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Raw video & radio traffic: Chicago FD 4-11 in a warehouse.

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Video and radio traffic above from Steve Redick (click here for Steve’s still pictures & great books) of the 4-11 alarm in Chicago yesterday afternoon. Below more extensive audio in three parts from Radioman911 followed by additional video form Radioman911 and others. You can always get Radioman911′s Chicago FD live feed here.

Audio Part 1 is above. More on  Part 2 & Part 3.

Info from Radioman911:

Anatomy of the 4-11: 13:08 E23 looking for rubbish 2500 W. Cullerton St. / Full Still b/o Main FAO for 2444 W. 21st St. » 13:13 Still & Box Alarm b/o Batt 4 for 3 story 200×100 smoke on 2nd fl and heavy smoke from several 1st fl windows » 13:20 2-11 Alarm b/o 2-2-1 reports heavy fire throughout 3 story warehouse 200×150 » Companies go defensive » Batt 2 requests CTA Pink Line be shut down » 13:31 2-2-1 requests additional TL and reserve snorkel » Corrected size-up by 2-2-1 is at least 300×150 » 13:38 3-11 Alarm b/o 2-1-28 plus 2 additional TLs » 13:45 4-11 Alarm / EMS Plan 1 / Level 1 HazMat b/o 2-1-28 » 13:58 2-7-1/Batt 4 4 master streams on West side of building making little progress » 14:00 EMS Plan 1 secured b/o 2-1-28 » 14:04 2-1-3 in command / All officers switch to Ch 5 Command » 14:30 2-7-1/2-1-3 11 master streams working, gas company digging in Sector 1 to shut off main, 1 line to sprinkler system in Sector 4

Chicago Tribune:

A Southwest Side warehouse partially collapsed during a 4-11 alarm blaze this afternoon that also caused the CTA to shut down the Pink Line.

The blaze was reported in a 100-by-300 foot, 2-story warehouse at 2444 W. 21st St. about 1:12 p.m., and as of 1:20 p.m. evacuations were underway, according to Fire Media. The 3-11 alarm was called at 1:40 p.m., and the 4-11 alarm followed soon after. The 4-11 alarm was struck out at about 3:47 p.m.

At about 2:43 p.m. Fire Media reported the building was starting to collapse. 

Posted by on December 30, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, Dispatch & Communications, Emergency Communications, EMS Dispatch, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Dispatch, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oh, the humanity: Dramatic pictures & live breaking news coverage of plane crash that was part of ‘Chicago Fire’..

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One of the complaints by firefighters about the TV series “Chicago Fire” has been about a lack of realism. Well whatever the producers of the “Chicago Fire” is apparently real enough for TV news.

Huffington Post:

WGN Morning News anchors Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten scrambled to report on helicopter footage of an apparent plane crash near 29th Street and Martin Luther King Drive around 8 a.m. Friday morning. A few minutes later, after considerable ad-libbing, they learned that the apparent wreckage had actually been staged for the NBC series “Chicago Fire.”

Look on the bright side, the producers can take the video of the real news coverage of the fake crash and incorporate it into the story.  That should add some realism.

Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.

Posted by on December 1, 2012 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mayday in Chicago. Firefighter fell through floor of vacant building on South Side.

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More video from scene

Pete Nickeas, Chicago Tribune:

A firefighter fell through the floor while battling a blaze at a vacant building on the South Side this morning and was pulled to safety by other firefighters, officials said.

A mayday was called when the firefighter fell through the first floor of the vacant two-story building near Calumet Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. Other firefighters pulled him out through a basement window, officials said.

WMAQ-TV:

Investigators said the firefighter fell through a floor into  the basement of the building at 73rd Street and Martin Luther King Drive.

The man was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital with  a fractured right arm and is expected to be OK. 

Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.

Posted by on November 16, 2012 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home

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Learn more about the film

Make sure you take some time to sit down and watch this video from the Chicago Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It is a good way to start the new year.

It was produced and directed by the extremely talented Rob Maloney and managed for NFFF by JoEllen Kelly (I would call her the executive producer).

A special, special thank you from Rob, JoEllen, the leadership at NFFF and me to our regular STATter911.com contributor Steve Redick. Steve, graciously opened up his video library to Rob and NFFF for this project.

Of course, these stories could not be told without the cooperation and compassion of Commissioner Robert Hoff, IAFF Local 2, the men and women of the department and the survivors of fallen firefighters from CFD.

Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how withSellFireTrucks.com.

Posted by on December 28, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, must see video, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Early video: Chicago firefighters pull up to heavy fire conditions in Lincoln Park.

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Pictures from Tim Olk at ChicagoAreaFire.com

The video above was taken as the first lines were stretched for a fire at 525 W. Armitage Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood on Friday afternoon. Watch the pretty violent flash at :21 into the video (still frame below).

The building was built in 1888 and at one time it housed a funeral home. It was under renovation when the fire occurred.

