From the New Lenox Fire District Facebook page:
New Lenox FPD photo
On the afternoon of December 15th, officials blessed a new fire engine that will be going into service for the New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD).
Fire Chief Adam Riegel, Deputy Chief Dan Turner, Chaplain Bill Ciston, and members of the NLFPD took part in the blessing of the new engine on Tuesday afternoon. It is part of a fire service tradition that dates to the days of horse-drawn engines. The new apparatus is blessed, then welcomed by pushing it into its new quarters at the fire station.
According to Chief Riegel, “The push-in ritual can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was a challenge to get horses to push equipment backwards. As a result, firefighters moved the equipment into storage areas by hand.”
The new fire engine is a 2020 Pierce Saber with a 1500 gallon-per-minute pump and a 750-gallon water tank. It is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipped engine, which gives it the same capabilities as an ambulance apart from transport. It is replacing a 2004 Pierce Dash, which will now be used a reserve engine.
“We are very thankful to our community,” said Deputy Chief Turner. “Thanks to our residents we were able to purchase the new engine which will provide more reliability to our fleet and less maintenance costs for the district.”
The primary mission of the New Lenox Fire and Ambulance Protection District is to provide a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property within New Lenox Village and Township from the effects for fires and sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature with professional, compassionate, and quality service.
#1 by MABAS 21 on December 18, 2020 - 10:32 AM
So can anyone tell me the difference between a 2017-2020 Enforcer and Saber? They look almost identical. Is it just different trim level options and the motor/drivetrain?
#2 by Michael m on December 17, 2020 - 7:15 PM
Nice looking engine!
#3 by Matt on December 17, 2020 - 1:25 PM
The Sutphen was at Station 1 as S61, used as a jump vehicle for highway responses by the tower compnay and as a reserve apparatus. The xLockport Twp engine may be the other spare and was E63
#4 by Erik H on December 17, 2020 - 12:47 PM
MABAS 21 thanks for that information about the frontline rigs. Do you know what they kept for reserves. There was the Sutphen, the Pierce they bought from Lockport and the two Pierces that were ex- engines 62 and 64.
#5 by MABAS 21 on December 17, 2020 - 10:17 AM
New Lenox frontline fleet:
Tower 61 2013 Smeal Sirius 100′ RM 2000/300
Engine 62 2017 Pierce Enforcer 1500/750 top
Engine 63 2019 Pierce Saber 1500/750 side
Engine 64 2020 Pierce Enforcer 1500/750 side
Tender 64 1986 Peterbuilt 1500/2500???
#6 by Kevin Griffin on December 17, 2020 - 9:40 AM
They have 2 new pierce enforcers the first one Engine 63 was purchased as a demo when they ordered this one because they were in need of an engine at the time
#7 by Mike on December 17, 2020 - 8:39 AM
Harry that was part of the referendum was to keep all 4 firehouses open and to replace some aging equipment.
#8 by crabbymilton on December 17, 2020 - 7:45 AM
I understand. I was strictly going on aesthetics. Hopefully they fixed the issue with the TAK4. I guess it can cut both ways. PIERCE offers several chassis models while SEAGRAVE and SUTPHEN prefer to concentrate on one.
#9 by Martin on December 17, 2020 - 7:34 AM
Harry, you should read this.. https://patch.com/illinois/newlenox/new-lenox-fire-district-tax-hike-election-results
#10 by Mike C on December 17, 2020 - 7:24 AM
Looks like a pretty short wheelbase despite the extension onto the cab for the cabinet. The Mars 888 is a nice touch!
Crabby – I’m sure you know my opinion about Pierce but the Velocity engine drives absolutely beautiful! Notice, I said engine because I drove a Velocity tower and I don’t like the body roll with the TAK4. I would never consider buying one if I had any say with a fire departments purchase but if the way a rig drives is your top priority, the Velocity engines are a nice choice.
#11 by mike on December 17, 2020 - 6:06 AM
harry, those service vehicles were replaced from the ones totaled in a crash a couple years ago when a truck left rt. 30 and struck several parked service vehicles totaling them.
#12 by harry on December 17, 2020 - 12:15 AM
and yet they complained about money a few years ago but have since bought several new vehicles
#13 by Bill on December 16, 2020 - 8:07 PM
Does new lenox have 2 2020 sabers now
#14 by Admin on December 16, 2020 - 9:53 PM
it would appear so – the new one has a longer cab with a full height compartment behind the rear door
#15 by crabbymilton on December 16, 2020 - 6:06 AM
Much better looking than a VELOCITY or QUANTUM. Santa came early.