This from Steve Redick:
I returned from Arkansas with a lot of my dad’s collection. One of the things he had displayed on his wall was a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a 5-11 he and I were at in 1974. This was a cold storage warehouse and I recall it burned for days. I also remember at some point the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure causing the transmission of another extra alarm. We took it in well after the initial alarm and toured the fireground getting these shots of some classic rigs in action. The image with Big John in the background is probably one of the few images you will see with both guns working. Most times they couldn’t muster up the water supply to use both. Also note the 2000-GPM LaFrances often used both ports on the hydrant. They had an order that no other pumper was to share a hydrant with a 2,000-gallon rig, thus giving them the ability to use both steamer ports.These photos were in horrendous condition … colors way off and faded. I was surprised at how much of the damaged images I was able to restore. They are far from perfect but at least they are now useable. I bet if I made them B&W they would be near perfect. Enjoy the history.
Steve
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
Warren Redick photo
#1 by David on February 15, 2015 - 5:36 AM
Michael, all the ALFs on the pics (Eng. 42, 98 and 103) are 1972 models with 2000 GPM pumps and 500 gallon booster tanks. Two of the other rigs shown in the photos – Eng. 49 and 106 are also 2000 GPM pieces, both 1970 Ward LaFrance engines. The 2000 GPM rigs were part of the “Water Task Force” which was created to supply the big deluge units the CFD operated back then – the Big John (shown in the First pic), Big Mo, the Jeeps and later in 1975 the Mack MB. Part of the Water Task Force not shown on these pics was also the 1975 Ford C/Able hose wagon (6-1-1).
#2 by Michael M on February 14, 2015 - 10:31 PM
How old are the American LaFrance engines in the photos? Which engine are the 2000gpm engine? Very nice pictures. My condolences on the loss of your father.
#3 by mike mc on February 13, 2015 - 1:12 PM
Great photos, thanks for posting.
Gotta love the aurora borealis lights. Very expensive, broke down a lot, and on a sunny day it was hard to tell it was on, but they sure looked cool!
Younger people may notice that the green lights were only fixed in the grill. The idea of a rotating green light on the roof did not come about until 10 or 15 years later. The CFD only had red or red & white lights on the cab roof.
The photos could have been used by the FDNY to justify their old super pumper system. Chicago was probably tying up all 13 of it’s 2000 gpm engines on a surround and drown. This was exactly what New York had in mind when they developed the super pumper system.
Thanks again Steve, and once more, my condolences on the passings in your family. I only met your father once but everyone knew him by his outstanding reputation. He was always referred to with the highest respect and admiration.
#4 by FARTIN' FRED on February 13, 2015 - 10:57 AM
Gotta love a trip down memory lane!
#5 by Dan on February 12, 2015 - 10:30 PM
Great photos. I could look at stuff like this all day.
#6 by Chuck on February 12, 2015 - 10:06 PM
Nice shots of the Water Task Force rigs working.Great work on your dad’s part.
#7 by Andy on February 12, 2015 - 7:41 PM
Super nice. Thanks for sharing. Nice to see E5’s old Seagrave (104) and T5. These bring back memories of being at the firehouse with my dad.
#8 by Crabby Milton on February 12, 2015 - 5:28 PM
Yeah Johnny and Roy are just out of camera shot. I love that show.
Some people may not know but Mike Stoker was a real life firefighter with LA County and eventually retired as a captain. He acted in his spare time and they needed someone able to drive the apparatus. Marco Lopez was not a firefighter but for some reason, they used his real name. Marco is in real life a great cook and he would cook meals for the cast and crew using the set kitchen.
#9 by Tom on February 12, 2015 - 4:41 PM
The only thing missing from the Engine 49 picture, is Captain Stanley, Mike Stoker, Chet and Marco. KMG 365.
#10 by JSvens on February 12, 2015 - 2:56 PM
Great photos! One photo clearly shows Engine 103 on a hydrant at the northeast corner of 16th & Michigan. The other photo of Engine 103 with all the chief buggies in the background must be from a different fire scene. Any ideas where?
#11 by m summa on February 12, 2015 - 12:12 PM
I might be bias, but I still like those ALF’s. It just has a classic look.
#12 by Crabby Milton on February 12, 2015 - 8:48 AM
Nice looking rigs there. Thanks for posting.
#13 by Marty Coyne on February 12, 2015 - 8:33 AM
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
#14 by David on February 12, 2015 - 8:17 AM
98 back when they had the 2000 GPM ALF, I’m always amazed how many different types they had back then, all the WLFs, ALFs, Macks, IHCs, Seagraves…
#15 by Rich on February 12, 2015 - 8:07 AM
Seeing big moe is awesome