CRIMSON: The Spartan Gladiator Classic/Crimson engine for Highland Park should be at the local dealership within the next two weeks. After the appication of graphics have been completed, the 1500/500/40 engine which is slated for Station 32 in the Ravinia section of town should be delivered.

The order for 30-103′ rear mount aerial ladder trucks for Chicago will be on Spartan Gladiator Classic MFD chassis with a 10″ raised extension on the sides and a notched cab to maintain a low travel height.  The first chassis should be readying soon for production at Spartan. Crimson built a demo to the Chicago specifications last year and sold it as a stock truck to Jersey City, NJ which can be seen HERE. Although there have been some modifications to the final design, this is pretty close to what t he final units will look like in Chicago, including the gray ladder.

Jersey City Crimson ladder truck

photo by Ron Jeffers

HME AHRENS FOX: Oak Park has two HME Ahrens Fox custom pumpers on order. These will be on the HME 1971W cab with 400hp engines, 1500 GPM pumps and 750 gallon water tanks. The units are expected to be delivered in October of 2010.

SVI Trucks: The rescue coming for the Cherry Valley FPD should be on display at the Fire Rescue International trade show in August at McCormick Place. This is being built on a single axle Gladiator chassis with a Classic LFD cab, forward facing seating for five, and a 10″ raised roof. It will feature a 20′ walk-around body, roll-up doors, a top mounted Command Light and top of body compartments with a rear staircase for access.