NFPA Conference & Expo

Architectural intrigue braces the Windy City

Chicago is known for its modern forward-thinking architecture, since most of its older structures were consumed by the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  But, modern doesn't mean devoid of history.

Buildings along Chicago River line the south border of the Near North Side and Streeterville and the north border of Chicago Loop, Lakeshore East and Illinois Center in this panoramic photo: flickr user mindfrieze [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Where can you go to see and touch nearly 150 buildings from around the world? Chicago—to be exact, Tribune Tower on North Michigan Avenue, home of the Chicago Tribune newspaper and 149, I mean 148 pieces of buildings from around the world. I could have said from around the solar system, but unfortunately, in 2011 the moon rock was removed by NASA with the intention of replacing it with a newer one. The last I heard, it's still not back and has been replaced by ads. Now that's sad. In any case, Dean Larson, NFPA instructor and Chicago native, mentioned this as one of his favorite sites to take visitors (after the Museum of Science and Technology, of course). You can walk around three sides of the Tribune Tower and easily see the embedded rocks/bricks in the cement. The Chicago Architecture Blog photo catalogued all 149 pieces (including the moon rock)!

To see the rest of Chicago, take an acclaimed tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation by riverboat, trolley, or on foot. They'll give you the story behind the skyline. Perhaps I'll see you on Chicago's First Lady!

"Chicago is a great city to visit and enjoy but remember the name "Windy City" came from the politicians not the wind!" I'll bring a jacket anyway.

Marina City, photo: Anne Evans	Chicago's First Lady - North Branch, photo: Bob Agra	Water Tower and John Hancock Center, photo: Anne Evans

The  three photos above are courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Visit Choose Chicago online or onsite at C&E for more to see and do in Chicago. Several places will offer discounts for attendees to C&E if you show your badge.

Stop by NFPA booth #471 for a chance to win tickets to the Chicago White Sox game on June 11

Stop by the NFPA booth #471 in the expo hall on Monday, June 10 and drop off your business card for a chance to win two tickets to the Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays game on Tuesday, June 11.  The game is at 7:10 p.m. at US Cellular Field.  The drawing, sponsored by Choose Chicago and the Chicago White Sox, will be held on Monday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.  You must be present to win.  No purchase is necessary.  Note:  ROC Exhibitions employees, NFPA employees, members of the NFPA Board of Directors, spouses and partners, exhibitors, and Standards Council members are not eligible to win.

In addition, to show their appreciation of NFPA for choosing Chicago as the host city for the NFPA Conference & Expo, the Chicago White Sox have partnered with Choose Chicago to offer specially priced tickets to NFPA C&E attendees while you are in Chicago.  Tickets will be discounted up to $10.  This is a great way to unwind during your free time in Chicago!

Willis (Sears) Tower from a unique fire protection perspective

When most people visit the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), they're likely to head up to the SkyDeck on the 103^rd floor, to take in the magnificent view! Let's read what one of our instructors says about this iconic building in his hometown.

Jerry Schultz, PE indulges in his perspective of the Willis Tower as only he can. "The other place that I, as a fire protection engineer find fascinating is Willis Tower.  The only problem that I have with this is that the fire protection features are not part of the visit.  I always remember in the 70's when disaster movies were the rage watching the movie "The Towering Inferno". (A fire protection engineer who has not seen this movie should not call themselves a fire protection engineer—what great acting and special effects!)  When they decide to blow the water tank to put out the fire and have to strap themselves to columns so they don't float off the floor, one can imagine the water tanks on the upper floors at the Tower.  Keep in mind that I saw this movie once in the 70's and these are the items I remember—maybe I should watch it again to see if I can learn anything else.   The protection provided in the Willis Tower consisting of intermediate water tanks on certain levels of the building show a forward thinking and makes me wonder what came first—the movie or the protection scheme in Willis Tower.  Someone should do an article on the protection in Willis Tower and compare it to what is being done in high rise buildings today.  For good measure, throw in references to The Towering Inferno."

Thanks Jerry, for that unique perspective!  It should be noted that the Glass Tower used in the movie referenced above was a fictional composite of two buildings in San Francisco along with a model sculpture—no relation to the "Sears Tower".

