New Chicago Fire Boat Named for Fallen Firefighter

Squad 5 firefighter Eugene Blackmon Jr. died during a dive rescue in 1998.

Source Firehouse.com News

Aug. 6, 2017
James Regan
Chaplain John McNallis offered a blessing during the christening of the new 6-8-8.
Chaplain John McNallis offered a blessing during the christening of the new 6-8-8.

The family of fallen Chicago firefighter Eugene Blackmon Jr. helped the department christen their new fast boat that carries his name.

Blackmon, who was assigned to Squad 5, died while conducting a dive rescue in the Calumet River on May 19, 1998.

Chicago Chaplain Father John McNallis blessed the boat before Blackmon's family christened the boat at the Chicago Fire Fighter's Memorial on the lakefront. 

Boat 6-8-8 is smaller craft that's designed for rapid responses on Lake Michigan. 

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