This from Steve Redick:
I took a few shots of squad 7 and engine 9 conducting training on the new squad apparatus. It is very unusual to see engine 9 off the field, not to mention seeing them hooked up to a city hydrant. This took place at a vacant school about 40th & Federal. All the images and a short video can be seen here:Steve
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Pingback: Chicago orders new squads (more) | chicagoareafire.com
#1 by Bill Post on November 23, 2016 - 10:11 AM
Michael M, you are right the HME/Saulsbury box rig is a 1996 model.
Here is another bit of history. When the HME/Saulsbury was purchased, it was used as a stand-alone squad under Fire Commissioner Ray Orozco senior. For four years Squad 1 ran as conventional heavy rescue squad.
Fire Commissioner Edward Altman who took office during November of 1996 was formerly on Snorkel Squad 1. He had the CFD order the current 2-piece HME/Central States Snorkel squads. In June of 2000, Squad 1 once again became a Snorkel squad.
So whether Chicago runs with conventional squads or Snorkel squads depends largely on who the fire commissioner is.
I wonder if Ray Orozco senior had remained the fire commissioner, would Squads 2 and 5 also have lost their Snorkels when the Spartan/E-One Snorkels needed replacement?
Technically speaking the Chicago Fire Department has been running with Snorkel squads since October of 1962 when SS1 was put in service. There were three additional years though without a 2-piece Snorkel squad when SS1 was taken out of service on October 3, 1980. It was replaced by a conventional squad company. The current Snorkel squads weren’t put in service until September 19, 1983.
#2 by Rich S. on November 23, 2016 - 7:15 AM
All three 1999 HME box rigs have been rebuilt by fleet once already. All the connecting welds that hold the box to the frame have broken. This is the second time squad 1 has broken. There are 13 cross braces that hold the box to the frame only 1 is still connected. I believe the rig will be scraped .
#3 by Michael M on November 23, 2016 - 12:30 AM
It is a good thing the new squads are here if that is the case with Squad 1’s box. My guess is the weld must have been coming apart, which would not surprise me for a 16 year old rig. Isn’t this box a 1996?
#4 by Marty Coyne on November 23, 2016 - 12:03 AM
I believe Squad 1’s box has been condemned and will be scrapped or sold.
#5 by Aidan Hughes on November 22, 2016 - 6:27 PM
Will they repair that cracked frame in the box and turn it into a spare
#6 by Brian on November 22, 2016 - 4:58 PM
Probably not unless whatever is wrong with it is a simple fix, the new squads are here.
Believe I heard it was something with the weld of the box to the frame.
#7 by Aidan Hughes on November 22, 2016 - 3:41 PM
Are they going to repair the other HME rig and what happened to it
#8 by MABAS 21 on November 22, 2016 - 1:23 PM
It’s ironic that Squad 1 is back in their original HME/Salisbury rig.