Posts Tagged fire apparatus history

Down memory lane …. Cicero

Jul 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | 5 Comments

This from Bill Friedrich:

I am sharing some old Cicero photos from my collection. I did have the opportunity to photograph the 700 series American LaFrance when it was nearing the end of its career.

Bill

Cicero Engine 1, an Ahrens Fox. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Engine 6. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero engine with personnel. Bill Friedrich collection

Early group shot of Cicero apparatus. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Truck 2, 700 Series American LaFrance TDA. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Truck 1, an American LaFrance TDA. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Engine 3. Bill Friedrich collection

Hawthorne station. Bill Friedrich collection

Morton Park station. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Station 1. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Station 2. Bill Friedrich collection

Cicero Truck 2. Bill Friedrich collection

Tags: Ahrens Fox fire engine, American LaFrance 700 Series TDA, Bill Friedrich, Cicero Fire Department, Cicero Fire Department history, fire apparatus history, fire department history, historic fire photos, historic truck photos, old fire station photos, old firehouse photos

Prospect Heights Fire Department history

Apr 14

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

Bill Friedrich recently added the image below to his collection, and he asked Drew Smith for assistance in dating the photo.

Prospects Fire Department history

Here is the historical information that Drew provided.

I’ve confirmed the photo is from 1963

A few comments:

When the station was first built a neon sign of FIRE DEPARTMENT was installed above the overhead door. Later that sign was replaced with red letters PROSPECT HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT. The photo Bill obtained has the new lettering installed. Also, the paint store sign to the left indicates this is a later photo as that paint store existed until the new Walgreens was built. I have photos showing this newer red PHFD lettering with a different occupancy in the paint store’s location. Also when the station was first built there wasn’t a curb between the road and the apron. It was a gravel transition.
Below you can see the years and details of these three pieces.

Year	Type	Signature(s)	Make/Mfr.	Pump GPM	Tank	Other
47	Pumper	#3 173	Ford/Darley	750	500	Purchased new
48	Car	#4 174	Ford			“Pie wagon”
57	Car	?	Ford			Red & white wagon used by fire chief

The station wagon was the chiefs car and it would have been used by the first two. There have only been four chiefs in the history of the PHFD:

Fran Foor (1944-1962) *Served as president of IL Fire Chiefs Assn. in 1954

William Andrew (1962-1969)

Donald Gould, Sr. (1969-1988)

Donald Gould, Jr. (1988-present)

I’m going to say this photo was taken in 1963 based on the license plates. According to this webpage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Illinois , in 1963 license plates were dark green with gold letters. This is how the plates appear to me.
This red and white 57 Ford was replaced in 1966 with a Chevrolet Impala station wagon.
Between 1964 and 1968 the PHFD purchased three new pieces:

Year	Type	Signature(s)	Make/Mfr.	Pump GPM	Tank	Other
64	Squad	#5 175 Squad 9 909	Chevy			Utility body truckBreathing air cascadeGenerator
66	Pumper	#2 172 Engine 9R	Ford/Darley	750	1000	Twin high-pressure booster reels
68	Tanker	#6 174 Tanker 9	Ford/Darley	750	1500

The 47 Ford Darley pumper remained until sometime in the 1970s. In 1973 the department purchased a new Dodge station wagon for the chief, a Ward LaFrance pumper, and it’s first ambulance built on a Dodge van.

I have attached a few photos:

Prospect Heights FD 1957 chief's car

This appears to be the 57 Ford when it was new. The red license plate with white letters is from 1957.

Prospect Heights FD 1948 Ford van

This is the 48 Ford “pie wagon” (that’s what it was referred to by every old-timer when I joined even though it was long gone) It has been restored by someone in the NW Suburbs (no contact info available).

Drew Smith

Deputy Chief

Prospect Heights Fire Protection District

10 East Camp McDonald Road

Prospect Heights, IL 60070

Tags: 1947 Ford Darley fire engine, 1948 for van for fire department, 1957 Ford station wagon fire chief car, Bill Friedrich, Deputy Chief Drew Smith, fire apparatus history, fire department history, historic truck photos, history of Prospect heights FPD, Prospect Heights Fire District history

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 15)

Mar 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | 6 Comments

We have more history to share on the Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagons. Images come from Jack Connors and his collection featuring units built on the Willy’s Jeep chassis.

