the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

October 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Station Gossip Nick, Nick, Nick... it looks like yours really is bigger than Sherbon’s; dents in your pickups that is.

Harlem-Roscoe Fire participated in a 4-state MABAS drill on August 26. The drill saw fi re and EMS units from the four states successfully arrive at three pre-arranged locations in under 90 minutes.

Chief Shoevlin snapped this picture of the Pink Heals fi re truck when it was at the International Fire Chiefs Conference in August. More information on the wonderful effort can be found at their website: http://www.pinkfi retrucks.org.

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Firefi ghters set up a small memorial remembering 9-11 near our tent at the Fall Festival on September 11.A big thank you to HRFD Association Vice President Rico VanderHeyden on organizing a family picnic for our department’s personnel. Here are some pics from the fun-fi lled afternoon:

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Mobile Home Destroyed by FireSee pages 4 & 5

Photo by Marcia Soppe

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATELt. Bob Stark - Communications Division

Radios play a large part in the fi re service. Lives depend on being able to communicate on the fi re ground. The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department recognizes their importance and has chosen to upgrade their radio system so that reliable communications can continue to take place. To that end, a plan has been implemented to replace the infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment.

At the present time, Station One houses the repeater that receives and transmits radio transmissions from our emergency scenes. Phase one has begun where a second receiver will be located at a vacated US Cellular tower on Swanson Rd. The antenna will be installed on top of the 150’ tower. A voter/comparator located at Station One will “compare” the signals coming into this new receiver and the receiver at Station One, select the better signal, and then re-broadcast that signal.

Phase two of the plan will involve some major improvements in the dispatch room located at Station One. This will allow better communication not only on the emergency scene, but with neighboring fi re districts. My thanks to the Board of Trustees and the Chief for investing in this endeavor which, ultimately, makes for a safer community and its fi refi ghters.

Gone, but not forgottenSome people come into our lives, and quickly go.Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.And, we are never, ever the same.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Firefi ghter Mike Helland and his family on the loss of his 2-month-old cousin, Evan Thomas on October 3rd.Our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Ralph Bunting. His obituary reads he was a Fire Chief in Roscoe. We believe Ralph was a Fire Chief of the Roscoe Fire Department before the department was incorporated as Harlem-Roscoe Fire in 1940.

Anyone with information on Mr. Bunting’s service in the Roscoe Fire Department, please contact Harlem-Roscoe Fire Chief Don Shoevlin at 815-623-7867. We would love to have the information and include it in our department’s history archiving project currently under way.

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From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

What a busy month, and it is only half over. With October being Fire Prevention Month, everyone has been involved with station tours as well as demonstrations. Our Fire Prevention Division, with the help of the fi refi ghters, have been out performing fi re drills in all of our schools. The report back is they are all doing an excellent job. This is an indication of how our school offi cials

and the teachers make safety a high priority on their agendas. Thank you to all involved.

Thank you to everyone that stopped and visited at the fall festival and attended the parade. Congratulations to the winners of our raffl e!

Besides the fall festival, you might have seen us out at many other events throughout the community. It is always an enjoyable time to spend visiting with everyone. Your concerns and compliments are taken seriously and greatly appreciated. I spent a fun-fi lled hour walking around in circles with some fun-loving children at Ledgewood and Stone Creek schools. They had contacted us about a fund-raiser they were having, and we went there to stand by, but we were overtaken by how much fun the kids were having, that we joined in. Thank you to the PTO for allowing us to participate. I look forward to doing it again next year. You will fi nd pictures from these events and many others in this newsletter.

These are examples that show not only the dedication that all of our fi refi ghters have, but also the passion for what they do. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with so many fi ne caring individuals.

Thank you, Mayor Strickland and the Village of Machesney Park, for honoring our fi refi ghters. I attended their meeting to receive the proclamation from the Mayor on behalf of all the fi refi ghters. Thank you to the board and the residents for the continuous support you give to the men and women of the fi re department.

