This from the Fleet Guy:
reserve snorkel goes to auction
Chicago FD Reserve Snorkel 661 – 1982 Seagrave 85′ Snorkel going to auction. Fleet Guy photo
Chicago FD Reserve Snorkel 661 – 1982 Seagrave 85′ Snorkel going to auction. Fleet Guy photo
Chicago FD Reserve Snorkel 661 – 1982 Seagrave 85′ Snorkel going to auction. Fleet Guy photo
#1 by danny on March 15, 2018 - 5:49 AM
the bronto problem downtown on older streets is weight…. AT 1s old 88 135 ft e-one fell through the street once…. and the 137 ft current e ones are cheaper in comparison.
#2 by Matt on March 14, 2018 - 9:11 AM
Hi All,
The large snorkels were effectively replaced by the tower ladders for elevated master stream operations in the CFD. As to the Bronto idea, many departments who have purchased Brontos are now taking them out of service and replacing with other devices such as towers or Sutphen aerial platforms. Speed to set-up is a major complaint I have personally heard in several cities.
#3 by Bill Post on March 14, 2018 - 7:21 AM
On the subject of replacing the Large Snorkel. I am going to make a suggestion that I have made before. I know that the Bronto Sky Lifts that are sold in America by E/One are not that popular and do have some issues but I think Chicago should purchase a 134 foot Bronto Skylift from E/One and assign downtown to Truck 3 which at one time was using a 135 foot Aerial Ladder or possibly to Truck 6. That would kill two birds with one stone as it would replace the Seagrave Snorkel and it would also get Chicago new High Ladder or Elevating device. While Bronto does make much high Elevating Platforms in Europe the 134 foot model is the largest one built for North America. The Bronto is articulated so it is similar to a Snorkel.
For those who think Chicago should get one of the new E/One 137 foot Aerial Ladders instead , the Bronto 134 Platform is much better for High Angle rescue work then a 137 foot Ladder that you must climb. If you can ride up in a Platform then why climb a narrow Ladder?
Perhaps now that Chicago is resuming its relationship with E/One maybe Chicago and the E/One technical staff can attempt to resolve any mechanical issues that they allegedly have been having with the Bronto Sky Lifts.
Both Memphis Tennessee, Phoenix Arizone and even Toronto Canada have at least one Bronto Skylift on there Rosters.
#4 by Bill Post on March 14, 2018 - 6:57 AM
On the subject of Snorkels , it is the Philadelphia fire department and ironically not Chicago that has still been making good use of large Snorkels. Two of Philadephia’s “Ladder companies” have are actually large Snorkels and the they were both retrofitted on newer chassis HME chassis about 10 to 15 years ago after the Snokels were removed from older chassis. As their second retrofitted chassis at wearing out Philadelphia is finally looking into replacing their two (I believe 85 foot) Snorkels which are assigned to Ladders 2 and 28.
Philadephia also runs with two (Mid Mounted) Tower Ladders as Tower Ladders 6 and 22.
#5 by Bill Post on March 14, 2018 - 6:34 AM
Chuck in my opinion you are spot on. First they get rid of 671 (the Large Deluge wagon) and now the last of the large Snorkels.
Joe the 1982 Seagrave 85 foot Snorkel was originally assigned to District Snorkel 1 which was located at Engine 18’s old quarters at 1125 W Roosevelt road from May 1982 until September 19, 1983 when the District Snorkel companies were taken out of service. Three of the six Snorkel companies had become the second pieces to the 3 new Squad/Snorkel companies which went in service on that day. The other 3 of the 6 former Snorkel companies had become reserve Snorkels and were distributed around the city as unmanned units. The 1982 Seagrave was normally assigned as a Reserve Snorkel and was usually located at Engine 112’s quarters as the (northside Reserve Snorkel) eventually 2 of the 3 Reserve Snorkels were deactivated and the Seagrave was moved to Engine 42’s quarters and ultimately they were relocated to Engine 35’s house the last several years. So the Seagrave was only in service as a fully manned Snorkel for less then a year and a half.
The reason why the regular Snorkel companies were taken out of service was because by 1983 the extra alarm fire rate had gone down for Fire Commissioner Louis Galante had decided to combine 3 of 6 (city based) one piece Squad companies and 3 of the Snorkels into new 2 piece Squad companies. The Squad at O”Hare which was at first Squad 6 and then Squad 7 when a new District was added in 1982 was using a 55 foot Snorkel that was retrofitted on one of two Oshkosh Engine companies that had been built for O’Hare Field and was originally numbered as Engine 12.
Joe the 1982 Seagrave wasn’t the only Chicago Snorkel that was delivered with pumps on it. There were actually 5 additional Snorkels that were delivered with pumps and that doesn’t include the one assigned as Squad 7 at O’Hare Field. Chicago had a 1971 Ford/Pierce 55 foot Snorkel with a 1,000 gpm pump on it and Chicago had a 1972 Oshkosh Pierce 75 foot Snorkel and 3 additional 1974/75 Oshkosh Pierce 75 foot Snorkels that were equipped with pumps on them. The pumps were meant to kick up the pressure on the water being fed to the Snorkel however that became an issue as because of the pumps the union representing the engineers felt that an Engineer needed to be assigned to those Snorkels. Anyone who knows more about that issue feel free to ad to this.
