He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Saturday, August 27, 2011

At least 3 firefighters injured at Southside fire

Stay safe, everyone! 

A Chicago firefighter aids a comrade as they battled a 2 1/2 story frame structure fire on the 6900 block of South Ada Street on Saturday. (Eric Clark, for the Chicago Tribune / August 27, 2011)

At least 3 firefighters injured at South Side fire

Three Chicago firefighters were hospitalized for heat-related issues as they fought a fire on the South Side this afternoon, officials said.

The three men were battling the fire at a 2 1/2 story frame structure on the 6900 block of South Ada Street which began at about 1 p.m. and was under control about an hour later, said Quention Curtis, a Chicago Fire Department spokesman.

Two of the firefighters were taken to a hospital in serious-to-critical condition, and another firefighter was taken in fair-to-serious condition, according to Curtis.

Initial information indicates the injuries were heat exhaustion-related and appeared to be non-life-threatening, according to media affairs.

Friday, August 26, 2011

4 Firefighters Hurt in Attic Fire - Chicago

More firefighters hurt in Chicago. It is quite a dangerous job. Be safe out there, we're thankful for what you do!

4 firefighters hurt in attic fire: 'Things went bad. They called mayday'

An injured firefighter is rushed to a waiting ambulance as Chicago firefighters battle a house fire in the 7000 block of South Justine Street. (Eric Clark, for the Chicago Tribune / August 25, 2011)

Four firefighters were injured when an attic fire "lit up" as they worked to ventilate the roof of a burning West Englewood home, fire officials said.
"Things went bad," said Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff. "They were attacking the fire. They were moving in on the fire."
Hoff said other firefighters quickly moved in to rescue them. "They called mayday. As soon as they called for help, they were both removed outside.”
The fire broke out shortly before 7 p.m. at a 1½-story frame house on the 7000 block of South Justine Street, officials said.

Two of the injured firefighters suffered burns to their hands and faces. One of them also suffered burns to his respiratory system and a breathing tube had to be inserted, officials said.


Saturday, August 6, 2011

God Bless our Military and Families!!

Photo: Associate Press

Please pray for our troops and their families. Thank you from our family to yours for sending your loved ones off to fight for all of us. We are deeply sad about all of the sacrifices made, but are forever grateful to you and your families!

 

Afghan president: 31 Americans killed in crash

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A military helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan commandos, the country's president said Saturday. An American official said it was apparently shot down, in the deadliest single incident for American forces in the decade-long war.
The Taliban claimed they downed the helicopter with rocket fire while it was taking part in a raid on a house where insurgents were gathered in the province of Wardak late Friday. It said wreckage of the craft was strewn at the scene.
NATO confirmed the overnight crash took place and that there "was enemy activity in the area." But it said it was still investigating the cause and conducting a recovery operation at the site. It did not release details or casualty figures.
"We are in the process of accessing the facts," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Brockhoff, a NATO spokesman.
But a senior U.S. administration official in Washington said it was apparently shot down. by insurgents. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the crash is still being investigated.
The toll would surpass the worst single day loss of life for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001 — the June 28, 2005 downing of a military helicopter in eastern Kunar province. In that incident, 16 Navy SEALs and Army special operations troops were killed when their craft was shot down while on a mission to rescue four SEALs under attack by the Taliban. Three of the SEALs being rescued were also killed and the fourth wounded. It was the highest one-day death toll for the Navy Special Warfare personnel since World War II.
With its steep mountain ranges, providing shelter for militants armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers, eastern Afghanistan is hazardous terrain for military aircraft. Large, slow-moving air transport carriers like the CH-47 Chinook are particularly vulnerable, often forced to ease their way through sheer valleys where insurgents can achieve more level lines of fire from mountainsides.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday gave the first public word of the new crash, saying in a statement that "a NATO helicopter crashed last night in Wardak province" and that 31 American special operations troops were killed. He expressed his condolences to President Barack Obama.
The helicopter was a twin-rotor Chinook, said an official at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was receiving his information from an Afghan officer in Kabul.
The crash took place in the Sayd Abad district of Wardak province, said a provincial government spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid. The volatile region borders the province of Kabul where the Afghan capital is located and is known for its strong Taliban presence.

 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

How About Those Midwest Storms?

These have come through twice now in the last few weeks knocking out power all over the city. It cost our electric company over 80 million dollars to fix what an hour storm did a few weeks ago. Last night another tore through here, thankfully, with a lot less damage. 

Here are some high"lights!"