Archives for robert-hoff

Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff plans to announce his resignation on Thursday, the head of the firefighters union said Wednesday night.

Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 President Thomas Ryan announced Hoff’s planned departure at a union meeting. Ryan told fire union members that Hoff had told him “it was time to go.”

Another source familiar with the situation called Hoff's resignation “imminent” and said it is for personal reasons, not because of any policy differences with new Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Chicago Sun-Times:

Hoff, 56, is a third generation Chicago firefighter whose father was killed in the line of duty. He chose to retire — and go out on his own terms — on the 50th anniversary of his father’s death.

Sources said the decision was his. The mayor did not force him out.

“Thirty-five years is long enough. He wants to go teach firemen and keep them safe. That’s what he wants to do,” said a source close to the commissioner.

WGN Radio:

Hoff, a third-generation hero firefighter, was appointed by then-Mayor Richard Daley to lead the department in June 2010. Hoff was popular with the rank and file.

Hoff, a fire veteran of more than 30 years, twice was awarded the department's top honor for bravery. In 1992, he rescued elderly residents from burning buildings following a gas explosion. In 1997, he saved 4-year-old twin boys from an Englewood building fire. Hoff also spent 21 days in a burn unit after suffering injuries fighting a fire in 1984.

STATEMENT REGARDING RETIREMENT OF COMMISSIONER HOFF

"On behalf of the Chicago Fire Fighters' Union,we wish Commissioner Hoff well in his retirement. He was a public servant of unquestionable integrity with a passionate and unwavering commitment to fire safety for the public-at-large as well as for rank-and-file firefighters and paramedics. He always stood-up for what he believed in and was never afraid to speak his mind. He was the unique leader who was able to cut budgets while never sacrificing vital resources or staffing,and as a result Chicago firefighters and paramedics have the fastest response time of any city in the nation. That is a legacy to be proud of. Chicago is truly a better and safer city because of his leadership and public service."

Tom Ryan President Chicago Fire Fighters' Union,Local 2

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Posted by dave statter on February 15, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: backdraft, Bob Hoff, CFD, Chicago Fire Department, Command Fire Apparatus, EMS, EMT, fire, fire commissioner, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Usdin, Hoff, IAFF Local 2, Mayor Emanuel, Rahm Emanuel, resigning, retirement, Robert Hoff, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Tom Ryan

Chicago ride-along controversy: Columnist uses opening scene of Backdraft to explain latest battle between Commissioner Hoff & Inspector General.

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Read column by Alden Loury

There is a very interesting column on Huff Post Chicago by Alden Loury the publisher of The Chicago Reporter. It is about the latest dust up between Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Robert Hoff and Inspector General Joe Ferguson. You may recall the pair previously battled over how discipline would be handled after the IG's investigation found members of the Fire Prevention Bureau had falsified mileage reimbursements. Hoff also told Ferguson to basically butt out when the IG urged a cutback on the minimum staffing of fire apparatus.

The latest disagreement is over ride-alongs. Here's how Loury describes the issue:

Investigators with Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson's office discovered that a battalion chief took an adult son along on fire emergencies and allowed him to stay overnight at a Chicago firehouse for a period of nearly two years. Ferguson recommended a 20-day suspension for the battalion chief, who "recklessly exposed the City to liability," according to the OIG's office.

But Commissioner Hoff ignored that recommendation and gave the battalion chief — whom city and fire officials wouldn't identify — a "verbal reprimand" with no time off, in the process creating more friction with Ferguson's office. (This is at least the third time in the past few months that the commissioner and Ferguson have squared off.)

CFD spokesman Larry Langford says Commissioner Hoff cited progressive discipline as his justification for the verbal reprimand, pointing to an otherwise good record for the BC.

Langford also had to tell Loury that Commissioner Hoff's childhood did not weigh heavily in the decision making on this one. Loury was talking about Commissioner Hoff, his brother and father being inspirations for the 1991 movie Backdraft. Alden Loury begins his column by describing the opening of the film where the younger brother rides along on a fire that ends up taking his father's life.

While that is a fictionalized account of the 1962 death of Commissioner Hoff's father, Loury continues with the ride-along theme by citing a quote from the Commissioner's interview with the Chicago Sun-Times last year after the death of his firefighter older brother Raymond, whom he lived with as a teenager. "I was 14. Every weekend he took me to work with him. He showed me everything."