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2 prior to completion outside of the Civil Defense house on Wells Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 during a Fire Prevention Week parade on State Street. Jack Connors photo

X-CFD 6-7-4 near 55th and Luna after being sold by the city to a private individual. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Fog Pressure Unit

CFD Jeep Pressure Unit 1, 1959 Willy’s Jeep/Shops built (6-7-1) at Engine 4’s house . Ken Little photo

Chicago FD Jeep Pressure Unit 1. Warren Redick photo

Chicago FD 6-7-1 after a repaint. Formerly this was all red and lettered as Jeep Pressure 1. Jack Connors photo

The previous installment in this series can be found HERE.

Tags: Chicago Civil Defense, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Jeep Pressure Unit, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-1, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2, fire apparatus history, historic fire photos, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, Jack Connors, Ken Little, Warren Redick, Willys Jeep chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt14) 6-7-6

Mar 9

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 9 Comments

Final installment in the series from Bill Freidrich on the Chicago FD turret wagons – now 6-7-6

Organized 1-21-83 @ 3027 E 93rd St Engine 46

G-374 1975 Chevy C2/ 1978 CFD Shops fabricated and installed twin Eastman high pressure monitors capable of 4,000-GPM. Currently assigned to Engine 104’s house.

I hope everyone enjoyed this journey with the turret wagons. See you soon with a new topic.

Bill

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 (G-374) a 1975 Chevy C20 chassis that in 1978 was fabricated by the CD Shops, Bill Friedrich photo

The first post in this 14-part series can be found HERE.

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-6, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-6, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt13) 6-7-5

Mar 7

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 1 Comment

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 history from Bill Friedrich

Organized 12-27-76 @ 55 W Illinois St

12-22-76 (G-366) 1975 MACK MB607T (X-6-7-1) 1976 CFD Shops fabricated and installed

twin Stang hydraulic high-pressure monitors capable of 20,000 -GPM

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-366) on a Mack MB 600 chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

Rear view of Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-366) Bill Friedrich photo

2-8-82 (G-374) 1975 Chevy C20 1978 CFD Shops fabricated and installed

twin Eastman high-pressure monitors capable of 4,000-GPM

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-374) 1975 Chevy C20/1978 CFD Shops. Bill Friedrich photo

1-21-83 Company disbanded to organize 6-7-6

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors, Mack MB600 chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt12) 6-7-4

Mar 6

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 6 Comments

This from Bill Friedrich on CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-4

Organized 3-22-71 @ 419 S Wells

G-197  1962 Willys Jeep FC150 4x4 1971 FD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin HP deluge monitors  capable of  4,000-GPM

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 Willys Jeep

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 (G-197) on a 1962 Willy’s Jeep FC150 4X4 that was fabricated in 1971 by the CFD Shops. Ron Heal photo



11-30-75 (G-373)  1975 Chevy C20 4x4 CFD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of 4,000-GPM
The vehicle was destroyed by a falling wall & 35th & Iron on 8-27-80

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-4 (G-373) a 1975 Chevy C20 fabricated by the CFD Shops. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 destroyed at a fire

CFD 6-7-4 (G-373) was destroyed by a falling wall at a fire at 35th & Irons. It was disbanded on 8-27-80. Bill Friedrich photo



Re-organized  10-22-81
G-461  1981 Chevy C20 FD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of 4,000-GPM

1-25-82 Company disbanded

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-4, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, Jeep, large deluge monitors, Willys Jeep chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt11) Big John 6-7-3

Mar 4

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 6 Comments

More from Bill Friedrich on the CFD turret wagon history – now it’s Big John, the original 6-7-3

Organized 5-12-70 @ 55 W Illinois St "Big John"

6-7-3 (G-156) - 1952 IHC M65 5-ton 6x6 chassis that the CFD Shops fabricated in 1970 when they installed the body & twin Stang HP deluge monitors capable of flowing 15,000-GPM. It was named after John F Plant who designed 'Big John'.

