Fire Department Chronology 2000-2006
Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company
Sharp Corner Volunteer Fire Department
Skokie Fire Department Chronology
2000 through 2006
Compiled by Lt. Ron Smith, Skokie Fire Department Historianfor the Skokie Historical Society
| 1871 - 1899 | | | 1900 - 1924 | | | 1925 - 1949 | | | 1950 - 1974 | | | 1975 - 1999 | | | 2000 - 2006 | | | Home |
2000 |
A Pierce 1,500 gallon per minute Paramedic Pumper is purchased and assigned "Rescue Truck Co. #17". An International/Taylor ambulance painted white over red is purchased and is assigned "Ambulance Co. #18".
Reference: Skokie Fire Department Records April 27 - An apartment fire at 7920 Niles Avenue causes $40,000.00 in damage to the first floor. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report June 8 - A storage area fire extends to the roof at J9 Old Orchard Mall causing $100,000.00 in smoke damage to the contents. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report August 21 - Firemen have a busy day: At 8:30 a.m. firemen respond to an ethylene oxide leak at 3600 Touhy Avenue; at 10:51 a.m. an extra-alarm fire breaks out in a home at 8567 Keystone Avenue; at 11:38 a.m. fire breaks out in a landscaping business at 6825 Carpenter Road. Several other towns assist with the alarms. Reference: Skokie Review August 24, 2000 September - An International / Road Rescue ambulance is purchased and assigned 'Ambulance Co. #16'. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives September 3 - A very large transformer fire at the Com Ed facility at 5190 Church Street causes $2,300,000.00 in damage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report September 28 - Plumbers start a fire in a home at 5225 Coyle Avenue causing $100,000 in damage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report October 29 - A house fire at 5142 Brummel Street causes $75,000.00 in damage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report December 10 - An apartment fire at 8417 Monticello Avenue causes $50,000 in damage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Annual Report December 18 - An extra-alarm fire destroys a historic home at 735 Greenwood Ave. in Glencoe. Skokie Engine Co. #18 joins ten other towns in battling the blaze. Reference: Glencoe News December 21, 2000 December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,623 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book |
2001 |
January 12 - Chief James Eaves retires from Skokie to become Chief of Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Reference: Skokie Review December 7, 2000 March 16 - Engine Co.#16 assists Lincolnwood at a fire in Rutledge Hall School. The fire is located in the basement beneath a stage. Reference: Lincolnwood Review March 22, 2001 March 24 - Skokie Fire Department earns Accreditation from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Skokie is one of only five municipalities in the United States to be both Accredited and Insurance Services Organization (ISO) Class 1. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives April 19 - Skokie's first Thermal Imaging Camera is placed in service on Squad Co. #18. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum May 11 - Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) are placed on Engine #16, Engine #17, and Engine #18. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum May 12 - Truck Co. #18 assists at an extra-alarm fire at 315 LeClaire Avenue, Glenview. Reference: Wilmette Life May 17, 2001 August 14 - Firemen rescue a woman from the second-story window of her home in the 3800 block of Hull Street. Reference: Chicago Tribune August 15, 2001 August 18 - Firemen and police rescue a jumper on a bridge over Edens Expressway. They ease a ladder truck under her and snatch her to safety. Reference: Skokie Review August 23, 2001 August 18 - A CTA train broadsides a car at Searle Parkway killing the driver of the automobile. Reference: Skokie Review August 25, 2001 September 4 - A CTA Train hits an automobile at Main Street ejecting one passenger who later dies. Reference: Skokie Review September 6, 2001 September 11 - The World Trade Center in New York is attacked by Islamic terrorists. September 15 - Three members of the Skokie Fire Department - Captain Alan Schullo, Firemen Dan Collins and Larry Sowa arrive in Manhattan to assist at Ground Zero. An organized program, paid by the Firefighters Union #3033, sends at least forty firefighters to New York City over the next month. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives September 17 - Martin Oscarson is appointed Fire Chief. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives October 13 - Firemen stand on street corners and collect $15,000.00 (in their boots) for the New York Firefighters Association. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 5 - Truck Co. #18 Shift Three is awarded a Unit Citation for their lifesaving actions for rescuing a woman from a second-floor apartment window during a fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives November 6 - Truck Co. #18 Shift Two is awarded a Unit Citation for bravery and cunning for saving the lady on the Edens Expressway bridge. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives November 11 - Firemen and police march with bagpipers to Mostow Park at Niles Center Road and Skokie Boulevard for a ceremony honoring Veterans Day. A flag pole donated by a local citizen is dedicated to 9 - 11 victims. Reference: Chicago Tribune November 9, 2001 - Skokie Review November 8, 2001 December - A Pierce 100-foot Heavy Duty Ladder Truck is purchased and assigned 'Truck Co. #18'. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,660 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book |
2002 |
March 10 - An extra-alarm fire breaks out in a twelve-unit apartment building at 4641 Main Street. Heavy winds fan the fire.
