Here’s a photo of former Elgin Engine 2 that is going to Cauquenes, Chile
Former Elgin fire engine being donated to Cauquenes, Chile. Zach Cox photo
thanks Zach
Posts Tagged Elgin Firefighter john Tobin
The Courier-News has an article about a retired Elgin fire engine being donated to a fire department in Chile:
There’s a retired Elgin fire engine that’s been tucked away on John Tobin’s driveway in West Dundee since October. Tobin … has been readying the vehicle to put it back in service in Cauquenes, Chile, Elgin’s Sister City.
The engine is a 1996 Seagrave that last worked at Station 5 on Villa Street in 2012. The engine cost Elgin $228,000 when new and would cost more than that to totally refurbish, Tobin said. The work he’s done on it includes re-strapping the fuel tank, getting “Cauquenes” stenciled onto the cab, replacing a pump shift and gauges, and even installing a bell.
Tobin — who has sold fire apparatus for many years — said there is still some life left in the engine. And Elgin fire Lt. Bob Bedard said it is superior to anything now owned by the stations in Cauquenes, where pickup trucks with a pump in the back are what’s used.
The Elgin truck came into Bedard’s possession after the city bought a ladder truck … As part of the deal, the city [received] $10,000 to trade in the [old] engine. … company representatives to donate[d] the vehicle to the Sister Cities effort.
In February 2011, a group of firefighters from Elgin headed out on a goodwill mission to Rancagua. [They] helped train public safety workers in … on used firefighting and rescue equipment donated by the Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire and Pingree Grove fire departments.
In January 2013, … Elgin … [sent] Cauquenes fire hoses, turnout gear, helmets, boots, nozzles, electronics, medical equipment, and a fire engine — all outdated and surplus by U.S. standards — with the Chilean recipients picking up the shipping tab.
Bedard had to raise $20,000 to pay for shipping the engine. No money from the city of Elgin is being used on the effort, he said.
Bedard said the Chilean firefighters have asked to learn more about such techniques as shoring up buildings and rope tactics. And they’re also interested in extrications, because it is difficult to find used cars in Chile to train with, according to Bedard.
Palatine LODD Anniversary
Feb 25
This from John Tobin from Saturday’s memorial service on the 40th anniversary of the Ben Franklin Store fire in Palatine that claimed the lives of three firefighters.
Ben Franklin fire tribute………The fallen three Feb 23, 1973.Very nice to see the friends and family come out to pay their respects……..pictures Plote transporting the precious cargo…….two old war horses reunited after 25 years of being apart……honor guard……PFD rural pumper…..family of the fallen fire fighters…….the PFD memorial……. yours truly…….Emotions still run deep after all these years!
John Tobin, a firefighter in Elgin, was one of many local area firefighters who went to New York after the 9/11 attacks to dig through the rubble searching for the remains of those who perished. Some time ago, after he found an FDNY ladder in a junkyard in Wisconsin, he decided to create a keepsake for the Queens company (Ladder 125) that had used that rig. The Daily Herald has a story HERE about the project with several photos.
When Elgin firefighter John Tobin noticed an old New York Fire Department firetruck sitting in a junkyard in New London, Wis., he knew he could transform it into something special.
For the past few months — with help from friends, local companies and fellow firefighters — Tobin has restored the front section (known as the “nose”) of the firetruck.
He had it professionally repainted, got its lights and siren to work again, and made it into a special keepsake for the New York Fire Department firehouse in Queens where it had been used.
New York firefighter Louis Nicolisi, who works in the Queens firehouse where Tobin’s project is headed, said they plan to use it as a display piece in the TV room, next to other historic items they’ve collected over the years.
“The guys are excited that some of our history is coming back,” Nicolisi said. “It’s fabulous what John’s done. He’s definitely a man with a big heart. As we get farther and farther away from 9/11, it’s a touching thing to see that another brother, halfway across the country, thinks about us enough to remember everyone who lost their lives on 9/11.”