As for the rules on CFD ride-alongs, here's more from Loury:

Langford said requests for ride alongs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but approval is typically reserved for individuals with a legitimate interest in firefighting activity or research — such as journalists or academics. Anyone approved for a ride along must complete a waiver of liability (which apparently was not filled out in the case of the battalion chief.) Langford said the department also has a program allowing medical students to ride along in ambulances as a part of their educational process.

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Posted by dave statter on January 27, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: backdraft, CFD, Chicago Fire Department, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, discipline, EMS, EMT, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, Glenn Usdin, IG, inspector general, Larry Langford, liability, OIG, policy, progressive discipline, Raymond Hoff, ride-along, ride-alongs, Robert Hoff, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, waiver of liability

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.

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Posted by dave statter 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: Bob Hoff, CFD, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Command Fire Apparatus, Commissioner Hoff, Dave Statter, EGH, EMS, EMT, Everyone Goes Home, film, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Usdin, Illinois, JoEllen Kelly, line of duty, line of duty death, LODD, movie, NFFF, paramedic, Rob Maloney, Robert Hoff, Ron Siarnicki, safety, seatbelts, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Steve Redick

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 dave statter 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: Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building code, CFD, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, collapse, collapse zone, Command Fire Apparatus, Corey Ankum, Cory Ankum, Dave Statter, Edward Stringer, EMS, EMT, Engine 63, Engine 72, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, FireTruckBlog.com, flat roof, Gerald Glover, Glenn Usdin, IAFF Local 2, Illinois, line of duty death, LODD, paramedic, Richard Daley, Richard M. Daley, Robert Hoff, roof collapse, Sing Way, Sing Way Laundry, STATter911.com, Tom Ryan, Truck 34, wall collapse

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 dave statter 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: Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building code, CFD, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, collapse, collapse zone, Command Fire Apparatus, Corey Ankum, Cory Ankum, Dave Statter, Edward Stringer, EMS, EMT, Engine 63, Engine 72, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, FireTruckBlog.com, flat roof, Gerald Glover, Glenn Usdin, IAFF Local 2, Illinois, line of duty death, LODD, paramedic, Richard Daley, Richard M. Daley, Robert Hoff, roof collapse, Sing Way, Sing Way Laundry, STATter911.com, Tom Ryan, Truck 34, wall collapse

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 dave statter 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: Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building code, CFD, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, collapse, collapse zone, Command Fire Apparatus, Corey Ankum, Cory Ankum, Dave Statter, Edward Stringer, EMS, EMT, Engine 63, Engine 72, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, FireTruckBlog.com, flat roof, Gerald Glover, Glenn Usdin, IAFF Local 2, Illinois, line of duty death, LODD, paramedic, Richard Daley, Richard M. Daley, Robert Hoff, roof collapse, Sing Way, Sing Way Laundry, STATter911.com, Tom Ryan, Truck 34, wall collapse

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 dave statter 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: Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building code, CFD, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, collapse, collapse zone, Command Fire Apparatus, Corey Ankum, Cory Ankum, Dave Statter, Edward Stringer, EMS, EMT, Engine 63, Engine 72, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, FireTruckBlog.com, flat roof, Gerald Glover, Glenn Usdin, IAFF Local 2, Illinois, line of duty death, LODD, paramedic, Richard Daley, Richard M. Daley, Robert Hoff, roof collapse, Sing Way, Sing Way Laundry, STATter911.com, Tom Ryan, Truck 34, wall collapse

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

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

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 dave statter on December 22, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: 75th Street, Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building collapse, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, Cook County, Corey Ankum, Daley, DCFD.com, Illinois, Richard Daley, Richard M, Robert Hoff, Robert Stringer, Stony Island, three-alarms, trapped firefighter, wall collapse

Firefighter Christopher Wheatley, Truck 2, Chicago Fire Department dies from fall. Happened during early morning West Loop restaurant fire.

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Firefighter Close Calls

Firefighter Christopher Wheatley died early this morning after falling from a ladder while on the scene of a grease fire in Chicago’s West Loop area. Here are excerpts from the news coverage.

Chicago Fire Department photo of Firefighter Christopher Wheatley.

From the Chicago Breaking News Center:

A Chicago firefighter died this morning after he fell from a ladder while fighting a fire at a West Loop restaurant.

