This from Erik Haak:
It appears three more CFD Field Chief buggies are marked and ready for service. Josh Boyajian already reported on 4-5-2 and 4-5-5 back in December. 4-5-1, 6, and 8 were out front of the Tri-Angle Fabrication and Body Company, Inc which is on 43rd Street, just west of Packers.Photo to Eric Haak
Erik Haak photo
#1 by MJ on April 3, 2014 - 11:22 AM
And you are required to have at least 10 sq. ft. of pink and purple metalic paint on the apparatus visible in all directions….wow…I am changing career fields!
#2 by spoung45 on April 3, 2014 - 10:36 AM
I read somewhere that NFPA is starting to move to UV black lights lights for all light bars, and the normal siren will be replaced with a meowing cat sound effect. And the air horn will be replaced with a cat purr.
#3 by MJ on April 3, 2014 - 9:57 AM
T
After I posted that I tried to find it again. You are correct…nothing about green. I must have dreamed that at some point (sad I am dreaming of lightbar colors!!)
#4 by T on April 2, 2014 - 10:33 PM
http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K12-215 Nothing about green lights in the IL blue light law. It does state towns over 500000 their pd can solely use blue lights only.
#5 by MJ on April 2, 2014 - 9:24 PM
State of Illinois says something about green lights on emergency vehicles in a populous over 50,000. I am not sure of the details but I did read that somewhere in a “blue light law”.
#6 by T on April 2, 2014 - 8:42 PM
Nfpa 1901 is silent on the use of green lights. Blue is not mandatory.
#7 by MJ on April 2, 2014 - 6:12 PM
Speaking of new vehicles…does anybody know if the O.F.I. staff will be receiving new vehicles? They really need updated trucks.
#8 by FFPM571 on April 2, 2014 - 5:52 PM
You cant just change lenses on LED bars the color is in the LEDs the dome is just for looks. The NFPA has no bearing on it. You really have no Idea what your talking about
#9 by Kevin Griffin on April 2, 2014 - 5:23 PM
I meant the green lenses might not be on yet because nfpa might not have seen the buggy’s yet
#10 by Josh on April 2, 2014 - 4:56 PM
Kevin your comment doesn’t make any sense…..
#11 by Kevin Griffin on April 2, 2014 - 4:01 PM
I wonder if they cant put the green yet maybe because the nfpa hasn’t seen them yet
#12 by MJ on April 2, 2014 - 3:48 PM
NJ
I agree. There HAS to be a reason for this. They (CFD) would not just change light colors to start a buzz. They had to have been directed to for some reason (NFPA, upper staff, etc.)….when someone figures it out please share.
#13 by NJ on April 2, 2014 - 3:24 PM
I don’t get the push for blue. In Chicago, blue = PD. Now I know the new buggies are not only blue, but there is good reason we don’t want people mixing up CFD and CPD. Blue on FD rigs adds some confusion to the mix.
#14 by MJ on April 2, 2014 - 1:28 PM
Thanks Josh!! Can’t wait to see them.
MJ
#15 by Josh Boyajian on April 2, 2014 - 7:54 AM
There are 3 more buggies that are awaiting to be placed into service after these three for a total of 6. I will post a picture of one later on…
#16 by John on April 1, 2014 - 8:30 PM
@Turk_WLF I Stopped by at my dad’s firehouse (Engine 125) today to workout and Battalion chief 8 is still using the 2007 ford expedition. Glad they got a new one because it really sounded bad starting up.
#17 by NJ on April 1, 2014 - 5:32 PM
None of the prior buggies came like this.
#18 by Turk_WLF on April 1, 2014 - 4:39 PM
I have a question… are the new Buggies in Service or on the road yet?
Because the pictures on eLightbars.org to me at least it looks like that the Buggies might not be in the field yet. & the lightbar lens could be change from blue-red -white-red-white-red-blue to blue-red -white-red-white-red-green.
I know most Fire Apparatus Manufacturers can’t delivered custom warning light lens on the rigs.
#19 by MJ on April 1, 2014 - 4:26 PM
That is it, no green that I saw either. I didn’t see a buggy for BC 7 either (as posted earlier) just 8, 21 and 2-2-2.
