Photos of Chicago Firefighters at work. Photography by Alan Jacobs.

Professional Galleries

ABOUT THIS WEBSITE : Chicago fire fighter photos by Alan Jacobs.

ABOUT THIS WEBSITE

Chicago fire fighter photos by Alan Jacobs.

Updated: Jan 06, 2007 5:55am PST

LATEST SHOTS 4/05/08 Sq.1, E-422 :

LATEST SHOTS 4/05/08 Sq.1, E-422

Updated: Apr 08, 2008 7:40am PST

SPECIAL EVENTS :

SPECIAL EVENTS

Updated: Dec 27, 2007 7:46am PST

BOOK SIGNINGS :

BOOK SIGNINGS

Updated: Jan 27, 2008 8:52am PST

SELECTED SHOTS :

SELECTED SHOTS

Updated: Feb 22, 2008 4:47am PST

SQUAD 1 : There are special units in the Chicago Fire Department designated as Squads. They are kind of like the special forces of the department, executing multiple functions such as confined space rescue, Scuba, replling, auto pin-in extrication and of course, fighting fires. Taking nothing away from the rest of the fire department, these men exemplify skill and dedication above and beyond the call of duty. There are also photos here of some men from other units related in some way to the squads and who deserve the same level of respect.

SQUAD 1

There are special units in the Chicago Fire Department designated as S ...

Updated: Mar 31, 2007 10:08am PST

SPECIAL OPERATIONS : IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL RESCUE PERSON PLEASE READ THIS. Special Operations consist of water rescue, scuba diving, repelling, high-angle rescue, confined-space rescue, structure-collapse rescue, and auto pin-in extractions. Imagine a homeless person whacked out on a pint of muscatel falling down a deep shaft or silo. Not your kid, or some big shot’s relative or even a senator, but some one we generally define as not contributing anything to the society in which he lives. In short, it doesn’t matter for whom: rich man, poor man, a theoretical physicist, a bum. Here come Special Operations with all their stuff and manpower. Some of the tools needed are: a rigging system, climbing rope, carabineers, pulleys, hitches, straps, webbing, and harness’, prusik cords, releasing hitches, beam clamps, nylon webbing, swivels, delta carabineers, rigging plates, brake back bars, pick off straps, duct tape, Gibbs ascenders, swivels, access cord, safety lines, air bottles and masks. Countless dollars are expended, even if the person has died. Few civilians realize the amount of energy expended, all this to say nothing of the thousands of hours of training and above all, the risks for the rescuers.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL RESCUE PERSON PLEASE READ THIS. Speci ...

Updated: Mar 31, 2007 10:08am PST

SQUAD 5 : My first invitation to ride with a squad came in 2003 and was extended by firemen Corey Hojek, who was introduced to me by Chief Robert Hoff. My deepest thanks to both of these men who were kind enough to understand what this project was/is about.

SQUAD 5

My first invitation to ride with a squad came in 2003 and was extended ...

Updated: Apr 08, 2008 5:57am PST

FIREFIGHTERS WEST SIDE : These photos were taken in the Black and Latino neighborhoods on Chicago's West Side. Many of the buildings in the Black Ghetto were destroyed by arson, both during the riots after the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, and in the 70's and 80's. Very little, if anything has been rebuilt, though some small pockets of condo development are beginning. The Latino neighborhood is intact, tremendously overcrowded, and full of working people, and unfortunately, like the Black part, inundated with gangs. One of the most prosperous business districts exist here as well.

FIREFIGHTERS WEST SIDE

These photos were taken in the Black and Latino neighborhoods on Chica ...

Updated: Aug 16, 2007 6:12am PST

FIREFIGHTERS SOUTH SIDE : These photos are predominantly in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago's South Side while riding with a variety of companies and Chiefs. This neighborhood is a large part of what is called "the ghetto". It is a very depressed area with high unemployment, crime and more than the usual amount of home fires. 99 files, last one added on Nov. 02, 2006

FIREFIGHTERS SOUTH SIDE

These photos are predominantly in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicag ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2007 7:16pm PST

DOWNTOWN : Fire and other incidents in the CFD 1st District

DOWNTOWN

Fire and other incidents in the CFD 1st District

Updated: Mar 04, 2007 10:27pm PST

FIREFIGHTERS NORTH SIDE : I started riding June 8, 2002, satisfying an urge motivated by the 9/11 tragedy. My first house was on Wilson Ave. at Engine 83, Truck 22. Not knowing anything about fire photography, I cut my eye teeth with these people; with them and the 3rd shift at truck 47 on Ridge Ave. I am endebted to fireman Steve Curley for putting me in touch with his brother Pat, a lieutenant on the West side where there was/is quite a bit more action of all kinds. Without this help I would probsb;y never have seen or felt what I have. Jake, 1/12/07

FIREFIGHTERS NORTH SIDE

I started riding June 8, 2002, satisfying an urge motivated by the 9/1 ...

Updated: Dec 28, 2007 7:01am PST

EMS: ACCIDENTS, AUTO PIN-IN, & VIOLENCE : Photos of auto accidents, pinned-in-auto extractions using the "Hurst Tool" ("the jaws of life"), shootings and stabbings and all manner of other tragedies.

EMS: ACCIDENTS, AUTO PIN-IN, & VIOLENCE

Photos of auto accidents, pinned-in-auto extractions using the "Hurst ...

Updated: Aug 10, 2007 7:00am PST

A DAY WITH CHICK AND THE BOYS :

A DAY WITH CHICK AND THE BOYS

Updated: Feb 22, 2008 4:43am PST

FIRE 1043 & 45 GRACE 12/06/07 :

FIRE 1043 & 45 GRACE 12/06/07

Updated: Dec 07, 2007 6:15am PST

IFSI - ILLINOIS FIRE SERVICE INSTITUTE : The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the statutory fire academy for the State of Illinois. It is operated as a continuing education and public service activity by the University of Illinois. (Reference PA 81-1147, Illinois Fire Service Institute Act, effective 7/1/1980) Mission Helping Firefighters do their Work through Training, Education, Information and Research. SEE: http://www.fsi.uiuc.edu/

IFSI - ILLINOIS FIRE SERVICE INSTITUTE

The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the statutory fire academy for ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 5:22am PST

Santa Monica and Beverly Hills F.D.'s :

Santa Monica and Beverly Hills F.D.'s

Updated: Feb 22, 2008 4:46am PST