Posts Tagged historical photos of Chicago Fire Department

Chicago 5-11 at 1520 S Indiana in 1974

Feb 12

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Scene photos | 15 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

I returned from Arkansas with a lot of my dad’s collection. One of the things he had displayed on his wall was a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a 5-11 he and I were at in 1974. This was a cold storage warehouse and I recall it burned for days. I also remember at some point the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure causing the transmission of another extra alarm. We took it in well after the initial alarm and toured the fireground getting these shots of some classic rigs in action. The image with Big John in the background is probably one of the few images you will see with both guns working. Most times they couldn’t muster up the water supply to use both. Also note the 2000-GPM LaFrances often used both ports on the hydrant. They had an order that no other pumper was to share a hydrant with a 2,000-gallon rig, thus giving them the ability to use both steamer ports.

These photos were in horrendous condition … colors way off and faded. I was surprised at how much of the damaged images I was able to restore. They are far from perfect but at least they are now useable. I bet if I made them B&W they would be near perfect. Enjoy the history.

Steve

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago and Big John

Warren Redick photo

Warren Redick photo

vintage American LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

Warren Redick photo

vintage Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

Tags: Chicago FD history, historic Chicago fire scene, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Steve Redick, Ward LaFrance P80 engines in Chicago, Warren Redick

A historical review …

Sep 25

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 2 Comments

From Steve Redick:

I cranked up the wayback machine for a long overdue session….Here’s a shot I believe I may have gotten from Chuck Madderom. A very rare image of the famous Snorkel Squad 3 operating with a Snorkel. I have no info on this location or date, but I LOVE this shot. This is the same rig, the original Snorkel, that was restored by ALF back in the 90’s. As many of you already know my dad was the captain of this company, and I did ride on one of the foam pressures a coupla times when I lived on Erie Street. That house is now gone too.

photographer unknown

Here’s a good old fire fan photo. A still alarm 59th & Lafayette or Lasalle maybe even Perry … not sure now … mid 70’s … fire venting out the side and a truckman holding the door shut after forcing it while the engine leads out. My dad is visible in the white helmet on the right side of the photo. I rode in the 12th battalion buggy to this job. Typical fire in the old 12th battalion in those days.

Steve Redick photo

Don’t remember the date for this next one, but I was coming home from some tavern and took this in. Probably about 0300 or so, I’m thinking the late 80s. This was a pretty well known restaurant if I remember right..can anyone add more info?

Steve Redick photo

Let’s look at one more. Detroit lost 3 members in a major warehouse fire back in March 1987. This cartoon appeared in the paper the next day. I thought so much of it I bought a lithograph of it from the paper. This has always been a touching image for me.

Steve

Tags: historic fire scene photos, historic fire truck photos, historic fire truck pictures, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Steve Redick, Warren Redick

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt19)

Apr 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 7 Comments

Saving the most impressive of the CFD turret wagons for the last, this article includes images from Jack Connors that show all sides and closeups of 6-7-3, otherwise known as Big John when it was new.

View of the rear and driver’s side in front of Engine 8’s house. Jack Connors photo

Overhead shot from the second floor. Jack Connors photo

Closeup of the hydraulic controls. Jack Connors photo

Hose inlets. Jack Connors photo

View from the rear. Jack Connors photo

The two guns as seen from the rear. Jack Connors photo

Hydraulic lift cylinder. Jack Connors photo

On-board pump. Jack Connors photo

On-board generator. Jack Connors photo

Another view of the two massive turrets. Jack Connors photo

Additional master streams could be deployed off the front bumper. Jack Connors photo

Impressive front end with chevron striping on the bumper. Jack Connors photo

The previous article in this series (pt 18) is HERE and an earlier post featuring Big John is HERE.

Tags: CFD Deluge Wagon Big John, Chicago Civil Defense Fire and Rescue, Chicago FD Deluge Wagon, Chicago FIre Department Big John, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-3, Chicago Fire Department turret wagon, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big John, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-3, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Jack Connors, John F. Plant, massive custom built fire truck in the Chicago FD

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 18)

Apr 21

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 1 Comment

Another installment on the history of turret wagons in the Chicago Fire Department from Jack Connors. Images depict Big Mo as it was on two different chassis. It was assigned as 6-7-2 originally on a 1953 International 6×6 chassis which was painted black over red. This unit carried shop #G-248. It was later remounted onto 1957 GMC 6×6 chassis in the blue and white colors of the Civil Defense carrying shop #G-157 .

Images from Jack’s collection are featured from Ken Little and George Brown in addition to Jack’s own photos.

Big Mo seen here working at a 5-11 Alarm fire with specials in June of 1969 at 14th and Indiana. George Brown photo

Big Mo 6-7-2 was built by the CFD shops on a 1953 International 6×6 chassis. George Brown photo

BIg Mo 6-7-2 at Engine 13’s house. George Brown photo

The first version of Big Mo at 66th & State. George Brown photo

Big Mo in the fire prevention week parade in October of 1970. Jack Connor photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2, known as Big Mo at Engine 42’s house. George Brown photo

Unknown date and location with the second Big Mo at a fire scene. Ken Little photo

The previous post in this series is HERE.

