The Homewood Acres FD station at 3860 W. 183rd Street in Homewood. Bill Friedrich photo
Bill Friedrich submitted images of the Homewood Acres VFD in MABAS Division 24. This is a volunteer department with two used 1972 engines on Ford chassis. One engine is on it’s fourth life with Homewood Acres.
#1 by Jim Johnson on July 28, 2013 - 11:47 AM
Hello I have pictures of the GMC tanker when retired and a shot of the older IH loadstar engine don’t know the year what did they have before that?
#2 by Lynn Burkle on July 27, 2013 - 7:59 PM
Continuation: built that we used in local parades. We kids would sit in the back. I have some 8mm movies that my uncle took in the early fifties of one of the Sunday meetings when the members would start the trucks and drive them, this was a Sunday morning ritual. Needless to say I have many fond memories of the Homewood Acres VFD from my childhood. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me
#3 by Lynn Burkle on July 27, 2013 - 7:53 PM
I grew up in the early 50’s living about 100 yds east of this Fire Dept. My Dad Carl was one of the founders in the late 40’s. My Uncle, Bill Scherer was also a member. I knew the Elashik family and many other volunteers that made up the membership. The Fire dept was a focal point in the local area. They had outdoor dances which were held on a concrete pad on the west side of the building. One a year they had a carnival to raise funds, They built a baseball diamond on the east side and we had many great summer hours playing ball there. I will always remember a Crosley Miniature Fire Truck that John Elashik
#4 by Terry Boone on December 19, 2012 - 8:11 AM
To John Elashik Jr. I was a volunteer on this fire department back in the late 60’s early 70’s. I know your father John and uncle Terry. I still remember a house fire that we fought back in the early 70’s. They both were directing traffic and leading the way. The first and only time I was ever in a burning building. Tell your father and uncle that Terry Boone says hello.
#5 by John Elashik JR on March 19, 2012 - 2:01 PM
Mike this is the Fire Department where grandpa was the Chief. Along with him, my Dad and Uncle Terry started their careers there before Country Club Hills had a fire Department. Grandpa built one of the fire engines that they had and Dad and Uncle Terry have some neat pics and stories of what the area and Fire Department was like before everything grew up around it.
#6 by michael quirk on March 19, 2012 - 8:04 AM
Does anyone know a john elashik he was my grandpa and ive heard stories that he once was chief of this firehouse a long time ago id love to hear mkre about this thanks.
#7 by Dirk on February 14, 2012 - 9:40 PM
My dad was on the department in the 50’s and I was on it breifly in the 80’s. It’s great that it survived so many years.
#8 by Keith on August 27, 2011 - 10:00 PM
Today I spotted a familiar piece of apparatus outside their station, the 1986 Mack CF / Ward 79 formerly assigned to Burbank Engine Co. 208. This “new” rig, which I was told by members, was purchased recently and replaced their 1972 Ford C-900 / Darley formerly of Country Club Hills. I was also informed that this department once covered an area from roughly Route 45 to the Indiana state line in its heyday, seeing plenty of fire activity in the 50’s and 60’s.
#9 by Chief Boomsma on July 23, 2011 - 12:19 PM
This Department has been around since the 30’s. It went dormant about 2003 and was in disrepair due to lack of management. We are making a comeback with a new board of directors and Fire Fighter staff consisting of 14 men, 6 of which will be attending FF II training starting next month.
#10 by Bill Friedrich on July 22, 2011 - 2:51 PM
Sorry I cannot answer your question.
#11 by Jacob on July 20, 2011 - 5:56 PM
what area do they cover? why don’t hazel crest or country club hills cover their area, it can’t be that big if they only go on 20 to 25 calls a year.
#12 by Wayne on July 19, 2011 - 8:53 PM
Thanks!
#13 by Bill Friedrich on July 19, 2011 - 3:21 PM
This department for the most part went out of business in 2010 due to a lack of manpower. The department for the most part just got back in business about 4-6 months ago. They probably run 20 – 25 calls a year if that. They currently are working on getting another rig to replace the Ford Darley. More on that when confirmed. The fire chief is a very enthusiastic guy and has good plans for the future.
#14 by Wayne on July 17, 2011 - 6:51 PM
Any more details on this department? Still area, response numbers, the more the better. I’ve driven by this firehouse quite a few times and I’m very curious. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds. I appreciate it.