This fro Mike Summa for #TBT:
For TBT-The Oak Lawn Fire Dept.’s Engine 29, a Ward LaFrance (unknown specs). Then some time later this engine was transformed into a rescue truck. I found these photos on the Oak Lawn Fire Dept. Facebook page. So, a big thank you to Oak Lawn. Enjoy and comment.Mike Summa
#1 by Tim on December 25, 2022 - 7:14 PM
They actually had 3 Macks….Engines 25, 26 and 30.
#2 by Tim on December 25, 2022 - 7:13 PM
And when the Macks were refurbed, the 2 jump seat doors that were added for the cab enclosure are actually the same doors on the front. That made the refurb less expensive as those doors fit most Mack models (CF, F, R, RD, RS, RL, DM etc).
#3 by Matt on December 25, 2022 - 7:05 PM
I had forgotten about that Luverne. Prior to the E-Ones, the HME ran out of station 2. The Spartan/Pierce with the Pierce squad were at Station 3 and one Mack was frontline at Station 1. The two Mack’s had been refurbished with four door cabs. The initial E-One went to Station 1 and others then followed bumping the Luverne to reserve status because the Mack’s were completely used up and the Spartan was set aside. The 75’ quint was bought when the almost new 100’ E-One ladder was put up for sale after a new chief was hired. The squad company then became a pickup with a a cap. The Pierce rescue was also put up for sale, effectively replacing an engine, rescue and ladder with a quint and a pickup
#4 by Tim on December 25, 2022 - 5:42 PM
Matt, don’t forget about the HME/Luvernes they had. Those are actually what replaced the Macks. The Spartan/Pierce was sold due to a cracked frame, which turns out wasn’t cracked.
#5 by Matt on December 25, 2022 - 10:41 AM
Nothing mentioned in the local newpapers about anything new. The ambulances are 3-5 years old and the newest engine is about 15 years old. They bought 4 E-Ones between 2001 and 2006ish to replace the Mack’s and the Spartan/Pierce. Truck 3 is the newest of the frontline rigs. Chatting with an Oak Lawn fireman last summer, new rigs were being discussed but put aside after COVID hit.
#6 by Rob on December 23, 2022 - 10:20 AM
Any word if they are replacing the fleet in the coming year? The last piece that is new is the 75ft quint eone. I believe the rest of the engines are older eones.
#7 by ttguy on December 23, 2022 - 9:45 AM
So after all the costs of converting this engine to a squad it was only in service for an additional (6) years? Not much ROI?
#8 by crabbymilton on December 22, 2022 - 11:40 AM
True but the basic appearance didn’t change all that much. They really did a nice job converting it to a squad.
#9 by Tim on December 22, 2022 - 9:54 AM
Crab it’s a Ward Lafrance P-80 Ambassador. Same as Engine 51, just different year. 51 was a 73.
#10 by crabbymilton on December 22, 2022 - 9:22 AM
Gee, why do visions of engine 51 come to mind?
It sure looks like it at first glance. That squad is equally as impressive.
#11 by Tim on December 22, 2022 - 8:09 AM
I believe it’s a 68. Refurbed into a squad in 1985 by Bertram. Squad designed by former Fire Chief McCastland. Had a Detroit Diesel and a manual transmission. Was used until 1991 when the Pierce Lance squad went into service.