Thousands of firefighters from the Midwest and Canada came to Chicago this week as the Chicago Fire Department honored two of it's own who had perished in the worst firefighter tragedy this city had seen in a decade.
Edward Stringer, a 12-year veteran, and Corey Ankum, a former cop who’d joined the fire department little more than a year ago, were both searching a smoke-filled abandoned building for vagrants when the roof collapsed, killing the two men and injuring 15 other firefighters.
The tragedy happened on the 100th anniversary of Chicago's Union Stockyards fire, which had been the most devastating loss of U.S. firefighters until the September 11th terror attacks in New York. Memorial services for Stringer and Ankum drew thousands of firefighters from the surrounding suburbs of Chicago and as far away as London, Ontario, Canada. Feeding The Fire's co-host and suburban firefighter Jim Gatesman attended both services.
"We are all here because the Fire Service is a brotherhood and we are paying our respects to two of our brothers who died in the line of duty," Gatesman said.
According to the US Fire Administration there have been 78 on-duty firefighter fatalities in 2010. As this year comes to a close we at Feeding The Fire honor those men and women and send our best wishes out for a safe 2011.
Add this post to your favorite bookmarking network!
Last Updated on Friday, 31 December 2010 16:55
A new face and a new dimension for Feeding The Fire
Written by Jeff Gatesman
Tuesday, 20 July 2010 15:39
In an exciting and provocative move, Feeding The Fire has teamed up with Jason Goodman of 21st Century 3D to produce the world's first television cooking show in 3D, and we have raised the bar in the kitchen by bringing in a new host who is bright, funny and brings with her a professional cooking background.
Add this post to your favorite bookmarking network!
Here at Feeding The Fire we like to say that we are real firefighters in real firehouses cooking real food. Well sometimes we are reminded just how real it can get.
On July 3rd we went to River Grove IL to cook a meal with Chief Dewey; he had invited us to come over so he can demonstrate how he makes his incredible Buffalo Chicken lasagna, and you know… the thing I like best about making this show (beside eating great meals), is all the friends we make along the way. The guys in River Grove are no exception: just a nice, friendly group of firefighters. One of the guys I met there was named Al. He was a little camera shy but a really nice guy and we got along great. The very next day, the fourth of July, Al was on duty at a Chicago firehouse and was responding to their fourth call of the day, an attic fire, when conditions changed very suddenly. Al ran out of air, became disoriented and had to be helped out of the building by another officer.
He suffered severe smoke inhalation and was put on a vent in the ICU for a few days. We are very happy to say he is doing fine and will make a full recovery, but this was another reminder of how dangerous being a firefighter is, and why all of us here at Feeding The Fire choose to celebrate America’s bravest all year around--not just after a disaster.
In the fire service we are in the business of saving property and lives, but sometimes it is one of our own that needs our help. So when you see a firefighter, give him a smile, or a friendly wave. But if the lights are on and the truck is coming down the street, pull over and give them some room. Their job is important, and for someone, every second counts.
Thanks again for watching our show. Stay in touch with us through our website, or on facebook, so you won’t miss an episode. Speaking of new episodes, we should have the River Grove one published around August 1st.
Add this post to your favorite bookmarking network!
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 02:38
Feeding The Fire Hosts Interviewed at NPR
Written by Jeff Gatesman
Monday, 15 June 2009 16:57
A while back, while we at Feeding The Fire were touring the Mountain States, hosts Tim and Jim were interviewed by Megan Sukys at KUOW, Puget Sound Public Radio, and we were there to record the event.
Watch the interview to get the lowdown on our hosts, what Feeding The Fire is all about, and where the best firehouse meal has been so far.
Add this post to your favorite bookmarking network!
Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2009 17:33
Jim makes Chicken Tortilla Soup in the crock pot
Written by Jeff Gatesman
Monday, 06 April 2009 18:58
Feeling a little under the weather and not up to cooking a big meal for the whole crew, Fireman Jim makes an easy Tortilla Soup in the crock pot. Simply let the pot do the cooking for you, serve with Tortilla strips as a garnish and you have a delicious one-pot meal.
Add this post to your favorite bookmarking network!
Fire Log
Here at Feeding The Fire we like to say that we are real firefighters in real firehouses cooking real food. Well sometimes we are reminded just how real it can get.
Feeling a little under the weather and not up to cooking a big meal for the whole crew, Fireman Jim makes an easy Tortilla Soup in the crock pot. Simply let the pot do the cooking for you, serve with Tortilla strips as a garnish and you have a delicious one-pot meal.