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Yesterday the Gary FD had 3 rigs in service. This is a 33% increase over earlier in the week when only 2 rigs were functionable. Normal compliment is 13, more info @ ChicagoAreaFire.com.
Gary Indiana FD
- Thread starter grumpy grizzly
- Start date
Gary, IN has a population of 79,000 living in an area of over 50 square miles (larger than Boston or San Francisco).
At one time, the Gary Fire Department operated 14 Fire Stations (including 1 on the ground of the Gary-Chicago Airport), and ran with 13 Engines, 4 Trucks, 1 Rescue Squad, and 6 Medic Ambulances. The 14 Fire Stations were organized into 4 Battalions, under the command of a Battalion Chief per shift, who in-turn reported to an on-duty Division Chief, or Tour Commander. The Gary Fire Department sees a large amount of fire duty and was the sole EMS provider for the city.
Today, the Gary Fire Department runs with 5 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue Squad, 3 Ambulances, and 1 Brush Unit. Of that number, only 2-3 rigs are in service. The department has entered into a rental agreement to rent two more Engines to bring the total up to 4. The Squad and the Brush Units are both running Engines that have broken pumps. Additionally, Prompt Ambulance has taken over EMS for the city and operates out of a now decommissioned GFD Fire Station.
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2014/06/gary-fire-department-sad-state-of-affairs/
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/gary-fire-department/
At one time, the Gary Fire Department operated 14 Fire Stations (including 1 on the ground of the Gary-Chicago Airport), and ran with 13 Engines, 4 Trucks, 1 Rescue Squad, and 6 Medic Ambulances. The 14 Fire Stations were organized into 4 Battalions, under the command of a Battalion Chief per shift, who in-turn reported to an on-duty Division Chief, or Tour Commander. The Gary Fire Department sees a large amount of fire duty and was the sole EMS provider for the city.
Today, the Gary Fire Department runs with 5 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue Squad, 3 Ambulances, and 1 Brush Unit. Of that number, only 2-3 rigs are in service. The department has entered into a rental agreement to rent two more Engines to bring the total up to 4. The Squad and the Brush Units are both running Engines that have broken pumps. Additionally, Prompt Ambulance has taken over EMS for the city and operates out of a now decommissioned GFD Fire Station.
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2014/06/gary-fire-department-sad-state-of-affairs/
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/gary-fire-department/
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City of Gary had 13 engines, 4 trucks and 1 squad(city wide heavy rescue). When the economy went down hill in 2008-09 the city laid off 60 firefighters. They also have closed companies due to firehouse conditions. They went from 13 engines to 9 (closed 2, 3, 10 and 11). Many of there problems from aging rigs and lack of money to fix rigs that are in service. There heavy rescue squad 2 crashed into truck 4, while going to a job. Both rigs were destroy as of result of the accident. There are too many reason to explain why Gary is in the shape it is but as of this week, I believe there are 5 engines (5,7,9,12 & 13), 2 trucks (1 & 2), 1 squad(2)(engine that cannot pump, no hose, no water, just hand tools and hurst tools and it's not a true heavy rescue rig), 1 brush rig(13) and 3-4 buses. All the double house are down to single units (1,4,7 and 13). The brothers in GI, due about 3-7 fires a tour. Very sad to see
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2000 population was 100,000 give or tale, 2010 was 80,000 or so. Back in the early 80's I visited Gary with other buffs and we photographed some rigs. One of the rigs was a new aerial that had been in service about 6 months. On the officer's side of the windshield was a peice of wood 6" x6". Seems soneone had thrown a rock and damaged the windshield. To repais it they took the peice of wood, drilled a whole in the middle and ran a bolt through the hole and fastened it to the other side with a nut! So these problems are nothing new. Go to IndianaFireTrucks for rig photos!