Reference: Skokie Review March 14, 2002 May 27 - Captain Alan Schullo retires from Skokie and becomes Chief of St. Charles, Illinois. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives June 24, 10:00 hours - A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the new fire Station #17 located at 8157 Central Park. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum June 25 - A three-alarm fire destroys a factory at 7438 Channel Road. The fire at the industrial lubricant factory is through the roof when companies arrive. Companies lead out into the exposures and stop the spread of fire to other buildings. Reference: Skokie Review June 27, 2002 July 26 - At 7:45 a.m., there is a change of quarters: Squad Co. #18 goes to Niles Center - Station #16 and Truck Co. #18 and Tower Co. #16 trade places - rigs only for duration of remodeling of Gross Point Road - Station #18. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 11 - Approximately 300 people turn out at Village Hall to pay tribute to the victims of 9-11. Reference: Skokie Review September 12, 2002 September 11 - At 9:05 a.m. all of the Skokie Fire Stations perform a Flag Ceremony and ring out "335" - last alarm call. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum November 18 - Skokie ESDA volunteers (Emergency Service Disaster Agency, formerly the Civil Defense) are disbanded after nearly 52 years of service. The Fire Department will handle any needed services. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,174 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book |
2003 |
February - A Pierce Dash pumper with a 1500 gallon per minute capacity is purchased and assigned 'Engine Co. #18'.
Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives May 2 - The Central Park Station construction is completed. At 0740 Hours, Squad Co. #18 returns to Gross Point Road - Station #18 and Truck #18 and Tower #16 trade rigs and return to original locations. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book July 28 - The Hamlin Avenue Station closes. All personnel and equipment move to the new quarters at 8257 Central Park. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book September 14 - Central Park - Station #17 is dedicated. Two thousand people attend the dedication and open house. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives October - Two International Med-Tec Ambulances are purchased and assigned 'Ambulance Co. #17' and 'Ambulance Co. #18'. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives October 20 - Rescue Truck #17 is now called Rescue #17 and all ALS equipment is removed. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books October 20 - The new Ambulance Co. #17 is placed in service at Central Park - Station #17. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 23 - Firemen rescue seven people trapped and hanging out the second, third, and fourth-floor windows of an apartment building at 8911 Lamon Avenue. The box-alarm fire starts in the garden apartment. Two people are injured in the blaze. Reference: Skokie Life November 27, 2003 December 8 - Gross Point Road - Station #18 Shift Two, is awarded a Unit Citation for outstanding performance during the 8911 Lamon Avenue fire on November 23. Reference: Skokie Life November 27, 2003 December 24 - A car at 7601 Lowell Avenue catches fire and the fire extends to the house and attic space causing an extra-alarm fire. The Fire Companies work aggressively to extinguish the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,293 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Book |
2004 |
February - A Pierce Dash Pumper with a 1500 gallon per minute capacity is purchased and assigned 'Engine Co. #18'.
Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives February 23 - Engine #18 (Pierce 2003 model) is removed from service and is re-lettered Engine #16. The new Engine #18 (Pierce 2004 model) is placed in service on this date. The Engines are switched because the 2004 model is 18" smaller and fits in the Gross Point Road - Station #18 with the new ambulance. Engine #16 (Pierce 2003 model) is put in service on March 1, 2004, at 19:38 hours. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 23 - At this time Engines #16, #17, and #18 now have a logo on the side of the cab that carries the old Engine Companies designation. Engine #16 has the Niles Center Engine Company logo, Engine #17 has the East Side Engine Company logo, and Engine #18 has the Sharp Corner Engine Company logo. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Archives February 25 - Engine Co. #18 assists Evanston at an extra-alarm fire in the early morning hours at 1827 Lyons (Lyons and Dodge). Two families are left homeless in the blaze. The two-story frame buildings are severely damaged. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 26 - Engine Co. #18 changes quarters to Lincolnwood Station #15 from 08:00 to 15:00 hours so that Lincolnwood firefighters could attend the funeral of one of their comrades. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 5 - At 20:58 hours, a second alarm fire at 8028 Laramie Avenue proves to be a difficult fire due to the conversion of a single-family dwelling to a three-flat. Heavy overhaul is needed throughout the structure to stop the spread of fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books April 20 - A tornado tears through a Utica, Illinois killing eight residents. At 0930 hours, Ambulance Co. #16 responds to the scene to assist. The Company returns at 0400 hours the next day. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books April 21 - The MABAS TRT Team is activated and dispatched to Utica, Illinois. Dennis Selzer, Skokie's TRT Team member is sent. The TRT Team searches for victims in collapsed buildings. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 27, 16:47 hours - An disoriented man is dropped off at Gross Point Road - Station #18. The diagnosis is carbon monoxide poisoning. It is determined that the poisoning was possibly at a home in Lincolnshire. The Fire Department was dispatched to the house and two other people were found near death from carbon monoxide poisoning. All three people recover. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 21, 21:49 hours - Engine Co. #18 and Engine Co. #17 respond to a five-alarm fire at 1904 LeHigh Avenue in Glenview. Engine Co. #18 leads out its entire bed of five-inch hose to supply a Truck Company. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books July 8 - Gross Point Road Station #18 - Shift One and other dispatch members are awarded a Unit Citation and Silver Pins for the efforts made in the May 27th carbon monoxide poisoning incident. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books July 22 - Area firemen are invited to NIPSTA in Glenview to hear President Buch speak. Skokie Fire Department members in attendance include Chief Oscarson, Deputy Chief Walters as well as other members of the Department. Village Manager Al Rigoni introduces the President. Reference: Skokie Scribbles Newsletter October 17 - Engine Co. #17 and Tower Co. #16 respond to an extra-alarm fire in a building that houses people with disabilities. The building is located at 828 Oakton Street in Evanston. Reference: Chicago Sun Times October 18, 2004 October 21 - Engine Co. #17 and Tower Co. #16 respond to a second-alarm fire at an apartment building located at 621 Brummel Street in Evanston. Tower Co. #16 is assigned to vent the roof. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 6, 01:22 hours - Residents of the apartment building at 10107 Old Orchard Court are forced to the street by a second-floor kitchen fire. The unit occupant is taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 14, 23:49 hours - Squad Co. #18 responds to a call in Wilmette at 1139 Wilmette Avenue. An attic fire located in the 130-year-old renovated train station/restaurant requires some overhauling to stop the fire from spreading. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 2, 19:95 hours - A fire in a four-unit apartment building located at 8342 Christiana destroys one unit on the first floor. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 6 - A major fire breaks out on the 29th Floor of a building at 135 S. LaSalle Street in Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department sends over 400 firemen to the scene. The Mutual Aide Task Force is activated. The surrounding suburbs send twenty-two fire companies to Chicago on a change of quarters. Skokie's Tower Co. #16 changes quarters to Engine 124 at Kedzie Avenue and Montrose Street. (OOQ-22:18 to BIQ-02:34). The last time Skokie assisted Chicago was in April of 1968 during the riots. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 25 - After 23 years, Boot Day is canceled because of new State Laws and Village policies that prohibit firemen from soliciting donations from the public to assist the needy. See Decmeber of 1981. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Rules and Regulations, New Village Ethics Policy December 29 - Truck Co. #18 changes quarters to Station #2 in Evanston on an extra-alarm fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,202 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books |
2005 |
A Sterling/Marion (TRT, Haz-Mat, Arson Investigation) Truck is purchased and is assigned "Utility Co. #17".
Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books January 6, 21:04 hours - Truck Co. #18 responds to a Box Alarm House fire at 7702 Davis Street in Morton Grove. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 3, 18:38 hours - Squad Co. #18 responds to a house fire at 1800 Isabella in Wilmette. Squad Co. #18 is recalled for a rekindle at 07:32 hours the next day. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 11, 16:03 hours - Truck #18 changes quarters to Station #1 in Evanston on an extra-alarm fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 23 - Lincolnwood Fire Department responds to an automobile and three eighteen-wheeler accident on Edens Expressway at Touhy Avenue. Lincolnwood calls for a Skokie Ambulance and Chief. Battalion #16 calls for Station #16 and Squad #18 for extrication. The male driver of the automobile dies. The Edens Expressway is closed for an hour and a half. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 2, 12:25 hours - Squad #18 responds to 1502 Elmwood Street in Wilmette as an R.I. Team for a working house fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 2, 21:15 hours - Fire Companies work aggressively to stop a fire extension into a home at 7400 Lavergne Street. The fire started in a two-car garage and spread to the house causing major heat and smoke damage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 7, 21:48 hours - Station #16, Squad #18, and Lincolnwood Engine #15 respond to a car fire at 7200 Edens Expressway. At 22:00 hours, Lincolnwood receives a call of a house fire at 4849 Lunt Avenue. Skokie Truck #18 and Battalion #16 respond to the extra-alarm fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March - Computers are installed in all apparatus. All EMS reports will be recorded on laptop computers. This system connects the fire rigs with other government agencies. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 8, 18:54 hours - Engine Co. #18 is called out to a box alarm fire in a nursing home at 8333 Golf Road in Niles. Ambulance #18 responds to the second alarm ambulance box. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 22, 16:31 hours - Squad Co. #18 responds to 610 Central Avenue in Wilmette as an R.I. Team. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 25, 10:17 hours until 13:00 hours - Tower Co. #16 responds to a third alarm fire in a hotel at 1625 Hinman Street in Evanston. The fire was located on the third floor and required extensive operations to extinguish the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 26, 03:10 hours until 05:15 hours - Tower Co. #16 is due at another extra-alarm fire at 1905 Church Street in Evanston. The building was a taxpayer and was fully involved upon arrival. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books April 13, 23:22 hours - A fire breaks out on the second floor of an apartment at 9104 Lawler Avenue. Engine Co. #18 leads out and contains the fire to the rear of the building. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books April 20, 22:01 hours - A bedroom fire breaks out in a two-story home at 8251 Harding Street. Engine Co. #17 quickly extinguishes the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 16, 22:00 hours - Engine Co. #18 stretches out the center bed on an extra-alarm fire located at 9003 Lamon Avenue. The fire was on the first floor of a four-unit apartment building. Fire Companies work aggressively to contain the fire to one unit. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 17, 13:17 hours - A fire in a home causes major damage and fills a family pet. The alarm is upgraded to a box alarm due to Engine Co. #16 attending R.I. Team training in Evanston. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 10, 20:08 hours - A fire breaks out in the basement of a townhome at 10055 Frontage Road. Squad Co. #18 leads out with 1 3/4 inch line to the seat of the blaze. Other townhome units are smoke damaged. Tower Co. #16 is damaged when ordered to enter the alley. The platform is torn off its railing when it struck a large tree branch. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 25, 19:00 hours - A woman lighting a grill on a porch starts a second alarm fire at 4800 Grove Street. The woman becomes frightened and leaves the area not telling anyone of the blaze. The fire engulfs the entire rear porches of a four-unit apartment building causing major fire damage to the second-floor units and the roof. Engine Co. #18 boxes the fire prior to arrival. Squad Co. #18 leads out in the rear of the building with a 2 1/2-inch line but has pump problems. Engine Co. #18 and Engine Co. #16 stretch out their entire center beds to the fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books July 2 - Firefighter Thomas Suerth (Big Tom) retires after forty-four years and nine months of service. As of this date, Big Tom holds the record for the longest term for a full-time fireman. Robert Meissner preceded Tom with forty-four years and eight months of service. Both firefighters started on October 1, 1960. There were awarded a plaque from the Village on August 1, 2005. