Yes they are normally first due and their quarters are less then a mile away. I am not not sure if the fire was "boxed" or whether is was just a working fire with an EMS plan.
For the New Yorkers reading this a Still and Box alarm in Chicago would be the equivalent of a 10/75 in New York. In Chicago the initial report of a structure fire is called a "Still Alarm" which usually comes in through the telephone and 2 Engines and 2 Trucks (Ladders) plus a Battalion Chief get dispatched. If it is a confirmed fire we get a Squad(Rescue) company and a Communications Van and we also get a RIT (FAST) response which is a Truck company a Battalion Chief an ALS ambulance and an EMS field supervisor. We also now are getting a standby Ambulance as well. If the fire escalates they ask for a Still and Box alarm which bring 2 additional Engine companies a Tower Ladder if not assigned to the Still Alarm or else a 4th Truck company and a Deputy District Chief which is the equivalent of a New York City Division Chief, A fire investigator unit will also be dispatched in addition to at least 2 or 3 additional Battalion Chiefs. One of the Battalion Chiefs is the Plans Chief who is assigned to the Command Van.
The last two weeks in Chicago have been very tragic as one of our Police officers was shot to death on a domestic call and he also left a wife and 3 kids after being on the job for only 5 years and was 32 years old.