This eventually became a 2-11 alarm and much of the building collpased. See the WLS-TV video below for the collapse. In addition there are two other clips from YouTube.

From ChicagoAreaFire.com:

Chicago firefighters responded yesterday to a fire at 525 W. Armitage, less than a block from the quarters of Engine 22. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire on the 2nd and 3rd floors of a three-flat that was undergoing renovation. The alarm was escalated to a 2-11 for additional companies. During the course of the fire, the building suffered a catastrophic collapse.

From WBBM-TV:

A still-and-box alarm was initially called for the fire at 12:50 p.m, but it was later upgraded to a 2-11 alarm, according to the Fire Department. Firefighters used four master hose lines and four hand lines to fight the blaze.

By 1:55 p.m., the building had collapsed.

Posted by on September 20, 2011 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Uncategorized, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Takes: September 12, 2011.

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House fire in Modesto, California: Two firefighters were hurt fighting this fire yesterday at 1608 College Avenue. Shot by ModestoNews.org.

Looking back ten years: A long, chronological view of 9-11-2001 from my vantage point at the Pentagon. It concludes with a look at how the public perceives firefighters that, in hindsight, is still quite relevant. Here it is.

On that note. Click here to look at what happens when you put the word firefighter into the Google News search engine. The first 19 pages of articles (about a dozen to a page) are almost exclusively about firefighters and the tenth anniversary of September 11th. Many of the news items are about communities not only paying tribute to those who were lost in New York, but honoring or featuring local firefighters around the country with parades and other events. It isn't until the 20th page that other news about firefighters starts showing up alongside the 9-11 articles. So, are firefighters once again heroes after a couple of years of attacks on budgets, staffing and pensions? I am guessing the hero label will have a much shorter shelf life than a decade ago and likely has a September 12 sell by date.

From Tennessee to Harlem: FireTruckBlog.com looks at a rig donated to FDNY ten-years-ago that is still running in Harlem. Click here.

9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs: The New York Daily News did a nice overview of the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Here are some videos and news coverage from the stair climb events around the country in honor of FDNY's 343 – Manassas, VA, Myrtle Beach, SC, Nashville, TN, Denver, CO, Manchester, NH, Dallas, TX, Grand Rapids, MI, New Albany, IN, Kansas City, MO, Wausau, WI, San Francisco, CA, Greenbelt, MD, I hope to have video I shot for NFFF at Greenbelt up later today.

More on 9-11: At Firegeezer both Bill Schumm and Mike Ward give us their thoughts. 

Lou Angeli's video from New York: Delaware's Lou Angeli, who has long combined his experience as a news videographer with his passion for the fire service, is featured in a story about his call to New York to chronicle the aftermath of the attacks. He spent 16 days with an up close and personal view through his lens. Check it out.

One more chance to say Statter sent you: You have until September 15th to get a nice discount for the Gateway Midwest Firefighter & Leadership Training event October 21-23 in St. Charles, MO. Put STATTER in the promo code. Here's the website. I hope to see you there.

Fairfax County Professional Fire & Rescue Officers Association: A reminder that the 9th Annual Professional Development Seminar is October 6 & 7 at the Marriott in Tysons Corner, VA. Still time to sign up. Click here for details.

Firefighters save City Hall: In some communities firefighters have been looking for City Hall to save them, but that was not the case on Saturday in Painesville, Ohio. Here's more.

2-11 in Chicago: Steve Redick video at an auto repair shop that burned yesterday in the 5600 block of Grand Avenue.

Posted by on September 12, 2011 • Filed under: Quick takes • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passenger video: Fiery & deadly Amtrak-truck collision near Reno, Nevada.

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From KTVN-TV:

The NTSB has launched an investigation into today's deadly collision between an Amtrak train and a semi-truck on Highway 95 near the I-80 Trinity exit.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dan Lopez says five or six people were killed in the 11:30am accident on U.S. Highway 95 about 70 miles east of Reno. The California Zephyr was en route 2,400 miles from Chicago to Emeryville, California.

From KTXL-TV:

Amtrak officials say there were about 204 passengers on the train and 14 crew members. It was Train 5, the westbound California Zephyr, heading from Chicago to Emeryville.

Nevada Highway Patrol told FOX40 witnesses told them the train’s crossing lights were working at the time of the collision. The semi collided with the 4th car of the train. The semi was empty at the time, and there was just the driver inside the cab.

Posted by on June 24, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Special Operations, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mayday audio: House fire on Chicago’s West Side.

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Around 12:30 on Sunday morning a 2-11 Alarm and EMS Plan 1 were called for a fire in the 4200 block of West Hadden Avenue in Humboldt Park on Chicago's West Side. A mayday was called during the fire. Also, neighbors caught a teenaged girl who jumped from the one-and-a-half story single family home. A grandmother and grandson were found on the lawn in the rear of the house.

