Fire Museum of Greater Chicago President, Bill Kugelman, had been wishing for a new roof at the Museum for quite some time. The new roof arrived November 6, 2010 with thanks to Angel Feliciano, a Roofers Union Local 11 Member and employee of Roofs, Inc., and Chicagoland Roofing Council Members Rod Petrick of Ridgeworth Roofing Company, Inc., and Joe McDevitt, Roofs, Inc., with friends Firestone Building Products/Hamill-Mullin Group, and many others including the Chicagoland Roofing Council and Roofers Union Local 11.

The story starts several years ago. It was a dream to get Chicago a suitable Fire Museum'. The property at 5203 S. Western Avenue, and old Fire House, was donated to the musuem.  "The property was in quite the disarray", according to Kugelman. 

Several Chicago Firefighters worked on the building installing new glass block for security, a heating and air conditioning system, and ceilings on the first floor, plus new bathroom fixtures and a grand front garage door. 

After the initial renovations, antique firefighting and communications equipment arrived from several storage locations to start the Museum collections rolling.  But, no perishable documents, displays and other museum items could arrive until the building was watertight.

Testing of the roof assembly showed a very strong concrete deck.  "But, there were three roofs piled on top of the deck, and there was literally no insulation, and what insulation was there was soaked", stated CRC's Rod Petrick.  Petrick then organized a specification for the renovation.

"We installed R-20 isocyanurate insulation and a reflective modified bitumen roofing system meeting Chicago's Energy Code and Urban Heat Island Ordinance", added Petrick.  The Council had worked with the city to develop the code, and wanted the building to comply the new updated regulations.

At 5am, volunteers were moving materials from their warehouses for a 7am delivery, so the workers could get moving at 8am.  "The tear off took longer than anticipated, but with over 20 people and all the right equipment, we got the job done", stated Joe McDevitt, Roofs, Inc. 

"By 4pm, the Museum had a watertight, well insulated, and leak free roof system that will be able to hold history, tools, equipment and pictures recognizing those who put their lives at risk every day for us...the fire service", stated Petrick.

Local 11's Gary Menzel and Larry Gnat both commented that the team of workers and management performed admirably, and safe.  "Roofing is dangerous work too", said Gnat.

Everyday, professional roofing contractors and their workforce are working from 1 to 100 stories in the air on a roof, on the side of buildings installing air barriers, or even a few stories below grade on waterproofing projects. 

"We have safety, quality and productivity ingrained in our 'roofing culture' from day one at the Chicagoland Roofers Joint Apprenticeship Training Center, and thoroughout our career", stated Menzel.  "Firefighters have to deal with our roofs every day to create ventilation.  That's why we allow firefighters to train their own at the Chicagoland Roofers Joint Apprenticeship Training Center", states JATC's Apprenticeship & Continuing Education Coordinator, Marty Headtke. "It's a lifetime commitment to keep our skills current".

The Chicagoland Roofing Council and Local 11 Members partnered with manufacturers, distributors and manufacturers reps to donate a new roof to the Museum. Check out the Chicagoland Roofing Council Friends below who donated their materials, equipment, time, and talent to this new Fire Museum of Greater Chicago.  And, visit the Chicagoland Roofing Council Gives Back presentation to see what we did together!

Chicagoland Roofing Council Roofing Contractors

Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. - Labor

DCG Roofing Solutions - Dominc Dunlap, President - 1 Case Sealant, Labor

Ridgeworth Roofing Company, Inc. - Rod Petrick, President - Labor, Stakebed Truck, Rooftop Equipment, Project Management

Roofs, Inc. - Joe McDevitt, President - Labor, Crane, Rooftop Equipment, Sheet Metal, Project Management

Roofers Local 11 Personnel - Rich Mathis, Gary Menzel, Larry Gnat, Ruben Barbarosa

Adler Roofing Local 11 Member Volunteers

Willam Anthony, Marty Garrett, Art Lopez

DCG Roofing Solutions Local 11 Member Volunteers - Alphonso Cruz

Ridgeworth Roofing Co., Inc. Local 11 Member Volunteers - Manny Cabrera, Brian Dubin, Bob Pauch, Brian Petrick, Ryan Petrick, Rod Petrick, Rodrigo Quintana

Roofs, Inc. Local 11 Member Volunteers - Tony Bedalow, Angel Felicano, Ted Hehn, Gary Longhi, Francisco Mata, Gaston Morales, Randy Perterson, Saul Rivera,

Roofing Materials

Acorn Roofing Supply - Sheet Metal Downspout

Firestone Building Products - Roofing Membrane, Insulation, Adhesive

Hamill-Mullin Group, Inc. - Roofing Membrane, Insulation, Adhesive

GEMCO Roofing Wholesale, Inc. - Delivery Services

ThyCurb - George McGuire - Four Pipe Curbs

Propane

Liftworks - Robert Mulvey - Aerial Lift

Time

Bill & Linda McHugh, Chicagoland Roofing Council