This from Mike Summa:
Hello,These are pictures of Alsip’s 2 bumper-pumpers. They are mid 1970s Ford/Darley? Interesting in the pre-Seagrave era. Feel free to add to any information,Mike Summa
Vintage Alsip Fire Department fire engine. Mike Summa photo
Vintage Alsip Fire Department fire engine. Mike Summa photo
#1 by Dan Meale on December 24, 2016 - 11:38 AM
I thought there might be a pic on Bill’s site which has a link from this site and I found this pic from Algoquin-LITH
http://www.illinoisfiretrucks.com/CHICAGO-METROPOLITAN-AREA-FDs/MCHENRY-COUNTY/ALGONQUIN-FIRE-DEPARTMENT/i-bN6PFjW/A
#2 by Jim Johnson on December 23, 2016 - 2:02 PM
I remember them also and yes they had 2 Alf too and a Sutphen tower.
#3 by Doug Hoyt on December 23, 2016 - 12:00 PM
OK, have to correct myself. Rutland’s rig was a Ford L- series, not an International, and Algonquin’s tanker was 174, not 144 (and it was a 750 gpm). Found a few photos; I’ll see if I can get them uploaded.
#4 by Doug Hoyt on December 23, 2016 - 11:43 AM
The front-mount pumps were pretty popular for a long time, especially in the far-out suburban and rural areas. I remember a lot of them in northern Kane and southern McHenry Counties back in the ’70s. East Dundee had 2 International / Alexis units (an engine and a grass truck, later rebuilt as a squad), both from the early-mid 60’s, Rutland-Dundee had an International (Alexis?) from the early 60’s and an International/Darley 2000 gal. tanker from the mid-70’s that they called (and ran as) an engine in hydranted areas. Most of them had 500-750 gpm pumps, so they were able to put up a decent fire flow. They were also, from what I understand, really easy to work on as everything was exposed. Algonquin-Lake In the Hills had a few too, including one of the last ones around. Their old Engine 144 was a Pierce 3000 gal. tanker on an International chassis with a front-mount pump of at least 750 gpm. I think that one was from the very late 70’s, maybe even 1980. Anybody else remember? Now, if I can find some of those old pictures…
#5 by mike mc on December 20, 2016 - 12:51 PM
Thanks for the photos Mike. I remember 359 well. If memory serves, even though Alsip had ALF engines in the early to mid 1970’s, they tried to knock down the fires using the bumper pumper first. I remember seeing it parked right in front of the fire building. I guess they tried to use it in a similar manner to the CFD’s fog pressures. “Rapid water” long before there was such a term?
#6 by CrabbyMilton on December 20, 2016 - 11:31 AM
Looks great. I wonder if it’s still around.