The Chicago Fire Department purchased aerial ladder trucks with booster tanks and pumps for several years. Beginning in 1966 and spanning through 1973, 31 aerials were delivered from different manufacturers with on-board water. Seven of these were mid-ship aerials and the balance were rear-mounts. Units were built by Seagrave, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance (Grove), and American LaFrance.

This is the second of several posts that will highlight the progression of these truck companies in Chicago. The numbers listed above are revisions from what was originally included in the 1st post.

IN 1968, CHICAGO RECEIVED THREE PIRSCH REAR MOUNTED AERIALS …

These trucks were built on Mack chassis with CF Series cabs. Each truck had a 100-foot rear mounted aluminum ladder, 300 gallons of water, and a 60-GPM pump.

Pirsch delivery photo of a 1968 100′ rear mount on a Mack CF chassis for the Chicago Fire Department. Jack Connors collection

• The first of these 1968 Mack/Pirsch aerials (Shop #E-170) was assigned to Truck 22. This unit was eventually reassigned to Trucks 47, 16, 35, and 34.

Chicago Truck 22 was assigned Shop #E-170 in 1968. This was a Pirsch 100-foot rear mounted aerial on a Mack CF chassis. It carried 300 gallons of water and had a 60-GPM pump. Jack Connor photo

Shop #E-170 was assigned to Truck 47 after it had been running as Truck 22. This photo shows a canvas cover for the rear jacks instead of the metal doors that were delivered in that area.  Jack Connor photo

This image shows the rear of E-170 after it was on it’s 4th assignment now as Truck 35. The booster reel is still mounted on the unit, but it is empty. Jack Connor photo

Shop #E-170 was assigned to Truck 16 after it served truck 47. This was the second 1968 Mack/Pirsch for Truck 16. Bill Friedrich photo

After some rehab work and the removal of the booster reels, E-170 was assigned for the last time as Truck 34. Larry Shapiro photo

Another image of Truck 34 on-scene this time after the booster tank and reels were removed. Steve Redick photo

• The next (Shop #E-171) was assigned to Truck 16.

Shop #E-171 was reassigned to Truck 16. Jack Connors photo

• The third (Shop #E-172) went initially to Truck 15, then was reassigned to Truck 37 and then Truck 42.

The 3rd Pirsch in 1968 went to Truck 15. The rear jacks have no cover in this photo. Jack Connors photo

Shop #E-172 was reassigned to Truck 37 after seeing service as Truck 15. Jack Connor photo

Tags: booster tanks on Chicago aerial ladders, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago ladder trucks with booster tanks, Chicago Pirsch ladder, Chicago Truck 15, Chicago Truck 16, Chicago Truck 22, Chicago Truck 34, Chicago Truck 35, Chicago Truck 37, Chicago Truck 42, Jack Connors, Mack CF chassis, Mack CF Pirsch aerial in Chicago, Peter Pirsch & Sons, Steve Redick