This from Chi-Town Fire Photos:
Here are some updated shots of Chicago’s Hazmat Company 5-1-1. Quartered at Engine 16, HIT 5-1-1 also has 5-1-1A which is the support vehicle with extra equipment and 5-1-11, which is the mobile lab. 5-1-11 also has the robot for suspicious packages and what not.
Squad 5-1-1 – FDG534 – 2002 American LaFrance Eagle heavy rescueSquad 5-1-1A – FDG555 – 2006 International HackneyMobile Lab 5-1-11 – FDG569 – 2006 Ford F650 JC SupremeCoordinator 5-1-0 – FDB633 – 2018 Ford Explorer
Chi-Town Fire Photos
Chi-Town Fire Photos
Chi-Town Fire Photos
Chi-Town Fire Photos
#1 by rich s. on July 18, 2019 - 5:49 PM
Daniel, Engine 16 has a fairly large apparatus floor. 3 bays in front and back. The ford expeditions are fairly small so they fit side by side and E16 is in front of them as they run out the rear . The Haz Mat and the mobile lab take the middle bay and Ambulance 35 5-1-1A and the other OFI truck take the west bay. All the rigs fit well The parking lot for all the fireman’s cars on the other hand…. well that’s a different story.
#2 by Daniel on July 18, 2019 - 7:00 AM
How much space do they have at 16? I didn’t know it was that big to have HAZ Mat and E16, and all of OFI
#3 by rich s. on July 16, 2019 - 10:30 AM
So, don’t be surprised if you see something more along the lines of a “Chicago Squad style” set up for the new Haz Mat rigs. wink, wink! The current “Heavy Rescue” style of rigs is antiquated as far as the CFD is concerned and to large and heavy for our needs. And being that E-one has a 5 year contract with the city I would not for a second doubt that the new rigs will be E-One as they can be added on to the existing contract, i believe, and no bidding game would need to be played. Also being that the current condition of the rigs is so poor they are probably going to want new ones a.s.a.p.
#4 by Martin on July 15, 2019 - 11:55 PM
I’ve seen the new fusion police car on the streets. Looked to be a demo.
#5 by Mike on July 15, 2019 - 9:11 PM
The old squad 7 was completely rebuilt and is used as a spare for them now.
#6 by harry on July 15, 2019 - 8:14 PM
Austin as of about 2 years ago I saw it responding code 3 down Mannheim rd by the airport as of right now I don’t know if they still have it but with the refurb in I think 2016 spending a great deal of money I was told by the ohare guys that it was rebuilt from the ground up I think it is a reserve for the sqd and hazmat
#7 by Austin on July 15, 2019 - 6:58 PM
I’m just curious, whatever happened to the old Pierce Squad at O’Hare? If it is just sitting, can’t they use that as a temp rig? It was refurbished so it must be in decent shape. I’m sure they sold it, but if its around it could be a decent temp solution.
#8 by Bill Post on July 15, 2019 - 12:48 PM
Crabby Milton if things were normal I would say yes and of course anything is theoretically possible. However, if you consider that last year when the CFD has asked for bids on a large, multi-year contract for apparatus E-ONE was the only bidder.
I understand there were issues with Spartan’s engines and trucks. Since the 1990s, Spartan has supplied close to 95% of Chicago’s engine apparatus.
Between 2010 and 2014 the CFD took delivery of 15 Spartan/ERV rear mounted aerials which included one built for the Bureau of Training. Apparently there were some major issues with Spartan. Spartan didn’t bid on the tower ladders. The CFD purchased three Snorkels built on E/One bodies in the late 1980s. One of those rigs was totaled after being service for less than a year. The others were in front line service until 2000 when the HME/Central States Snorkel squads were purchased. The first custon built haz mat unit ordered in 1989 was a Spartan/Saulsbury and in 1988 the CFD had got a Spartan/Supervac heavy rescue for Squad 7 at O’Hare. All of that was 30 years ago and based on what is going on now I have serious doubts that Spartan would even bid on a haz mat unit. It is much too early now anyway.
#9 by CrabbyMilton on July 15, 2019 - 11:43 AM
Bill, is it possible that SPARTAN could re enter the picture?
They had a very long history with CFD.
#10 by Bill Post on July 15, 2019 - 10:54 AM
Thanks for the information Rich S. That is exactly was I was wondering about. Even though Chicago is able to order engines, trucks, and tower ladders due to the contract with E/One, it looks like they will have to order new haz mat rigs as well. It will be interesting to see if the new specs are similar to the ALF rigs. Most haz mat units tend to be similar to heavy rescue squads. As Chicago is using two-piece squads, we don’t have big rigs like most other cities, but the haz mat rigs are another story. Even though I am putting the cart before the horse, it is only a matter of time, hopefully less than a year, until specs need to be developed for new haz mat rigs. When that happens, given the recent history of Chicago apparatus bids, the most likely builder would be E/One even though Rosenbauer would have a fighting chance as well.
#11 by CrabbyMilton on July 15, 2019 - 6:32 AM
I’ve read that the last TAURUS was built in March but they probably built enough to fill the existing orders for fleets.
The FUSION is to disappear in 2020 but they’re too small anyway.
The fleet/police version of the DODGE CHARGER appears to be alive and well and no hint that is might be discontinued so that’s another option.
#12 by harry on July 14, 2019 - 10:57 PM
crabbymilton I believe the Taurus is available for 19 but not 2020 but ford is coming out with a fusion based sedan called the responder and I know nyc is buying several hundred but I know a lot like the explorer and Tahoe and lets not forget police pu but yes police and fire cars are not the thing it is suv or pu trucks
#13 by Crabbymilton on July 14, 2019 - 9:42 PM
FORD discontinued the TAURUS so I guess the EXPLORER is the best to fill the need. As nice as the EXPEDITION is, it might be too much for what is needed here.
Unfortunately sedans are something that FORD and GM doesn’t seem too interested in selling at this time at least in terms of lower cost/fleet units.
So we can expect more and more crossovers and SUV’s.
CHRYSLER minivans are a good option as well.
#14 by harry on July 14, 2019 - 6:52 PM
I for one think chiefs that tend to have explorers make more sense than expeditions
#15 by rich s. on July 14, 2019 - 3:04 PM
The two ALF rigs are in very bad shape and in dire need of replacement. From broken interiors to body, electrical and mechanical issues and no parts to be found to replace or repair. When the rigs go down parts must be fabricated to replace or repair in many cases. While 5-1-1 looks ok in these photos in real life not so much. They will be mediocre spares at best.
#16 by Michael m on July 14, 2019 - 8:45 AM
All the vehicles look nice! Anyone know how the two ALF’s are holding up?
#17 by Crabbymilton on July 13, 2019 - 8:18 AM
Nice pictures there.
I always liked the ALF EAGLE.
Too bad ALF had such lousy quality but that goes back many years.
Not a big fan of the FORD EXPLORER but that one really looks sharp.