Remember to check out our website, www.harlemroscoefi re.comto keep up with the progress of the department and individuals, and the calls we might have been on. We have also been putting notices on Facebook. So don’t be shy, become a friend. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

October 6, fi refi ghters responded to a report that a pickup was on fi re in the driveway of a home on Edgemere Terr. Firefi ghters arrived to fi nd the bed and cab on fi re of a Chevy pickup. Seems a cigarette the driver had tossed out the window may be the culprit that started some trash in the bed of the truck on fi re.

The fi re had spread into the cab when fi refi ghters arrived.

Firefi ghters Ken Boris and Robert Rosales quickly have the fi re extinguished.

Wires DownPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters responded to a wires down call on Alpine Road on October 6. They found a semi truck had caught and broke one of the wires that crossed over the parking lot. The truck was clear of the wire when units arrived. Com Ed was called to the scene and the area blocked off.

Fall Festival Raffl e WinnersPhotos by Colleen Bloyer

The winners of the this year’s Fall Festival Raffl e were: 1st Place - Brent Armstrong, 2nd Place - Keith Townsend, 3rd Place - D. Kolends. Above, Firefi ghter Steve Shoevlin presents Brent and Keith with their winnings.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Birthdays

October2nd Randy Lovelace5th Eric Wilkins7th Dick Schoonover Brandon Tietz15th Ryan Alms17th David Doyle Chuck Hansel20th Bill Rahn21st Zack Prielipp22nd Ken Boris26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Bernardi31st Bob Stark

November

1st Don Shoevlin Jerry McCormick2nd Allen Campbell3rd Joe Quast ‘50th’8th Harry Wagner10th Nate Noble11th Kelly Green Brock Combs16th Jim Daughenbaugh19th Chris Farr ‘30th’23rd K.D. Bodwell

November Breakfast ListJoe Quast, Christian Bush,

Matt Bush, John Barth,Jim Daughenbaugh, Marty Green,

Joe Ortiz, and John Donovan.

Total Calls for 2010

1666

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.

Editor-in-Chief - Chief Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month.

www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to: sdrost@harlemroscoefi re.comJoe Quast “50th’

November 3rdChris Farr ‘30th’ November 19th

Fire Chief Don Shoevlin and DC John Bergeron walk with the kids from Stone Creek and Ledgewood Schools.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

09/15/10 Ralston Rd. 09/24/10 Hwy 173

09/03/10 Elevator Rd. 09/05/10 Bridge St. & Main St.

09/10/10 Hononegah Rd. & Hwy 251 09/12/10 Prairie Hill Rd. 09/13/10 I-90

.

09/24/10 Hwy 173 09/26/10 Hwy 173

09/28/10 Hwy 173 09/29/10 Alpine Rd.

Firefi ghter FAQs on Asbestosto://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/fi resection1.htm

What is Asbestos?Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly mixed with a variety of construction materials because of its properties including resistance to heat, tensile strength and insulating capabilities. The health risks of asbestos began to

surface in the early to mid 1970s and by 1980 it had been phased out of most commercial and industrial applications. However the material may still be present in many buildings built before 1980 due to the high cost of asbestos removal / abatement.

What is the difference between asbestos removal and asbestos abatement?If a building has had asbestos removed it means that it is no longer present in the structure. If a building has undergone asbestos abatement that means the material has been removed or sealed within a protective material to prevent it from being released.

How can I be exposed to asbestos during a fi re?Asbestos exposure is unlikely to occur during the initial fi refi ghting stages when fi refi ghters are wearing respirators which prevents asbestos from being inhaled. However during a fi re asbestos containing materials might disintegrate from the fi re itself or from water when it makes contact with hot material. It might also be released into the air in the case of structural failure. The fi bers are not combustible and can linger in the air during the overhaul stage of a fi re when fi refi ghters extinguish remaining hot spots and check to make sure fi re isn’t burning in other places.

Is asbestos more likely to be present in certain structures?Asbestos was used in a number of building products. While there is no defi nitive way to tell whether a material does contain asbestos there are some clues after a fi re. If certain parts of a structure are in much better relative condition than other parts, its likely that asbestos could be present. If you encounter any areas like that make sure you let someone know.

What are the health risks of asbestos exposure?Asbestos fi bers can enter the lungs and become trapped which can lead to scarring. Over time this can increase the risk of developing conditions like mesothelioma or asbestosis or lung cancer but that risk depends on the nature of exposure.

