Posts Tagged MESS Canteen

New squad for MESS Canteen

Feb 19

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News, Fire Truck photos | 3 Comments

From Tim Olk:

The new Mess Canteen M-5 , quartered at the Barrington Countryside FPD station on Pepper Road, is X-Woodstock FRD. One of the features of the new unit is slide-out trays for supplies at deployments replacing the need for folding tables alongside the squad.

Former Woodstock FRD squad now serves the MESS Canteen Service as M-5. Tim Olk photo

Woodstock FRD Squad 482 after being decommissioned. Larry Shapiro photo

canteen service aids firefighters at fire scene

MESS Canteen’s new unit working it’s second fire scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: fire truck has new life, former Woodstock FRD squad now with MESS Canteen, Larry Shapiro, MESS Canteen, new unit for MESS Canteen Service, Tim Olk, Woodstock Fire Rescue District

Libertyville 2nd Alarm Fire 3-27-13 (pt 3)

May 28

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Firefighters working, Firefighting Video | Comments off

Third posting about the 2nd Alarm Fire on Memorial Day at the Jamaican Gardens (north) in Libertyville. Here are images from larry Shapiro and a video.

large fire in Libertyville at the Jamaican Gardens nursery

Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with more of Larry’s images is HERE.

The second article with images from Tim Olk is HERE.

Tags: 2nd Alarm fire in Libertyville, Countryside Fire Protection District, E-ONE engine pumping at fire, elevated master streams work at extra alarm fire, fire engine pumping at fire scene, firefighting video, heavy smoke from commercial building fire, Jamaican Gardens Nursery fire, Lake Bluff Fire Department, Lake Forest Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, Libertyville Fire Department, many departments assist Libertyville for Memorial Day fire, MESS Canteen, multi-versal used at fire scene, Pierce engine pumping, rehab for firefighters, Rosenbauer engine pumping at fire scene, Spartan fire engine at fire scene, tower ladder working at fire, video of firefighting operations, video of large fire

Libertyville 2nd Alarm Fire 3-27-13 (pt 1)

May 27

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Truck photos, Firefighters working, Firefighting Video | 5 Comments

The Libertyville Fire Department responded to a reported fire at the Jamaican Gardens North located at 14595 W. Rockland Road (Route 176). First companies found heavy smoke obscuring visibility on Route 176 and had a significant fire burning on the east end of the property near what was the retail store entrance. An attack was initiated and the fire was upgraded to a MABAS Box Alarm.

The business had closed to the public several years ago and was reportedly vacant. Libertyville Tower 461 and Engine 463 were deployed on the eastern side of the property. The fast moving fire quickly spread to additional buildings on the west side, where access was limited. Lake Forest Tower Ladder 421 was positioned on the northern driveway and Countryside Engine 412 was at the northwest corner. As the fire grew in intensity, the alarm was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm bringing additional units to the scene.

A special request was made for the Division 1 MVU out of Wheeling, but the unit was not deployed and subsequently released before the box was struck out.

The two tower ladders deployed master streams in addition to multiple hand lines and two multi-versals. Along with Libertyville Engine 463 and the Countryside engine, Lake Bluff Engine 517 and Knollwood Engine 44 were also pumping. The fire was struck out after roughly three hours.

Other fire departments with companies at the scene were Mundelein, North Chicago, and Lake Zurich with ambulances, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods and Gurnee with rescue squads, Highland Park with a truck, plus Waukegan, Deerfield, and Newport Township with engines. Chief officers came from Countryside, Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Bluff, and Lake Forest.

Tim Olk, Jeff Rudolph, and Larry Shapiro were at the scene.

This is the first in a three part series covering this fire.

Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: 2nd Alarm fire in Libertyville, Countryside Fire Protection District, E-ONE engine pumping at fire, elevated master streams work at extra alarm fire, fire engine pumping at fire scene, heavy smoke from commercial building fire, Jamaican Gardens Nursery fire, Jeff Rudolph, Lake Bluff Fire Department, Lake Forest Fire Department, Libertyville Fire Department, many departments assist Libertyville for Memorial Day fire, MESS Canteen, multi-versal used at fire scene, Pierce engine pumping, rehab for firefighters, Rosenbauer engine pumping at fire scene, Spartan fire engine at fire scene, Tim Olk, tower ladder working at fire

3rd Alarm house fire in Riverwoods 5-1-12

May 1

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | 2 Comments

A family residing at 1080 Hiawatha Lane in Riverwoods, IL was awakened around 3AM by smoke detectors. Before exiting the house, homeowners encountered heavy smoke from the basement and were unable to descend the stairs to help a child escape from his bedroom. The child, unable to navigate the dense smoke to get up the stairs, was able to escape through a window and window well.

