Posts Tagged Chicago Engine 46

A visit to the CFD

Jun 13

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos | 18 Comments

This from Dan McInerney on a recent visit to CFD Engine 46’s house:

Plaque from the front of the firehouse. The first three names should look familiar to some of the more historically inclined.

Images from the house …

The decorated bench at CFD Engine 46’s house. Dan McInerney photo

Memorial plaque at the firehouse of Chicago Engine 46. Dan McInerney photo

Logos for CFD and FDNY Engine 46. Dan McInerney photo

Engine 46 on the apron. Dan McInerney photo

… and what would a trip downtown be without stopping by Engine 98’s historic house

Engine 98’s house. Dan McInerney photo

Historic marker for the 100th anniversary of Engine 98’s house in 2002. Dan McInerney photo

Tags: Chicago Engine 46, Chicago FD company logo, Chicago FD Engine 46 logo, Chicago FD memorial plaque, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago fire station is 113 years old, Chicago firehouse, Chicago firehouse is 113 years old, Dan McInerney, FDNY Engine 46 company logo

CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1967)

Apr 1

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | Comments off

In 1967, the Chicago Fire Department was badly in need of new engines. They looked to Ward LaFrance for assistance in acquiring what they had available. Chicago received four engines. One was assigned to Engine 42 (D-327) with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. (this would later be re-assigned to Engine 46)

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine

Engine 42 was assigned this 1967 Ward LaFrance with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500-gallon tank. Initially, the unit numbers were fairly small on the driver's door. George Brown collection

The officer's side of Engine 42's 1967 Ward LaFrance engine when it was delivered. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 46

Shop #D-327 was later reassigned to Engine Company 46. Large company number decals were added to the engine. Jack Connors photo

The other three units were delivered with 1,250-GPM pumps and 350-gallon water tanks and were assigned to Engine 34 (D-332), Engine 54 (D-333), and Engine 11 (D-334).

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 34

Engine 34 received one of three 1967 Ward LaFrance pumpers with the larger 1,250-GPM pump and a smaller water tank. This image was taken after the shops added white decals that made the company unit number easier to read. Jack Connors photo

These units differed from the first piece that went to Engine 42. The body is taller, the pump panel has a polished backing instead of being painted and there are no flood lights. The cab has several different features including an extended bumper with a bell, siren, and front intake. The cab face underneath the windshield is covered with a panel to protect the paint from being scratched. Additionally, the rear of the cab canopy has a completely different shape than the earlier and subsequently later styles as well.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 54

This shot of Engine 54 shows the officer's side of the 1,250-GPM series engines from 1967. Jack Connors photo

Shop #D-333 which was originally assigned to Engine 54 was later assigned to Engine 99 and then again to Engine 107. Unlike the other 1,250-GPM engines, this rig was delivered with one flood light.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 98

CFD Shop #D-334 was originally assigned to Engine 11 and then to Engine 98 as shown here. Note also the CFD scramble on the lower portion of the driver's door and the company number under the windshield. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 107

CFD Shop #D-334 was assigned for a third time to Engine Company 107. The hard suction trays have been raised to accommodate hose storage on the shelf above the lower compartments. Jack Connors photo

Tags: 1967 Ward LaFrance engines in Chicago, Chicago Engien34, Chicago Engine 107, Chicago Engine 42, Chicago Engine 46, Chicago Engine 54, Chicago Engine 98, Chicago Fire Department apparatus, Chicago Fire Department apparatus history, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Jack Connors, Larry Shapiro, Ward LaFrance, Ward LaFrance Ambassador, Ward LaFrance in the CFD, Ward LaFrance P80 engines in Chicago

CFD apparatus history – Ward LaFrance (1970)

Mar 24

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | 14 Comments

Bill Friedrich has initiated the first in a series of posts chronicling different types of apparatus that saw service in Chicago. The first post covers the Ward LaFrance engines from 1970.

There were a total of (7) P80’s delivered in 1970, one for each district. Companies that received these were Engine 126 (D-372), Engine 73 (D-373), Engine 8 (D-374), Engine 106 (D-375), Engine 22 (D-376), Engine 113 (D-377) and Engine 49 (D-378). These units had 2,000-GPM pumps.

Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 1970 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Chicago Engine 113 was one of 7 units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance with the Ambassador chassis, a 2,000-GPM pump, and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 22

This unit originally assigned to Engine 22 later went to Engine 99 and then to Engine 46 after a complete refurb. The CFD scramble on the door and the red unit number on the front were not part of the original graphics. This unit, damaged by a wall collapse, was rebuilt. Shown here after the rebuild, the cab is lacking the continuous hand rail at the canopy that extended up the sides and across the top. Additionally, the red section above the pump panel is not how this series was delivered to the city. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 73

Engine 73 was assigned shop #D373 that was eventually scrapped. This was the only 1970 Ward LaFrance that was not later rebuilt. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 126

Engine 126's rig (shop #D-372), shows the full height polished metal behind the pump panel.. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 106

Engine 106 received one of the seven units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance. The original graphics only included the Chicago Fire Department name above the windshield. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 8

This photo of Engine 8 in Chinatown shows the unit when it went into service. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 49

Engine 49 is seen here on the fireground. Jack Connors photo

In 1990 (6) of the original 1970 P80’s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. at their Frankfort, IL facility. The rebuild included a Ranger 4-door cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other components of the original apparatus. The following companies received these vehicles; Engine 122 (x-Engine 126), Engine 69 (x-Engine 8), Engine 113 (x-Engine 106), Engine 46 (x-Engine 22), Engine 14 (x-Engine 113) and Engine 34 (x-Engine 49) All these vehicles were equipped with 5″ hose. One was assigned in each district of the city. Two of these, D-374 and D-375, were used in the movie Backdraft.