Gaining Access To The Fire (Caution: 6 Images)

[Mills]

In many instances when the Fire Department arrives on the scene of a fire, the occupants are not home or at work and the building is locked up very tight. Here are a few shots that show you some of the work that must be done just to be able to get water on the fire.

1. In many instances, a K-12 saw, made especially to cut through metal and other strong materials is used. In the case shown here, to cut through metal used to prevent access to burglars and other criminals on the west side of Chicago.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676421.jpg

2. Here a traditional chain saw is used to open a wooden portion of wall. You can see the smoke immediately begin to push out when the saw makes it through the wood.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676422.jpg

3. Access has been gained and the attack line is stretched into the building.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676423.jpg

4. Here is a Chicago Firefighter coming out after the initial fire attack, still wearing his SCBA face piece.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676424.jpg

5. This one is for RuggerJoe.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676425.jpg

6. Aftermath.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676426.jpg

More images from this fire can be seen Here (http://www.boxalarmimages.com)

[B.C.]

I really like the fourth shot, too bad there is a glare over the mask. Good series all around.

[rickydiver]

Hi there I had a look at your website and you have some very good images of this fire on there. I particularly like no 5, but no.20 is the best for me as it says "Job done"
Great shooting Cheers Ricky

[stk]

Hm, aside from the photgraphic facts - I'm wondering, why nobody of the firefighters appears to be wearing a nomex hood under their helmets. Isn't that a standard procedure?

[Mills]

Hm, aside from the photgraphic facts - I'm wondering, why nobody of the firefighters appears to be wearing a nomex hood under their helmets. Isn't that a standard procedure?

I understand what you are saying. Here is one.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58749003.jpg

[RuggerJoe]

5. This one is for RuggerJoe.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/58676425.jpg


The Sears Tower is a little soft, but the shiny red and black fire truck makes up for it!
Nice shots again Mills. I really like the shot of the fire fighter in the SCBA (5) and that last one.

Just checked the shots on the website. #20 is great! Would make a great shot for the end of your book.

[BottomBracket]

Excellent firefighting PJ work as usual Mills!

[RuggerJoe]

Hm, aside from the photgraphic facts - I'm wondering, why nobody of the firefighters appears to be wearing a nomex hood under their helmets. Isn't that a standard procedure?

Most of the time when CFD comes to visit me at work, they are wearing the hoods around the neck. I think they leave them down until they know they need them. In shot #3 it looks like the fire fighter with his helmet off is pulling his up before going in.

[Mills]

Most of the time when CFD comes to visit me at work, they are wearing the hoods around the neck. I think they leave them down until they know they need them. In shot #3 it looks like the fire fighter with his helmet off is pulling his up before going in.

That's accurate Joe.

[mdmedicgod]

In Chicago hoods are the least of there problems. They still wear long coats and 3/4 boots.......

[RuggerJoe]

In Chicago hoods are the least of there problems. They still wear long coats and 3/4 boots.......

True too. I've heard CFD is currently looking into switching over to coat/pant bunker gear.

[marie]

nice pictures of the action Mills
only the first two showed up
and then they went when I looked again
:eek:

[Mills]

nice pictures of the action Mills
only the first two showed up
and then they went when I looked again
:eek:


Working now Marie. PBASE must be acting up again....

[marie]

Working now Marie. PBASE must be acting up again....

thanks Mills

I realised when I couldn't access my own site then (Pbase) that something was up
(or down)


thanks for the great shots showing the different action

the third one down (and second last) could be the entrance to a new kind of religion
love the 'open 7 days' a week (:()

can see all now, thanks

[Carzee]

Mills you are one lucky guy - what a job and what scenes to capture. The first one with the metal saw is my fav of this set.

[stk]

I know too little about US protective gear (3/4 boots and whatever), I just know, that as Leiter der Atemschutzüberwachung (chief of SCBA supervision) I would scold anybody walking out of a scene of fire with their bare ears showing out under their helmets ;-)

Anyway, beautiful images!

[greg20d]

good shots ...My Dad was a fireman for over 27 years been around alot of firefighters

[Mills]

stk & greg20d thanks very much.

[Bu Yao]

Many pictures of fires on board. Are fires common. Where I live, we cook with open fire stove but almost never have fire. Pictures are really not what I expect from spectacle like fire. Much human interest here and that good thing.