Flea Market Fire in Humboldt Park
Our largest response for this quarter was 19 hours of canteen support for emergency personnel working a 5-11 fire on the west side of Chicago.
On March 8, 2016, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services received a call at 10:20 AM from Dispatch on behalf of the Chicago North Fire Department to our hotline. They requested a canteen to support First Responders fighting a 2-11 fire at a Flea Market in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago. EDS quickly responded and were on scene within an hour. The fire escalated to a 5-11, Level 1 Hazmat and EDS was ready with a Rapid Response vehicle to provide additional support.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Canteen quickly prepared meals and offered hydration and snacks to the Chicago Fire Department, police, utility workers and victims who lost their businesses. By 3 PM, the Duty Officer began contacting EDS volunteers to assist through the night. Volunteer Brian Styka responded in the early evening stocking another canteen with need supplies and bringing the canteen into service for overnight support. He then served First Responders for the first half of the night. James Ward from the Englewood Corps arrived at 9:00 PM to work with staff over night until the Canteens were released at 5:00 AM on March 9.
Many thanks for our EDS volunteers who help us to do “The Most Good.”
