Chicago FD 1971 Riverview Roller Rink

June 1971..Radio traffic and images from the famous Riverview Roller Rink fire...this was recorded by the late Jim Evans...my old boss and good friend..Photos were taken by Ed Prendergast retired CFD Fire Prevention Engineer....we are lucky these guys documented this. The main guy on the FAO radio is Art Benker...you can also here my old boss and mentor Jack Turner chime in a few times...This fire ocurred during a very busy time and you can really hear the tension in all the voices...this was in the day when guys got excited about going to a big job...This is a great and rare glimpse into CFD history

[@firemanjeffgg2440]

I wish Mack still made fire trucks

[@bear4955]

Steve, thank you very much for your work in preserving and publishing the Department history. This was before my association with the Department, but I took a ride on this one. Coming from the southwest side, I only got to see a pile of smoldering wood. This is a couple of years before I met Ed. He was quite the photographer; his photo of the 26 & Rockwell job hung in the lobby of the Bureau for years, and as I recall, made a magazine cover. Art Benker was a master at handling complicated situations. Just listen to him during the Hilton fire. All the operators back then were great.

[@lt.mike22]

Great stuff Steve. Brings back many memories of the good ole days.

[@merlinkatz9797]

Outstanding. Some great FAO operators voices and memories from Rm 607 era in CFD history. The voices from companies on the scene sound like from a 1930’s movie. Thanks to Steve Redick for sharing this and to Ed Pendergast and Jimmy Evans of fond memory.

[@robertholmes8835]

Memories: lived on School st and Ravenswood by the CNW tracks I was 12 years old and we lived on the 3rd floor and saw the smoke and flames. Got on our bikes and followed the fire trucks. Quite exciting for all us kids. Also remember the Belmont bowl fire.

[@jromebizzle]

When firefighters love their jobs.

[@jeffdillon8816]

What was the splashdown announcement? Was that in regards to the space program?

[@lt.mike22]

Operation Splashdown was a program where fire companies went out in the neighborhoods, and with a steamer port cap with slots cut into it installed, would turn on hydrants for kids to run under.

[@happyjack880]

Great stuff. I sure don't miss the days of *everyone* yelling on the radio.

[@glennjohnston2267]

100 x 200, very big building!

[@hounddog946]

Not bad quality radio for 52 years ago.