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD

Roughly an hour into the fire, thick smoke pushes out of first floor windows as a fire rages in the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods companies responded on the Still Alarm, and upon arrival they upgraded the alarm to a Code 4 (working fire). This brought Prospect Heights Squad 9 and a mutual-aid ambulance.

Smoke escapes from basement window wells and first floor windows as firefighters flow water into the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

First arriving firefighters found the front door open and building smoke conditions inside as they made their way to the basement stairway. Almost immediately they noticed a softness under foot and quickly fled the house. Within minutes of all members getting out, the front foyer began to collapse.

A hand line is directed through a hole in the kitchen floor into the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Pierce aerial ladder

Lincolnshire Truck 53 had six lines off and the aerial to the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Companies began an exterior attack and soon thereafter the alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm which brought engines from Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and Lake Forest in addition to a Long Grove squad, a Lake Zurich ambulance, and a Countryside truck.

Fire burns between the floor joists in the basement ceiling. Larry Shapiro photo

The fire continued to prove difficult to get ahead of and a 2nd Alarm was requested at roughly 4AM. This brought engines from Mundelein and Deerfield, a Libertyville squad, an ambulance from Northfield, a quint from Highwood, and a truck from Grayslake.

Second floor windows are taken out as the fire climbs through the walls and void spaces. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter goes to the roof through heavy smoke to vent the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

After cutting ventilation holes in the roof, an officer is the last one to climb down the ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

As it appeared that the fire was spreading vertically throughout the house, companies vented the roof and second floor windows. The basement fire continued to burn freely and a request was made for high expansion foam. Round Lake Foam Unit 2229 responded to the scene. The fire continued to burn and the alarm was upgraded again to a 3rd Alarm. This brought engines from Lake Bluff, Glenview, plus a truck from Wilmette, an ambulance from Palatine, and a squad from Highland Park.

After venting the second floor, smoke pushes out from all the windows. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Oshkosh T-3000 ARFF

The Quad 2 Foam Unit was requested to the scene with high-expansion foam to smother the fire in the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD high expansion foam firefighting

Foam was applied from the front and the rear of the house to smother the basement fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Foam suds spread throughout the basement and first floor. Larry Shapiro photo

The basement was partially filled with water and the remainder was filled with foam as the fire burned between the floor joists. The fire was struck-0ut around 8AM and companies began to pickup from the scene. The 3rd Alarm companies were not put to work.

A window well and adjoining basement space are filled with water. Larry Shapiro photo

The basement in the rear is filled with water and foam. Engineered floor joists are visible. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire Engine 52 was the still alarm engine and had two lines off. Engine 51 laid a supply line across nearby Riverwoods Road to supply Engine 52. Truck 53 had a hydrant in front of the house and had six lines working.

The front foyer which collapsed shortly after firefighters withdrew is filled with foam from the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

The front foyer is visible from the rear of the house as well. Larry Shapiro photo

As the foam settles, the extent of the floor collapse in the front is clearly visible. The basement stairs are directly behind the front wall. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD firefihter rehab

The rehab area was setup to accommodate the large number of firefighters that were on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Wilmette Fire Department Tower Ladder 26

Wilmette Tower 26 was moved up to the third alarm from the fourth alarm as another truck was unavailable to respond on an earlier alarm. Larry Shapiro photo

Northbrook Fire Department Lieutenant Steve Johnson spent his last shift working the fire in Riverwoods. He retired today after 30 years in Northbrook. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery of images from the scene can be found on Larry Shapiro’s site HERE. A video of the fire will follow in a subsequent post.

Tags: basement fire, engineered floor joists cause floor collapse, family escapes house fire, firefighters use foam to fight basement fire, floor collapse endangers firefighters, Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, high expansion foam used to fight fire, large house destroyed by fire in Riverwoods, Larry Shapiro, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD, MESS Canteen, Northbrook Fire Department Lieutenant Steve johnson, Tim Olk, Wilmette Fire Department

North Chicago 2-11 & Specials 3-18-12

Mar 19

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Fire Service News | 2 Comments

commercial building fire in North Chicago 3-18-12 fire department

A firefighter cuts through a metal fence to allow access to the rear of the scene. Shaun Unell photo

The North Chicago Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a commercial auto-body facility last night and arrived to find heavy fire in a one-story commercial building with exposures on both sides. The alarm was upgraded to a MABAS Box Alarm which brought mutual aid companies to the scene. Not long after, a structural collapse of the original building occurred as fire spread to both exposures.

