Posts Tagged Ward LaFrance in the CFD

Chicago Fire Department: Truck Companies over the years. Part 1

This from Martin Nowak:

I’ve talked with Squad546, who has allowed me to submit these pictures. I’ll have several posts within the next few months. For now I’d like to show some CFD truck companies over the years.

Former Tower Ladder 5 – 1988 Federal/E-One 95′
Former Tower Ladder 14 -1996 HME/LTI 102′
Former Truck (Aerial Tower) 1 – 1988 Federal/E-One 135′
Former Truck 2 – 1988 Federal/E-One 110′
Former Truck 33 – 1993 Seagrave 100′
Former Truck 34 – 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove 100′
Former Truck 62, then Truck 8 after the 1994 rehab. Pictured as a spare. 1978 Seagrave 100′
Chicago FD E-ONE tower ladder

Former Tower Ladder 5 – 1988 Federal/E-One 95′. Squad546 photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14 HME LTI

Former Tower Ladder 14 -1996 HME/LTI 102′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department 135' aerial ladder Truck 1

Former Truck (Aerial Tower) 1 – 1988 Federal/E-One 135′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department 100' aerial ladder Truck 2 E-ONE

Former Truck 2 – 1988 Federal/E-One 110′. Squad546 photo

Chicago FD ladder truck Seagrave

Former Truck 33 – 1993 Seagrave 100′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Grove ladder truck

Former Truck 34 – 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove 100′. Squad 546 photo

 

Chicago FD Seagrave ladder truck

Former Truck 62, then Truck 8 after the 1994 rehab. Pictured as a spare. 1978 Seagrave 100′. Squad546 photo

 

 

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CFD Apparatus History – trucks with boosters

Some additional information about the aerials purchased by the Chicago Fire Department in the late 60s and early 70s . Some have inquired about the fact that several aerials were delivered with booster reels and 300-gallon water tanks. There were several types of aerials purchased by the CFD during this time frame.

These included:

  • (3) 1968 Mack CF/Pirsch 100-foot aerials (with a red cab face) (300-gallon tanks)
  • (1) 1968 Seagrave aerial with an FWD chassis featuring rear steering for Truck 63 at O’Hare Airport
  • (8) 1970 Seagrave rear-mounts (250-gallon tanks)
  • (5) 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove units assigned to Truck 7, Truck 12, Truck 18, Truck 21, and Truck 34 (300-gallon tanks)
  • (3) 1972 Mack CF 700/Pirsch 100-foot aerials (with a silver cab face) (300-gallon tanks)

At some point in time, the shops drained the water tanks and removed the booster reels as seen in some of the photos posted HERE and below.

Future posts will show more of these aerials, but the photos here show a few examples.

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Seagrave Rear Admiral O'hare Airport

This is a 1968 Seagrave Rear Admiral 100′ aerial with a 500-gallon booster tank and twin booster reels. It features an FWD chassis with rear steering and was assigned to Truck 63 at O’Hare Airport. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Truck 5 1972 Mack CF Pirsch

Truck 5 was assigned one of three 1972 100-foot Pirsch rear-mount aerials mounted on a Mack CF chassis with a 500-gallon water tank and twin booster reels. Larry Shapiro photo

Previous posts in this series depicted CFD trucks with boosters from 1967 and CFD trucks with boosters from 1968.

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance

To supplement our multi-part series on the Ward LaFrance apparatus used by the CFD, Bill Friedrich has submitted copies of the 1970 Ward LaFrance sell sheets/brochures featuring these units. Previous posts can be found HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago engines

This Ward LaFrance brochure features a shot of all seven Ward LaFrance 2,000-GPM engines for Chicago in 1970. Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago engines

All sides of a 1970 Ward LaFrance 2,000-GPM engine for Chicago with complete specifications. Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago ladder trucks

Both sides of a 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' ladder truck. These had 300-gallon booster tanks, Hale 2CBP booster pumps, Grove 4S-100 ladders, and "many other items of special equipment.". Bill Friedrich collection

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1969)

Chicago received two Ward LaFrance engines in 1969. Both Model P80 units had 1,000-GPM pumps and 500-gallon water tanks. One was assigned to Engine 45 (D-347) and the other to Engine 83 (D-358). Engine 83’s unit was later assigned as a spare R-2.