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books - Skokie Review July 14, 2005 July 14 - A woman trying to end her life rams her car at 79 m.p.h. into the rear end of an occupied car waiting at a traffic light. Two occupants of the front vehicle are instantly killed and the other dies at the hospital. Reference: Chicago Tribune July 16, 2005 August 20 - Fire Chief Martin Oscarson retires after four years as Chief and thirty-two years of service with the department. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum August 28 - Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans destroying the surrounding areas. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books August 31 - Utility #17 is placed in service at Central Park - Station #17. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 1, 04:45 hours - Skokie assembles six firemen to travel to the New Orleans area with Truck #18. This is the longest and farthest Mutual Aid call in the history of the department. The six members are: Capt. Ronald Moritz, Lt. Roger Penninger, FF Larry Sowa, FF Hernandes Zavala, and FF David Norris. FF Denis Slezer ars deployed with Northern Illinois Police Alarm System as a SWAT Medic. Truck Co. #18 is assigned to the town of Slidell, Louisiana. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 17, 11:05 hours - A Metra train derails and crashes in Chicago killing two people and injuring 80 others. Chicago activates the Mutual Aid System for ambulances. Ambulance #16 responds to the 911 Center in Chicago. Ambulance #16 is assigned to Engine #7's quarters at Cicero Avenue and Roscoe Street. Ambulance #16 handles one automobile accident with Engine #7. Ambulance #16 returns after two and a half hours. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books - Chicago Tribune September 18, 2005 September 19, 17:30 hours - Truck Co #18 returns to quarters from the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged area of Slidell, Louisiana. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 25, 01:02 hours - Engine #16 and Tower #16 respond on a box alarm to 7846 Long in Morton Grove. Skokie Fire companies attempt to fight a basement fire and were met with a flashover. Several members were forced to bail out of the structure. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books October 2, 08:56 hours - A child playing with a lighter starts a fire at 8155 Knox Avenue. The fire was located on the second floor of a two-flat. Engine #16 lead-out the center bed to the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books October 26, 16:00 hours- Ambulance #17 is sent to Chicago as part of Taskforce #2. They are staged at the Chicago Fire Academy. This is in response to the White Sox playing in the World Series. Ambulance #17 is taken out of service and manned with hireback personnel. Ambulance #17R is put in service. (BIQ. 1:45) Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books October 27 - Hurricane Katrina Mutual Aid call members Capt. Ronald Moritz, Lt. Roger Penninger, FF Larry Sowa, FF Hernandes Zavala and FF David Norris, and FF Denis Slezer are given awards at a Village Board meeting. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 7 - Ralph Czerwinski becomes Skokie's Fire Chief. Chief Czerwinski is the former Fire Chief and Village Manager of Morton Grove. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum November 14 - The old Skokie Fire Dept patch is retired and the new patch (of the same design only larger) will be used on all new clothes. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Memorandum November 23, 11:16 hours - Niles Center Road - Station #18 responds to a fully involved attached garage fire on a tri-level home at 5245 Wright Terrace. Engine Co #18 stretched its center bed to the fire. The homeowner was working on a motorcycle when he spilled gasoline on a space heater. His auto was also destroyed in the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 26, 01:54 hours - An extra-alarm fire at 8040 Crawford Avenue calls out all three stations for several hours. The fire is in a two-story single-family unoccupied home. The fire reaches the roof and requires extensive overhaul to the second floor. The house sustains major damage. An Evanston truck assists at the scene. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 26, 1:54 hours - Tower Ladder #16 and Battalion #16 respond to a 2-11 fire at 1128 Maple in Evanston. An apartment building with fire on four floors calls out the extra alarm companies. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 1, 11:01 hours-Station #17 companies quickly extinguish a small kitchen fire at 3925 Dempster Street. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,282 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books |
2006 |
January 1, 05:35 hours - A home under construction at 4300 Emerson Street was totally destroyed in an early morning fire. The fire was elevated to a box alarm due to several exposure problems. Three other homes are slightly damaged.
Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books January 2, 22:57 hours - An alarm fire in a moving company warehouse at 3649 Chase Avenue proved to be a large fire. Two heads held the fire until Engine #17 could lead-out and extinguish the blaze. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 13, 13:37 hours - Truck #18 and Ambulance #18 are called out to 5824 Lincoln Avenue in Morton Grove to a house fire. The truck vented and overhauled the house. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 14, 12:34 hours- Truck #18 and Ambulance #18 are called out to 5627 Crain Street in Morton Grove to stand by at a house fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books February 15, 13:20 hours - A fire on the second floor of a home at 9511 Terminal Street calls out Gross Point Street - Station #18 followed by Engine #16 and Truck #16. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 3, 00:44 hours - A water flow alarm calls out fire companies once again (see 1/2/2006) to 3649 Chase Avenue for a second fire caused by an arsonist. Several fires were started in the storage facility. At least eight sprinkler heads were set off in the blaze. Companies overhauled the fire area for about an hour. Two firefighters were injured in the fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books March 18, 12:51 hours - Fire companies respond to an extra-alarm fire in a twelve-unit apartment building at 8023 Kilpatrick Street. Truck Co. #18 laddered the rear and Tower Co. #16 laddered the front of the building. Squad Co. #18 and the Truck lead-out to the seat of the fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 6 - On this date the Fire Department is 125 years old and has responded to over a quarter of a million calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 20, 09:00 hours - Reserve Engine Co. #16R with hired-back personnel responds to O'Hare Airport with the Chicago Fire Department for a mass-casualty drill. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 20, 12:21 hours- Squad Co. #18 responded to 1410 Sheridan Road in Wilmette for a fire on the sixth floor of a condo building. The Squad was the R.I.T. Company. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 22, 16:36 hours - Tower Co. #16 responded to the box alarm for a fire in a store at 1018 Davis in Evanston. Extensive overhauling was needed to stop the fire. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 26, 14:26 hours - Engine #18, Truck #18, and Ambulance #18 respond to 8900 Parkside Street in Morton Grove on a code thirteen for a house fire. Battalion #16 responds to the box alarm. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books May 29, 10:57 hours - Squad #18 lead-out on a kitchen fire at 9012 Gross Point Road a few doors down from the firehouse. Truck #18 knocks down the bulk of the fire with its pressurized water can. This building was the former Sharp Corner School building. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June - Truck #16R, the 1988 Pierce, is sent to the Pierce factory for a complete ladder and frame rebuild for the sum of $170,000.00 dollars. The truck will be out of service for 5 months. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 1, 17:16 hours - Squad #18 responded to 441 Brookside Street in Wilmette for an extra-alarm fire. The Squad advanced a line into the second floor and performed extensive overhauling. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 27, 15:29 hours - Engine #18 was called out to 1017 Queens in Glenview for a house fire. The home was filled with a large amount of contents and required heavy overhauling. A woman was rescued prior to Engine #18 arrival. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 29, 11:20 hours - Squad #18 and Battalion #16 respond to 1344 Greenwood Avenue in Wilmette for an extra alarm house fire. The Squad lead-out on the second floor and overhaul the attic area. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books June 30, 10:19 hours - Fire Companies respond to a small kitchen fire at 5337 Grove Street. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books July 6, 11:00 hours - A small fire starts by gutter installers. The fire damages the roof and attic area at 4839 Birchwood Street. