This from Mike Summa:
For #throwbackthursday, here is Beecher’s 1960’s ALF/Pioneer. Not too many of this model could be found in the south suburbs. The only other one I ever saw was in Glenwood. Please enjoy and comment.Mike Summa
Beecher FD American LaFrance pioneer engine. Mike Summa photo
May 14
From Josh Boyajian:
Beecher FD Engine 404. 2012 Pierce Arrow XT 1500/1000. Josh Boyajian photo
Beecher Tanker 406. Pierce Arrow XT 1250/2500. Josh Boyajian photo
Sep 5
This from Karl Klotz:
Last year, Grant Park FPD (MABAS Division 7) started running this former Beecher FPD 1996 Pierce Saber 1250/750 (Engine 404).Engine Co. 110 replaces the 1982 Ford C8000/E-ONE 1000/1000.
Beecher FPD Engine 404 which is now in service with the Grant Park FPD. Karl Klotz photo
Grant Park Engine 110 is a 1996 Pierce Saber 1250/750 that is X-Beecher Fire Protection District. Karl Klotz photo
This is a photo of Grant Park FPD X-Engine 110, a 1992 Ford C-8000/E-ONE 1000/1000 that has been replaced. Karl Klotz photo
This from Dylan Konchan:
Frankfort | Box Alarm | S La Grange Rd & W Stuenkel Rd | First companies got on scene reporting multiple buildings were on fire. Fire started from a large brush fire. Command first called for a full still; tenders only, then went to a box alarm right after. Orland, Mokena, Homer, Peotone, Monee, University Park, Beecher, Palos Heights, Tinley Park, New Lenox, and Manteno FD were all on scene.
Dylan Konchan photo
Dylan Konchan photo
New Lenox FPD ARFF. Dylan Konchan photo
Manteno & Community FPD brush unit. Dylan Konchan photo
Beecher pumper/tanker. Dylan Konchan photo
Dylan Konchan photo
May 24
Several long overdue updates to various department pages have been completed as follows:
thanks Karl, Hank, Jim, Nick, Larry, Drew, and Jeff
May 22
Several readers have brought to our attention that two area fire departments are newly represented on the Pierce Flickr site.
The new engine for Beecher was featured at the end of April HERE with a photo by Karl Klotz at the department.
thanks Al, Bill, Josh, and Keith
Apr 30
Karl Klotz submitted two images
Crete Brush 704 is a 2011 Ford F350 with a 250-GPM pump and 250 gallons of water. Karl Klotz photo
Beecher Fire Protection District Engine 404 is a 2012 Pierce Arrow XT PUC with a 1,500-GPM pump and 1,000 gallons of water. Karl Klotz photo
Also, according to Karl:
Beecher’s former Engine 404 (Pierce Saber) went to the Grant Park FPD and will be in service after some paint work.
The Beecher Fire Protection District in MABAS Division 27 responded mutual aid to an extra alarm fire last week in Lowell, Indiana. According to Beecher Fire Chief Dave Lagesse, Beecher Truck 405, a 2006 Pierce Enforcer with a 75′ aluminum ladder, flowed in excess of 640,000 gallons of water over a period of 10 hours on the scene. The fire occurred a week ago Thursday, on August 10th, at the former Rieter Automotive building, 101 W. Oakley Avenue, and according to The Northwest Indiana Times,
A construction company working inside … is believed to have accidentally sparked a spectacular fire at the abandoned plant shortly before noon Wednesday. Jimmy Harper, a project manager for BRT Indiana LLC, a recycling and sales company, said crews were moving equipment and cutting beams when an unidentified material caught fire. Harper, who was working inside the building with 11 other employees, said sprinklers in the building were shut off and crews could not control the flames with fire extinguishers.
The complete article can be found HERE. A Youtube video is HERE, and additional coverage is HERE.
Chief Lagesse submitted several dramatic images showing Truck 405 working. He was unable to tell us who the photographer was. We would like to acknowledge the photographer if someone can supply us with that information.
Two elevated master streams work at the Rieter Automotive property in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
A firefighter from Beecher, IL rests at the tip of Beecher Truck 405's ladder directing water on the massive fire. photographer unknown
Another shot showing Beecher and Lowell Fire Department aerials working. photographer unknown
A fire ball appears to erupt directly beneath the Beecher firefighter working the master stream, although there is quite a bit of space between them. photographer unknown
As the dynamics of the fire change, the firefighter redirects the master stream. photographer unknown
Heavy fire burns through the roof of what was the Rieter Automotive facility in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
Beecher Truck 405 was flowing water for 10 hours at the scene in Lowell, Indiana. photographer unknown
Jun 22
The Beecher Fire Department listing in MABAS Division 27 has been updated with additional photos from Dennis McGuire, Jr.
University Park Station 1 at 698 Burnham Drive. Karl Klotz photo
In MABAS Division 27, the University Park Fire Department has been added to the site. This department has almost completed a change to black over red apparatus throughout the fleet. Previously, the rigs were black over white over lime green which was the color scheme used by the department under its’ former name. Prior to 1984, the village and subsequently the fire department was call Park Forest South. As a means to achieve autonomy, the village became University Park in 1984 and the fire department, being a municipal department, changed as well. A well documented department history is available on the fire department website HERE.
The last piece of apparatus in the University Park fleet to carry the old color scheme is Engine 76. Karl Klotz photo
Recently, the department received a new E-ONE tower ladder. They traded three older pieces to the dealer; a Hendrickson/American/LTI tower ladder and two Hendrickson/FMC engines.
In 1980, the Park Forest South Fire Department received this unit for Engine 78. Built on a Hendrickson chassis with an 1871S cab, the body was fabricated by FMC. Larry Shapiro collection
University Park Engine 78 as it sits in the dealer's yard after being traded in. Karl Klotz photo
University Park recently replaced this 1976 Hendrickson/American Fire/LTI 85' tower ladder which was originally labeled for the Park Forest South Fire Department. Larry Shapiro collection
Old Tower 85 is also parked as its' fate is determined. Karl Klotz photo
University Park has a mixture of E-ONE and American LaFrance apparatus in addition to a Spartan/FMC/RPI/Pierce engine that formerly belonged to Beecher, IL. Both of the department’s ambulances are Type I units from Medtec on IHC chassis.
Beecher Engine 406 began as a 1984 Spartan/FMC engine with open jump seats. In 1994, it was sent to RPI in Tipton, IN to have the cab enclosed. In 2001, it was rehabbed by Pierce with a new body. Bill Friedrich photo
The Beecher Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of this FMC Omega pumper with a top-mount 'membrane' pump panel in 1984 on a Spartan chassis with a 2-dr CFC cab. Larry Shapiro collection
Karl Klotz provided the current department information and images.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
