The first in a series of updates to the website:
The following departments have had apparatus images updated:
- Evanston Fire Department – all stations
- Skokie Fire Department – all stations
- Winnetka FIre Department – new & reserve ambulances
- Des Plaines Fire Department – Tower 83
- Niles Fire Department – Station 2
- Newport Township Fire District – new ambulance
- Lake Villa Fire District – new ambulance (sta 2)
- McHenry Township Fire Protection District – all stations
#1 by g on October 1, 2013 - 11:44 AM
does anyone have anymore info on niles purchasing more rigs?
#2 by FFPM571 on August 28, 2013 - 4:26 PM
I know the village mechanic wanted to trade the old North Maine Quint and the old tiller in on a new Truck but was told no by the fleet manger who was looking to save money. The Chief told him he wanted a heavy duty 100ft ladder that was a pierce. That’s what he found and bought off the lot per se. Now its costing them twice as much to service 2 rigs with labor, repairs and down time.
#3 by Bill Post on August 28, 2013 - 9:27 AM
FFPM571 ,thanks for the information. I wasn’t aware that it was the fleet manager whose idea it was and you’re correct about it.
So I take it that the fire department really didn’t have that much to do with the decision as to the purchase of the current Truck?
I had just assumed that if NIles was going to purchase a Truck second hand that it would have at least been in pretty good shape for them to do something like that.
I wonder what the Chief of the Fire Department would have done if it were really his decision?
#4 by FFPM571 on August 28, 2013 - 7:23 AM
Bill, I don’t know where you got your info. It was hardly in good shape. The Niles truck was bought from a broker in the southwest. I looked nice in the pictures on the website that the fleet manager saw. The truth is It was a trade in by Trotwood on their new Pierce. It had over 100k miles on it when Niles bought it and needed work even before they could put it in service. It needed new hydraulic lines, outriggers needed welding. The pump needed valves rebuilt. It still continues to have problems with the ladder and drivetrain.
#5 by Bill Post on August 27, 2013 - 8:13 PM
Mike Mc , regarding Niles not using a Tillered Aerial Ladder has to do with a very tight budget. Their current Truck was purchased from an Ohio fire department second hand. Apparently the fire department in Ohio didn’t need it and it was in decent shape so Niles purchased it.
#6 by Crabby Milton on August 27, 2013 - 5:34 PM
Take a drive out in the country someplace and at some point, you will pass a barn. Who knows, there could be old fire trucks(or buses) in there. Unless they were scrapped, they are probably parked in a barn or some old warehouse in a city and/or suburbs. You know what they say, one persons trash is another one’s treasure. Sometimes, such things not just fire apparatus but cars, lawnmowers are in peoples garages that were forgot about decades ago and may only see the light of day when someone passes away and then the heirs may sell them off. So you never know what lurks behind closed doors.
#7 by ffpm571 on August 27, 2013 - 5:32 PM
Niles went with a rear mount because their fleet manager who knows nothing about fire apparatus bought a used truck off a picture on a website to replace the tiller. So far its as big POS as the tiller was and out of service just as much. Niles Truck 2 has been using Morton Grove Squad 4 as their ” service truck 2″ for weeks at a time
#8 by Mike Mc on August 27, 2013 - 3:57 PM
Thanks for replying. The ALF 700 series is a classic in the true sense of the word. Of course no one is obligated to show the rigs, but it would sure be nice to see some of them once in a while. I wonder what other gems are out there.
#9 by Crabby Milton on August 27, 2013 - 3:03 PM
A 1948 AMERICAN LaFRANCE 700 series will draw attention regardless if it has little or all of it’s original use equipment. But they have no obligation to show it if they don’t want. Getting volunteers to take it to some muster I’m sure is an issue. Plus, we can look at fire apparatus all we want via GOOGLE though it’s not the same as being there so enjoy what gems do show up.
#10 by NJ on August 27, 2013 - 1:26 PM
Skokie’s 48′ ALF has been stripped of it’s gear and has two benches in the bed to give rides to folks. There is little left to display at shows etc. Most shows want old apparatus in original condition, or at least with the pump, hoses etc still on board.
#11 by Mike Mc on August 27, 2013 - 11:11 AM
Thanks for the photos and updated information.
Niles used to be one of the few departments that had a tiller truck. Does anyone know why they went to a rear mount?
Why is that we never see Skokie’s 1948 ALF engine at musters or emergency vehicle shows? Don’t they want to show it off?
Thanks in advance for any replies.