This from Drew Gresik:
Hey guys,I noticed you don’t have a photo of Ambulance 86 on the page for Engine 99. I got a nice shot you guys can use to fill that void.Interesting thing to note, Engine 99’s quarters don’t have enough room for a newer F-Series ambulance, so, they have been running a late 90’s Ford E-350/McCoy Miller. For the last few years, they were using C995. It had all LED lights and a temporary number plate on the sides of the box. Within the last couple of weeks, they have received another late 90’s Ford E-350/McCoy Miller with shop number C955. This rig has all strobe lights and has “86” marked on the sides. Pretty cool to see an old rig still up front and quite busy too.Thanks,Drew Gresik
#1 by NJ on August 13, 2013 - 8:39 AM
Matthew: As far as I know the city has only bid out for 25 Type I F-350 Power Stroke diesels. They are getting all new chassis but remounting old boxes. Currently ambo’s 30 and 10 are running the new rigs. I know of no bid request for any Type III’s.
I guess in theory they could get a new E350 chassis and put one of the McCoy/MIller boxes on it, but I have not heard anything about that.
#2 by Matthew G on August 1, 2013 - 1:38 PM
@NJ: he likely meant a bid for Type 1 ambulances or for Type 3 ambulances, which for Ford produces their E-series only with the V10 gas engines. Chevy is the only ones who produce Type 3 chassis with diesel engines.
#3 by NJ on August 1, 2013 - 1:05 PM
Where did see that the city is getting gas ambos? The new ones are PowerStroke diesels F-350s.
#4 by chris on July 29, 2013 - 6:02 PM
the city’s latest bid for ambos was for type 1or 3 with gas engines so maybe they will get some new e 350’s
#5 by Drew G. on July 28, 2013 - 9:44 PM
Jason, I know 86 isn’t considered a busy company, I was trying to point out that such an old rig is still regularly used compared to other old CFD rigs (like the reserve snorkel) that only go out a few times a year. I should have clarified that.
#6 by Bill Post on July 28, 2013 - 9:21 PM
I have a surprise for you guys. The Chicago Fire Department did propose in 2009 to build an extension to Engine 99’s house and Engine 71’s house which obviously would have meant more room for a state of the art ambulance in Engine 99’s station and it would have also meant room for an ambulance at Engine 71’s house which doesn’t have any space at all for one.
Those proposals were probably not acted on for financial reasons as I haven’t heard anything about those proposals since then.
#7 by Josh on July 28, 2013 - 5:10 PM
It still wont fit, if you’ve ever been in 99, its bumber to bumper
#8 by Kevin Griffin on July 28, 2013 - 4:08 PM
Can’t they put a bid for a new E-350
#9 by Chip Evans on July 28, 2013 - 1:47 PM
Love the website with all the updates thanks for all you guys do. A while ago you had a story on one of Chicago fire co’s that was disbanded…could you run that again or direct me to where I may find it …I need some info from it to share with my fire dept. co workers Thanks again.
#10 by Jason Zuklic on July 28, 2013 - 12:48 PM
What do you consider busy? Because 86 surely is not.