Can a one-time exposure increase my risk of cancer?Patients diagnosed with asbestos related diseases usually have a pattern of asbestos exposure. Thus it is unlikely that a one time exposure event will lead to the development of cancer but we advise that if you have been exposed to asbestos that you speak with a doctor.

What should I do if asbestos fi bers may present on my equipment?We recommend that equipment be washed with water immediately to remove as many fi bers as possible. If this cannot be done on scene, then we advise that this be done as soon as you return to the fi rehouse.

9-11 RememberedPhoto by Marcia Soppe

Several H-R Firefi ghters participated in a 9-11 memorial during a HononegahFootball game with local police and Roscoe VFW.

911 Memorial RidePhoto by DC John Presley

A local group of Harley motorcycle riders, the HOGs, made a ride in memory of 9-11 on Sept. 11. The ride started at the Kegels in Rockford, then made a stop at the Justice Center, Harlem-Roscoe Fire, Cherry Valley, and then back to Kegels.

The HOGS posed in front of the aerial during their stop at Station One.

Homecoming ParadePhotos by Marcia Soppe

Harlem-Roscoe sent the two Quint trucks to participate in Harlem High School’s Homecoming Parade.

Roscoe Fall Festival 2010Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

This year’s festival had great weather and large crowds. Firefi ghters sold raffl e tickets and walking tacos from their tent, participated in the annual parade as well as the festival’s 100th Anniversary Pageant and fi reworks.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Mobile Home Destroyed by FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters heading to a mobile home on fi re on Glen Forest Dr. could see the smoke billowing in the air as they left the fi re station on Sept. 15. The home was fully involved with fi re when units arrived.

One resident was home at the time of the fi re and was able to escape with the family dog. He ran to the neighbors and returned with other family members and they attempted to locate the family cat. They were forced out of the home by the fast moving fi re. The family members were checked out on the scene for smoke inhalation and some singed hair.

Mobile homes, by nature of their construction, burn very quickly, and this one was no exception. The fi re quickly ravaged the inside of the home as fi refi ghters worked to extinguish it.

The department’s tenders (tankers) were on scene quickly to supply water to the attack truck; there are no hydrants in that area. The family pet was found deceased by the fi refi ghters and animal control was called to the home.

The mobile home and contents were completely destroyed by the fi re that is believed to have started in an electrical outlet in one of the bedrooms.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Times RekindledBy Sheryl Drost

This month I interviewed Melba Rogers, 89 years young, and the wife of former Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghter Don Rogers. Melba said Don got on the department in 1959.

She said Cobby Rogers was the one that recruited Don to join the department. They lived in Roscoe at the time and Don would respond after hearing the siren. She said he would just drop whatever he was doing at the time and was gone.

When I asked if she remembered any big calls he had been on, she said he never really talked about the calls, and she just knew he was doing whatever was needed.

She does remember though, that a lot of the businesses that were on Main St. burned over time. And she remembers the tornado that came through Roscoe in 1944. (We researched the tornado on the internet and it was rated a F2 to a F3.) Melba said trees had been planted up and down each street in town, and the winds blew many of them down. The tornado also took the roof and second fl oor off of the Roscoe Grade School on the corner of the Main and Pine; the building currently is known as the Rutherford building.

The fi re department had a very active Ladies Auxiliary back then and Melba said if you had kids you were probably on it. She said the ladies were all friends and enjoyed helping in any way they could. She said you used to know everyone up and down the streets in Roscoe, but things have really changed.

Melba worked 12 years in the kitchens of Kinnikinnick and Ledgewood Schools. So, she was a natural to help in the kitchen during the Coon and Ham dinners. She said even her kids loved to come down and help set the tables. She said the kitchen in Station One was compact, but it was very effi cient. Back then they used real plates, cups and silverware. People brought in roasters and made home-made pies. She said they cut their own cabbage for the cole slaw and used real potatoes, that needed to be peeled, to make the mash potatoes. The gravy was made from only the ham drippings, never from the coon. The Coon and Ham Dinners also ran an hour earlier and longer than our current Spring Dinners, so they were pretty tuckered out by the end of the night.