Above is the audio from Firefighter Dispatch and below are excerpts from an article by Chicago Tribune reporter Caroline Kyungae Smith:

The 74-year-old grandmother suffered second degree burns to her face and her five-year-old grandson suffered from smoke inhalation, police said. The good Samaritan, Daniel Cole, said "The woman had a burnt forehead and legs and the baby had smoke coming out of his mouth."

A mayday was called when a firefighter was briefly trapped in a stairwell when it collapsed, (Fire Media Affairs spokesman Chief Joe) Roccasalva said. The firefighter suffered minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital, he said.

Posted by on May 30, 2011 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Takes: April 11, 2011.

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Memories: In and around the firehouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1955. Glenn Usdin's FireTruckBlog.com found this treasure trove of 30 videos (so far) showing the fire service on Cape Cod in the 50s and 60s. Most of the film is in great shape. Click here to see a trio of clips showing two structure fires and a boat fire from more than a half-century ago.

Three DC firefighters in good condition, one still has a long recovery ahead: We hope to hear more today on Firefighter Charles "Chucky" Ryan who was in critical condition with burns over 40% of his body from Friday's fire in Northeast Washington. Click here for the weekend report.

Protecting exposures first in the Cherry Blossom Parade fire: People commenting on the videos of the SUV burning in the middle of Saturday's Cherry Blossom Parade are wondering why no one could come up with a fire extinguisher to handle what was initially a very small fire in the engine. But some people did think to unhitch the float just in case the whole vehicle went up. Engine 2 arrived in time to squirt a little water and save the day. Here are the videos.

Bear's beach vacation is interupted: Martin Grube's Fire Rescue TV has video of Virginia Beach Fire Department's Ladder 11 helping get a bear out of a tree on Friday. Check it out.

Recycling plant fire: The view from atop a railroad car as the yard of a recycling plant burns along the tracks in Phoenix. Click here.

Pineville, Louisiana helmet-cam: The Holiday Village Fire Department on a recent house fire.

New fireboat for Chicago: I saw the old one in action last summer, but Firegeezer has a preview of the new one on its way to Chicago.

17-minute response time for house fire being questioned: The fire chief in Cahokia, Illinois says they shoot for a seven to ten minute response time but that it can take more than that for the volunteers to get to the firehouse and then to the scene. Here's the story.

Personal escape rope saves FDNY firefighter: There were two maydays at a three-alarm fire in Queens on Saturday. One trapped firefighter used his rope to make a quick exit when conditions deteriorated and the second fell through the floor. You will find details here and more at Backstep Firefighter.

Man coming out of the closet attacks firefighter: Police in Mission, Kansas believe the man hiding in the closet of the burning office set the fire. He is also charged with attacking a firefighter. Read and watch the story.

Second-alarm in Irvington, New Jersey: I think this fire on 19th Avenue occurred on April 4th.

Posted by on April 11, 2011 • Filed under: News, Quick takes • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Takes: March 7, 2011.

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More video from Chicago motel fire: We showed you news video Saturday of this fire at the Saville Motel in Stony Island. The fire left seven citizens and a firefighter injured. Our friend Steve Redick has daylight video of this fire. Click here.

A story that is more than just a drunk guy behind the steering wheel of an out-of-service fire engine: The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says the driver of the fire engine was a volunteer firefighter with the Hamilton VFD who forced a deputy to head for a ditch early Saturday morning to avoid the speeding rig. But it is the passengers that make this story even more interesting. They are all volunteers in Loudoun County (or were, since the driver and two of them have since resigned). They include a 19-year-old woman, an off-duty Leesburg cop and two men who are in positions of authority in the county fire service. According to news reports all had been drinking. Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Chief W. Keith Brower, Jr. and Fire-Rescue Commission Chair Douglas G. Rambo briefed reporters on the unpleasant details yesterday afternoon. Here is our coverage from Sunday.

Born from RIT: I asked a new STATter911.com advertiser to write a guest column on his interesting product. Greg Turnell, a lieutenant in DC, invented TURK, a cart that has a number of applications, but was built to help firefighters transport all the required RIT gear to the fireground without killing yourself. Clck here to learn more. 

Antique of the Week, rig hit in Massachusetts, Ohio rollover & a lot of news: Glenn Usdin goes back almost 75 years for the rig featured in the video for the latest Antique of the Week. Click here. Of course there is lots more apparatus news from FireTruckBlog.com.  

Three Cleveland firefighters struck, man arrested: It happened Sunday morning on I-480 and two of the firefighters remain hospitalized. According to WKYC-TV, ”one firefighter suffered a lacerated kidney and rib injuries. The other fireman has significant lower body injuries and underwent surgery Sunday afternoon.” Here’s more.

A bad bill or just bad reporting?: I don’t know the answer for sure, but my hunch is a politician’s exaggeration of the problem and the failure to read the bill by reporters has people believing they are going to ban all photography within 500 feet of a crash scene in Illinois. I could be totally wrong, but my read from far away shows it is nothing of the sort. Check it out and tell me what you think.

