5601 Hunter Drive, Richmond, Illinois 60071
Phone: 815-678-3672 FAX 815-678-2042
In an Emergency Call 9 - 1 - 1
Protecting the Town of Yesteryear With the Modern Technology of Today"
PRESS RELEASES
Richmond Fire Responds to Weather Related Fire - 7/11/11
A quick response and action by the Richmond Fire Department saved the Independent Order of the Odd Fellow's (I.O.O.F.) building on Monday, July 11, 2011 as lightening struck the building shortly before 8 a.m. as a powerful electrical storm moved through the Richmond area. A phone call to the fire station by a passerby alerted the firefighters to the structure fire, who responded to the fire which they could see from the fire station as they pulled out of the station. Chief Gallas stated, " We knew we had a working fire as we pulled out of the station, so our initial crews were ready to go to work and get it done as they got off the rigs. This fast attack kept the fire from gaining access into the building and really taking off."
The fire was stopped by the Richmond Fire department personnel, who were ultimately assisted by Spring Grove and Hebron fire departments of the Fire North Quad in the salvage and overhaul process. Crews knocked the steeple from the roof and overhauled the immediate fire area to prevent fire extension into the structure, which sustained smoke and water damage to the sanctuary area. Salvage tarps saved much of the valuables that were on display inside the sanctuary.
The powerful storm that struck Richmond, also struck homes on Hillshire and Valley Drive, and caused small fires and electrical damage to each. Change of Quarters Companies were called in to man the fire station while Richmond was tied up with the fires. Crews from Lake Geneva, WI, Twin Lakes, WI and Marengo Fire manned the Richmond fire station along with a Richmond Battalion Chief, and responded to three additional weather related calls.
Richmond Recruit Drive Successful
Twenty local, fire district residents took out applications for the first ever firefighter recruit drive held by the fire district this spring. Of those twenty, seventeen showed up for the mandatory orientation meeting which was held May16th at the fire station. The meeting was led by Chief Gallas and the department's cadre of officers who informed the potential candidates of the time commitment that it was going take for each recruit to ultimately become certified as a Firefighter / Paramedic, which will be required of every recruit who is hired.
Thirteen candidates showed up for the physical agility testing on Saturday (5/21), which included a 1.5 mile run, 110 ft ladder climb, and modified "Combat Challenge" ability test. Everyone of the candidates made it to the top of the ladder, which was surprising to many of the evaluators. This looks like a competitive group of candidates and we wish we could hire them all. After a back ground and reference check is complete, a list will be posted from which new recruits will be hired on to the department.
The 2011 Richmond Recruit Class will start June 18th.
Overturned Semi - 6/1/11
The load of a semi-truck carrying paper products shifted while turning at Route 12 and 31 this morning at 5:30 a.m. causing it to overturn. A momentary power outage was caused due to the damage done to the electrical wires and traffic at the busy intersection was affected due to the lane blockage. There were no injuries.
The Richmond Township Fire Protection District responded to a working structure fire at 4101 Harts Road, Ringwood on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 10:23 a.m. Responding with Richmond were other Fire North Quad fire departments including Spring Grove, Wonder Lake, Hebron, McHenry and Twin Lakes, WI.
First arriving companies at 10:28 a.m. found a heavily involved basement fire that was extending up an exterior wall into the soffit and attic space. The fire was under control in approximately 30 minutes and fully extinguish within 60 minutes of arrival.
Why Fire
Departments?
Our Brothers and Sisters in Redwood, CA say is BEST!
Illinois Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity Grant
Brings New Parking Lot to Richmond Fire Station.
10/11/2010
With the help of State Senator Pamela Althoff, the Richmond Township Fire Protection District was able to secure an $80,000 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant from the State to replace the rear parking lot and alley way to the street. After 13 years of use, the existing parking lot and alley way was deteriorating at an alarming rate. The surface was beginning to crumble and break apart under the weight of the large fire trucks and ruts as deep as four inches had formed in front of each truck bay.
