From the Kards, Inc. Facebook page:
RE-BUILDING A FIRETRUCK!!! Skokie Engine 18 in for a complete makeover. See the finished Engine on December 22nd. She is coming along great!! Box ready for primer.?#?Skokie? Fire Department
Kards, Inc. photo
Kards, Inc. photo
Kards, Inc. photo
Rumors are circulating about a new color scheme …
#1 by Brian on February 28, 2016 - 2:24 PM
If the side stripe was white instead of black itd be very sharp, imo. But it is dark with the current striping
#2 by Marty Coyne on February 28, 2016 - 12:37 PM
Bill I don’t care for it either. It’s also much less visible than the old scheme especially when it’s darker. Not a good decision from a safety point of view either in my opinion.
#3 by Bill Post on February 28, 2016 - 11:40 AM
Thanks for the information Marty. I don’t know whose decision it was to go to a new color scheme and of course I don’t know why they decided to go with this new scheme but there is no question that compared to the white over red it scheme it is (in my opinion) ugly and dismal. I saw nothing wrong with red over white paint scheme. It seems to me that they are following a stupid trend to go to red with black trim and they should have just left well enough alone.
#4 by Marty Coyne on February 28, 2016 - 10:45 AM
They finally posted the completed engine with the new color scheme.
https://www.facebook.com/kardsinc/posts/863165717127982
Pingback: Skokie Engine 18 refurb (more) | chicagoareafire.com
#5 by Rudy on December 9, 2015 - 10:48 AM
New Tower 16 is slated fro delivery sometime around April. Current Tower 16 will move to reserve. The 88′ Arrow reserve will be sold. No major paint scheme changes, just some additions of black highlights. The difference between the Squad and Rescue is the squad carries more in the way of extrication equipment. Rescue 17 responds as the second engine in its still area, and is the back up for the town when the Squad is tied up.
#6 by Bill Post on December 5, 2015 - 12:21 AM
Thanks for the information Rob. It had seemed to me that Engine 18 was back in full service but I didn’t want to say anything unless I was able to confirm it. I remember a few years ago when it seemed that it was out of service quite a bit of the time but as you confirmed that as of late it has been running full time once again. I remember that up until the fall of 2003 (shortly after the New Station 17 was dedicated) and Ambulance 17 was put in service, both Squad 18 and Rescue 17 had 4 men assigned per shift however they were reduced by one man per shift each in order to man Ambulance 17 ,without having to hire more men to add to the fire department payroll.
#7 by Sebastian on December 4, 2015 - 11:48 PM
Is there a difference between rescue 17 and squad 18 as far as equipment that they carry and functions on the field??
#8 by Rob on December 4, 2015 - 10:58 PM
Yes they running with the reserve engine which is the former Engine 17 1997 Pierce Saber/2011 refurb by RPI. Over the last 20 years or so they have always refurbed the frontline pierces and then put them in reserve. The color scheme changed in 1995 when they bought Tower 16 1995 Pierce Lance as a demo and since then everything has been white over red. Engine 18 has been back to full manning in last couple of years.
Here is the manning for the companies
A16 (2)
E16 (3)
Tower 16 (3)
B16 (1)
A17 (2)
E17 (3)
R17 (3)
A18 (2)
E18 (3)
T18 (3)
S18 (3)
29 Per shift
#9 by Paul K on December 4, 2015 - 2:05 PM
Paint Scheme is changing— Red with Black Halo
Feel free to stop by our shop in Elgin and ask for Paul or Angel (owners) we are handling around 12-15 units a months just haven’t had the time to post on Facebook until recently.
Most of the units are Pierce as they have the majority of the Market Share in the Chicago-land market. We have had units from most if not all builders in the last couple of months.
Pierce
E-One
Spartan
Marion
Horton
Braun
Medtec
Seagrave
Ferrara
#10 by Marty Coyne on December 4, 2015 - 9:39 AM
I presume they’re running with Ex-Engine 17 which is now the spare. IIRC Engine 18 isn’t manned 24/7 but I’m not sure how they’re manning it currently.
#11 by cmk420 on December 4, 2015 - 9:17 AM
So, while this engine is out for its total refurb, what has been running first out at that station? Did Engine 16R move up to Station 18, or are they just running with the ambo, squad and truck? As a casual observer, I am not very familiar with Skokie’s daily manning.
#12 by Bill Post on December 3, 2015 - 11:12 PM
Marty while this isn’t the latest news I had read a few months ago that the new Pierce Tower Ladder for Skokie was supposed to be ready and delivered this coming February (2016).
#13 by Bill Post on December 3, 2015 - 11:00 PM
Speaking of Skokie they are supposed to be getting a new tower ladder from Pierce that was ordered and they are also supposed to draw up plans and specs for a new pumper/squad which most likely replace Skokie Rescue/Engine 17. Rescue 17 is currently running a 1999 Pierce rescue/engine which is the oldest engine in frontline service in Skokie. Rescue 17 runs as the second frontline engine out of Station 17 and it also carries some squad and truck equipment. It is also runs with a longer chassis and body then Skokie’s conventional engine companies as it has a ground ladder compartment built into it’s body.
#14 by Bill Post on December 3, 2015 - 10:03 PM
I hope that they keep the Skokie engine with the same paint scheme. They already have made plenty of paint scheme changes over the years and they really don’t need more of them.
#15 by Scott on December 3, 2015 - 9:37 PM
Pics above have an Arlington Heights FD Sqd in the background.
#16 by Marty Coyne on December 3, 2015 - 9:29 PM
Any news on the new Pierce tower ladder Skokie ordered?
#17 by Larry on December 3, 2015 - 9:01 PM
Hmmm. That’s funny all Pierce’s.
#18 by Robert on December 4, 2015 - 9:37 AM
They are a pierce trained shop.
#19 by Michael M on December 3, 2015 - 8:00 PM
From their facebook page it look like they have been very busy. They have had Rockford Engine 4, Bolingbrook Engine 5, Bolingbrook ladder 1. Schaumburg Engine 52, Rockford Quint 9, Bristol Kendal Engine 123, Geneva Squad 207 and Little Rock fox Engine 321.