This from Christopher Suerth:
Here is a photo of the new 2012 freightliner for 278 sitting @ ohare in the fleet shop
New Command Van 2-7-8- for O’Hare Airport. Christopher Suerth photo
Anyone have information about who built it?
New Command Van for O’Hare Airport
#1 by 9 man squad on October 5, 2016 - 9:06 PM
It was sold at auction about 1 month ago
https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2016/09/former-cfd-comm-van-2-7-8-for-sale/
#2 by DaveyB on October 5, 2016 - 7:23 PM
Tim Wolfe, don’t know what happened in the intervening 4 years, but it’s currently sitting in a used ambulance and apparatus lot on Pulaski Rd. in Robbins.
#3 by Josh Boyajian on February 14, 2013 - 9:21 AM
Has anyone found out what company manufactured this rig?
#4 by Bill Post on December 25, 2012 - 12:25 PM
That’s correct Danny. Squad 7 was part of the Foam Task Force which was called to respond with one of the airport crash wagons (ARFF) units and one of O’Hare Field’s engine companies (usually Engine 10). They go to fires and some hazardous materials incidents where large quantities of foam might be needed. They were often called as part of the Foam Task Force to gas station fires and incidents involving tankers and volatile materials and chemicals.
There was also a similar incident during the 90s roughly around 4400 on Fullerton, as well as a major fire involving a tanker on the Dan Ryan at 43rd street near the bridge.
There was also an electrical vault and transformer fire on Wacker Drive (where it is an east/west street) in one of the buildings on the north end of the loop where Squad 7 was special called.
Even though usually a crash wagon (65 series company number) is dispatched from O’Hare Field, the CFD would sometimes have a reserve crash wagon stationed at Engine 34’s house, which would be special called with the engine and during the 90s for a relatively short period of time. There was a reserve crash wagon at Engine 106 and with Engine 80. The reserve crash wagons were usually 6510, 6511, and 6512. As there are seven in-service large crash wagons at O’Hare Field, they will normally dispatch one of those rigs since that wouldn’t severely compromise the airport’s protection. Rescue Stations 1 and 2, which are both off of the runways, have three in-service crash wagons a piece.
During the 90s, there were reserve crash wagons at Engine 80, 106, and 34, which made a lot of sense as they were all located near expressways. Additionally, each house also had the space (at the time) for those rigs. The stations that were near Midway Airport of course would often have reserve crash wagons or chemical units because of their proximity to the airport.
#5 by DMc77 on December 25, 2012 - 11:51 AM
Squad 7 went to Austin/Gunnison as part of the foam task force response from ORD that included E10 and a crash truck
#6 by danny on December 25, 2012 - 9:54 AM
if im not mistaken squad 7 used to respond as far east as austin in the city if need be into 108 and part of 94s still district. cause i member squad 7 being at the tanker roll over at austin and gunnison
#7 by Bob C. on December 24, 2012 - 8:23 PM
In order for the city to create a new Squad Company, per the Union contract they would have to take a FS&R company out of service to stand up a new one.
#8 by Bill Post on December 24, 2012 - 6:55 PM
Josh I have the same information that you do. The city releases a quarterly buying plan from the department of procurement services. Until the quarterly buying plan that was released in September 2011 which was labeled as the 3rd quarter 2011 through the fourth quarter of 2012 , had listed as a separate line item A O”Hare Field Rescue Squad for over $250,000. Underneath it as a separate line item was a Rapid Intervention Vehicle for O”Hare Field.
It’s obvious that the Rapid intervention Vehicle was meant to replace the mini foam pumper that serves as the second piece to Squad 7.
In the quarterly buying plans have been released beginning in January 2012 and since then in both April and in August it doesn’t have the O”Hare Field Rescue Squad or the Rapid Intervention vehicle listed separately or in fact listed at all.
The only item that is listed specifically for airport fire apparatus are “8 x 8 Airport Rescue fire fighting vehicles”. The value was listed as from $10,000,001 to $20,000,00 dollars.
There is a listing for Fire Tower Ladders however. The latest published listing is for the 3rd quarter 2012 to the 4th quarter 2013 department of procurement list.
It could very well be that one of the four new Snorkel/Squads could go to O’Hare Field. There is also a possibility that a new Rescue Squad for O’Hare was ordered separately but until something is published we will have to wait for more detailed information.
Squad 7 at O”Hare Field does go off the Field and respond on the far northwest side (at least as far east as Harlem avenue). Squad 7 also does respond on MABAS (mutual aide) boxes to some suburbs near O”Hare field. Squad 2 also responds on some Mutual Aide (MABAS) boxes as well in some of the near north suburbs as I understand Squad 5 is due on some south suburban MABAS boxes.
Squad 7 in effect goes on working fires in Engine 11’s and the Western half of Engine 86 and Engine 119’s district’s.
Considering that Squad 7 is at O”Hare Field it did and does make sense for Squad 7’s second piece to be a mini foam pumper , which is also used for car fires in the multi level parking lot. The CFD would still make better and more use of a 4th Snorkel Squad on the far south side, but let’s see what happens.
#9 by DMc77 on December 23, 2012 - 8:10 PM
HOLD THE SQUAD! Sorry guys couldn’t help myself. Merry Christmas all!!
#10 by Martin on December 23, 2012 - 8:07 PM
Ahaha funny Josh, I still hate freightliner for the crap they sold me
#11 by Josh B on December 23, 2012 - 6:16 PM
When talking about the squads, there is a place in the budget that I saw last year that had a slot for the new Fire squads, a new command mobile center, and a new airport rescue squad. If someone else has info that would be awesome
#12 by Bill Post on December 23, 2012 - 5:46 PM
The new 278 really stands out, however it will be interesting to see if the 4th new Snorkel/Squad (when it gets built) is painted yellow for the airport or if it’s painted red and black like the other 3 new Snorkel/Squads.
I personally would prefer to see the 4th Squad go in service as a new company in the city proper.
#13 by Tony on December 23, 2012 - 4:47 PM
Hey, the feds pay for all the Airport rigs i believe, why not go for getting all new stuff all the time, right??!?!
#14 by bob on December 23, 2012 - 4:16 PM
The other comms van wasn’t that old was it. remember code 3 doing a model of it.
#15 by Admin on December 23, 2012 - 4:20 PM
it was built in 1994
#16 by OMFPD1 on December 23, 2012 - 3:00 PM
Nice! Go Chicago!
#17 by Tim Wolfe on December 23, 2012 - 1:17 PM
Any word on what going to happen to the current 278?
#18 by Josh on December 23, 2012 - 1:14 PM
Very Cool! Looks like this has the new Fed Sig lightbar as well. Glad the city goes with Freightliner and not International.