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From its humble beginnings in 1884 as a one-story frame building with one bay to house Hose Company 4 and its team of horses, Engine Company 78 has been the firefighting sentinel at the end of Waveland Avenue, sitting in the shadow of Wrigley Field. Using vintage photographs and moving stories from firefighters themselves, Karen Kruse captures the spirit and heroism of this historic Chicago landmark. Captain Robert F. Kruse served the Chicago Fire Department for 30 years, half of those at Wrigleyville's Engine 78. Growing up within the tight-knit firefighting community, Ms. Kruse records the dramatic and touching stories from her father's and his peers' experiences, and combines them in this volume exploring the unique history of Lakeview's firehouse, including a foreword by Mike Ditka and preface by Fire Commissioner James Joyce. With details about little known historic districts and a brief guide to Chicago's cemeteries and their relations to firefighters, A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78 relays in first-hand accounts some of Chicago's most fiery tragedies, the brave men who battled them, and the diversity of the neighborhood that housed them.
For more than thirty years, Marjorie Leigh Bomben has been a member of the Chicago Fire Department, starting her career as a candidate paramedic working on an ambulance in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods. Now a paramedic field chief, Bomben looks back on thirty years of service in It's Not the Trauma, It's the Drama. The twenty true stories Bomben relates are unique-all told from the point of view of a woman rising through traditionally male ranks. Bomben's tales range from funny to gory, from the dangers paramedics face to the history of a venerable old firehouse. Some, of course, are about saving lives. Others are about simply staying alive. From Bomben's first trauma call-the re...
Bill Cosgrove, in his fourth and latest book, graphically depicts the early history of the Chicago Fire Department with authoritative accuracy. He gives the reader an insight into how the Department was organized, how it functioned, the use of technology that was available at the time, and paints a vivid picture of the many great fires of the day. He also describes the tremendous physical stamina, dedication and bravery of the firemen and the intrepid leadership of some of the officers. Bill provides the reader with a highly detailed story of the tragic stockyards fire of December 22, 1910 where 21 firemen lost their lives, including the Department’s Chief of the Brigade, James Horan. This is such a fascinating account of the early history of the Chicago Fire Department that the reader will have great difficulty putting the book down until it is finished. A great read, by a great story-teller! Thoroughly enjoyable and fully factual. William C. Alletto Deputy Fire Commissioner (Retired) Chicago Fire Department
From Chicago historian Adam Selzer, expert on all of the Windy City’s quirks and oddities, comes a compelling heavily researched anthology of the stories behind its most fascinating unsolved mysteries. To create this unique volume, Selzer has collected forty unsolved mysteries from the 1800s to modern day. He has poured through all newspaper, magazine, and book references to them, and consulted expert historians. Topics covered include who really started the great Chicago fire, who was the first “automobile murderer,” and even if there was actually a vampire slaying at Rose Hill cemetery. The result is both a colorful read to get lost in, a window to a world of curiosity and wonder, as well as a volume that separates fact from fiction—true crime from urban legend. Complementing the gripping stories Selzer presents are original images of the crime and its suspects as developed by its original investigators. Readers will marvel at how each character and crime were presented, and happily journey with Selzer as he presents all facts and theories presented at the time of the “crime” and uses modern hindsight to assemble the pieces.
Chicago Battalion Chief and 27-year service member Steve Chikerotis shares the experiences and stories that have shaped his career and the careers of some of the most influential names in firefighting in this compelling new book. A gripping compilation of 45 short stories and case studies, Firefighters from the Heart: Lessons Learned details actual fire service incidents from some of the most respected firefighters in the nation to convey valuable lessons on safety and risk management through education and awareness. These exciting stories make readers feel that they are on the scene of each heart-pounding incident, and inherently promote the development of crucial life saving instincts and leadership skills while inviting readers to develop a sense of appreciation for the challenges firefighters face.
"First Printing July 2013, Second Printing December 2013"--verso of T.p.
Ray Downey wrote the first edition of The Rescue Company in the early 1990s. Building on Downey's legacy, John Norman has written Fire Department Special Operations to take into consideration the earth-shattering events, funding increases, research advances, expanded capabilities, and changes in regulations and standards that have widened the knowledge gap since the publication of Chief Downey's book. Fire Department Special Operations is an excellent guide for agencies and individuals in establishing, staffing, operating, and maintaining heavy rescue units in the many forms they may take. It is also an ideal training resource for the officers and individuals assigned the duties that a rescue firefighter must accomplish.
Chronicles notable Chicago fires and their causes, consequences, and historical contexts, and follows the development of the city's firefighters from nineteenth-century citizen bucket brigades to the modern day, high-tech fire department.
Discover the story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, an inferno that forever changed the city's skyline, in this epic graphic novel! Dramatic illustrations and fast-paced text provide a "you-are-there" experience. With extensive back matter, including a bibliography, extended reading list, glossary, and further Internet sources, young readers will gobble up this action-packed comic book about one of history's most compelling disasters.
Corbett, technical editor of "Fire Engineering" magazine, has assembled more than 40 accomplished fire service professionals to compile one of the most authoritative, comprehensive, and up-to-date basics book for Firefighter I and II classes.