The fifth new Spartan/Crimson 103′ rear mount aerial in Chicago will be assigned to Truck 59. That makes Truck Companies 9, 31, 51, 56, & 59 the recipients of the five aerials that have been delivered to date. Each of these companies currently runs with a 1996 Seagrave except Truck 51, which has a 1995 Seagrave, the oldest ladder in front line service in Chicago. After these new rigs go into service, there will be two remaining 1996 Seagrave trucks that are assigned to Trucks 61 and 62.
As a side note, there are three 1996 HME 1871/Simon-LTI 100′ tower ladders currently assigned to Tower 21, Tower 37, and Tower 39. Due to an accident with their 2002 Pierce Dash Tower Ladder, Tower 34 is running again with their 1988 E-ONE Hurricane 95′ tower ladder.
Chicago Truck 59 and Truck 31 at the Quinn Fire Academy yesterday. All three shifts of the five companies receiving the new Spartan/Crimson aerials are rotating through the academy to receive training on the new apparatus before getting the rigs. Steve Redick photo
The rear of Truck 31 shows that all ground ladder storage is within the center of the truck. A first for Chicago is full compartmentation on both sides of the rigs. Steve Redick photo
#1 by Brian on February 11, 2012 - 10:10 PM
This rig is/was an Van Eck in Elgin as well for some work of some sort.
#2 by Jacob on February 11, 2012 - 5:21 PM
e 297 is the shop number. the cfd just hasn’t assigned it to a certain company yet. every cfd rig has a shop number so there can keep track of them. the number is usually under the drive side window when it gets put into front-line service.
#3 by Mike D on February 11, 2012 - 5:02 PM
Steve, the number E297 means that the Pierce you saw is now a spare rig for the CFD.
#4 by Bill Friedrich on February 11, 2012 - 2:29 PM
The rig you saw was X-Truck 42’s 2002 Pierce Dash. This is now a spare truck in the fleet. It was at Global in Aurora for work of some type.
#5 by steve on February 11, 2012 - 12:30 PM
hello, guys i saw a Pierce Chicago Fire Truck in aurora this week with a E-297 on the door. What does that number mean? i thought CFD used just numbers on there rigs? Thanks!! This site rocks!!!
#6 by Dennis McGuire Jr on May 22, 2011 - 8:29 AM
On the way to the firehouse yesterday I noticed Truck Co. 59 had their new truck.
I only assume that Truck Co. 56 may have gotten their’s also.
#7 by Bill Post on May 13, 2011 - 5:18 PM
Thanks for the information Dennis. I was thinking about going to Engine 89’s house to see if they had gotten the new truck assigned yet. I’m wondering if any modifications were needed to be done to the doorways to Truck 56 and Truck 59’s quarters in order to be able to accommodate the new Trucks?
#8 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on May 13, 2011 - 9:24 AM
I was at the Fire Academy last night, and both Truck Co. 56 (E-339) and Truck Co. 59 (E-340) were there. Should be going in service very soon.
#9 by Adam on January 22, 2011 - 8:46 PM
I should of been more clear. At engine 76’s house currently, Truck 35 is running an old 1982 Seagrave. The 2002 Pierce is out of service. Just curious to hear why it is out of service. I cant believe they are still running the 1982 Seagraves still. Ha.
#10 by Steve D. on January 22, 2011 - 3:32 PM
Truck 35 has been in service with Engine 76 on North Pulaski. They have a 2002 Pierce and did have a 1982 Seagrave prior to being assigned the Pierce.
#11 by Adam on January 21, 2011 - 1:35 PM
Just curious but I noticed that Truck 35 has been out for a long time and has had a 1982 Seagrave ladder truck replacing it. Any news on whats happening with that truck?