Chicago 5-11

[SFD333DFD720]

5-11 IN CHICAGO ON LASALLE ST AT THE LASALLE BANK FLOOR 29 OF A 42 STORY BANK. MANY SPECIAL CALLS ABOVE THE 5-11, LIVE FOOTAGE AT WWW.CBS2CHICAGO.COM -- LETS HOPE THE BROTHERS STAY SAFE TONIGHT --

[gfdtrk4]

18 victims to hospitals.

2 Firefighters among the 18.

I think they said the Brothers were transported in "serious condition".

Let's keep the CFD Brothers in our thoughts and prayers.

[Weruj1]

watchin it on the internet !

[RspctFrmCalgary]

The injured firefighters will be in my thoughts, hopefully they will be ok. Let's hope that the firefighters still fighting the fire will STAY SAFE!

[stcommodore]

oh dear god...8 ff's transported in 'red' condition

[R1SAlum]

SFD333DFD720

Unbelievable link..........fire is started up again. Pray for the Brothers.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Me too, Josh. Scary scary night.

[mcleoud151]

Originally posted by stcommodore
oh dear god...8 ff's transported in 'red' condition

WTF is "red"? Bad as it sounds? Stay Safe brothers...

[stcommodore]

5-11 with 3 specials
5-11 with 5 is the highest and they are calling this one of the biggest in chicago history

[lance38]

The newscast said 12 brothers injured 8 red (critical). What the heck happened??

[stcommodore]

any idea what specials are with the 5th alarm?

[lance38]

Extra rigs without a full alarm maybe?

[gfdtrk4]

The alarms only go to a 5-11

3 specials = 8 alarms

[SafetyPro]

My prayers are with them.

Originally posted by stcommodore

any idea what specials are with the 5th alarm?

According to the Unofficial Chicago Fire Department Page, a special alarm is additional equipment requested by the IC above the 5-11 alarm. That's the same way it works around here: an alarm brings a pre-determined set of equipment, while a "special call" is either for a specific piece of equipment (such as a hazmat unit, a USAR truck, etc.) or for any additional units (for example, the IC may ask for a certain number of additional engines, trucks, etc.).

Based on the info on the unofficial CFD site, a 5-11 alarm would bring the following equipment, not counting the specials:

20 engine companies
4 truck companies
2 tower ladder companies
1 squad company
1 command van
1 ambulance
5 Battalion Chiefs
1 Deputy District Chief
1 District Chief
Deputy Fire Commissioners (no number given)

[HM604OH]

I believe that a 5th alarm is as high as you can go in the Chicago system. Additional equipment beyond that is a "special". WGN TV just reported that 1/3 of all on duty firefighters in the city of Chicago were on the scene. They also interviewed a fire chaplain at Northwestern Medical Center who said that the firefighters were in good condition. Let's hope he's right.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Isn't it amazing that in the richest country in the world, in the 21st century, that we still have hi rises in the US that are not 100% protected by sprinklers?

[Pride373]

8 ff's possibly critical....


The news mentioned a RAT (Rapid Ascent Team), acting as additional search teams, anyone with information?

Also, suburban departments being Mutual Aided in.

[PeteThor813]

I heard their reference to the RAT team too. But they had their info totally wrong. RAT, or Rapid Assist Team, not Rapid Ascent Team, is there to assist any FFers who may get into trouble. My departments trainers went up to Chicago to train with their department for this. The RAT team is not involved in any searches, except in the case of firefighter maydays. Once again, the news gives out half truths, but they meant well.

[firenresq77]

Fox News said 8 FFs and 5 Cicilians in Serious condition....... My thoughts and prayers are with the CFD and their families......

[JorieH]

Thankfully the fire is now out(about 20 min ago).

Thoughts and prayers with Chicago firefighters, as always. Pray soon those brought to the hospitals will be released soon in good condition. Unfortunately I heard there where 2 firefighters are on ventilators. Hopefully this is false, not all news reporters always have the correct information. Prayers with the families and friends.

Jorie