Chicago Fire Department 1969 Ward LaFrance Model P80 Ambassador engine 83

Chicago Engine 83 was assigned a 1969 Ward LaFrance Model P80 engine with an Ambassador cab. One of only two units built in 1969 for the city. Jack Connors photo

This engine featured a cab that was similar to the 1,000-GPM engine purchased in 1967 without the extended bumper, and no floodlights were on this series. Unlike the 1967 unit though, these  had a bell mounted under the officer’s windshield and a siren in the center of the cab’s face.

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1967)

In 1967, the Chicago Fire Department was badly in need of new engines. They looked to Ward LaFrance for assistance in acquiring what they had available. Chicago received four engines. One was assigned to Engine 42 (D-327) with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. (this would later be re-assigned to Engine 46)

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine

Engine 42 was assigned this 1967 Ward LaFrance with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500-gallon tank. Initially, the unit numbers were fairly small on the driver's door. George Brown collection

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine

The officer's side of Engine 42's 1967 Ward LaFrance engine when it was delivered. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 46

Shop #D-327 was later reassigned to Engine Company 46. Large company number decals were added to the engine. Jack Connors photo

The other three units were delivered with 1,250-GPM pumps and 350-gallon water tanks and were assigned to Engine 34 (D-332), Engine 54 (D-333), and Engine 11 (D-334).

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 34

Engine 34 received one of three 1967 Ward LaFrance pumpers with the larger 1,250-GPM pump and a smaller water tank. This image was taken after the shops added white decals that made the company unit number easier to read. Jack Connors photo

These units differed from the first piece that went to Engine 42. The body is taller, the pump panel has a polished backing instead of being painted and there are no flood lights. The cab has several different features including an extended bumper with a bell, siren, and front intake. The cab face underneath the windshield is covered with a panel to protect the paint from being scratched. Additionally, the rear of the cab canopy has a completely different shape than the earlier and subsequently later styles as well.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 54

This shot of Engine 54 shows the officer's side of the 1,250-GPM series engines from 1967. Jack Connors photo

Shop #D-333 which was originally assigned to Engine 54 was later assigned to Engine 99 and then again to Engine 107. Unlike the other 1,250-GPM engines, this rig was delivered with one flood light.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 98

CFD Shop #D-334 was originally assigned to Engine 11 and then to Engine 98 as shown here. Note also the CFD scramble on the lower portion of the driver's door and the company number under the windshield. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 107

CFD Shop #D-334 was assigned for a third time to Engine Company 107. The hard suction trays have been raised to accommodate hose storage on the shelf above the lower compartments. Jack Connors photo

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1973)

Part 3 in the series covering Ward LaFrance and the Chicago Fire Department:

In 1973, Chicago received an additional five Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engines. Four of these had 1,500-GPM pumps and were assigned to Engine 23 (D-389), Engine 29 (D-390), Engine 57 (D-391), and Engine 67 (D-392). The remaining engine had a 1,750-GPM pump and went to Engine 74 (D-393). All had 500-gallon water tanks.

Engine 74 with the 1,750-GPM pump had several differences in trim design which gave it a different look than the other 1973 models. The pump panel was painted red and did not have the polished panel like the other units. In addition, the wide steel band which wrapped the front doors and cab face of the other units was omitted from Engine 74.

Unlike the units which came in 1970, these engines had the large company numbers relegated to the rear compartment and another number was on the cab face. Also, “Chicago Fire Dept.” was now lettered on both sides of the cab under the jump-seat window as well as on the cab roof over the windshield. The handrail at the back of the cab no longer ran the full width as these engines had a multi-versal that was stored on the roof.

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 23

Chicago Engine 23 was assigned shop #D-389. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 29

This image of Engine 29 shows the officer's side of the 1973 Ward LaFrance Model 80 engines that were built with the Ambassador series cab. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 57 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Engine 57 had one of four 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador engines with a 1,500-GPM pump. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 67

Engine 67 received one of the five units delivered by Ward LaFrance in 1973. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 74 Ward LaFrance

Chicago Engine 74 had a 1973 Ward LaFrance engine that varied slightly from the others. It had a 1,750-GPM pump and slightly different body styling. Larry Shapiro photo

Shop #D-393, the one unit with a 1,750-GPM pump that was originally assigned to Engine Company 74, was later reassigned to Engine 104.