Brush up on your knowledge of sprinklers and NFPA 13 with our 3-day pre-conference seminar taught by Schultz. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one to write an article on the protection scheme in Willis Tower...?

For more information on how Willis Tower management and the Chicago Fire Department joined forces to protect the country's tallest building, read the feature article "Drill Team" in the May/June 2013 edition of NFPA Journal. 

Then make sure to attend the related session W30 Working Together for One Response — The Chicago Fire Department and Iconic Willis Tower, on Wednesday, June 12, 9:30-10:00 a.m., presented by Michael Schroeder, US Equities Asset Management and Anthony VanBuskirk, Chicago Fire Department. Register today!

For a SkyDeck fast pass and discounts to other top tourist attractions around Chicago, visit our discounts page.

Amazon top-rated books about Chicago

Are you interested in learning about Chicago, the host city to the 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo?  Or maybe you're just looking for a good book to read.   In the coming weeks, I'll be highlighting some of the customer top-rated (four and five star) books about Chicago from Amazon.com.  Have a favorite book about Chicago that you'd like to share? Tell us about it in the Comments section. Enjoy!

Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago: 2012 

With details on everything from the Magnificent Mile to Wicker Park, this is the only guide a native or traveler needs.

The Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago divides Chi-town into sixty mapped neighborhoods. Every map is dotted with user-friendly NFT icons that plot the nearest essential services and entertainment locations, while providing important information on things like kid-friendly activities, public transportation, restaurants, bars, and Chicago’s art scene. The book includes a foldout highway map, and covers the North Side, Near North Side, Near West Side, the Greater Loop, the South Side, and Greater Chicago. It’s the only key to the Windy City that Daley can’t give you. 150 color illustrations.

 

Chicago travel video: museums

 

Chicago's museums rank among some of the best in the world.  There are 40 museums that cover a wide array of interests from contemporary art to nature and history. There is even a museum campus located along the lakeside.  Browse all of Chicago's museums at the Choose Chicago website.

Stop by the NFPA booth #471 on the exhibit hall floor and drop off a business card for a chance to win free passes to the following attractions:

Adler Planetarium 

Chicago Trolley - Double Decker Tour 

Field Museum 

John Hancock Observatory

Shedd Aquarium 

Note:  ROC Exhibitions employees, NFPA employees, members of the NFPA Board of Directors, spouses and partners, exhibitors, and Standards Council members are not eligible to win.

History of the Chicago Fire Department

Chicago has had its share of tragic, large-scale fires (e.g. The Great Chicago Fire, The Iroquois Theater Fire, Our Lady of the Angels School Fire, The La Salle Hotel Fire). Fortunately for Chicago, it’s had a fire department since 1832. Of course, at the time, the department was a company called the “Washington Volunteers;” the first paid Chicago fire department was organized in 1858.

Technology improved from mandatory fire buckets in stores and hand-engines used by the fire department to horse-drawn engines. The Great Chicago Fire in 1871 demonstrated the inadequacy of the department at the time, leading to significant alterations and additions. Fire boats were incorporated, the fire pole was invented and installed, and the force expanded.

In 1923, after 65 years, the horse-drawn era was over. Chicago became the first major city in the nation to completely motorize its Fire Department. The city purchased 28 Model “A” Fords for their Battalion Chiefs. The roofs were left black while the bottoms were painted red, the now-familiar color scheme of fire engines.

The Chicago Fire Department is the largest fire department in the Midwest, and one of the largest and oldest major organized fire departments in the U.S.  For a phenomenally detailed account of the department, read the Chicago FD’s official history.

Museum of Science and Industry tops the list for our Chicago native instructors

See what a couple of NFPA's Instructors have to say about their hometown Chicago.  What's the must see on their list?  

Jerry Schultz, PE shares his personal experience at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). "Having grown up in Chicago, I have been spoiled by all the city has to offer.  The architecture is unbelievable and the entire downtown area is fantastic but one place that has always fascinated me is the Museum of Science and Industry.  As a boy, I remember spending time at the museum just running from display to display to push the next button to see what happens.  As an adult, I have actually slowed down and read the displays yet I still hurry to push the next button only to wonder why these kids are moving so fast and beating me to the button.  The U-505 (German U-Boat captured during WWII) has been relocated inside and to watch the film on how it was captured and then tour the sub itself is an experience that all should have.  I may not be able to beat the kids to the buttons anymore but I still love the museum as a place to spend a day."

