When people mention Chicago (aka The Windy City or Chi-town), they could be talking about one of the city’s sports teams, discussing which pizza is better (deep-dish or tavern style) or planning a day at the beach on Lake Michigan.
But when firefighters discuss the Chicago Fire Department, they might be talking about one of the most historical events that occurred in the city. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed an area about four miles long and a mile wide, which was a large portion of the city at that time. Folklore has it that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow knocked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire. But, a cause of origin has never been determined.
The fire department’s training academy now sits on the site of the O’Leary property. Inside the building, cordoned off by old brass nozzles, is a memorial plaque. Behind the plaque is a memorial badge display of all the department’s fallen firefighters and officers.
In 1910, there was another disastrous fire in the city, this time in the Old Union Stockyards. A large meat packing and cold storage warehouse collapsed and killed 21 Chicago firefighters and officers, including the chief of department, and three civilians. The site was more than 450 acres, and the conflagration involved numerous buildings that included barns, animal pens, hay storage buildings, slaughterhouses, and cold storage buildings. Many of the building’s walls and floors were soaked in animal fat and saltpeter, which assists in curing meat, but is highly flammable.
In addition to these hazards, train tracks ran through the complex making it difficult to get fire apparatus in place. Fire hydrants had been shut down to prevent them from freezing. Unfortunately, the warehouse’s canopy, with members operating above and below it, collapsed, killing the members.
At the site today sits the Old Union Stockyard’s Gate with a plaque on it memorializing “The Fallen 21.” Behind it, sits a newer monument dedicated to all of Chicago’s fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty. Up until the disastrous collapse of the World Trade Center in New York, New York, on 9/11/2001, this was the largest collapse that killed firefighters.
Throughout the city, one can sense the department and company pride, especially as units display their logos on apparatus, and in and around quarters. Many of the logos refer to the areas of the city where the units are located. In addition to these unique pieces, specialized equipment constructed by department personnel from years past, such as pump cans and strip ladders, can still be found on many of the apparatus. The department has a great deal of commitment in protecting its citizens and visitors from the perils of fire and providing medical aide.
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Michael N. Ciampo is a 39-year veteran of the fire service and a retired Lieutenant from the Fire Department of New York. Previously he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is an instructor for FDIC International HOT program. He wrote the Ladders and Ventilation chapters for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter 1 & 2 and the Bread-and-Butter Portable Ladders DVD. He writes the back page column On Fire in Fire Engineering and is featured in Training Minutes truck company videos on FireEngineering.com. Recently he wrote the textbook Tower Ladders, Tactics, Tips & Tales available at mikeciampo.com
