensifying pressure preparing to blow out the windows and cave in the roof — that was the unmistakable sign for everyone to pull out.

But word quickly spread among the firemen that three of their brothers were unaware how dangerous the situation had grown.

Volunteer firefighters Warren Ahlgrim, Richard Freeman and John Wilson died in the Feb. 23, 1973, fire, their emptied air packs no match against a seemingly innocuous basement filled with few flames but plenty of carbon monoxide.

“Everyone wanted to save Johnny’s store, and nobody realized what kind of danger they were in,” former Palatine firefighter George Palmer said. “They were good at eating smoke, but had they not had their air packs, they probably would have come out sooner. It was the brave thing to do. But in retrospect, they shouldn’t have gone in.”

The main floor was smokey but clear of flames. Firefighter John Wilson, 40, owned the store and figured the furnace was the likely culprit.

He led Richard “Dick” Freeman, 25, and Warren “Auggie” Ahlgrim, 32, through the building he knew so well. To access the basement, they had to make their way through the long, narrow structure to a set of interior stairs.

Each man was equipped with an air pack. Based on the atmosphere, lung capacity and exertion, their oxygen might last anywhere from about 10 to 20 minutes.

At one point, Wilson came upstairs and got another line from Tobin’s dad, saying the fire was pretty much snuffed. That was the last time anyone saw him alive, as the fire, in fact, had spread.

Tobin and high school classmate Rick Cartwright both had their cameras at the scene and captured gut-wrenching shots of firefighter Howie Freeman working to put out the blaze, and later being held back from trying to rescue his son.

Crews eventually removed the bodies once the structure was safe enough to enter.

“We all stood there silently and respectfully while each of them were loaded into the ambulances,” said Tobin, who recently wrote a book about the fire. “The whole town was affected. I know I’ve never been the same.”

The entire article can be found HERE.

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Where are they now … Palatine (update)

This is the first of many posts in a new series entitled Where are they now ... where we will follow the re-assignment of area fire department apparatus that finds new life in a new home.

From Bill Friedrich:

Palatine Fire Department

Palatine Fire Department Engine 14, a 1974 Seagrave PB Series with 500 gallons of water and a 1,500-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich photo

Palatine Fire Department Engine 14, a 1974 Seagrave PB Series with 500 gallons of water and a 1,500-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich photo

As it turns out, the whereabouts of this unit are as yet unknown.

The Community Fire Company, of New Ringgold, PA owns a Seagrave engine which was NOT originally from Palatine, IL.

Community Fire Company New Ringgold, PA Seagrave engine

Community Fire Company, New Ringgold, PA now runs this Seagrave engine. John Tobin photo

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