A trip to EMS Today is already saving lives: Mike Ward over at Firegeezer has a wonderful story about two people we spent part of Thursday night with (no, not Rhett and Willie, yet). Take a look at how these paramedics got a free breakfast on their way home from Baltimore.

Now it’s Rhett and Willie time: Both IronFirmen.com and FireCritic.com have rundowns from the JEMS & FireEMSBlogs.com Meet-up sponsored by Physio Control Thursday night. The good news is I was able to get to some quality time in with the Roanoke crew during dinner. I even took some video of Rhett and Willie screening the movie that debuted on STATter911.com while they were driving to Baltimore. In case you missed it, the movie was a dramatization of the dinner before it even happened. Click here to watch it. Rhett seemed so pleased by it all he paid for the meal. And I thought he hated me. Here’s Rhett’s report from Baltimore and here’s Willie’s.

Firefighter spots burglary in progress: A firefighter watched as a man broke into a store across the street from a firehouse in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The firefighter’s call to police brought a quick arrest of a burglar. Here’s the story.

Chicago firefighter in classic photo retires: It is a photo of more than 30-years-ago that many of you will recognize. It shows Firefighter John Steinmetz, just two years on the job in Chicago, holding the body of a girl in the fourth floor window of a burning apartment building trying to get help. Yesterday Captain John Steinmetz was honored as he arrived for his final shift before retiring. Read the story.

Posted by on March 7, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Quick takes, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chicago motel fire injures eight, including a firefighter.

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Excerpts from WLS-TV:

At least eight people, including one firefighter, were hospitalized Saturday after fire ripped through a motel on Chicago’s South Side.

Firefighters were called to the Seville Motel on the 9100-block of South Stony Island where the blaze was burning on the second floor of the two-story structure.

ABC7 is told the fire started at approximately 4:15 a.m. Dozens of firefighters responded and were having a hard time extinguishing the fire. Flames could be seen shooting from the motel’s roof as late as 8 a.m.

“As you can see right now are, the fire is still up in the roof area, and we have it under control now. It’s not going to get any worse. We got all the people out,” said Chief Michael Fox. “The fire is running the whole length of the building.”

Posted by on March 5, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video & fireground audio: Chicago 2-11 at Andy’s Deli brings out MVU.

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A 2-11 on Wednesday at Andy’s Deli, 5442 Milwaukee Avenue, shot by Steve Redick (Click here for Steve’s still pictures and books). According to ChicagoAreaFire.com: 

A special call was made for the Mobile Ventilation Unit (9-2-3) from Engine 106′s quarters and it was put to work in Sector 1 to push the fire to the rear and through the roof to allow companies to get at it since much of the roof had remained intact.

Glenn Usdin’s FireTruckBlog.com has more on the story, including Larry Shapiro pictures of Chicago firefighters dealing with the cold. And there is even more coverage of the PPV on steroids from Firegeezer.com.

Posted by on February 11, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Snowmobiles & snowplows: Chicago Fire Department & the 2011 Blizzard.

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They have their hands full in Chicago with the snow. Check the video above starting at about 3:30 and watch as Chicago firefighters try to navigate the streets with a little help.

Half the city’s 100 firehouses have been assigned a snowmobile and a firefighter to operate it. Glenn Usdin’s FireTruckBlog.com has that story.

The video above is for a high-rise response just as the blizzard began.

Posted by on February 2, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, Customer Service, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, FireTruckBlog.com, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Audio & raw video: 2-11 on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.

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2-11 alarm on Wednesday at 1896 Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Video is by Steve Redick. Click here to see Steve’s Chicago Fire Department photos and to buy his books.

From the Chicago Tribune:

The alarm was struck out at 11:25 p.m., Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor said, but personnel remained on the scene for cleanup and investigation.

While fire officials believe the blaze was concentrated in the rear of the unused factory building, fire crews were cautious battling the fire because of the lightweight construction of the building, MacGregor said.

Firefighters had trained their hoses on the rear of the building and battled the fire defensively, MacGregor said, and kept the flames from spreading to other buildings.

The building apparently housed a couple or businesses, MacGregor said. A sign outside the building said “Eurosonic Blinds and Shutters.”  

Click the image to see more of Steve Redick’s photos from the fire.

Posted by on January 28, 2011 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Takes

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Fire takes out a row of homes in Frackville, Pennsylvania: A STATter911.com reader alerted me to this video, but Firegeezer is up to his old ways and beat me to to it. The blaze, early Sunday morning, ran through 10 old wood frame homes. Bill has a detailed report that you can find here (while you are there check out who has one of Bill’s Firegeezer coffee mugs).

Dave’s phone problems were no accident: If you missed it, on New Year’s Day we ran a special report about a secret video sent my way that blows the lid off the plot to shut down STATter911.com. My own employees and a certain fire blogger are implicated in this sinister plan. This all comes as a terrible, terrible shock to me. I had no idea. I thought everyone liked me. You will see, along with the video, my attempt to go undercover and infiltrate the group headed by the evil Mr. Big (at least that’s what I am guessing he makes everyone call him). Click here, if you dare.

