Posts Tagged Bedford Park Snorkel

Original Snorkel to be restored by Smeal

Aug 15

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service News | 4 Comments

The vintage Bedford Park Fire Department Snorkel … that was possibly headed to the scrap yard has been rescued from oblivion.

Fire Chief Sean Maloy said the truck, which was the first original Snorkel manufactured in 1959, will be donated to Smeal Fire Apparatus of Snyder, Neb. “They said the Snorkel will be restored 100 percent to its condition when delivered to the Bedford Park Fire Department on March 31, 1960,” Maloy said.

The company will keep the Snorkel on display in its museum as well as take it to fire apparatus shows. Smeal bought the rights to the Snorkel name from LTI in June, Maloy said. “They plan to start building Snorkels again and want to show off the original truck at fire conferences,” Maloy said. “It will definitely be a marketing tool.”

“The truck will retain the Bedford Park name and markings,” Maloy said. “We will send them photos of the original truck so they make sure to get everything right.” Maloy said the company would pay the village $1 for the truck, which needs an estimated $60,000 in body and engine work.

“The village board was very happy to see the truck get a good home,” Maloy said. “The truck is an important part of firefighting history and I’m very happy to see it will be going to a good home.”

While the first Snorkel was converted from [a tree trimmer], ~~GMC~~ Pierce produced the first original Snorkel fire truck in 1959 for the Chicago Fire Department. “For some reason, they did not purchase it and it wound up in Bedford Park,” said Maloy. “I’m told Bedford Park got a good deal on it.” For the next 20 years, Bedford Park firefighters used the ~~GMC~~ Snorkel to battle fires and drive in parades.

Maloy praised this newspaper for helping to make this all possible.

thanks Drew

earlier posts are HERE and HERE

Tags: Bedford Fire Department, Bedford Park Fire Chief Sean Maloy, Bedford Park Fire Department history, Bedford Park Snorkel, original Snorkel, Smeal to restore original Snorkel fire truck, vintage Snorkel saved from scrap heap

McCook Box Alarm 4-27-13

Apr 28

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Service News, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos | 2 Comments

This from Erik Haak:

At 1950hrs on Saturday, April 27th, the McCook Fire Department was paged out to the report of an explosion occurring at a metal grinding company at 4828 S. Lawndale. First arriving companies confirmed smoke showing from the A and D sides at 1954hrs and elevated the response to a full still. The fire was contained in the 125 x 325 1-story rear section of the complex which included several additions that were not involved. At 2012hrs, command pulled MABAS Division 10 Box #14-01 after companies reported heavy smoke conditions in the interior. Several aerials were used to combat the slow burning fire that had melted through fiberglass portions of the roof. Riverside Truck 1629 operated from the northeast corner of the building and within the complex’s fenced-in lot. It’s aerial can be seen raised in several of the photos. Brookfield Truck 419 operated an aerial from the southeast corner and was set up on Lawndale. Bedford Park Truck 705 operated a stream from inside the complex on the south side of the building. Pleasantview Truck 1519 operated a master stream from the northwest corner of the complex and was set up on Clyde Terrace. Tri-State Truck 529 was set up off of the Joliet Road side of the building but never raised their aerial. Lyons Squad 1316 lit up the east side of the building where most of the fireground activity occurred. McCook Engine 1416 can also be seen supplying water to Riverside’s Truck as well as several handlines. Images pictured were taken approximately one hour into the incident.

Bedford Park FD Snorkel. Erik Haak photo

Brookfield FD Truck 419. Erik Haak photo

Lyons Squad 1316. Erik Haak photo

McCook Engine 1416. Erik Haak photo

Pleasantview Truc 1519. Erik Haak photo

Tags: Bedford Park Snorkel, Brookfield Fire Department, elevated master streams, Erik Haak, explosion and fire in McCook, fire trucks at fire scene, Lyons Fire Department, McCook Fire Department, Pierce Arrow Snorkel, Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Snorkel aerial working at fire scene, Snorkel fire apparatus

Cicero Box Alarm 7-31-12 (update)

Aug 1

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | 5 Comments

Additional images from the Cicero Box Alarm this week at the Dollar General store on Cicero Avenue were submitted by Larry Shapiro, who also arrived after the fire had been knocked down.

Cicero Fire Department Dollar General Store fire 7-3-12

Cicero Engine 1 was on a hydrant just south of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero Truck 2 was one of three aerial units setup in front of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero’s reserve truck was in service for the tower ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

Oak Park Truck 631 was due on the Box Alarm. Larry Shapiro photo

The Forest Park engine supplied Bedford Park’s Snorkel. Larry Shapiro photo

The front windows were vented to clear the heavy smoke from the fire at the rear. Larry Shapiro photo

North Riverside responded to the scene with their tower ladder. Altogether, there were five truck companies on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

This shot looks north on Cicero Avenue. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero Fire Department Dollar General Store fire 7-3-12 RIT

North Riverside was the RIT company, shown here taking their equipment back to the tower ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero Assistant Chief Rick Moravcek discusses the fire with Bedrord Park personnel. Larry Shapiro photo

More images can be found HERE.

Tags: Bedford Park Fire Department, Bedford Park Snorkel, Cicero Engine 2, Cicero Fire Department, Cicero Fire Department Assistant Chief Rick Moravecek, Cicero Fire Department Truck 2, Cicero Truck 2, Dollar Store fire in Cicero IL, E-ONE TDA, Forest Park Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, Oak Park Fire Department, Oak Park Truck 631, Rapid Intervention Team, Rick Moravecek, tillered aerial, Tractor Drawn Aerial

Cicero Box Alarm 7-31-12

Jul 31

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News, Firefighting Video | 4 Comments

Cicero Fire Department Dollar Store fire 7-31-12

Steve Redick photo

The Cicero Fire Department requested a Box Alarm in the overnight hours of Tuesday, July 31st. Steve Redick took in the fire and submitted images with the following information:

1800 S Cicero Ave..early am..Dollar Store

This fire was held in check by sprinklers…high humidity kept the smoke conditions very low and as a result good photos were very difficult to get. I’m told a wall was breached in the large vacant commercial that made up sector 4 attached..I believe it was for inspection purposes..

The division 10 MVU was requested but as fate would have it it was oos..