This from Dennis McGuire, Jr.:
Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo
New fire engine for the Merrionette Park Fire Department (more)
Tags: chicagoareafire.com, Chicagoareafire.com/blog, Dennis McGuire Jr., former Lombard fire engine, Merrionette Park Fire Department Engine 3, new home for old Lombard fire engine, used Pierce fire engine for the Merrionette Park Fire Department
This entry was posted on December 26, 2021, 11:00 AM and is filed under Fire Department News, Fire Truck photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
#1 by Mike L on December 27, 2021 - 10:02 PM
CMK420, is that 40 year old rig a green Pierce EJ Murray rebuild?
#2 by Ray Stantz on December 27, 2021 - 2:15 PM
I also recall a story about one of the Engineers having difficulty driving one of the old Mack pumpers because it was “double clutched” and he mentioned the difficulty to a visitor who must have been an expert because he gave some tips to the Engineer and it really helped.
I also recall stories that some visitors might be politicians or wealthy fire enthusiasts with deep pockets and that allowing them access and socializing with them could be beneficial.
These were all stories told to me by the veterans, not sure how true they are but like I said before, we never turned away a visitor and if we did not share any info it was because we simply did not know.
#3 by Ray Stantz on December 27, 2021 - 1:46 PM
I spent 4 years with Yonkers FD in NY before changing professions. Every time someone came in asking about the rigs, we gave them full access to what ever they wanted except for driving. I can’t recall any visitor being turned away and since we were right outside of the Bronx, we always got visitors from around the country and world, most questioned why our rigs looked different than the common Seagraves up the street but they all wanted to know how old our rigs were, when we were going to replace them, what we liked or hated about them. Not sure if Harry ever went up to NY but he’d be more than welcomed in my old House and any other (assuming nothing has changed since I left in 2004). And we were all surprised by the one guy who seemed to know every detail about the rigs, top secret or not, there was always that one guy who wowed us.
#4 by Mike C on December 27, 2021 - 9:00 AM
Pat – I didn’t imply this was some sort of top secret stuff. I just try to provide general information rather than getting in-depth simply because it’s abundantly clear Hairy is an enthusiast with limited knowledge. If Hairy stopped in to check out the apparatus I’m working on and I told him this brand has major issues if the torque box isn’t properly lubricated, he would go and repeat it online. There’s no point in giving some people information because they’re focused on the siren, lights and paint scheme. Not that there is anything wrong with being an enthusiast, the problem is people who abruptly disrupt shops and firefighters just to see what’s going on then talking on this site as if they know so much (when it’s clear they don’t).
#5 by Pat on December 27, 2021 - 6:33 AM
We pull out rigs all the time when guys come by for photos and stuff no questions asked. You can tell the guys that do this for a hobby and its no problem. Also, the mechanics aren’t giving info about a top secret Stealth Bomber, they are giving information about a fire engine. How is it hard to believe they chat with guys about their experiences with certain rigs, etc. Just my two sense.
#6 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 10:37 PM
cmk420 i am not sure why u find it hard to believe that the mehanics would tell me this and why they would let me in but it is 100 percent true
because if they dont tell me this how do i know that rosemont fd is getting a new tower ladder december of 2022 and the mechanics there have told me the pierce rigs are better than eone
also as it has been stated b4 on here the chiefs and or mechanic know when a vehicle is ordered when it is going in service the firefighters dont know this
#7 by Cmk420 on December 26, 2021 - 9:47 PM
Harry, I think it is great that you have been to all these departments; it shows that you have a sincere interest in fire apparatus, but (as Mike C pointed out) I find it really hard to believe fleet services mechanics and/or supervisors would give you that information, let alone let you just randomly walk into their building without so much as asking why you are there.
Also, as has been pointed out here in the past, comparing apparatus in Palm Beach Gardens to apparatus in Chicagoland fire departments “is like comparing apples to oranges.” It is not a truly real comparison. I understand you have an affinity for that particular department, and that is fine. We all have our favorites, but let’s try to keep the focus on Chicagoland.
#8 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 9:00 PM
mike c i went to rosemont public works the other day and was asking being that u got rid of the old tower does that mean there is a new one coming they said yes a pierce next december in 2022
and i then asked the supervisor of the fleet dept why not eone and his response was leyden fpd has had nothing but problems with there new eone
#9 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 8:57 PM
mike c well for instance skokie like i said got the old northbrook 1997 pierce ladder and it now serves as the reserve because the 1995 skokie had had major issues
second as tech. spec like if it has a waterous pump or a stainless steel cab or body i may not know that but i can tell u i work in elk grove right accross from the hospital and i can tell what ambulance is coming by the siren
but believe it or not a lot of the towns i go to they work on there own rigs and the mechanics i have talked to keep me informed
#10 by Mike C on December 26, 2021 - 8:34 PM
Hairy – Just a little FYI: When random outsiders like yourself approach me or my counterparts and ask about apparatus, we usually generalize and don’t get specific. It’s possible that we met at some point and I can guarantee you that I didn’t tell you in-depth details about apparatus. Reason being, most people that approach me clearly don’t know a lot about apparatus. Some of the buffs like you know about the Fed Q siren, and maybe what brand. When it gets into the specifics, these random outsiders have limited knowledge. I find it hard to believe all your alleged visits disclose a lot.
#11 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 7:44 PM
cmk420 well to be honest i have been to about 300-400 depts i read a lot about depts on facebook and other sources like fire apparatus journal
and yes mp does not have high call volume compared to lombard by any means but i also go to public works and the mechanics tell me a lot as well
or like the city in florida i love palm beach gardens fr has an impressive fleet of newer rigs and that is because all city of palm beach gardens vehicles are leased thought pierce braun and enterprise
#12 by Cmk420 on December 26, 2021 - 7:16 PM
Harry–you never cease to amaze me with all this stuff & all these “connections” you have everywhere. My volunteer department has a 40 yo reserve engine that was refurbished before we got it several years ago. I am no apparatus expert, but if they are properly maintained and/or they don’t run a lot of calls, then they might last for a long time.
I have seen both of Merrionette Park’s “new” ambulances & pictures of their “new” engine. They have been very lucky to have developed this arrangement with Lombard. All these rigs look like they have been well cared for & because MP does not have the same call volume as Lombard, these rigs might last them for quite a while. I am no fan of their chief, but I like what they have done with their apparatus.
#13 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 5:05 PM
there is a dept in maine that had a 1960 engine and ladder truck of of last year frontline i will try and track that down
#14 by The DH on December 26, 2021 - 5:02 PM
Harry, who has rigs from the 60s still frontline, curious to know?
Also, it may be almost 20 years old, but it’s been in reserve for the last 10-12 and we’ll kept/maintained.
#15 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 4:18 PM
looks like it has a lot of life left for being almost 20 yo because when i was at lombard talking to the mechanics by public works at the time this was like 6 yo back in 08 when i was there
#16 by harry on December 26, 2021 - 4:16 PM
yes it should serve them well being almost 20 years old heck there are towns that have rigs from the 60s still frontline
#17 by Mike hellmuth on December 26, 2021 - 1:58 PM
Nice looking engine and truck I’m glad they made the engine update…….