An earlier post showing Big Mo 6-7-2 is HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago Civil Defense Fire and Rescue, Chicago FD Deluge Wagon, Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2, Chicago Fire Department turret wagon, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big Mo, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2, Chicago Turret Wagon Big Mo, George Brown, historic fire in Chicago, historic fire photos, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Jack Connors, Ken Little

New book featuring northern Illinois fire departments

Apr 11

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News, Fire Service Photos | Comments off

Tim Olk’s book entitled Northern Illinois Fire Ground Photography is almost here!

upper

book about northern illinois fire departments

lower

Download the flyer.

Tags: Chicago Fire Department apparatus photos, fire engine photos, fire scene photos, firefighter photos, historic fire photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, new book about fire departments, Northern Illinois Fire Ground Photography, photos of fire fighters working, photos of fire in Chicago, photos of fire trucks at fire scene, photos of firefighters battling house fire, photos of house fire, Tim Olk

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 Fire Department: Engine Companies over the years. Part 1

Mar 17

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 41 Comments

Another installment of CFD apparatus images:

More on the CFD apparatus history, engines companies over the years. Thanks to Squad546 for allowing me to use these pictures. I thought it would be nice to put the Ford/E-Ones together.

Former Engine 5 – 1982 Ford/E-One, returning from a run in 1995.

Former Engine 8 – 1982 Ford/E-One, headed out on a run in 1995.

Former Engine 13 – 1982 Ford/E-One.

Former Engine 61 – 1982 Ford/E-One. At one time was one of the busiest engine companies in the country. They recently closed it & now it serves as an EMS Field Division office.

Former Engine 78 – 1976 Ford/Pierce after a refurb.

Former Engine 113 – 1982 Ford/E-One.

Former Engine 127 (Midway Airport) – 1982 Ford/E-One (Never seen a deck gun like this one -Martin)

Former E13 – 1982 Ford/E-One running as a spare for Engine 42, taken 1996.

Former Engine 5 – 1982 Ford/E-One, returning from a run in 1995. Photo by Squad546

Former Engine 8 – 1982 Ford/E-One, headed out on a run in 1995. photo by Squad546

Former Engine 13 – 1982 Ford/E-One. Photo by Squad546

Former E13 – 1982 Ford/E-One running as a spare for Engine 42, taken 1996. Photo by Squad546

Former Engine 61 – 1982 Ford/E-One. At one time was one of the busiest engine companies in the country. They recently closed it & now it serves as an EMS Field Division office. Photo by Squad546

Former Engine 127 (Midway Airport) – 1982 Ford/E-One.Photo by Squad546

Former Engine 113 – 1982 Ford/E-One. Photo by Squad546

Former Engine 78 – 1976 Ford/Pierce after a refurb. Photo by Squad546

Tags: Chciago Engine 13, Chicago Engine 113, Chicago Engine 127, Chicago Engine 5, Chicago Engine 61, Chicago Engine 78, Chicago Engine8, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department apparatus history, Chicago Fire Department history, commercial fire engines in the CFD, Ford C Series chassis for fire engines, Ford E-ONE fire engines, historic fire truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Martin Nowak, photos by Squad546

Chicago Fire Department: Truck Companies over the years. Part 3

Mar 14

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

Another set of Squad546 images from Martin Nowak:

More on the Truck companies over the years at CFD. Thanks to Squad546 for allowing me to post these.

Former Tower Ladder 10 -1985 Federal-E-One 95′

Former Truck 4, 1970 Seagrave (refurbished in 1991) headed out on a still alarm.

Truck 18 – 1995 Seagrave 100′

Former Truck 20 – 1969 Seagrave before removal of the booster pump & line.

Former Truck 35 – 1967 FWD/Seagrave, formerly Truck 9.

Former Truck 52’s 1975 Seagrave 100′ in the early 1980s

Former Tower Ladder 10 -1985 Federal-E-One 95′. photo by Squad546

Former Truck 4, 1970 Seagrave (refurbished in 1991) headed out on a still alarm. photo by Squad546

Truck 18 – 1995 Seagrave 100′ . photo by Squad546

Former Truck 20 – 1969 Seagrave before removal of the booster pump & line. photo by Squad546

Former Truck 35 – 1967 FWD/Seagrave, formerly Truck 9. photo by Squad546

Former Truck 52’s 1975 Seagrave 100′ in the early 1980s. photo by Squad546

Tags: Chicago FD Truck 18, Chicago FD Truck 20, Chicago FD Truck 35, Chicago FD Truck 4, Chicago FD Truck 52, Chicago Fire Department apparatus history, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Tower Ladder 10, E-ONE ladder truck, Federal Motors fire truck chassis, fire department history, FWD fire truck chassis, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Martin Nowak, photos by Squad546, Seagrave aerial ladder truck

Chicago Fire Department: Truck Companies over the years. Part 2

Mar 10

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

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