Melba said the Auxiliary raised its own money by having bake sales. The ladies would make sandwiches and coffee and send it out to the fi refi ghters when they had a big fi re. She really didn’t know anything about the fi res, because she was one of the ones that stayed in the kitchen preparing the food and keeping the coffee pots going.

She said the auxiliary ladies loved to decorate the station and put on a Christmas party for the fi re kids. They would see that each kid

had a stocking with presents from Santa. The kids were so excited. They would also have cookies and Kool-Aid for them.

She said they averaged 15-20 ladies in the group at any given time. She remembers taking Safety classes, like First Aid, at the fi re station. She said the auxiliary ladies would also walk in the Fall Festival Parade right with the fi refi ghters.

Melba was a busy lady in Roscoe. Not only did she put her time in on the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Ladies Auxiliary, but she was involved in other community groups. She had helped with the RIA. She served as Secretary of the Homemakers extension of the Farm Bureau. She helped with Girl Scouts and was a 4H leader for 21 years. She worked in the kitchen at Kinnikinnick School for 4 years, then became Head Cook Manager at Ledgewood School for 8 years. She also cleaned houses for 50 cents and baby sat neighborhood kids.

In 1982, Melba was recognized for all her hard work and was given a plaque from the Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters Association. It read, “In appreciation for all your years of dedicated service and loyal support.”

Melba and Don Rogers were typical of many fi refi ghter families in that the wife may not have fought fi res, but volunteered her time and talents to the fi re department in other ways.

The two truck bays in the old Fire Station One was fi lled to capacity during the Coon & Ham Dinners. It was all hands on deck for working the dinner, including spouses and kids

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

Fire Prevention Week 2010Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Fire Prevention has, and always will be, a major commitment for all Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters. Fire Prevention Week, and really the months of September and October, are very busy for our fi refi ghters.

Not only do they perform their normal duties of fi re fi ghting, EMS, & training, but they perform fi re drills at every school in our fi re district, visit schools for safety talks, give tours of the fi re stations, host a Fire Prevention Open House, and participate in Safety Days or events held by several local businesses. More photos from our community events may be seen on our Facebook Page

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

Fire Prevention Week 2010Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Fire Prevention has, and always will be, a major commitment for all Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters. Fire Prevention Week, and really the months of September and October, are very busy for our fi refi ghters.

Not only do they perform their normal duties of fi re fi ghting, EMS, & training, but they perform fi re drills at every school in our fi re district, visit schools for safety talks, give tours of the fi re stations, host a Fire Prevention Open House, and participate in Safety Days or events held by several local businesses. More photos from our community events may be seen on our Facebook Page

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Times RekindledBy Sheryl Drost

This month I interviewed Melba Rogers, 89 years young, and the wife of former Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghter Don Rogers. Melba said Don got on the department in 1959.

She said Cobby Rogers was the one that recruited Don to join the department. They lived in Roscoe at the time and Don would respond after hearing the siren. She said he would just drop whatever he was doing at the time and was gone.

When I asked if she remembered any big calls he had been on, she said he never really talked about the calls, and she just knew he was doing whatever was needed.

She does remember though, that a lot of the businesses that were on Main St. burned over time. And she remembers the tornado that came through Roscoe in 1944. (We researched the tornado on the internet and it was rated a F2 to a F3.) Melba said trees had been planted up and down each street in town, and the winds blew many of them down. The tornado also took the roof and second fl oor off of the Roscoe Grade School on the corner of the Main and Pine; the building currently is known as the Rutherford building.

The fi re department had a very active Ladies Auxiliary back then and Melba said if you had kids you were probably on it. She said the ladies were all friends and enjoyed helping in any way they could. She said you used to know everyone up and down the streets in Roscoe, but things have really changed.

Melba worked 12 years in the kitchens of Kinnikinnick and Ledgewood Schools. So, she was a natural to help in the kitchen during the Coon and Ham dinners. She said even her kids loved to come down and help set the tables. She said the kitchen in Station One was compact, but it was very effi cient. Back then they used real plates, cups and silverware. People brought in roasters and made home-made pies. She said they cut their own cabbage for the cole slaw and used real potatoes, that needed to be peeled, to make the mash potatoes. The gravy was made from only the ham drippings, never from the coon. The Coon and Ham Dinners also ran an hour earlier and longer than our current Spring Dinners, so they were pretty tuckered out by the end of the night.

