On December 6th of last year, The Chicago Fire Department issued an administrative order adding a new tool to the arsenal of the Special Operations Division. Rescue Vac Unit 5-2-4 was established as a new CFD asset. Assigned to the Special Operations facility at 39th and Honore, 5-2-4 is an X-Streets and Sanitation sewer vac truck that many may have seen displayed last summer for the International Fire Chief’s Association trade show at McCormick Place. It is on an LN Series Ford chassis and has been modified by Rescue Vac Systems, a local company that upgrades the equipment for emergency rescue operations. 5-2-4 will respond to city-wide trench rescue incidents and will be available for suburban trench rescues through the MABAS Box Alarm System.
Chicago Rescue Vac Unit 5-2-4 shown here on display last August at the Fire Rescue International Trade Show at McCormick Place. Larry Shapiro photo
The Chicago Fire Department made modifications to this sewer vac truck that previously saw service with the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Larry Shapiro photo
#1 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on January 17, 2011 - 9:39 AM
Chris, 6-4-16 is a high-rise response rig. It will respond to any confirmed fire in a high-rise building. It carries extra fans, hose, and misc. equipment. It is stored at Air Mask at 1044 N Orleans St.
5-1-3 is a JHAT vehicle. JHAT is Joint Hazard Assessment Team. The vehicle is stored at Special Ops on 39th St. The vehicle is used to transport equipment for the team to use when activacted. Examples are the Taste of Chicago, the air show, or any other major event in Chicago.
#2 by Chris S. on January 16, 2011 - 4:16 AM
Have a question about another spec. ops. rig, 6-4-16 the hi-rise unit. Is this unit @ 39th St.? I don’t seem to hear it on radio or @ fires. I saw another spec. ops. rig recently 5-1-3, what is it and where is it?