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books July 19, 15:02 hours - Tower Co. #16 is called out to a second alarm fire at 2144 Ashland in Evanston. The Tower is ordered to the roof to assist Truck Co. #23 in venting the factory. All companies work in extreme heat due to the weather. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 7, 14:13 hours - Evanston requests an extra alarm at 2527 Oakton Street. Tower Co. #16 responds and sets up for operations. Rescue Co. #17 is investigating smoke in the area when Evanston put them to work supplying Ladder #22. Battalion #16 responds to the box alarm. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books September 27, 16:40 hours - Engine Co. #16 and two members of the Technical Rescue Team, Lt. Donohue and FF Nellessen, respond to Main Street and Octavia Street in Niles for a successful trench rescue. A picture taken at the scene is on the cover of 'Fire Engineering Magazine'. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books October 25, 10:30 hours - A house fire in Morton Grove calls out Ambulance #18 and Truck #18 to the scene. Truck #18 opens the roof of the structure. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 10 - Engine #16, Truck #16, Truck # 17, Truck #18, Squad #18, Ambulance #16, and Battalion #16 line Oakton Street west of Lockwood Avenue to pay tribute to Army Sergeant Kraig Foyteck, a fallen Iraq war soldier and the son of a Skokie Public Works employee. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 20, 20:00 hours - Firefighter Kathleen Furgala is promoted to Lieutenant. She is the first female officer in the department. Reference: Skokie Village Minutes November 20, 20:00 hours - Firefighter Ron Smith is awarded for his work as Fire Department Historian and coordination of the Fire Department's 125th Anniversary celebrations. Reference: Skokie Village Minutes November 29, 17:07 hours - Truck #18 and Ambulance #18 respond to a Code 4 for a structure fire in Morton Grove at 8510 School Street. Truck #18 opens the roof of the building. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books November 30, 21:05 hours - Engine #18 leads out on a basement fire at 9618 Lawler Avenue. A handicapped man is removed from the house by two police officers prior to fire companies arriving. A box alarm was requested for station coverage. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 6, 23:41 hours - Engine #16 leads out the middle bed to the third floor of a twelve-unit condo building at 8161 Niles Center Road for a kitchen fire. The fire extends into another unit and extensive overhaul is needed. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 12, 08:44 hours - A major four-car accident at Skokie Boulevard and Golf Road requires two extrications. Rescue #17 is called in for the second pin-in. Engine #16 uses its front hooks and a chain to pull one auto away from the other to perform an extraction. Three people are trapped and require transport as level-one patients. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 24, 10:58 hours - Truck #18 responds on an extra alarm to Prospect Heights for an apartment building fire. Truck #18 is assigned to overhaul the second floor. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 24, 16:03 hours - Engine #16 leads-out on the first floor of a house fire at 8952 Forestview Street. The two-story house is vacant at the time. Extensive overhauling is required. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 26, 19:07 hours - Two people are burned, one critical, in a house fire. A neighbor is helping the victim out of the house when the Fire Companies arrive. Squad #18 leads-out in the rear with a crosslay. Truck #18 opens the roof. Rescue #17 is on a line through the front door. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 28, 21:19 hours - A small fire on the second floor of an apartment building is extinguished by Engine #18 with pump cans. Truck #18 overhauls the apartment. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books December 31 - The Skokie Fire Department responds to 7,331 calls. Reference: Skokie Fire Department Log Books |
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