Christopher Wheatley, 31, was carrying an ax and a hose up a ladder at the Avec restaurant, 615 W. Randolph, when he fell about 35 feet around 12:30 a.m., according to Fire Cmsr. Robert Hoff.

He was taken in very critical condition to Stroger Hospital and was pronounced dead there at 1:19 a.m.

Dozens of police and fire cars, their lights flashing, lined the streets as Ambulance 15 carried Wheatley’s body to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Officers silently saluted.

From WGN-TV:

“Firefighter Christopher Wheatly was carrying his equipment when he was making his way up . He slipped and fell to the ground. They worked to save his life, but it was too late. Firefighter Chris Wheatly was assigned to Truck 2. He left a mother, father, a sister, and a fiance. He was one of our finest, and that’s all I can say for right now.”

Hoff continued, “He was very well-liked, he was a paramedic, he always had a smile on his face. He was one of our best.”

The fire department formed a convoy to escort Wheatley’s body to the morgue. Police cars, their blue lights flashing, lined the street as Ambulance 15 carried Wheatley’s body to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Officers saluted.

Hoff said Wheatley came to the fire department in 2000 as a paramedic and became a firefighter in 2008. The source said he had a fiance.

Wheatley is the last firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2008. Firefighter William Grant was killed when a school bus struck the fire truck he was on.

Posted by dave statter on August 9, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: Avec Restaurant, Bob Hoff, Christopher Wheatley. Truck 2, Cook County Medical Examiner, fire commissioner, firefighter, line of duty death, Robert Hoff, Stroger Hospital, W. Randolph, West Loop, William Grant

Quick Takes

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$350,000 dollar car burns in Brooklyn: It’s not often you get that kind of loss on a car fire. Here’s the video and some rather profane commentary as a Lamborghini Murcielago burned on Saturday. Read details.

Appeals court sides with Prince George’s County on furloughs: A reversal of fortune for firefighters and police in Prince George’s County, Maryland. A federal appeals court sided with the county overturning a lower court ruling that furloughs that began in 2008 were illegal. Read more.

WTOL-TV image from inside the firehouse in Edgerton, Ohio.

Town hall comes down on fire station, literally: In Edgerton, Ohio a storm last night lifted the town hall roof and brought it down onto the fire station roof slightly injuring a firefighter. Read the story.

Another fire station damaged by storms: Fire Station 2 in Oak Brook, Illinois also suffered roof damage from a storm last night. Here’s more.

Details from a mayday: On Friday a firefighter hitting hotspots at a York Township, Michigan house fire suddenly ended up in the basement. Read details of the efforts to rescue Firefighter Joe Yurkunas.

Sprinkler law in Baltimore City to be signed today: Chief Jim Clack sent out this message this morning-

At a press conference this morning at 9 AM, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will sign a new fire sprinkler law for our city. The law requires fire sprinklers in all new one and two family residential structures built here in Baltimore after July 1, 2010. On that date, we believe Baltimore becomes the largest city in the United States to require residential sprinkler systems in newly constructed one and two family homes. Experience from around the country where residential sprinklers are required tells us that this important public safety legislation will save many lives in the years ahead.

Much of the credit for the new law goes to our Fire Marshal, Raymond O’Brocki and our Maryland State Fire Marshal, Mr. William Barnard. Both are true professionals. I know it takes a lot of courage to stand up to the lobbyists for the construction industry, but our elected officials decided this life safety effort was critical to achieving our goal of Zero Fire Deaths. I am extremely proud to serve with each and every one of them.

Judge okays 9-11 settlement: From the New York Times-

A federal judge formally approved a settlement on Wednesday between the city and workers who say their health was damaged during rescue and cleanup operations at ground zero, allowing the agreement to move forward to a vote by more than 10,000 plaintiffs.

At least 95 percent of the workers — including firefighters and police officers, building janitors and volunteers — must approve the settlement by Sept. 30 for it to take effect. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of the United States District Court in Manhattan described the deal as “fair, adequate and reasonable” and urged the workers to accept it.

New fire commissioner in Chicago: A 33-year-veteran and third-generation firefighter is the new man in charge. Read more about Robert Hoff.

Firefighter fights back after being sued by chief and deputy chief: An update on a Halifax, Nova Scotia story where the brass is suing over what was said about them on the Internet by a firefighter. The firefighter says he is a whistleblower about safety issues. Read the details.