In an effort to determine the cause of failures, core samplings were taken at various points in the affected areas. These samples revealed a top surface of 4 inches of asphalt, 4 inches of gravel base that had silted out and a sub-base that in areas was dirt, clay and sand. With this information in hand, the only feasible solution was to start over and create a sub-base and surface that was engineered to withstand the repeated traffic and weight of the department's heavy trucks.
In the spring of 2009, Chief Gallas sought the help of Senator Althoff, who had an appreciation of the department's budget constraints . Senator Althoff went to work and through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was able to secure $80,000 for the reconstruction of the parking lot and alley way. Chief Gallas stated, "We were trying to get the reconstruction work done during the summer months, but the paper work involved took longer than I expected. We started to doubt whether this would happen when October came around, as we would not start the project until we had the grant dollars in hand. But at the last possible moment, the checks arrived and a construction window opened up so we ended up getting it done after all."
The work was done locally through Swederski Concrete, who provided the lowest cost proposal for the project during the RFP process. The re-construction work began on October 11th and the concrete was poured on October 15th. After the existing asphalt and gravel was removed, 8 additional inches of clay, dirt and sand was removed. A new base was then laid down and an 8 inch concrete surface was added. All of the clay, dirt and sand that was removed was used on site to create a landscape berm on the southern edge of the property. The fire district was very pleased with the workmanship of the job done by Swederski and are very confident that the new parking will withstand the rigors of their fire truck traffic for years to come.
On behalf of the fire district trustees, Board President Ben Petersen would like thank Senator Althoff for her help in securing the funds for the project; Swederski Concrete and sub-contractor Rabine Paving for their quality workmanship in the reconstruction of the parking lot; Pavement Solutions for donating new parking lot striping, Castle Gardens for their donation of 27 trees and shrubs for the landscape berm; Mike Sheets for his donation of time and equipment to plant all of the trees and shrubs; and Landscape Concepts for their donation of mulch to put on top of all of the new plantings.
Get Emergency
Information Sent Directly
to your Cell Phone and Email from RTFPD
Visit the Richmond Fire Nixle Website
PINK CREW FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!
The Richmond Firefighters would like to thank everyone who purchased a "Pink Crew" T-Shirt for Breast Cancer Awareness month. This effort raised over $1,500 for the Centegra Sage Cancer Center, in support of Laurie Parisi.
PREMISE ALERT PROGRAM
The Richmond Township Fire Protection District is proud to announce the implementation of a new program designed to assist you and/or your loved ones in the event of an emergency. On August 28, 2009, Senate Bill 2057 - The Illinois Premise Alert Program (PAP) Act was approved and incorporated in the State of Illinois legislative law. State legislators recognized the need to ensure that consistently high levels of public safety services are available to all members of the state, including citizens who may require special consideration in order to access services. The purpose of the program is to assist and direct the public safety workers who are responding and assisting citizens who may have disabilities or special needs. If you would like to read a copy of the act, it can be accessed on the Illinois General Assembly’s web page at:
How can this program benefit you or someone you care about?
The Illinois Premise Alert Program (Public Act 96-0788) provides for Public Safety Agencies in the State of Illinois to allow people with special needs to provide information to Police, Fire and EMS personnel to be kept in a database. The information can then be provided to responders dealing with situations involving a special needs person. The notification expires two years after the date it was submitted. You may update or renew it at any time by filing a new form.
How can you enroll yourself or a loved one in this program?
The RTFPD Premise Alert Program Form can either be downloaded from the district’s website (see below) or by picking it up in person at the Fire District Administrative Office. Complete the form and return it to the Richmond Township Fire Protection District, 5601 Hunter Dr., Richmond, IL 60071.
New Richmond Honor Guard Flag
Richmond Fire Awarded 2009 AFG Grant
April 16, 2010
The Richmond Fire Department was informed today by FEMA that it was a recipient of a 2009 AFG Grant Award for $105,925.00. The monies received from the grant will be used to purchase cascade/fill station system to refill the departments SCBA air bottles, plus a Source Capture Exhaust System that will capture 100% of the vehicle exhaust emissions at the point of origin to clean and filter the exhausted air before releasing it to the atmosphere. This system will eliminate the carcinogenic products of combustion from diesel exhaust that are release into the station whenever a fire truck is started.
