Chicago 3-11

Joined
Jan 24, 2023
Messages
4
Chicago FD had a 3-11 alarm fire with an EMS Plan 1 for a high-rise fire @ 4850 S Lake Park Avenue, now being upgraded to a 4-11 alarm on the orders of 2-1-10. Fire is on the 15th floor. Building is 150 x 60. Initial response for a high rise still is 4 engines, 4 trucks, 3 battalion chiefs the squad and the comm van.
 
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Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
124
Looks like it ran 4-5 stories. So much for being a "Fire Resistive" building.
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2022
Messages
279
Chicago, FDNY and other big cities need to take a look at buying a couple or more very long aerial towers, such as the London Fire Brigades 2 new 206 Ft. aerial bucket ladders. Notice video from this Chicago Fire of a Tower Ladder aiming a large caliber stream, up to control the autoexposure, fire spread up the exterior of this building. The time is overdue for a look at extra length tower ladders and or aerial ladders form any large city with High Rise buildings, residential or commercial. FDNY once had 144 ft. "High Ladder" units with German Magirus ladders. rear mounted on Mack bodies. See {Photo Below) Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retiredFDNY High Ladder 119 144ft.jpg
 

Bulldog

Bulldog
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
2,286
High-rise ladders may sound like a good idea but they present so many safety concerns that very few departments have or are considering them. The only system that seems reasonable is the Bronto buckets that go up to 230' ( Bronto Sky Lift ) but even then they have to arrive at the fire early on or they would not be able to get close enough to the building to be effective.

I know there are a couple in-service in Canada, I believe Montréal has one and FDNY had a demonstration of 1 at St. Patrick's soon after the fire at Notre Dame.
 
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