UPDATED – Fireground audio now added to four-alarm New Year’s Day fire in Baltimore: The fire at 315 North Howard Street was reported at 11:30 PM on January 1. One firefighter was injured during the fire in a seven-story vacant building. Click here for Michael Schwartzberg’s video and links to Stanley Jaworski’s pictures.

Parade veteran: FireTruckBlog.com by Glenn Usdin has the story of a 1902 fire truck making its 10th appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Click here for that and a lot more apparatus news.

House fire in West Plains, Missouri: Another fire video from the West Plains Fire Department.

The FDNY versus MTA video really took off: I believe the video of FDNY Engine Engine 276 and the MTA Bus 5004 on Brooklyn’s Kings Highway has been shared by more people on Facebook than any other STATter911.com story. It was put up on Friday morning. Click here if you somehow missed this must see clip.

Pictures from New Year’s Day Chicago 2-11 that left three firefighters injured: Tim Olk has lots of pictures after his early arrival to the fire Saturday at 4315 W. 25th Place. Six people, including three firefighters were hurt. Firefighters rescued a mother and child from the home. ChicagoAreaFire.com has Tim’s pictures and details.

The Rube says farewell to the troops: The administration of Mayor Vincent Gray officially began yesterday. As we reported a while back, Gray’s choice for chief is Kenneth Ellerbe. Chief Dennis Rubin said his goodbye over the radio system last Wednesday and we posted the audio on Friday. Click here to listen.

Battle of Waterloo is appealed: In Waterloo Iowa the former fire chief has asked the Civil Service Commission to look at his case after being demoted a month ago to captain. The demotion paves the way for the mayor’s plan to have the police chief run both departments as director of safety services. Check it out.

Retired firefighter hits the jackpot: More than $8 million for a retired firefighter from Leandro, California who hit it big on a caisno’s progressive slot machine. Here’s the story.

Buffalo, New York funeral home fire sends two firefighters through floor: The fire occurred Saturday on Bailey Avenue just before 6:00 PM. The two firefighters each went part way through the floor and were brought out uninjured. Click here for the fireground audio and here to learn more about the story.

Posted by on January 3, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Buffalo Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, Customer Service, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Quick takes, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FireTruckBlog.com: Scenes from the funeral for Firefighter Corey Ankum, Chicago Fire Department.

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FireTruckBlog.com

Funeral procession

If you are looking for video from yesterday’s funeral in Chicago for Firefighter Corey Ankum, Glenn Usdin  has a number of them posted on his FireTruckBlog.com. One of the videos is taken with a group of on-duty firefighters on an overpass as the procession passes by.

Posted by on December 31, 2010 • Filed under: Chicago Fire Department, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Live coverage of the funeral for Firefighter Corey Ankum, Chicago Fire Department.

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WFLD-TV coverage

The video player above has WGN-TV’s live coverage from today’s funeral for Firefighter Corey Ankum, Chicago Fire Department.

Posted by on December 30, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Live coverage of the funeral for Firefighter Edward Stringer, Chicago Fire Department.

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If the stream fails to work, click here

WFLD-TV coverage

We will leave this player up from WGN-TV of its live coverage from today’s funeral for Firefighter Edward Stringer, Chicago Fire Department. 

Posted by on December 28, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Fires, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UPDATED 12-26: Arrangements for Chicago Fire Department’s Edward Stringer.

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(Information from IAFF Local 2 – updated 8:00 CST on 12-25-10)

Arrangements for FF Edward J. Stringer are as follows:

Monday, December 27, 2010 (3A) (EMS 2)
Blake Lamb Funeral Home
4727 W. 103rd St.
Oak Lawn, IL
Visitation: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Funeral:
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 (1A)(EMS 2)
10:00 a.m. (Tentative)
St. Rita of Cascia Chapel
7740 S. Western
Chicago, IL

Cemetery:
Beverly Cemetery
12000 S. Kedzie Ave
Blue Island, IL

Arrangements for FF/EMT Corey D. Ankum

Wake – Visitation
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 (2B) (EMS 4)
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Apostolic Church of God
6320 S. Dorchester
Chicago, IL

Early Visitation before funeral service: Thursday, December 30, 2010 (3B) (EMS 1)
10:00 a.m.
Apostolic Church of God
6320 S. Dorchester, Chicago

Funeral Service: Thursday, December 30, 2010 (3B) (EMS 1)
11:00 a.m.
Apostolic Church of God
6320 S. Dorchester, Chicago

Interment: Lincoln Cemetery
12300 S. Kedzie

A memorial fund has been set up for the Ankum Family at Chase Bank. You can call any Chase Bank and tell them you would like to make a donation to this fund. Tell them it is a business fund under FF Corey Ankum Memorial Fund. 

