Archive for June 25th, 2012

The color of fire trucks (part 10) Division 10 (update)

This week’s posting of the Division 10 apparatus showing departments that once had a unique colored rig or that have changed to red was flawed. The Clarendon Hills Fire Department should not have been featured since their current color is not red, but with that in mind, Bill Friedrich has submitted an image from a day when Clarendon Hills did have red trucks.

Bill tells us that:

Clarendon Hills started of with a black over red fleet. Besides this one, they had a really neat FWD engine  and a Ford C squad truck. They also had a white tandem axle Ford F ambulance.
Clarendon Hills Fire Department red fire truck

In 1963, Clarendon Hills ran with this 1963 IHC R-190/Darley unit that was black over red. It had a 750-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water with an overhead ladder rack. Bill Friedrich photo

Bill also tells us about the Hinsdale Fire Department:

Hinsdale had an all red fleet as well prior to the black and yellow rigs. Besides this ladder they had a Pirsch and FWD engine.
Hinsdale Fire Department 1952 American LaFrance 700 Series

Hinsdale used to have red trucks like this 1952 American LaFrance 700 Series mid-mounted 75′ ladder truck. It ran as Truck442 with a 1000-GPM pump and 150 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

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Fire service loses a good friend, Don Feipel

 

Don FeipelIt is with great sadness that we mention the loss of a friend. Don Feipel was a fire commissioner for the Mokena Fire Protection District and a lifelong fire service enthusiast. Don’s apparatus photos can be found throughout the internet, having been a frequent contributor to many sites that feature fire truck photos. During his retirement he could often be found visiting area fire departments with other photographers, documenting new and old apparatus alike.

Don passed away on Thursday, nine days shy of his 65th birthday. Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 on Tuesday, June 26th, 2012 from 3:00 to 9:00 PM. Funeral service, Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mesothelioma research would be appreciated.

 

Chicago area fire apparatus photographers

Don and friends pose for a group shot during a day of fire apparatus photography in the Chicago suburbs.

A memory book for leaving messages to Don’s family can be accessed HERE.

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