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance trucks (1970)

Part 2 in the series on CFD Ward LaFrance apparatus in Chicago discusses the Grove aerials. Bill Friedrich submitted the following information:
There were a total of (5) WLF P80/Grove 100-foot rear-mount aerials ordered.  Companies that received these were Truck 12 (E-183), Truck 34 (E-184), Truck 21 (E-185), Truck 18 (E-186), and Truck 7 (E-187). These were delivered with booster reels that were removed from Trucks 12 & 18.
Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' rear mount aerial.

Chicago Truck 18 shown here with their 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' rear mount aerial. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department Truck 12 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove aerial

Truck 12 also had one of the 100-foot Grove aerials with a Ward LaFrance Ambassador cab and chassis. As shown here, the booster reel has been removed. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Chicago Truck 7 at the fire academy when it was ready to go in service. The booster reel is visible above the ground ladders. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck 34 during a fire prevention week parade on State Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck 21's apparatus (E-185) was later assigned to Truck 39. Jack Connors photo

Truck 21’s unit was later reassigned to Truck 39, and Truck 7’s unit was reassigned to Truck 61.

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck Company 61 was assigned the unit that was previously Truck 7. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

This unit (Shop #E-185) was given to Truck 39 after it saw service as Truck 21. The booster reel as seen in the image of Truck 21 was removed prior to the re-assignment to Truck 39. Jack Connors photo

 

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CFD apparatus history – Ward LaFrance (1970)

Bill Friedrich has initiated the first in a series of posts chronicling different types of apparatus that saw service in Chicago. The first post covers the Ward LaFrance engines from 1970.

There were a total of (7) P80’s delivered in 1970, one for each district. Companies that received these were Engine 126 (D-372), Engine 73 (D-373), Engine 8 (D-374), Engine 106 (D-375), Engine 22 (D-376), Engine 113 (D-377) and Engine 49 (D-378). These units had 2,000-GPM pumps.
Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 1970 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Chicago Engine 113 was one of 7 units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance with the Ambassador chassis, a 2,000-GPM pump, and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 22

This unit originally assigned to Engine 22 later went to Engine 99 and then to Engine 46 after a complete refurb. The CFD scramble on the door and the red unit number on the front were not part of the original graphics. This unit, damaged by a wall collapse, was rebuilt. Shown here after the rebuild, the cab is lacking the continuous hand rail at the canopy that extended up the sides and across the top. Additionally, the red section above the pump panel is not how this series was delivered to the city. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 73

Engine 73 was assigned shop #D373 that was eventually scrapped. This was the only 1970 Ward LaFrance that was not later rebuilt. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 126

Engine 126's rig (shop #D-372), shows the full height polished metal behind the pump panel.. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 106

Engine 106 received one of the seven units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance. The original graphics only included the Chicago Fire Department name above the windshield. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 8

This photo of Engine 8 in Chinatown shows the unit when it went into service. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 49

Engine 49 is seen here on the fireground. Jack Connors photo

In 1990 (6) of the original 1970 P80’s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. at their Frankfort, IL facility. The rebuild included a Ranger 4-door cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other components of the original apparatus. The following companies received these vehicles;  Engine 122 (x-Engine 126), Engine 69 (x-Engine 8), Engine 113 (x-Engine 106), Engine 46 (x-Engine 22), Engine 14 (x-Engine 113) and Engine 34 (x-Engine 49)  All these vehicles were equipped with 5″ hose. One was assigned in each district of the city. Two of these, D-374 and D-375, were used in the movie Backdraft.

Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 Ward LaFrance Ranger

Engine 113 with a rebuilt 1970/1990 Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE engine. Bil Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This unit (D-378) for Engine 34 was formerly assigned to Engine 49. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 14 Ward LaFrance

Chicago Engine 14 also received one of the rebuilt Ward LaFrance engines in 1990 that had an extended bumper with LDH. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 122 received one of the 1973/1990 Ranger/EONE/Ward LaFrance refurbished engines. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 69 received shop #D-374 which was later used in the movie Backdraft. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This shot of Engine 46 working at a fire scene provides a look at the officer's side of the rebuilt units. Jack Connors photo

 

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