This from Mike Summa for #TBT:
For TBT-This is the Chicago Ridge Fire Dept.’s Engine 6523, a 1996 HME 1871/Luverne 1500/500. Enjoy and comment.Mike Summa
Mike Summa photo
and from our files
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Chicago Ridge Fire Department history
#1 by Tim on October 1, 2022 - 7:55 AM
Matt the farthest hydrant used going east was still an Oak Lawn hydrant (about 111th and Keating). Bedford Park’s high volume pumper was down there. He was at max capacity with 0 PSI on is intake gauge. The Oak Lawn Water Dept. was asked to turn all their pumps on since most of the water was coming from their system.
Although the lumber yard borders the city (cemetery across the street) there are no city hydrants nearby.
Other than the hose wagon dropping line, none of CFD’s engines did any pumping.
The business was a total loss and had to be completely rebuilt. The fire was never contained it finally ran out of fuel.
#2 by Matt on September 30, 2022 - 11:41 PM
Regarding the Fox’s fire on Mother’s Day. Due to water main failures in front of the lumberyard, water came from Oak Lawn hydrants and eventually Chicago. CFD hose wagon, deluge and pumpers (water task force) were requested and water was pumped down 111th St from the nearest hydrants to the fire location. Some of the first arriving apparatus had to be pulled back due to the fire growth.
Key item is that the business was back open shortly afterwards and the fire spread was contained. Jobs were kept and Fox’s is still around today.
#3 by Tim on September 29, 2022 - 8:21 PM
The flooded parking lot was the rear of the former Baker’s Square which is now gone. 6523 was feeding the Orland truck and had a deck gun and a 2 1/2 flowing all at the same time. A Bridgeview engine was on an Oak Lawn hydrant (north side of 111th) feeding 6523. It did go to a 5th alarm and 2 “specials”. After a few hours of getting no where, command had Orland reposition to the front of Fox lumber. They never did get set up again due to apparatus congestion and hose covering Cicero Ave. The city of Chicago showed up later with their stuff and their Peterbilt hose rig. I can’t remember for sure but CFD Eng 92 didn’t respond until the 3rd alarm, which is 2 miles down the street.
#4 by Rob on September 29, 2022 - 3:45 PM
I believe the former chief surplused this engine and the the 1988 spartan/eone engine and the the tower 2001 eone 95ft .
#5 by MABAS 21 on September 29, 2022 - 12:52 PM
The first photo of Chicago Ridge Engine 6523 and previous posted photos of Bridgeview Engine 405 and Palos Heights Engine 6403 (ALF) were all taken on 111th Street under the Tri-State Tollway during a “Worth Days” parade.
In the first pic behind 6523 is Chicago Ridge’s former Engine 6533, a 1988 Spartan/E-One, which was nearly identical to the Noth Palos’ twins 803 and 813 and Frankfort’s twins 711 and 721.
#6 by Chicagoland fire photos on September 29, 2022 - 12:43 PM
It was a MABAS 5th alarm with an engine task force and a deluge from Chicago from 5/13/2007
#7 by Chicagoland fire photos on September 29, 2022 - 12:38 PM
The parking lot that 6523 is pumping in is the parking lot directly north of Fox Lumber from the massive fire there a while back. Its the parking lot next to nino’s pizza
#8 by Michael m on September 29, 2022 - 12:28 PM
Does anyone know where the flooded parking lot is that it is pumping at? Where in the south land is that bridge/ underpass at. The North Palos ALF picture was also taken ther.
#9 by MABAS 21 on September 29, 2022 - 11:32 AM
Chicago Ridge and Oak Forest each had one that were both very similar. Oak Lawn (E2) and Bridgeview (E416) also had one in the same era, however with different in body configurations.
#10 by crabbymilton on September 29, 2022 - 8:46 AM
Great shots of a handsome pumper. I like the shine on the tires.