Melba said the Auxiliary raised its own money by having bake sales. The ladies would make sandwiches and coffee and send it out to the fi refi ghters when they had a big fi re. She really didn’t know anything about the fi res, because she was one of the ones that stayed in the kitchen preparing the food and keeping the coffee pots going.

She said the auxiliary ladies loved to decorate the station and put on a Christmas party for the fi re kids. They would see that each kid

had a stocking with presents from Santa. The kids were so excited. They would also have cookies and Kool-Aid for them.

She said they averaged 15-20 ladies in the group at any given time. She remembers taking Safety classes, like First Aid, at the fi re station. She said the auxiliary ladies would also walk in the Fall Festival Parade right with the fi refi ghters.

Melba was a busy lady in Roscoe. Not only did she put her time in on the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Ladies Auxiliary, but she was involved in other community groups. She had helped with the RIA. She served as Secretary of the Homemakers extension of the Farm Bureau. She helped with Girl Scouts and was a 4H leader for 21 years. She worked in the kitchen at Kinnikinnick School for 4 years, then became Head Cook Manager at Ledgewood School for 8 years. She also cleaned houses for 50 cents and baby sat neighborhood kids.

In 1982, Melba was recognized for all her hard work and was given a plaque from the Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters Association. It read, “In appreciation for all your years of dedicated service and loyal support.”

Melba and Don Rogers were typical of many fi refi ghter families in that the wife may not have fought fi res, but volunteered her time and talents to the fi re department in other ways.

The two truck bays in the old Fire Station One was fi lled to capacity during the Coon & Ham Dinners. It was all hands on deck for working the dinner, including spouses and kids

Roscoe Fall Festival 2010Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

This year’s festival had great weather and large crowds. Firefi ghters sold raffl e tickets and walking tacos from their tent, participated in the annual parade as well as the festival’s 100th Anniversary Pageant and fi reworks.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Mobile Home Destroyed by FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters heading to a mobile home on fi re on Glen Forest Dr. could see the smoke billowing in the air as they left the fi re station on Sept. 15. The home was fully involved with fi re when units arrived.

One resident was home at the time of the fi re and was able to escape with the family dog. He ran to the neighbors and returned with other family members and they attempted to locate the family cat. They were forced out of the home by the fast moving fi re. The family members were checked out on the scene for smoke inhalation and some singed hair.

Mobile homes, by nature of their construction, burn very quickly, and this one was no exception. The fi re quickly ravaged the inside of the home as fi refi ghters worked to extinguish it.

The department’s tenders (tankers) were on scene quickly to supply water to the attack truck; there are no hydrants in that area. The family pet was found deceased by the fi refi ghters and animal control was called to the home.

The mobile home and contents were completely destroyed by the fi re that is believed to have started in an electrical outlet in one of the bedrooms.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

09/15/10 Ralston Rd. 09/24/10 Hwy 173

09/03/10 Elevator Rd. 09/05/10 Bridge St. & Main St.

09/10/10 Hononegah Rd. & Hwy 251 09/12/10 Prairie Hill Rd. 09/13/10 I-90

.

09/24/10 Hwy 173 09/26/10 Hwy 173

09/28/10 Hwy 173 09/29/10 Alpine Rd.

Firefi ghter FAQs on Asbestosto://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/fi resection1.htm

What is Asbestos?Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly mixed with a variety of construction materials because of its properties including resistance to heat, tensile strength and insulating capabilities. The health risks of asbestos began to

surface in the early to mid 1970s and by 1980 it had been phased out of most commercial and industrial applications. However the material may still be present in many buildings built before 1980 due to the high cost of asbestos removal / abatement.

What is the difference between asbestos removal and asbestos abatement?If a building has had asbestos removed it means that it is no longer present in the structure. If a building has undergone asbestos abatement that means the material has been removed or sealed within a protective material to prevent it from being released.