Chief Gallas stated "we are very grateful to FEMA and the AFG program for funding these critical needs of our department that will greatly improve the safety and air quality for our firefighters. We are very fortunate to be awarded AFG Funds for the second year in a row."
Even though Richmond Fire has one of the lower operating budgets in McHenry County, it is the only fire department in McHenry County who does not charge its residents for an ambulance call. Chief Gallas added, "Our resident's expectations of us are no different than the expectations of residents from larger communities that are around us. The fact that our tax revenues are modest, means only that we just have to work a little harder to make sure we have the tools to get the job done when the bell rings. Our department is grateful to FEMA for the 2009 AFG Award."
Richmond Fire Awarded 2008 AFG Grant
March 6, 2009
The Richmond Fire Department was informed today by FEMA that it was a recipient of a 2008 AFG Grant Award for $131,822.00. The monies received from the grant will be used to purchase a station generator, outfit the department with new turnout gear and purchase two new Thermal Imaging Cameras.
Chief Gallas commented that "this award couldn't have come at a better time for the department. We've been trying to get a station generator for the four years that I have been here. When the electricity goes out, our operation slows down. Now, when the electricity goes out, the station backup generator will kick on and we won't miss a beat. And we are also going to be able to re-outfit our department with new turnout gear to meet current NFPA guidelines and purchase new thermal imaging cameras for our two engines, which will greatly enhance our search and rescue capability."
Thank You Gary Lang Chevy - AGAIN!
Local Car Dealer Donates Pickup to RFD
Gary Lang Chevy in McHenry, IL once again donated a vehicle to our department. This 2003 Chevy Silverado will be used for utility purposes, towing our ATVs and taking people to and from school and meetings. This pickup truck is in addition to a 1999 Suburban that serves as our command vehicle. "Car 1435" comes into use almost daily and is now one of our most used vehicles.
Read about Richmond's Weather Alert siren
RICHMOND WILDLAND UNIT 1468 GETS PUT INTO SERVICE
Thanks to a generous donation by Medcor Corp. of McHenry, IL, the Richmond Fire Department placed into service it's new Wildland Unit 1468. Designed on a Kubota 4 wheel drive ATV, with a high pressure water / Class A foam system with a 65 gallon water tank; the unit is capable of putting down a 20 minute continuous "white line", used to protect areas from approaching running grass fires. Richmond Fire has over 3,000 acres of wildland area with an urban interface to protect in the district. Wildland Unit 1468 provides the district with a unique wildland firefighting capability that is quickly and easily deployed.
Richmond Fire Host MABAS 5 Training Drill
The Richmond Twp. Fire Protection District hosted the MABAS Division 5 fire run out drill on May 31, 2008 in Richmond. The abvove pictures were taken during the drill.
10/04/07 For Immediate Release
October 4, 2007 Car Fire at the Gas Pumps, 0625 hours
Richmond Engine Company 1446 and Chief 1402 responded to an early morning car fire at the gas pumps at the Citgo station located at the corner of Routes 12 and 31. The call was upgraded by 1402 while in route to a Quad response due to possible exposures. Engine Company 1446 arrived on the scene 3 minutes following dispatch and extinguished the fire using foam. Ambulance 1453 transported two patients. E1443 and T1470 also responded. The Quad response was cancelled after the fire was extinguished. Spring Grove engine was held at the scene.
RICHMOND FIRE RECEIVES HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FOR NEW EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT.
5/19/06 For Immediate Release
Richmond Fire was recently awarded a
Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) grant award.
The Office of Grants and Training (G&T) sponsors CEDAP to provide
agencies with equipment and technology to fulfill their homeland
security mission.
CEDAP recognizes the importance of new equipment, education, and training to ensure proper operation and deployment of the equipment. With this in mind, training is mandatory for most of the CEDAP equipment.
In general the grant program makes all arrangements for training and when applicable pays travel and a limited per diem. Richmond will receive an entire new set of AMKUS extrication tools, including power plant, cutters, spreaders and rams. Richmond would not have otherwise been able to afford this new equipment without the assistance of CEDAP.