| Rockford Firefighter Terrance Freeman, 37, died of an apparent heart attack while on a family trip to Westmont, hours after completing a shift at the Rockford Fire Department. Terrance was a dedicated and well-liked firefighter who was recently recognized for excellence in customer service, Division Chief Jim Strey said.
“We come to our job for a career and when someone’s life is cut short at the age of 37, everyone is just stunned,” Strey said. “He has a lot of friends and colleagues who think a lot of him. He’s a nice man, a good person and does a very nice job for the city of Rockford, so it’s a devastating, tragic situation.”
CLICK on the photo for a brief video.
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If you were a member of the Rockford Fire Department on January 14, 1963, chances are good you will remember the fire at the Winnebago County Commodity Depot in the railroad yards on South Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois! Shortly before 3:00 p.m., Engines 1, 2, and 3, along with Ladder 1 and Squad 1, responded (on the First Alarm) together with Deputy Chief Walt Welch to a fire in this warehouse at 340 Tinker Street. Rockford Firefighters would end up spending several days on the scene, in frigid January weather, overhauling and containing "hot spots".
CLICK on any of the photos below for larger images.
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The fire was finally "struck out" on Friday, January 19th...five days after the "First Alarm". Here's another video in which I have tried to portray the obstacles faced by these Rockford Firefighters. Keep in mind that the temperature was well below zero and the wind was blowing strong from the west. This "public aid" storage warehouse was loaded with several large containers of peanut butter.
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| RFD Rescue Squad - 1967 |
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In Memory Of Kevin R. McIntyre
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Rockford Fire Department District Chief Kevin McIntyre died suddenly on Monday, April 19, 2004, as a result of coronary artery disease. McIntyre joined the Fire Department in February 1980. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1987, captain in January 1993 and was named district chief in January 1996.
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Please "click" on the links above to view videos from the memorial service for Chief McIntyre.
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Tyler Kinison died March 5, 2006, as a result of injuries from a snowmobile accident near Minoqua, WI. He was in his 6th year on the Rockford Fire Department and previously served 10 years with the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D. Tyler also was an active local instructor and spent many years teaching at the Monroe Fire School.
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Before the modern day "911 Call Center" there was the Rockford Fire Department "Alarm Office". It was State of the Art for the 1960's. Hold on to your seats while onlyREDtrucks takes you on a trip down memory lane!
<-----Click on the photo to start the video.
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That's me, with the camera, about to get "attacked" by these dogs. I guess I put a lot of faith in the leather leashes and the strength of the handler! The year was 1967. The camera was a 16mm Bell & Howell: no batteries...you cranked it up!
This picture was taken by Curt Kitchen, staff photographer for the Rockford Register-Star. Some of you may remember the photo he made of the Belvidere High School students emerging from their demolished building after the toronado of 1967 struck their campus.
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| Rockford Rescue Squad 1 / Circa 1967 |
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| Henrietta Fire District / Circa 1969 |
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| The ROAR of the Detroit Desiel on this truck was louder than the siren!
I was in the Alarm Office one night when this truck was dispatched to a call near their station. A few minutes later, the dispatcher got a call from a rather irate homeowner reporting that "her front porch fell off when the fire truck went by"!
(TRUE STORY!)
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