#20 by NJ on April 1, 2014 - 4:21 PM
Links to the pics
http://elightbars.org/forums/attachments/f80/71742d1396147126-chicago-fire-department-going-red-blue-chicago-fire-department.jpg
http://elightbars.org/forums/attachments/f80/71741d1396147126-chicago-fire-department-going-red-blue-chicago-fire-department-1.jpg
Thanks MJ
#21 by NJ on April 1, 2014 - 4:18 PM
Yep, saw the pics. Looks to be blue-red -white-red-white-red-blue
#22 by MJ on April 1, 2014 - 4:12 PM
David and NJ:
Click on Forums first, then scroll to Vehicle Media.
MJ
#23 by MJ on April 1, 2014 - 4:04 PM
David and NJ:
I am having trouble downloading the photos here, however, if you go to elightbars.org and scroll down to Vehicle Media, the photos are posted on there (3/30/14).
Sorry…
#24 by Mike Mc on April 1, 2014 - 4:02 PM
If you really want to be picky, the EMS field chief buggies should be white with red trim, like the ambulances. Only fire suppression buggies should be black over red.
#25 by hank on April 1, 2014 - 3:02 PM
I wish cfd would get rid of the tradition n use blue n amber lights n paint the rigs blue n white
#26 by David on April 1, 2014 - 1:33 PM
MJ: If you got a pic of the new 2-2-2 and the BC8 buggies I think the blue lens should be visible on the photos, could you please share them here?! Can’t wait to see how it finally looks like.
#27 by NJ on April 1, 2014 - 11:37 AM
MJ, can you post the pics?
#28 by MJ on April 1, 2014 - 11:09 AM
So, the lightbars are red/clear/green and blue now? I have a photo of 2-2-2, BC 21 and BC 8. Is there another one for BC 7? I also noticed that the thin gold stripe separating the red/black is not present on the new ones.
#29 by Rdengr39 on March 30, 2014 - 5:10 PM
Sorry to get off topic but does anyone have any info on any FWD rigs that ran as engines and tiller trucks through the mid seventies in Chicago. Any info greatly appreciated
#30 by Turk_WLF on March 30, 2014 - 4:23 PM
I don’t mean to stir up this topic again but I would like to make a suggestion/request that someone might take a video of the new lightbars/Buggies for us who don’t live near Chicago could see them in action.
Thanks.
#31 by David on March 29, 2014 - 2:20 AM
Crabby I’m talking about the colors and traditions now. The design is another thing that changed a lot since say the 60s, 70s, but that’s just an evolution and I sure don’t expect anybody to ride the tailboard in Chicago in 2014. What I fear are the changes in the visual style the CFD had for decades. The department is virtually the very last big city F.D. in the whole nation that maintains the traditional look including black turnout gear, Cairns helmets and apparatus colors (including warning lights) unchanged. The CFD NEVER ever adopted any blue lights on any apparatus (except the fireboats) or any blue graphics except some specific company logos. The traditional colors were always red, black (and green lights). I hate to see this changing after more than 80 years. This is something I never thought will happen.
#32 by Crabby Milton on March 28, 2014 - 3:08 PM
David, are you talking about the color combination or the design of the apparatus? The feds have had a factor in the design from a safety standpoint as well as mandating engine technology for fuel economy and smog standards. I don’t think the designs are bad looking at all. Sure it would be nice if SEAGRAVE still built the 70th ANNIVERSARY rig but that’s not going to happen since the market whether govt. mandated or not, determines such things. Is it really so bad that cabs are now all enclosed as opposed to riding on the running boards?
We all have our favorite things that have gone away over the years. Restaurants, cars, various retail stores, and we say we miss the old days. But then ask yourself, if the old days were so great over all, then why don’t they exist anymore?
#33 by David on March 28, 2014 - 1:28 PM
Ok so its red, green, blank and now blue is it a christmas tree or what. There used to be some style in the trade, the rigs used to be beautifull, it’s all slowly disappearing. It was the white reflexive stripe, then the stripes on the back of the rigs, now a blue light to make it even more ugly, I just don’t wanna see whats next. Maybe somebody could work a bit on the logo, the font is getting obsolete.
