After adding several units recently to the site and finding both US Tank and US Tanker on various nameplates, a call was placed to the manufacturer to determine the story. So, for those interested in the difference, the company, which is now called US Tanker, says that between the years of 1989 through 1996 they went by the name US Tank. Since then, they are known as US Tanker. The confusion was renewed recently with Tanker 72 in Woodstock which was manufactured in 1993 and is branded with the name of US Tank. (although it is currently labeled incorrectly on the site as US Tanker and will be updated.)
Archive for July 19th, 2010
US Tanker or US Tank?
Jul 19
We have been following the progress of two new fire stations in Division 1. Mount Prospect Station 14 on Kensington Road opened several months ago but was not complete until recently when the bay doors were installed. Mount Prospect officials had refused to accept the bi-fold doors with windows on at least two occasions due to a substandard paint job. The building opened with solid doors as mentioned HERE and HERE. Today the station was photographed with the proper doors. As a side note, it appears that a reserve ambulance and a reserve engine are housed at this station which will require an update to the site listing.
Mount Prospect Station 14 at 2000 Kensington Road is now complete with the proper doors installed for the apparatus bays. Larry Shapiro photo
Station 14 opened with the temporary solid bi-fold doors. Larry Shapiro photo
The second fire station that we’ve been keeping tabs on is the new headquarters Station 24 on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. Running about a month behind schedule, the majority of this project has been completed. The station has company quarters including kitchen, dayroom, bunk room and lockers on the first floor while the headquarters space and training room are on the second floor.
Wheeling's new headquarters station 24 on Milwaukee Avenue shown here is nearing completion. Larry Shapiro photo
The Daily Herald reported on July 14th that crews will break ground next month for a new fire station in Palatine.
An artist rendering of the new building for Palatine Station 81. Source; The Daily Herald
Palatine residents getting used to the police headquarters construction will soon notice hard hats at a second public safety-related work site.
Crews are expected to break ground within 30 to 45 days on a satellite fire station at 1215 N. Quentin Road, located at the corner of Echo Lane.
The village council on Monday unanimously approved a contract that sets the guaranteed maximum price for construction at $2.56 million. That factors in subcontractor bids, construction contingency, construction manager fee and bond cost.
When combined with planning, design, furnishings and other administrative costs, the total project is coming in at $2.98 million, or just under the $3 million budget.
The village’s burden could prove less if the state releases a $575,000 commitment to the project through its capital plan. Palatine isn’t counting on it and is prepared to secure funding through other means.
“We’re planning for the worst, meaning that we don’t get anything,” Village Manager Reid Ottesen said. “Realistically, I’d put it at a 50-50 chance right now.”
Next month, Palatine will initiate the first of two bond issues in order to fund both the fire station and the much larger $23 million police headquarters. The decision was made to secure funding in two phases, Ottesen said, because the buildings won’t be ready until next year and there’s no point in borrowing the full amount upfront just to pay interest on it.
Earlier this year, the 8,700-square-foot building’s design was scaled back to come in under budget. Changes were mostly cosmetic, though accommodations were reduced to change the maximum number of personnel from six to five firefighters.
The cost savings could be partly erased if the village doesn’t agree to waive its automatic sprinkler requirement in the noncombustible attic space.
The satellite fire station should be operational by March or April. The Dundee Road station will close, and the Masonic Lodge will take over the space.
Fire officials say the new station is necessary in order to improve response times to west and northwest Palatine compared to the current station.
New engine for Westchester
Jul 19
The Westchester Fire Department in Division 20 has reportedly purchased an E-ONE Typhoon engine. The unit which was a demonstrator has a 2,000-GPM pump and carries 1,000 gallons of water. Presumably it also has a foam tank.
Carol Stream squad
Jul 19
It appears from production photos at Alexis that the Spartan/Alexis squad for Carol Stream has been completed. This is a walk-around unit with a 2-door (stubby) cab.
This image of a completed squad 235 was posted 7-15-10 on the Alexis site. Alexis photo
Side view of the new squad showing 2-door Spartan cab. Alexis photo
Rear view of the walk-around squad ready for delivery at Alexis. Alexis photo