Transportation information

Transportation Information: Round trip bus service is being planned for Northside Local 2 members who wish to attend the funeral service for Brother Edward Stringer on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. Buses will leave at approximately 8:00 a.m. from Nonno Pino’s located at 6718 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park. The buses will return immediately following the conclusion of the funeral service at St. Rita’s.

Anyone interest in securing bus transportation should contact Brother Jim O’Donnell (773)682-9336 or Local 2 3rd Dist. BA Roger Perez (773)322-7432 as soon as possible for more information and scheduling.

We anticipate similar service will be arranged for Brother Corey Ankum’s service, but as of right now his funeral service plans have not yet been finalized. We will provide that information as soon as it becomes available.

Hotel Information: Room blocks have been held at the following hotels for the week of 12/27 through 12/31

Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker
$89 a night rate plus tax – block is under “Firefighters Union”
(312)565-1234 – mention block

Fairmont
200 North Columbus
$119 a night plus tax with free parking – block is under “Fire”
1-800 526-2008 – mention block

Posted by on December 24, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Fires, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Websites & Facebook pages where you can offer condolences following the deaths of Chicago Fire Department’s Edward Stringer & Corey Ankum.

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Previous coverage of this story here, here & here

We have been getting some questions from those looking for a place to leave a message of condolence following the deaths of Firefighter Edward Stringer and Firefighter Corey Adams in Chicago. The image above is from the website for IAFF Local 2. Here is the link to the forum on the union’s website.

There are also individual memorial pages for Firefighter Stringer and Firefighter Ankum.

There are also two Facebook pages that have been sent our way. One is for IAFF Local 2 and the other is called In Memory of Chicago Firefighters” Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer. 

While arrangements have not been finalized IAFF Local 2 has some preliminary information, here.

Posted by on December 23, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

City sued owner of building where Chicago firefighters Stringer & Ankum died. Cited unsafe roof. Commissioner says no fire in truss portion. Before & after pictures, diagram & timeline.

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Radio traffic from fire & earlier coverage

More on firefighters Stringer & Ankum

Fire occurred on 100th anniversary of fire that killed 21 Chicago firefighters

Must read editorial: Chicago Sun-Times sees tragedy as a reminder for Congress

ChicagoAreaFire.com has a series of photos from the scene

Firefighter Close Calls

More links from FireCritic.com

IAFF Local 2

Chicago Fire Department

WFLD-TV reports the City of Chicago had filed suit against the owners of the abandoned building where Firefighter Corey Ankum and Firefighter Edward Stringer died.

In 2007 inspectors found 14 building code violations, including rotting trusses and holes in the roof of the building in the 1700 block of East 75th Street. They determined the building was not safe and was unstable.

Now Chicago officials say that city attorneys are reviewing further action against the owners. This could include a  $500 per day fine for each violation. They are also looking at the possibility of a criminal prosecution.

Here are excerpts from the story by Dane Placko and Steve Chamraz:

Count seven of the lawsuit says there were holes in the roof, which was rotted through and leaky.

A before and two after shots of Sing Way Laundry building. Click here for the Bing Birds Eye View of 1744 East 75th Street.

Count nine demands the building owners restore the roof’s load-bearing capacity, after inspectors found the trusses in the roof– the wooden support beams– were rotted and vented.

That may well explain why the roof collapsed on the firefighters, even though the fire was confined to a small area nowhere near the trusses.

Last year the building’s owners entered into a consent decree, saying they would either repair the violations or sell the property by Nov. 1, 2010, but the building department said they did neither.

Firefighters are instructed not to enter a burning bow truss roof building.

They surround the fire and drown it with water as quickly as possible.

But there is an exception to that policy.

If firefighters believe someone could be inside the building, they conduct a search and rescue operation as they would in any other structure fire.

Click the image for the Google Maps Street View of the building and neighborhood.

People in the neighborhood told firefighters that the homeless used the abandoned dry cleaning business as a place to sleep on cold nights.

Posted by on December 23, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UPDATED: Chicago Fire Department’s Corey Ankum & Edward Stringer remembered. Both killed in collapse that injured 19 others. FF Ankum’s wife is a secretary for Mayor Richard Daley. Watch afternoon briefing from Commissioner Robert Hoff.

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Click here for fireground audio & our coverage from earlier today

FireTruckBlog.com looks back to the Stockyards Fire from 100 years ago today that killed 21 Chicago firefighters

IAFF Local 2

Chicago Fire Department

Mayor Richard M. Daley’s statement:

STATEMENT OF MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY ON THE DEATHS OF FIREFIGHTERS EDWARD STRINGER AND CORY ANKUM

On behalf of all the residents of Chicago, I extend my condolences to the families of Firefighters Edward Stringer and Cory Ankum, who died today in the line of duty. I knew Cory Ankum and his family and I share in their loss today.

Our prayers go out to the families of these two firefighters and to their brothers and sisters in the Chicago Fire Department, who put their lives in danger every day to keep Chicagoans safe.

FF Edward J. Stringer, Engine 63 on the left and FF/EMT Corey D. Ankum, Truck 34 on the right.