Like Jerry, Dean Larson, PhD is a big fan of the U-505, noting it was significant for two reasons: capture of the code machine which allowed the Allies to read the German submarine encrypted radio messages and it was the first time U.S. forces captured an enemy man-of-war since the War of 1812.  In his opinion, this is an "EXCELLENT exhibit".

If you make time to visit MOSI, be sure to tour the German submarine, enjoy the history and press lots of buttons!

Join Schultz for his 3-day pre-conference seminar on NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2013) – June 8-10.  

Join Larson for his 2-day pre-conference seminar on NFPA 1600 Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs – June 8-9.

For discount passes to this and other top tourist attractions around Chicago, visit our discounts page.

Did you know there is a Firefighters’ Memorial Park near McCormick Place?

Did you know there is a small yet beautiful park dedicated to honor the memory of Chicago’s fallen firefighters and paramedics?  It is called the Chicago Firefighter/Paramedic Memorial Park.  Located on the southeast side of McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center and adjacent to the Lakefront Trail, this landscaped 3.5 acre park faces Lake Michigan and can be seen in the distance from inside the convention center.  

The city funded the tree planting and landscaping, but the Gold Badge Society – which helps survivors of fallen firefighters and paramedics – provided the hand laid stones inscribed with 573 names of firefighters and paramedics who have lost their lives in the line of duty from 1857 until 2002.  There is also a bronze sculpture of a pair of boots and helmet by Sculptor and Firefighter/Paramedic John Alaniz.  The park was dedicated on September 11, 2002.

If you have some free time while at the NFPA Conference & Expo this June, stop by and check it out! 

Amazon top-rated books about Chicago

Are you interested in learning about Chicago, the host city to the 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo?  Or maybe you're just looking for a good book to read.   In the coming weeks, I'll be highlighting some of the customer top-rated (four and five star) books about Chicago from Amazon.com.  Have a favorite book about Chicago that you'd like to share? Tell us about it in the Comments section. Enjoy!

City of Scoundrels: The 12 Days of Disaster That Gave Birth to Modern Chicago

The masterfully told story of 12 volatile days in the life of Chicago, when an aviation disaster, a race riot, a crippling transit strike, and a sensational child murder roiled a city already on the brink of collapse. 

When 1919 began, the city of Chicago seemed on the verge of transformation. Modernizers had an audacious, expensive plan to turn the city from a brawling, unglamorous place into "the Metropolis of the World." But just as the dream seemed within reach, pandemonium broke loose--the city's highest ambitions suddenly under attack by the same unbridled energies that had given birth to them in the first place. 

It began on a balmy Monday afternoon when a blimp in flames crashed through the roof of a busy downtown bank, incinerating those inside. Within days, a racial incident at a hot, crowded South Side beach spiraled into one of the worst urban riots in American history, followed by a transit strike that paralyzed the city. Then, when it seemed as if things could get no worse, police searching for a six-year-old girl discovered her body in a dark, North Side basement. 

Meticulously researched yet expertly paced, City of Scoundrels captures the tumultuous birth of the modern American city, with all of its light and dark aspects in vivid relief.  By Gary Krist.

Amazon top-rated books about Chicago

Are you interested in learning about Chicago, the host city to the 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo?  Or maybe you're just looking for a good book to read.   In the coming weeks, I'll be highlighting some of the customer top-rated (four and five star) books about Chicago from Amazon.com.  Have a favorite book about Chicago that you'd like to share? Tell us about it in the Comments section. Enjoy!

Frommer's Chicago (Frommer's Color Complete)

Insider advice on Chicago's burgeoning dining scene, which includes rising stars like Grant Achatz, as well as the best spots to sunbathe by the lake, take in famous artworks, such as Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, and where to find the best live blues.

Where to find the best deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and neighborhood pubs. 

Insightful commentary on Chicago's historic past and dynamic future, as well as a discussion of its status as an architectural center home to buildings designed by iconic figures such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan.