For #TBT from Larry Shapiro:
After reading Matt’s response to the Oak Lawn Fire Department history post, I wanted to add a few images of the trucks he mentioned
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Pingback: Oak Lawn Fire Department history (more) « chicagoareafire.com
#1 by Mike hellmuth on October 8, 2021 - 4:53 PM
Follow up to the corvair vans Columbus manor had 3 corvair vans one being a light plant you can see the photos on the Corvanantics web site when you
get on there scroll down and you will see them……
#2 by Mike hellmuth on October 8, 2021 - 3:52 PM
If I’m not mistaken,Columbus Manor built station number 2 to provide fire protection to the then new Southfield shopping center on the east side of Harlem Ave also Columbus Manor had 2 1960s corvair vans that were specially built for them.I happened to see photos of them some time ago in an ad I can’t remember what company made the ad……..
#3 by Tim on October 8, 2021 - 2:38 PM
Mabas21 no need to apologize. However, the building at 103rd/52nd is not the original firehouse. The firehouse was razed for the building that is there now. I used to live across the street.
#4 by MABAS 21 on October 8, 2021 - 2:04 PM
Tim, I apologize as the former Station 2 is on 103rd and 52nd Ave. The building is still there, just remodeled and owned by the Oak Lawn Park District.
The former Columbus Manor Station 2 and then Oak Lawn Station 5 or 6 is still located on the 9000 blk of Oak Park Ave. Bridgeview shared the station with Oak Lawn and kept an engine there. Oak Lawn Park District also owns the building.
#5 by crabbymilton on October 8, 2021 - 11:58 AM
Oh yes the old DETROIT engines could almost be louder than the sirens.
Now they are almost as quiet as the family sedan. But they have gobs more of HP and torque. Enjoy them while you can since PIERCE is pushing that BEV apparatus. Yes, all electric fire apparatus. You’ll likely need a separate diesel generator to keep it pumping at a major fire. Just symbolic.
#6 by Localguy on October 8, 2021 - 11:25 AM
Okay, squad 1 is AWESOME!!! Old Lance, pre emissions diesel, probably loud and sounds like a diesel should. Walk in, I want one. Lol.
#7 by Localguy on October 8, 2021 - 11:24 AM
Okay, squad 1 is BAD ASS!!! Old Lance, pre emissions diesel, probably loud and sounds like a diesel should. Walk in, I want one. Lol.
#8 by Tim on October 8, 2021 - 7:55 AM
Engine 28 was refurbed with the removal of the Oshkosh cab and replaced with a Pierce Arrow cab. At that time they were having some major mechanical problems with it ( I can’t remember what) and didn’t spend much time on the street after. Spent a lot of time at Specialty Vehicle in Alsip.
#9 by Tim on October 8, 2021 - 7:49 AM
Mabas 21 the former station 2 at 103rd and 52nd/Laramie is no longer there. It was torn down shortly after it was closed in 1985 to make way for a lift station to handle the flooding problem in the neighborhood to the north.
Back in the day Oak Lawn FD didn’t spend a lot of money on lettering.
Anyone have pics of Engine 27, the Seagrave, Engine 29/Squad 1, the WLF, or Squad 16? I have them buried somewhere in the crawlspace and none on my computer.
#10 by John on October 7, 2021 - 8:29 PM
The black surrounding the windshield on the FWDs is interesting
#11 by Mike hellmuth on October 7, 2021 - 8:01 PM
Great looking classic Mack CF engine I always liked the C85-95 and CF
chassis……
#12 by MABAS 21 on October 7, 2021 - 4:55 PM
Sorry Engine 26 in the first pic, which also housed Squad 16 and Quad 11. Engine 25 was their 3rd Mack. Oak Lawn also had a paramedic squad, Rescue 15 which got destroyed by being struck by a train.
#13 by MABAS 21 on October 7, 2021 - 4:50 PM
The first picture with Engine 25 is the former Station 2, still located at 103rd and Laramie.
The second picture with Engine 28 is at the current Station 1.
Engine 30 and Truck 10 are at the former Station 3, long torn down. This was originally Station 1 until the annexations and housed Oak Lawn Central Dispatch on the 2nd floor.
Squad 1 is pictured in front of the current Station 3.
Thanks for sharing, great memories!
#14 by John Antkowski on October 7, 2021 - 3:01 PM
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
#15 by crabbymilton on October 7, 2021 - 1:17 PM
Talk about eye candy overload. Very nice.