How can I be exposed to asbestos during a fi re?Asbestos exposure is unlikely to occur during the initial fi refi ghting stages when fi refi ghters are wearing respirators which prevents asbestos from being inhaled. However during a fi re asbestos containing materials might disintegrate from the fi re itself or from water when it makes contact with hot material. It might also be released into the air in the case of structural failure. The fi bers are not combustible and can linger in the air during the overhaul stage of a fi re when fi refi ghters extinguish remaining hot spots and check to make sure fi re isn’t burning in other places.

Is asbestos more likely to be present in certain structures?Asbestos was used in a number of building products. While there is no defi nitive way to tell whether a material does contain asbestos there are some clues after a fi re. If certain parts of a structure are in much better relative condition than other parts, its likely that asbestos could be present. If you encounter any areas like that make sure you let someone know.

What are the health risks of asbestos exposure?Asbestos fi bers can enter the lungs and become trapped which can lead to scarring. Over time this can increase the risk of developing conditions like mesothelioma or asbestosis or lung cancer but that risk depends on the nature of exposure.

Can a one-time exposure increase my risk of cancer?Patients diagnosed with asbestos related diseases usually have a pattern of asbestos exposure. Thus it is unlikely that a one time exposure event will lead to the development of cancer but we advise that if you have been exposed to asbestos that you speak with a doctor.

What should I do if asbestos fi bers may present on my equipment?We recommend that equipment be washed with water immediately to remove as many fi bers as possible. If this cannot be done on scene, then we advise that this be done as soon as you return to the fi rehouse.

9-11 RememberedPhoto by Marcia Soppe

Several H-R Firefi ghters participated in a 9-11 memorial during a HononegahFootball game with local police and Roscoe VFW.

911 Memorial RidePhoto by DC John Presley

A local group of Harley motorcycle riders, the HOGs, made a ride in memory of 9-11 on Sept. 11. The ride started at the Kegels in Rockford, then made a stop at the Justice Center, Harlem-Roscoe Fire, Cherry Valley, and then back to Kegels.

The HOGS posed in front of the aerial during their stop at Station One.

Homecoming ParadePhotos by Marcia Soppe

Harlem-Roscoe sent the two Quint trucks to participate in Harlem High School’s Homecoming Parade.

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATELt. Bob Stark - Communications Division

Radios play a large part in the fi re service. Lives depend on being able to communicate on the fi re ground. The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department recognizes their importance and has chosen to upgrade their radio system so that reliable communications can continue to take place. To that end, a plan has been implemented to replace the infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment.

At the present time, Station One houses the repeater that receives and transmits radio transmissions from our emergency scenes. Phase one has begun where a second receiver will be located at a vacated US Cellular tower on Swanson Rd. The antenna will be installed on top of the 150’ tower. A voter/comparator located at Station One will “compare” the signals coming into this new receiver and the receiver at Station One, select the better signal, and then re-broadcast that signal.

Phase two of the plan will involve some major improvements in the dispatch room located at Station One. This will allow better communication not only on the emergency scene, but with neighboring fi re districts. My thanks to the Board of Trustees and the Chief for investing in this endeavor which, ultimately, makes for a safer community and its fi refi ghters.

Gone, but not forgottenSome people come into our lives, and quickly go.Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.And, we are never, ever the same.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Firefi ghter Mike Helland and his family on the loss of his 2-month-old cousin, Evan Thomas on October 3rd.Our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Ralph Bunting. His obituary reads he was a Fire Chief in Roscoe. We believe Ralph was a Fire Chief of the Roscoe Fire Department before the department was incorporated as Harlem-Roscoe Fire in 1940.

Anyone with information on Mr. Bunting’s service in the Roscoe Fire Department, please contact Harlem-Roscoe Fire Chief Don Shoevlin at 815-623-7867. We would love to have the information and include it in our department’s history archiving project currently under way.

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•

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

What a busy month, and it is only half over. With October being Fire Prevention Month, everyone has been involved with station tours as well as demonstrations. Our Fire Prevention Division, with the help of the fi refi ghters, have been out performing fi re drills in all of our schools. The report back is they are all doing an excellent job. This is an indication of how our school offi cials

and the teachers make safety a high priority on their agendas. Thank you to all involved.

Thank you to everyone that stopped and visited at the fall festival and attended the parade. Congratulations to the winners of our raffl e!