Overhead view of Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) built on a 1952 IHC M65 chassis. Ron Heal photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 34’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 42’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

THe rear of Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 34’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

Big John, 6-7-3 (G156) flowing at an unknown fire scene. Photographer unknown. Bill Friedrich collection

Chicago FD turret wagon 6-7-3 Big John


1-25-82 (G-461) 1981 Chevy C20/1981 CFD Shops fabricated and installed the body & twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of flowing 4,000-GPM

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Big John, Bill Friedrich, CFD Deluge Wagon Big John, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-3, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big John, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-3, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors, Ron Heal

Chicago FD History – Morita 135′ Ladder

Mar 3

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 16 Comments

This from Bill Friedrich on the one-of-a-kind 135′ Hendrickson/Pierce/Morita ladder in Chicago

Here is a shot of Truck 2’s old house at 540 W. Washington Blvd. Truck 2 was scheduled to get the new Hendrickson/Pierce/Morita that did not fit. I am also attaching photos of (EF-197), the 1974 Hendrickson – Pierce – Morita Aerial Lift (Pierce # 8276-C). You have a good view of the aerial itself as well as the ground ladder storage. I am also sending a parade photo showing where the ff’s rode on the back step.

When they realized the height of the ladder would not fit the doors, they exchanged rigs with Truck 1 (EF-192), a 1972 Alfco 1000 Series Ladder Chief.

I am trying to locate a shot of the company showing Hook & Ladder 2.

Bill

Chicago Fire Department Truck 1 Morita Ladder

Chicago Truck 1 (EF-197), a 1974 Hendrickson 1871/Pierce/Morita 135’Ladder. BIll Friedrich photo

Chicago Truck 1 (EF-197), a 1974 Hendrickson 1871/Pierce/Morita Ladder. BIll Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department fire house for Truck 2

Truck 2’s house at 540 W. Washington Boulevard. Bill Friedrich photo

Tags: 135' aerial ladder for the Chicago Fire Department, Bill Friedrich, Chicago FD Truck 1 history, Chicago FD Truck 2 history, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department apparatus history, fire apparatus history, Hendrickson chassis fire truck, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Morita ladder

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt9) – Big Mo 6-7-2

Mar 1

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 8 Comments

This installment from Bill Friedrich on the history of Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2

Turret Wagon 6-7-2 was organized on 9-19-66 at 1244 N Wells (Chicago Fire Rescue HQ)

9-19-66 (G-196) 1962 Willys Jeep FC150 4×4
1966 the CFD Shops fabricated and installed the body with twin deluge monitors capable of flowing 4,000-GPM

6-7-2 (G-196) 1962 Willys Jeep FC150 4X4 – 1966 CFD Shops. Bob Schalund photo

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2 (G-196) was a built on a1962 Willys Jeep. Bob Schalund photo

10-22-67 (G-248) 1953 IHC M61 5-ton
1967 CFD Shops fabricated and installed the body with twin deluge monitors capable of flowing 10,00-GPM

during the mid 70’s, G-248 was found not structuarally sound . The body and both monitors were remounted on G-157

Chicago 6-7-2 (G-248) was on a 1953 IHC M61 5-ton chassis that was fabricated by the CFD Shops in 1967. Ron Heal photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2 Big Mo working at a fire

1977 (G-157) 1951 GMC M135 2 1/1 ton 6X6 “Big Mo”
1967 the Civil Defense modified the vehicle and body and the CFD Shops fabricated and installed the body with twin deluge monitors capable of flowing 10,000-GPM
This vehicle was always painted in the CD blue & white colors.

The company was disbanded 2-13-75

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2 (G-157) was built on a 1951 GMC M135 chassis and was fabricated by the CFD Shops the same year. It was dubbed ‘Big Mo’. Ron Heal photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2 Big Mo working at a fire