This from Jim Fisher:
These were taken by my father, Ralph O. G. Fisher who was a Chicago fire buff (past president of the 511 Club) and amateur photographer. I am sure many of your subscribers will find them very interesting.
Ralph O. G. Fisher photo
Ralph O. G. Fisher photo
Ralph O. G. Fisher photo
Ralph O. G. Fisher photo
#1 by BIll Post on September 4, 2018 - 10:41 AM
What a find! I never saw photos from a thrill show which has got to be from (I would guess) the mid or perhaps early 1940’s.
I recall had a few thrill shows in the late 50’s and early 60’s and I had gone to one in 1962 just before Snorkel Squad 1 was put in service. Both Snorkel Squads 1 and 2 were there however they weren’t numbered yet as this was in the summer and SS 1 was put in service in October. Snorkel Squad 2 was put in service about a year later at Engine 60’s brand new house.
That was the last one that I could recall until there was one in 1971 which I attended. The new rig at the time was the 1972 Ford/Pierce 55-foot Snorkel which had a pump and was orginally assigned to Snorkel 3. It went to Snorkel 6 within 2 years at Engine 110’s house when they were reassigned the small Snorkel. That was ideal for Snorkel 6 since they were squeezed in with Engine 110 and Flying Manpower Squad 6 in a 2 bay house. The Snorkel didn’t have a front over hang like the larger Snorkels.
When they were first assigned to Snorkel 3 it seemed out of place. At the time they were the only Snorkel on the south side and replaced a larger Snorkel.
Pingback: Chicago Fire Department history … Chicago Fire and Police Thrill Show part 2 « chicagoareafire.com
#2 by David on September 1, 2018 - 10:52 AM
Thanks for sharing these great pics! BTW: anybody knows what type buggy is on the 3rd photo? Also as to the show itself, it may not look like so much just from the pics, but from what I’ve seen in some vintage newsreel on Youtube the show was really action packed with lots of actual firefighting, stunts, etc… The times are different now but you still don’t see something like this “live” so often today.
#3 by Joe Smith on August 31, 2018 - 6:36 PM
This was before television and many other forms of modern entertainment. A great public relations event and a way to showcase the skills and equipment of Chicago’s firefighters. I don’t know if an event like this would fill Soldier Field today, but I understand that the thrill show had good attendance until it was discontinued sometime in the 1960’s. Firefighting operations can be as interesting as any sporting event, and the outcome is frequently a matter of life and death.
#4 by Austin on August 31, 2018 - 4:36 PM
Could you imagine this today in Soldier Field? You would never have that big of a crowd. The concept is really cool though. I saw something about this a long time ago, probably on WTTW and thought it was interesting then. Thanks for the great photos.
#5 by John on August 30, 2018 - 9:12 PM
Those White tractors are interesting.