WGN: Bally's Casino demo site serves as training ground for Chicago Fire Department

CHICAGO — One day relatively soon, the old Chicago Tribune printing plant known as the Freedom Center will be home to the new Bally’s Hotel and Casino.

But before then it is the perfect testing ground for the Chicago Fire Department.

Under the command of 1st District Chief Jim McDonough, the men and women of CFD drill in scenarios that routinely occur.  When help is needed, having a practiced response can be the difference between success and failure, life and death.

McDonough is the department’s go to pro for the latest in training.

Firefighters train on everything from trying to find someone in a dark, smoke-filled room to rescuing a troubled window washer, elevator and machinery rescues and more.

The casino interior demo and overall construction is now the responsibility of Bally’s Chicago Community Builders Collective, a joint venture of nine separate companies. One of the contractors involved told WGN News they are happy to help and recognize the important of the simulated drills.

After reaching out to Bally’s and it’s collective of contractors in charge of the demo and the build, the opportunity to use the 6-story site for training was granted.

WGN was given exclusive access to come along on a recent training. McDonough is hoping to get back in the building again in a few months for more training