And our thoughts and prayers are with the other brave firefighters who remain hospitalized as a result of today’s fire.

The deaths of Firefighters Stringer and Ankum are both a sad reminder of how much gratitude we owe our first responders and a tragedy for all Chicagoans.

Uncredited Chicago Sun-Times photograph. More photographs here

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:

One of the firefighters who died in an extra-alarm blaze this morning had been a police officer before deciding he wanted to join the Chicago Fire Department, his family said.

“He loved helping people and, I guess, he wanted to join to be like his older brother,” Gerald Glover, a firefighter himself, said about Corey Ankum. “I’ve been a firefighter 25 years.”

Neighbors said the second firefighter who died, identified by Mayor Richard M. Daley’s office as Edward Stringer, had two grown children and lived alone. Records show he has worked for the Fire Department since 1998.

“He was the best neighbor we’ve ever had in the 50 years we’re living here,” said an elderly woman who lived down the block from his brick Cape Cod home on the West Side.

Stringer and Ankum had been on the roof of the building in the 1700 block of East 75th Street with other firefighters when it collapsed, according to the brother of a firefighter on the scene.

From SunTimes.com:

Ankum’s wife is Mayor Daley’s personal secretary.

“I knew Cory Ankum and his family and I share in their loss today,’’ Daley said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. “. . . The deaths of Firefighters Stringer and Ankum are both a sad reminder of how much gratitude we owe our first responders and a tragedy for all Chicagoans.’’

Ankum was a former Chicago cop who joined the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 72 a year ago and was described as a favorite at the firehouse at 79th and South Chicago.

The father of three children under 12 years old — including a 1 year old — was “first and foremost, a devoted family man,” said his brother, Gerald Glover, also a firefighter, who worked a different shift at the same firehouse.

The older brother said Ankum switched careers to join him in the fire department because he felt “police officers weren’t getting respect any more.”

The Chicago Fire Department District Commander, who didn’t want to be identified, was walking out of the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office Wednesday carrying a Chicago flag that had been used to drape the remains of both firefighters and a red plastic bag filled with Stringer’s clothing. He said he knows Stringer’s mother, a retired city worker.

“We lost a friend, we lost a brother,’’ he said of Stringer. Stringer “would jump in’’ whenever needed. He also had a “quick wit.’’

Both firefighters were “excellent men, excellent firefighters, excellent parents, excellent friends,’’ the district commander said.

Posted by on December 22, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UPDATE: Chicago Fire Department now confirms the deaths of two firefighters in building collapse. 19 others injured. Fireground audio from this morning’s mayday.

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CFD’s Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer remembered

AlertPage.net fireground audio (first 90 minutes) of this morning’s mayday (around 8:10 in the audio)

WLS-TV slideshow from chopper 

Live CFD audio here and here

Firefighter Close Calls

More of today’s fire and EMS news from STATter911.com

Information coming in from various Chicago news outlets this morning of a collapse at a fire in the 1700 block of East 75th Street. The fire was reported just before 7:00 AM CST.  

UPDATE at 12:03 CST from WFLD-TV: 

Two firefighters were killed, and 14 others were hurt — six critically — after four were trapped in a vacant burning building on Chicago’s South Side Wednesday morning, authorities said.  

Fire Media Affairs Dir. Larry Langford confirmed two firefighters were killed in the blaze. One died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, while the other died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He did not immediately have information on their rank or which fire company they came from.
  
Fire Dept. Commissioner Robert Hoff is expected to give an update and provide information on the deceased firefighters at Christ Medical Center, Langford said. 

  

UPDATE at 9:53 CST: At 9:39 AM ChicagoBreakingNews.com reported the following- 

Two firefighters died after a wall collapsed during a 3-11 alarm fire at an abandoned South Side commercial building this morning, authorities said. 

Police squad cars escorted two ambulances north on Lake Shore Drive to Northwestern as ramps were closed to clear it of traffic, according to fire communications. One of the firefighters taken there has died, sources said. The condition of the other one was not known. 

A third trapped firefighter was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died. 

The fourth firefighter buried in the rubble, and as many as 11 other firefighters, were also taken to hospitals. Their conditions were not available.  

At about 9:50 CST Commissioner Robert Hoff confirmed that 16 firefighters were injured with six serious to critical. He would not confirm the fatalities that WGN-TV says have been confirmed by the medical examiner. Commissioner Huff said he would provide an update from the hospital.  

Latest from MyFoxChicago at 8:50 AM CST:  

On the 100-year anniversary of the Union Stockyards fire that claimed the lives of 21 Chicago firemen, 10 ambulances were sent to a fire on the South Side, where four firefighters were trapped in an abandoned dry cleaners building Wednesday morning. As of 8:35 a.m., we’re getting word that the fourth firefighter has been found. 

Two firefighters were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital about 7:30 a.m. with a police escort all the way up Lake Shore Drive. 

A third firefighter was taken to Christ Medical Center. No word yet on the condition of the fourth firefighter. 

