A Look Back at the History of the Grayslake Fire Department

Do you know who the first fire chief was?

Reading about history in books, newspapers and magazines is one way to be informed of what happened years ago, but experiencing it up close is a more exciting method of learning. Such is the case with the history of the Grayslake Fire Department. The history can be read about in books and on line, but it can be experienced and almost relived in the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, where firefighting equipment and pictures of the past bring the dangerous and important role of the firefighters to life. The Annex behind the Heritage Center and Museum houses the larger items of the museum collection including Wilbur, a 1954 former Grayslake Fire Department truck that after many years of service retired to the Annex. It is a major …

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Grayslake Fire District's Rating Improves

An improved rating for fire suppression capabilities for Grayslake Fire Protection District could mean reduced insurance rates for homeowners.

An evaluation of fire suppression capabilities within the Grayslake Fire Protection District has shown significant improvement according to a report released by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) following an Oct. 2012 inspection. The ISO’s Public Protection Classification report is used nationally to help establish fair premiums for residential and commercial fire insurance. Fire Chief John Christian said the ISO rating has been adjusted to show several areas of improvement following the last evaluation that occurred in 2004. Those improvements have included upgrades in fire district operations and response capabilities, along with the emergency communications system and water distribution systems. As a result, the Grayslake Fire …

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Grayslake Firefighters Complete 'Fight for Air Climb'

The firefighters climbed 680 stairs to raise money for the American Lung Association.

Grayslake firefighters recently took fifth place in a charity event that required them to climb 680 stairs in full gear. Five members of the Grayslake Fire Department participated in the Oakbrook Terrace "Fight for Air" competition Feb. 10, climbing 680 stairs (or 31 floors) in gear that included airpacks, according to the Grayslake Fire Department website. Sixty-six firefighters participated in the event, including the following individuals from Grayslake: firefighter James Howell, who took 8th place; Lt. Jason Brooks, who took 16th place; firefighter Chris Mclaughlin, who took 26th; firefighter John Santner, who took 26th; and firefighter David Auer, whose timing equipment malfunctioned and didn't record his time, according to the …

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Pancake Breakfast and Blood Drive at Grayslake Fire Station Saturday

Fill your belly with pancakes and help the Grayslake Youth Baseball Association at Saturday's pancake breakfast. LifeSource will also be holding a blood drive.

Come out to the Grayslake Fire Station at 160 Hawley St. Saturday, Feb. 9 for the annual Grayslake Youth Baseball Association/Firefighter Blood Donor Challenge. The cost is $5 per person. Players eat free. The pancake breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to benefit the GYBA, which is accepting registration for the spring season now at www.gybaonline.com. The LifeSource blood drive will take place 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are preferred. To register, call Ingrid Skidmore at (847) 223-8960. Donors must be at least 17 years old and have a valid photo ID showing either their social security number or driver's license number. GYBA PANCAKE BREAKFAST

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Woman Hit by Car, Suffers Minor Injuries

The accident occurred this morning.

A citizen alerted Grayslake Patch to emergency personnel located at Route 120 and Lake Street this morning. In case you happened to be driving by and were wondering what was going on, here's the scoop: A woman suffered minor injuries when she was hit by a car at Route 120 and Lake Street this morning. Grayslake Fire Department Battalion Chief Jon Cokefair said the woman was taken to Condell Medical Center just as a precaution.

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Korrina Grom

2:51 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

It was an adult woman. There weren't too many details to share given that this was a relatively minor incident, per the fire department.   more ›

Small Brush Fire Reported at Campbell Airport After Vigil

The Grayslake Fire Department responded to a small, unintentional fire that started after the vigil for Joey Frase on the night of Tuesday, Jan. 22.

An unattended candle from Tuesday night's vigil for Joey Frase at Campbell Airport resulted in a small brush fire. Battalion Chief Jon Cokefair told Patch the Grayslake Fire Department responded to the scene with an engine at about 6:43 p.m. The fire was reported by someone at the airport. "It was an unintentional fire caused by an unattended candle." Cokefair said the incident was minor and did not affect a large area. "We extinguished it with a hose line in about a half hour." The vigil held for Grayslake's Joey Frase, whose body was found near the airport Tuesday morning after he had been reported missing Sunday, Jan. 20, began at 6 p.m. and included dozens of family and friends. Cokefair said no one from the vigil was on site at the …

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Grayslake Fire Dept. Collecting for Troop Care Packages

For the second year, the Grayslake Fire Department will be accepting donations for military care packages.

Grayslake Fire Dept. Conducting Military Care Package Drive

For the second year, the Grayslake Fire Department will be accepting donations for military care packages.

With thousands of U.S. troops fighting for our freedoms overseas, members of the Grayslake Fire Department and the Grayslake community are once again coming together to help send some support from our own community. “Our mission is simple: to provide our local troops with personal items they are in need of as they continue to fight for our freedoms,” said Fire Commissioner Gregory Koeppen. “Last year 225 care packages were sent overseas and we hope to surpass that number this year,” adds Koeppen. Now through Jan. 27, residents are being encouraged to drop off items that will be shipped to troops serving overseas. These everyday items, we take for granted, include small non-perishable food items (beef jerky, cookies, candy, snacks, oatmeal …

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Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Report Friend Missing on Gages Lake

A 46-year-old unincorporated man plead guilty Tuesday to failing to report his friend missing after a swim gone wrong on Gages Lake last summer, reports the Daily Herald.

A man who failed to report to authorities that his friend was missing in the waters of Gages Lake last June plead guilty in Lake County court Tuesday to one count of attempted obstruction of justice, reported the Daily Herald. Eric W. Oomens, 46, of unincorporated Lake County, was sentenced to a year of probation, a $200 fine and nearly $3,000 in court fees, according to the Daily Herald. Oomens is also required to participate in required drug and alcohol programs, perform 100 hours of community service and pay the Grayslake Fire Department restitution of $1,000 for its rescue operation. Grayslake Patch previously reported the body of victim Richard Stoneking, 44, of Park City, was recovered from Gages Lake on June 19 by the Lake County …

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UPDATED: Six Vehicle Collision Sends One Person to Hospital

Grayslake Police and Fire responded to a multiple vehicle collision at Peterson Road, west of Route 83.

Updated, Monday, Nov. 19, 10:30 a.m. Grayslake Police Chief Philip Perlini gave Patch the following statement: "It was two separate vehicle crashes occurring simultaneously at the intersection involving 6 cars. No major injuries, just a huge mess." The cause of the accident is not yet known. Police are still working on completing the accident report. Patch will provide updates once more information becomes available. Original post One unidentified person was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville as a precaution Monday morning following a six-vehicle collision at Peterson Road, west of Route 83, said fire officials. The collision occurred at 7:53 a.m., said Grayslake Fire Battalion Chief Joris Lillge. One Grayslake …

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