New engines for Chicago (more) « chicagoareafire.com

New engines for Chicago (more)

Engine 94 changed into their new engine this week. Photos from Tom Cook on Facebook

Tom Cook photo

Tags: Chicago FD Engine 94, Chicago Fire Department, new engines for Chicago, Tom Cook

This entry was posted on March 30, 2018, 11:00 AM and is filed under Fire Department News, New Delivery. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

12 Comments

#1 by Bill Post on April 2, 2018 - 8:54 PM

Yes Chuck, you are correct Engine 94’s 1997 HME /Luverne was orginally assigned to Engine 43.
#2 by John Antkowski on April 2, 2018 - 8:58 AM

What is the total of new e/one engines now? Also I do not see any Towers on the assembly line on the e/one in-process web site. I found a couple of cabs painted black over red with no name on it. I’m also guessing the city will start the bidding process for rear mounts, soon. Take care John
#3 by harry on April 1, 2018 - 6:12 PM

I think having the blue lights is far more visible than green or red white is very good too but I think it is a good compromise to have blue and green lights finally a new eone engine in a good part of the city
#4 by Craig Mack on April 1, 2018 - 1:12 AM

Blue lights have no place on ANY fire apparatus, but especially on CFD rigs! I was glad to see the new buggies have black roofs, and was hoping on the long shot that the blue light experiment was over. Oh well. Also, a side note, E103 got their new rig in the last couple days, drilled on it, and it was taken back to the shops due to malfunctions lol. Why oh why can’t the city just buy quality PIERCE rigs??
#5 by Chuck on March 31, 2018 - 10:49 PM

Wasn’t 94’s rig a hand me down from Engine 43? Replacing their Ford E-1?
#6 by Mike on March 31, 2018 - 8:42 PM

The last 3 companies begin training Monday
116 gets theirs on Wednesday
104 on Thursday
116 on friday
They still have a blue lights on the roof light bar but greens lights are back on the officers side mirror and above the headlight.
#7 by Bill Post on March 31, 2018 - 9:27 AM

Mike M you are correct that Engine 94 was using a 1997 HME/Luverne. In 1998 and 1999 Chicago purchased engines with a short wheelbase and rollup doors. These were the first units intended for the new ALS engine company service and most were initially assigned to ALS Engines 71, 83, 1, 95, 88, and 46. Those were the 1998 models. If I recall correctly they had a very short rear step which made it difficult for firefighters pulling a line off the back. It also made it more difficult reloading the hose back as the bed was somewhat higher. Because of the short rear step the rigs were sent back to the shops where they were lengthened.
The following year four more short wheelbase units were purchased with slightly longer rear steps. They were the last HME engines purchased and were not popular. Many were reassigned to other companies within a few years. In 2001/2002 Chicago received Spartan/Luverne engines which had larger cabs and were more user friendly.
Very few of the HME’s stayed at there original assignments. They became frequent hand-me-downs. A great example was Engine 50 received a 1998 HME and within a year or two they were given an older 1995 Spartan/Luverne. The 1995 Spartans had larger and more comfortable cabs.
Engine 59 received a 1998 HME that had been assigned to Engine 95 however at the time they were located with Truck 47 in their old house on Ridge near Wayne. They usually parked directly behind the truck as it was a long, narrow, single bay station. One of the few HME/Luverne units that remained with the original assignment for all of it’s in-service life was at Engine 102.
#8 by Michael M on March 30, 2018 - 10:44 PM

I believe the HME is a 1997? Love the way the Rigs turned out! I hope they are now able to fit it in their station.
#9 by Aidan Hughes on March 30, 2018 - 9:41 PM

I went to Engine 80’s firehouse this afternoon to see their brand new rig. They just got it from the academy today. It looks great!
#10 by Mike C on March 30, 2018 - 9:32 PM

What year is that HME? Surprised to see it still going!
#11 by harry on March 30, 2018 - 6:08 PM

hope they still have the blue lights too
#12 by Aidan Hughes on March 30, 2018 - 2:12 PM

Finally the green lights are back! When will the other three engines for Engines 104, 116 and 126 arrive