Brian Hoogervorst of the Tinley Park Fire Department operates the controls of a drone (inset) at the MABAS Division 24 open house on Aug. 10. Drones are a recent addition to the technology used by the south suburban public safety consortium. Other equipment and the various specialties of MABAS 24 members were on display at the event, held at the MABAS 24 headquarters, 17555 Ashland Ave. in Homewood. (Eric Crump photos/H-F Chronicle)
Feature, Local News

‘Got Your Back’: MABAS Division 24 open house puts technology and expertise on display

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Mike Gilgenberg and Brian Hoogervorst were doing some flying without leaving the ground on Aug. 10.
The two drone pilots were doing demonstrations as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 24 open house at its headquarters, 17555 Ashland Ave. in Homewood.

MABAS 24 President Kevin Welsh explains the organization's purpose for holding an open house on Aug. 10. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
MABAS 24 President Kevin Welsh explains the organization’s purpose for holding
an open house on Aug. 10. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)

Mutual aid still involves fire departments routinely providing support to…

Eric Crump started his first newspaper with his best friend when he was 9. It was four pages and folded after one issue. Possibly as many as two or three people read it. In 2014, about 46 years later, he started another paper, the H-F Chronicle, which is still going and has a few more readers.

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