There were four area units on display this year in the FDIC Exhibits. New engines for Carol Stream, Fermilab, and Northlake were shown in separate booths and the MABAS 10 MVU was also in the exhibit hall.
A new engine for Carol Stream was shown in the Alexis booth. Larry Shapiro photo
Looking strikingly similar to a CFD engine, Carol Stream Engine 29 is on a Spartan chassis. Larry Shapiro photo
Fermilab Engine 702 was in the UST Fire Apparatus booth (formerly US Tank, previously US Tanker). Larry Shapiro photo
A view of the rear chevron on Engine 702. Larry Shapiro photo
The officer's side of Fermilab Engine 702 with painted roll-up doors. Larry Shapiro Photo
In the Marion booth a new engine for Northlake on a Spartan Metro Star chassis with the Evolution Series trim was on display. Larry Shapiro photo
The driver's side of Northlake Engine 806. Larry Shapiro photo
The MABAS Division 10 MVU Mobile Ventilation Unit, housed in Lyons was also on display at the show. Larry Shapiro photo
The exhibits were in two separate building; the convention center and the sports arena. All but a select few fire apparatus manufacturers moved into the convention center as seen in this image of the sports arena. Larry Shapiro photo
This image of the sports arena from FDIC 2011 shows more fire apparatus in this venue. Larry Shapiro photo
In 2010, construction on the new convention center had not been completed, and there were many more fire trucks on display in the sports arena. Larry Shapiro photo
A bit of “retro” in the Pierce booth.
Most have probably seen the newest Pierce cab and chassis that was unveiled last year – the Dash CF. It featured a grille that matched the Velocity, the Impel, and the Arrow XT.
The Pierce Dash CF with a grille that matches the Velocity, Impel, and the Arrow XT. Larry Shapiro photo
As it turns out, the engine sits in the back of the cab and the grille is for aesthetics only. This year, Pierce displayed a 105′ rear-mount, PUC, quint on the Dash CF chassis without a grille. If one looks beyond the one-piece windshield and the cab-tilt cutouts, the unit has the appearance of an early Pierce Arrow or a Javelin.
A 105' aerial mounted on a Dash CF chassis without the grille. The cab face has the appearance of an early Pierce Arrow and the short lived Javelin. Larry Shapiro phoo