Fire burns through the rear of the original building after the roof collapsed. Shaun Unell photo

A master stream from the North Chicago tower ladder as fire takes hold of the southern exposure building. Shaun Unell photo

There were several special calls initiated which increased the units on the scene. Several hours later the alarm was elevated to a 2nd Alarm although the actual number of companies on the scene made the alarm in essence much greater.

Firefighters move hose to clear a spot for the Round Lake Tower Ladder as it moves into position on Sheridan Road. Shaun Unell photo

Knollwood Engine 44 had lines off in the rear. Shaun Unell photo

Heavy smoke escapes from the vacant apartment building as firefighters redeploy North Chicago Tower 9. Shaun Unell photo

Engines that were pumping came from North Chicago, Waukegan, Newport Township, Knollwood, Abbott Labs, and Lake Forest. Additional engine companies responded from the Great Lakes Naval Base, Winthrop Harbor, Lake Villa, and a second unit from Newport Township. There were five elevated master streams in operation including tower ladders from North Chicago and Round Lake, in addition to Highland Park, Zion, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods ladders. A Grayslake ladder and Arlington Heights tower were not put to use. Arlington Heights though receives the prize for coming the farthest … 32 miles.

http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2012/03/north-chicago-2-11-specials-3-18-12 Highland Park Fire Department

Highland Park Truck 33, a Sutphen mid-mount ladder was on Lenox Street behind the fire buildings. Larry Shapiro photo

The Newport Township hose tender, a 1977 Mack CF, was supplying Highland Park. Larry Shapiro photo

commercial building fire in North Chicago 3-18-12 fire department Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD

Lincolnshire Truck 53 went to work as a master stream for the first time. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Bluff, Gurnee, and Deerfield had squads at the scene and chief officers responded from Waukegan, Newport Township, Wauconda, and Lake Forest. There were two North Chicago ambulances on the scene plus medic units for rehab from Libertyville and the Antioch Rescue Squad.

commercial building fire in North Chicago 3-18-12 fire department Round Lake Fire District

The Round Lake tower ladder setup in front of the exposure building to the south. Larry Shapiro photo

THe two-story brick apartment building to the south proved to be a challenge of sorts since it was deemed unsafe for interior operations and the roof remained intact for quite some time. Larry Shapiro photo

Eventually the fire broke through the roof giving the elevated master streams access to extinguish it. Larry Shapiro photo

Waukegan Engine 1611 was on a hydrant at Sheridan Road and 10th Street. Larry Shapiro photo

The fire was directly across the street from Abbott Labs and their fire department was able to supply water from the Abbott property reservoir to allow greater defensive operations than the North Chicago city water supply would allow.

commercial building fire in North Chicago 3-18-12 fire department Abbott Labs Fire Department

The Abbott Labs engine was pumping from their property across the street from the fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Zion's truck in the foreground wets down the remains of the apartment building along with the Round Lake and North Chicago towers farther down the road. Larry Shapiro photo

There were no reported injuries associated with the fire and the alarm was struck-out late in the evening. Companies were released from the scene after midnight as an excavator was brought in to knock down the remnants of an unsafe building.

Shaun Unell and Larry Shapiro both were at the scene and have submitted images. More photos can be viewed HERE.

A video will be available soon.

Tags: Antioch Rescue Squad, building fire on Sheridan Road in North Chicago, buildings destroyed by fire in North Chicago, commercial building fire, commercial fire with bow string truss roof, firefighters deploy elevated master streams, Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, heavy fire in a commercial building, Highland Park Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Truck 53, LTI tower ladder working at fire, Mack CF engine pumping at fire scene, MESS Canteen, North Chicago Fire Department, Pierce Tower ladder working at fire, Seagrave engine pumping at fire scene, Shaun Unell, Sutphen ladder working at fire, tower ladder operations at commercial building fire

Fire Department Open House

Sep 23

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

The following fire departments are hosting their annual open house on Saturday, September 24.

Buffalo Grove

Join the Buffalo Grove Fire Department for their Annual Open House. The event will be at Station 26, 1051 Highland Grove drive from 10AM – 2PM.

junior firefighting challenge

fire extinguisher demonstration

house of hazards

puppet shows

vehicle demonstration demonstration

fire equipment and vehicle displays

junior fire pole

hot dogs and chili

For more information call 847-520-1522.