#34 by 0.02 on March 28, 2014 - 12:32 PM
They’re not gonna lose the green lights. The blue is just another color to get people’s attention so relax.
#35 by tom sullivan on March 28, 2014 - 8:08 AM
blue lights are the trend now, a single green light is being used to designate a command vehicle. if the CFD looses the green light it would be another nail in the coffin of tradition. however I don’t think that will happen, ( I hope).
#36 by Josh Boyajian on March 28, 2014 - 7:54 AM
There are blue lights on all the new Ladder trucks on the rear officer side.
#37 by David on March 28, 2014 - 2:48 AM
I just hope that they don’t plan to put the blue stuff on all the apparatus in the future, someone must have gone seriously crazy.
#38 by Bill on March 27, 2014 - 11:50 PM
Kugie how much?
#39 by Kugie on March 28, 2014 - 8:54 AM
$5Grand and it’s yours………Titled to RJQuinn originally.
#40 by Josh Boyajian on March 27, 2014 - 10:20 PM
I wish the blue lights were a lie but I saw them on 2-2-2 and Battalion 8. As of now….There is no green lens.
#41 by Kugie on March 27, 2014 - 8:14 PM
Don’t mean to change the subject of these buggies but I have Trk. 57s 1975 Seagrave 100′ Aerial at U-Haul, on Cicero,north of Montrose AND want to now sell it. Needs body work but everything does work.
#42 by Drew Smith on March 27, 2014 - 5:16 PM
I have covered the NFPA 1901 (2009 ed.) warning light colors and requirements on this site before. The next revision to NFPA 1901 is in 2016. Please refer to https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2013/11/hebron-alden-greenwood-orders-new-engine-more/comment-page-1/#comment-51385
#43 by Tom on March 27, 2014 - 2:02 PM
Nfpa states that amber is not to be used in front. White shouldn’t be used in the rear. White lights should only be used when responding, white should be off when parked on scene. Any other colors are fine. Blue is not mandatory
#44 by Crabby Milton on March 27, 2014 - 11:24 AM
School buses by law have to be that special yellow for safety reasons. Then they added strobe lights. Guess what, idoits are still running into school buses. At least in the fire service, departments can spec. any color that comes to mind.
#45 by David on March 27, 2014 - 10:06 AM
Reminds me of the lime green apparatus boom of the 70s and 80s based on the studies claiming that this color apparatus is much better visible in the traffic and bad weather. So glad the CFD wasn’t affected. But with all the neverending NFPA improvements it looks like the time has finally come.
#46 by Turk_WLF on March 27, 2014 - 9:20 AM
I’m not sure but what I have heard that the Blue Warning Lights is part of a new standards that NFPA put out.
According to a few studies that I heard about that Blue Lights are better in fowl weather like rain, snow. However I’m not sure if it’s true,
#47 by Crabby Milton on March 27, 2014 - 7:28 AM
Hey it could be worse. Denver, CO. and New Haven, CT. rigs have been solid white forever.
#48 by David on March 27, 2014 - 3:36 AM
I hope the blue lights are just a rumour, can’t imagine a CFD rig with blue warning lights, it’ll look just totally horrible. If they want to ruin the classic CFD look and the whole tradition this is a good way. I just really hope that CFD won’t ever go the way FDNY did with their paint scheme and graphics, the rigs now look like an ice-cream trucks.
#49 by Nix on March 26, 2014 - 9:21 PM
Why are they adding blue lenses? Will the green lens still be on the light bar as well?
Something that I’ve been curious about is to the function of the Field Chiefs. Are they used in a supervisory role only or are they used as an extra on scene Paramedic? Last question promise; do they carry equipment in the back or just their bunker gear?
#50 by JB on March 26, 2014 - 5:02 PM
The city will be placing 3 more into service within the next week or so. The only change to these new ones are that on each corner of the light bar…there are blue lenses.
The 3 new buggies are marked for
Deputy Distict Chief 2-2-2
Battalion Chief 7
Battalion Chief 8
#51 by joel vivian on January 29, 2013 - 12:02 PM
nice ones better on gas too better in the streets