The chaplain is at Northwestern hospital, which is indicative of the serious situation for one or two of the firefighters. We have no official information on the status of the firefighters. 

 

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:  

Four firefighters were trapped this morning when a wall collapsed in a fire at an abandoned South Side commercial building, authorities said.  

Two were quickly rescued and rescue operations were continuing for the other two.  

The conditions of the firefighters was not known.  

The fire was raised to two and then three alarms to save the trapped firefighters. Firefighters also reported having problems with frozen hydrants.  

From WLS-TV:   

On the South Side Wednesday morning, dozens of firefighters were at the scene of a three-alarm fire on East 75th Street near Stony Island.   

  

From WGN-TV.   

Reports say part of a wall collapsed in the building fire, trapping four firefighters.   

Emergency crews were working to rescue the firefighters.    

Posted by on December 22, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Takes: December 20, 2010

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One of four Chicago area stories for the day: A brief Steve Redick video from an occupied dwelling fire early Saturday morning at Taylor and Western. You can always finds Steve’s still pictures and books, here. 

Video of the weekend: We all need a little humor that we can relate to. Here it is.

DC’s new chief likes to write: Ken Ellerbe, who will soon be taking over the top spot at the DC Fire & EMS Department, sent a message or two  to his critics and supporters via thewatchdesk.com. In it, the current chief from Sarasota County, Florida and former DC interim chief, provides some thoughts on how he plans to run the department. Chief Ellerbe also responds to Janet Wilmoth at Fire Chief Publications for her blog posting that is critical of Ellerbe’s appointment. Read it all here.

The past and the present at FireTruckBlog.com: Glen Usdin’s blog has some old rigs and brand new ones to look at, along with lots of other apparatus news. Click here for FireTruckBlog.com.

Raw video from Paterson, New Jersey third-alarm: Ed Gray on the scene with video from a fire early Saturday morning in a vacant apartment building. Click here.

Early video from New Zealand: One man was critically burned after his home caught fire. This video captures the initial attack on the fire in Napier.

Holly is Coyote ugly but CFD saved her anyway: Actually she is quite cute and seemed rather cooperative as the Chicago Fire Department and animal control officers teamed up to save a Coyote that went fishing and ended up floating on a small piece of frozen Lake Michigan. Check it out.

Other ice fishermen save the day northwest of Chicago: These were the two legged kind up early in McHenry Township, Illinois. They found a burning house before they got to a frozen lake and sounded the alarm, saving a family. Here’s the story.

Also in Chicago: Firegeezer Bill looks at the investigation into the drill that was performed at a firefighter’s home and the repercussions from this training. Click here.

Tragedy brings change: In Portland, Oregon the city’s new fire boat saw action two hours after it went in service. The boat fills a response gap that was discovered during a tragic situation involving two young children in 2009. Here’s the story and the video.

Invisible bracelets hit the DC area: The City of Fairfax Fire Department is the first in our area to bring the concept of virtual medical bracelets to the community. Read and watch the story.

Remember, they always get their man: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a special interest in this one. They are looking for the person who tried to set fire to the RCMP Queen Charlotte detachment. Here’s more.

Posted by on December 20, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, Customer Service, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Fires, Funding & Staffing, News, Quick takes, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Who ya gonna call? Chicago Fire Department rescues a coyote on Lake Michigan. It wasn’t Wile E. it was Holly.

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From WGN-TV:

Chicago Fire Department and Animal Control workers rescued a Coyote from the icy waters of Lake Michigan Friday.

Rescue crews were called out to the lake around 9:30 a.m.after a coyote was spotted floating on a block of ice about a half mile off Fullerton Ave. Beach, said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.

Workers on board a fire department boat pulled the coyote to safety at about 10:50 a.m.

Rescue workers have named the coyote “Holly.” 

 

From WLS-TV:

“The firefighting unit does not care of wild animals because we don’t have the training or the expertise. There was a quick response by the department of animal control so we were able to put one of their workers on our fireboat,” said Chief Mike Fox, Chicago Fire Department.

CFD Engine 58 picked up Animal Control Officer Miguel Hernandez at Belmont Harbor and plowed out to Holly.

In the interim, 2.5-foot-long Holly had tried to swim to shore and spent at least 20 minutes in the water.

Somehow she managed to scramble back on to some ice, barely enough to hold her completely out of the water.

Within minutes, the animal control officer, while being held by firefighters, managed to slip a rescue cord around the animal. And the group pulled her to safety.

“We hauled her up into the boat. She was pretty well frozen, not giving us any resistance. I think she was happy to see us. Got some blankets on her, warmed her up, brought her back into shore,” said Jeff Weber, Chicago firefighter.

“We had patrol and an officer and we didn’t spend extra money saving this animal, and just like a dog or cat, we should treat all animals with as much care and respect we can,” said Cherie Travis, Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Posted by on December 18, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News, Patient Management, Rescues, Special Operations, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,