North Maine FPD

The event is at the fire station, 9301 Potter Road, in unincorporated Maine Township, and will run from 11AM-3PM. Various municipal agencies will host displays and the MESS Canteen will serve hot dogs, chips and refreshments.

Highlights include:

a presentation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Canine Unit

a side-by-side burn unit demonstration which shows how residential fire sprinklers save lives

an auto extrication

a Kids Corner sponsored by Home Depot.

The open house commemorates 42 years of service to the area. For information, call 847-297-5020.

Tags: Buffalo Grove Fire Department, fire department open house, MESS Canteen, North Maine Fire Protection District

Gurnee 5-11 alarm fire 8-23-11

Aug 24

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Reader submission | 1 Comment

Gurnee Fire Department 5th alarm fire Grand Avenue Vista Hotel Holiday Inn 8-23-11

Thick smoke escapes from the ballroom section of the Vista Hotel which was undergoing renovation to reopen as a Holiday Inn on Grand Avenue in Gurnee. Larry Shapiro photo

The Gurnee Fire Department received calls from motorists driving on Grand Avenue reporting smoke coming from the Vista Hotel at 6161 W. Grand Avenue at roughly 6:45PM on Tuesday. The hotel which previously was a Holiday Inn was closed and currently undergoing renovation. When the first companies arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire visible in the ballroom section of the complex, which is separated from the three-floor building with guest rooms by a foyer and open lobby area. Engine 1322 advanced a line through the main entrance in an effort to prevent the fire from moving into the adjacent lobby. The encountered intense heat and heavy fire which was fueled in part by the ballroom tables and chairs that were being stored in one area. They backed out and companies went defensive.

Gurnee Truck 1331 operates in front of the building in the 'A' Sector as smoke pours out of the ballroom. Larry Shapiro photo

The alarm was upgraded to a MABAS Box Alarm within 15 minutes followed by a 2nd alarm shortly thereafter. Approximately 45 minutes into the fire, the decision was made to upgrade to a 5th alarm.

As the sun sets the intensity of the fire continues to grow and the volume of smoke and fire increases. Larry Shapiro photo

Two tower ladders, one from Gurnee and the other from Round Lake worked in the ‘A’ sector in front of the building and Gurnee Engine 1321 was on the side supporting hand lines and a deck gun.

Gurnee Engine 1321 operates on the east side of the structure as the engineer uses the deck gun. Larry Shapiro photo

The MABAS Division 5 Air Unit was special called to the scene to refill SCBA bottles. Larry Shapiro photo

Long lead-outs across Grand Avenue forced the road to be closed as Mundelein and Beach Park engines found hydrants on the opposite side of the street. The fire was contained to the ballroom structure which was destroyed plus minor extension into the lobby area. In all, there were 23 departments represented at the scene representing the majority of Lake County Division 4 departments plus others from Divisions 3 and 5. The list includes Round Lake, Antioch, Fox Lake, Mundelein, Beach Park, Pleasant Prairie (WI), Libertyville, Newport, Zion, Waukegan, Deerfield, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Lake Zurich, Spring Grove, Long Grove, Countryside, Great Lakes, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake, Highland Park, Wauconda, plus the MABAS Division 5 Air Unit, and the MESS Canteen.

Firefighters continue to douse the rubble after the bulk of the fire has been knocked down. Larry Shapiro photo

Antioch Engine 2121was deployed in the front of the building with a light tower to illuminate the fire scene. Gurnee Engine 1322 on the right was the first engine on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro and Tim Olk went to the fire and submitted several images. Larry has a large gallery which will be accessible HERE and Tim has a large gallery that is building HERE. larry will also have a video to post after getting some sleep.

Fox Lake Squad 2251 was also setup in the parking lot off of Grand Avenue to illuminate the scene and fill air bottles. Larry Shapiro photo

A large excavator was brought to the scene to knockdown the walls of the fire building and sift through the rubble allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire that was buried underneath the debris. Larry Shapiro photo

There is a brief article HERE about the fire as well as HERE and HERE.

Tags: 5th alarm fire in Gurnee, Antioch FIre Department, Fox Lake Fire Department, Gurnee Fire Department, hotel fire in Gurnee, hotel under renovation fire, Larry Shapiro, MABAS Division 5 Air Unit, MESS Canteen, Round Lake Fire Department, Tim Olk, Vista hotel fire in Gurnee