"We're making these investments because we refuse to compromise when it comes to protecting the heath and safety of the people of Chicago," Daley said following an address to a graduating class 46 Firefighter/EMT candidates at Navy Pier. "These improvements are vitally important to the quality of life in our city. Whenever an emergency arises, Chicagoans can take comfort in knowing that the first responders will be the best-trained people, using the best equipment available."
The new equipment includes new high-rise high-pressure fire engines; a high-expansion foam unit; "fully-loaded" technologically advanced communications vans; advanced life support ambulances with newly designed stretchers; a hose-wagon; a new aerial ladder fire truck; the first decontamination unit of its kind in the nation; and new bunker gear.
"This new technology and equipment will help our department remain the national leader in firefighting and emergency medical response," said Fire Department Commissioner Raymond Orozco.
The newly acquired high-rise pressure fire engines, assigned to the central business district, can provide enough pressure to deliver water to the top floor of any Chicago high rise. The units can provide water support in the event a high-rise building loses its internal fire pumps. The engines can develop 600 pounds per square inch of pressure at the nozzle, compared to the standard 300 pounds.
The high-expansion foam unit will assist in extinguishing fires in large, difficult or confined areas, such as basements and large factories. The unit carries enough foam to fill large voids and suffocate fires.
The technologically advanced, state-of-the-art communications vans are equipped with a high-speed satellite feed for Internet access. They enable Fire Department officials to "look down" anywhere in the city and obtain critical infrastructure information on water, gas and electric lines and building type and occupancy. The vans are outfitted with laptops for all types of incident conditions. The software will also allow feedback to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on apparatus location and staffing for additional accountability.
"We are constantly evolving and keeping up with change,"added Commissioner Orozco. "This new technology will give us the tools necessary to save lives."
A new advanced life support (ALS) ambulance and stretcher was also introduced. The Chicago Fire Department now has 60 ALS ambulances and 12 basic life support (BLS) ambulances. Among the improvements, these new ambulances kneel automatically when the rear doors are opened, lowering the entry deck to make it easier to get patients in and out of the vehicle. This reduces possible strain on paramedics and the possibility of further injuries.
The hose wagon unit can carry a mile of large-diameter hose and is capable of serving as a "hub" to supply an additional four engines.
The new aerial ladder truck is equipped with a 100-foot rear mount ladder and an overload warning system and is rated for winds to 50 mph and an inch of ice.
The decontamination unit is the first truck-mounted decontamination vehicle in the country. It will be used for the rehabilitation or decontamination of firefighters and civilians during hazardous material events. It has six individual water heads inside and privacy drapes and canopies, decontamination solution, 100 decontamination kits, 12 outside shower heads and multiple hot water tanks.
The CFD has nearly completed distribution of new personal protective gear, commonly known as "bunker gear." This represents the most dramatic change in the clothing worn for firefighting in decades. The new gear provides complete torso coverage by using a protective pant that is worn under a fully protective coat with integrated hand protection and high-strength boots.