Besides the fall festival, you might have seen us out at many other events throughout the community. It is always an enjoyable time to spend visiting with everyone. Your concerns and compliments are taken seriously and greatly appreciated. I spent a fun-fi lled hour walking around in circles with some fun-loving children at Ledgewood and Stone Creek schools. They had contacted us about a fund-raiser they were having, and we went there to stand by, but we were overtaken by how much fun the kids were having, that we joined in. Thank you to the PTO for allowing us to participate. I look forward to doing it again next year. You will fi nd pictures from these events and many others in this newsletter.

These are examples that show not only the dedication that all of our fi refi ghters have, but also the passion for what they do. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with so many fi ne caring individuals.

Thank you, Mayor Strickland and the Village of Machesney Park, for honoring our fi refi ghters. I attended their meeting to receive the proclamation from the Mayor on behalf of all the fi refi ghters. Thank you to the board and the residents for the continuous support you give to the men and women of the fi re department.

Remember to check out our website, www.harlemroscoefi re.comto keep up with the progress of the department and individuals, and the calls we might have been on. We have also been putting notices on Facebook. So don’t be shy, become a friend. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

October 6, fi refi ghters responded to a report that a pickup was on fi re in the driveway of a home on Edgemere Terr. Firefi ghters arrived to fi nd the bed and cab on fi re of a Chevy pickup. Seems a cigarette the driver had tossed out the window may be the culprit that started some trash in the bed of the truck on fi re.

The fi re had spread into the cab when fi refi ghters arrived.

Firefi ghters Ken Boris and Robert Rosales quickly have the fi re extinguished.

Wires DownPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters responded to a wires down call on Alpine Road on October 6. They found a semi truck had caught and broke one of the wires that crossed over the parking lot. The truck was clear of the wire when units arrived. Com Ed was called to the scene and the area blocked off.

Fall Festival Raffl e WinnersPhotos by Colleen Bloyer

The winners of the this year’s Fall Festival Raffl e were: 1st Place - Brent Armstrong, 2nd Place - Keith Townsend, 3rd Place - D. Kolends. Above, Firefi ghter Steve Shoevlin presents Brent and Keith with their winnings.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Birthdays

October2nd Randy Lovelace5th Eric Wilkins7th Dick Schoonover Brandon Tietz15th Ryan Alms17th David Doyle Chuck Hansel20th Bill Rahn21st Zack Prielipp22nd Ken Boris26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Bernardi31st Bob Stark

November

1st Don Shoevlin Jerry McCormick2nd Allen Campbell3rd Joe Quast ‘50th’8th Harry Wagner10th Nate Noble11th Kelly Green Brock Combs16th Jim Daughenbaugh19th Chris Farr ‘30th’23rd K.D. Bodwell

November Breakfast ListJoe Quast, Christian Bush,

Matt Bush, John Barth,Jim Daughenbaugh, Marty Green,

Joe Ortiz, and John Donovan.

Total Calls for 2010

1666

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.

Editor-in-Chief - Chief Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month.

www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to: sdrost@harlemroscoefi re.comJoe Quast “50th’

November 3rdChris Farr ‘30th’ November 19th

Fire Chief Don Shoevlin and DC John Bergeron walk with the kids from Stone Creek and Ledgewood Schools.

the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

October 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Station Gossip Nick, Nick, Nick... it looks like yours really is bigger than Sherbon’s; dents in your pickups that is.

Harlem-Roscoe Fire participated in a 4-state MABAS drill on August 26. The drill saw fi re and EMS units from the four states successfully arrive at three pre-arranged locations in under 90 minutes.

Chief Shoevlin snapped this picture of the Pink Heals fi re truck when it was at the International Fire Chiefs Conference in August. More information on the wonderful effort can be found at their website: http://www.pinkfi retrucks.org.

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Firefi ghters set up a small memorial remembering 9-11 near our tent at the Fall Festival on September 11.A big thank you to HRFD Association Vice President Rico VanderHeyden on organizing a family picnic for our department’s personnel. Here are some pics from the fun-fi lled afternoon:

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Mobile Home Destroyed by FireSee pages 4 & 5

Photo by Marcia Soppe