Some people mistakenly may think that the famous Snorkel Squad 1 had become the current Squad/Snorkel 1 , however that is not true as Snorkel Squad 1 was deactivated on October 3rd 1980 and Chicago went without any Snorkel/Squads for about 3 years.
#6 by CrabbyMilton on March 14, 2018 - 5:58 AM
I know it’s academic but if I had millions of disposable dollars, I would stock several warehouses full of fire apparatus and buses. I’m sure many others would do something similar. There’s just something about SEAGRAVE’s that always liked and that includes up to the present day.
I certainly empathize the leadership issue even though I’m not employed by the fire service but we have lousy leadership here in Milwaukee as many know given the cuts at MFD.
#7 by Chuck on March 13, 2018 - 9:39 PM
You’d be lucky to find a handful of active guys on this job that actually give a rat’s ass about the history of this job, and even fewer that would pony up money to save an apparatus like this. The Fire Department has gotten such short shrift under not only the last two Mayors but its own current leadership that it’s amazing that there are enough resources to go out and do the job on a daily basis, much less long term planning. Anybody know if there are any new firehouses on the books? Nope. And they BARELY got new rigs.
#8 by John on March 13, 2018 - 8:29 PM
Such a shame. Last of the Chicago big snorkels. Maybe the North Charleston Museum should get it,and display alongside Snorkel # 1.
#9 by Tom Foley on March 13, 2018 - 8:06 PM
Will there be another “reserve snorkel” that can be called to a scene like this one was? The advantage to this one was its height compared to any spares they retained which would be roughly 30 feet shorter.
#10 by Tom on March 13, 2018 - 6:18 PM
I would’ve loved to see this rechassised on one of there mid 90’s Seagrave trucks with the red gumball lights also, adding led bulbs to the lights. Would look like a cool retro rig with a special purpose. Hopefully another department picks it up in auction and puts it to work. It’s a shame CFD doesn’t see value in this as a specialize piece of equipment.
#11 by Austin on March 13, 2018 - 6:06 PM
I always loved how they still used this on larger fires. I guess you could say we grew up together since I was born in January of that year. If it isn’t practical for a museum maybe Seagrave themselves could buy it, and keep it at their hq? A lot of companies will buy their older stuff sometimes, or employees who love what they do. A prime example is Delta, a group of former employees bought the first Delta 767, and gifted it to the museum. They did the restoration themselves. I know other airlines have done this too. A 36 year old Seagrave has to be a hell of a lot less than a 23 year old 767.
#12 by Joe on March 13, 2018 - 2:55 PM
In spite of seeing the reserve snorkel so many times in pictures of fires on here, I realize I don’t know much about its history. Was it ever assigned to a company and was manned at all times, or was it purchased to be a special call apparatus? Why was it purchased with a pump on it when other snorkels and trucks weren’t? Hopefully one of the very knowledgable folks around here has some history on this rig. Thanks!
#13 by Mitch on March 13, 2018 - 12:23 PM
Too bad they couldn’t re-chassis it with TL 34’s old Pierce..
#14 by David on March 13, 2018 - 11:32 AM
Turk_WLF: it would be a nice tribute to this veteran. I’m thinking that it’s a shame that vintage fire apparatus isn’t designated as some kinda “historical landmark” as most of these rigs are total rarities but they’ll most likely end up scrapped instead of being preserved as they deserve. Shame that most of the great rigs from the past like the Autocars, Mack Squads etc. are now just a memory you can see on an old photo.
#15 by Mike N. on March 13, 2018 - 11:15 AM
A sad day for the CFD.
#16 by Danny on March 13, 2018 - 10:49 AM
Museum has no room in storage for it as far as I know and unless a big bucks collector steps up it’s most likely going to the scrapper sadly
Spares are kept at the fleet garage over off 103rd and the bishop ford
#17 by Turk_WLF on March 13, 2018 - 10:26 AM
Honestly, I’m not happy to read that The Reserve Snorkel going up for auction. I’m just wondering why they put it up for auction was it her age or metal fatigue?
I seriously think it’s a huge mistake not to have a replacement Snorkel to take her place.
I’m so glad that I got the book “A Pictorial History of Chicago Fire Department Snorkel Company Apparatus”
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/2018/02/new-book-a-pictorial-history-of-chicago-fire-department-snorkel-company-apparatus/
For me at least it was a highlight of any large fire to see if the Reserve Snorkel/Snorkel Squad were on scene.
May I suggest that we do a Thread/Posting on the Reserve Snorkel?
#18 by Admin on March 13, 2018 - 10:59 AM
an excellant suggestion – perhaps contributors will submit images for this
#19 by Rob on March 13, 2018 - 9:39 AM
The city should have kept it but maybe the Museum will pick it up.
#20 by David on March 13, 2018 - 8:33 AM
Wow, I’ll miss this rig, unbelievable that it’s been on the roster for more than 35 years.
#21 by Dennis on March 13, 2018 - 8:30 AM
What a shame.
#22 by tim on March 13, 2018 - 7:55 AM
Where does the Chicago fire department keep all of there spares does anyone know?