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Empress Casino Fire

Fox Valley Fire & Safety on site Fox Valley Fire & Safety on site	Fighting the fire Fighting the fire	Billowing black smoke Billowing black smoke	Ground level view pavilion damage Ground level view pavilion damage
Firefighters respond to alarm Firefighters respond to alarm	Ariel view of damage Ariel view of damage	Ariel view of pavilion Ariel view of pavilion	Ariel view of Empress facilities Ariel view of Empress facilities

The devastating fire that completely demolished the entire former Empress Casino Pavilion on March 20, 2009 is an important reminder of the importance of properly functioning life safety systems.

Prior to this fire, the Empress Casino was under going extensive remodeling in the pavilion. Fox Valley Fire & Safety was contracted by the Empress Casino to provide a new fire alarm system in the Pavilion. While new installation work was being done, it was brought to our attention that some horn circuits on the existing active fire alarm system in the pavilion had been accidentally disabled due to construction by other trades. In the event of a fire, these disabled circuits would not activate or provide proper notification. Fox Valley Fire & Safety Technicians were dispatched to troubleshoot the non-functioning horn circuits and get them back online with the existing fire alarm system. Through diligent troubleshooting to locate the problem areas, our technicians were able to successfully bring horn circuits for the first and second floor offices of the pavilion back online.

The following day a devastating fire broke out when many employees and contractors were working throughout the facility. The fire alarm system activated and provided proper notification allowing everyone to evacuate without injury. Although the pavilion was completely destroyed by the fire, tragedy was averted through a properly functioning fire alarm system allowing all to exit safely.

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Fox Valley Fire & Safety participated in the Elgin Community Summer Event – Adirondacks – Thrones of Summer 2011. This is a public outdoor art exhibition of creative and unique works of art using oversized Adirondack Chairs as a canvas. There were 55 unique works of art on display over the summer in our community. All of the Thrones were displayed at the Art & Soul festival on July 30th and auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting Elgin Neighborhood projects. Our committee had a fun time decorating our entry titled “The Hot Seat”, and happy it has a new home while benefiting our city.