The Chicago Fire Department deployed Engine 2 (The Christopher Wheatley) and land-based engine companies on Sunday to cool down several bridges that would not close properly due to the high heat. Gordon J. Nord, Jr. was in the city and submitted several images.
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
In 1967, the Chicago Fire Department was badly in need of new engines. They looked to Ward LaFrance for assistance in acquiring what they had available. Chicago received four engines. One was assigned to Engine 42 (D-327) with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. (this would later be re-assigned to Engine 46)
Engine 42 was assigned this 1967 Ward LaFrance with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500-gallon tank. Initially, the unit numbers were fairly small on the driver's door. George Brown collection
The officer's side of Engine 42's 1967 Ward LaFrance engine when it was delivered. Jack Connors photo
Shop #D-327 was later reassigned to Engine Company 46. Large company number decals were added to the engine. Jack Connors photo
The other three units were delivered with 1,250-GPM pumps and 350-gallon water tanks and were assigned to Engine 34 (D-332), Engine 54 (D-333), and Engine 11 (D-334).
Engine 34 received one of three 1967 Ward LaFrance pumpers with the larger 1,250-GPM pump and a smaller water tank. This image was taken after the shops added white decals that made the company unit number easier to read. Jack Connors photo
These units differed from the first piece that went to Engine 42. The body is taller, the pump panel has a polished backing instead of being painted and there are no flood lights. The cab has several different features including an extended bumper with a bell, siren, and front intake. The cab face underneath the windshield is covered with a panel to protect the paint from being scratched. Additionally, the rear of the cab canopy has a completely different shape than the earlier and subsequently later styles as well.
This shot of Engine 54 shows the officer's side of the 1,250-GPM series engines from 1967. Jack Connors photo
Shop #D-333 which was originally assigned to Engine 54 was later assigned to Engine 99 and then again to Engine 107. Unlike the other 1,250-GPM engines, this rig was delivered with one flood light.
CFD Shop #D-334 was originally assigned to Engine 11 and then to Engine 98 as shown here. Note also the CFD scramble on the lower portion of the driver's door and the company number under the windshield. Jack Connors photo
CFD Shop #D-334 was assigned for a third time to Engine Company 107. The hard suction trays have been raised to accommodate hose storage on the shelf above the lower compartments. Jack Connors photo
More than ten patches were added to the 1st District. The five shown here represent companies in the 1st and 2nd Battalions. A few of these houses have others that have been added as well. In addition to the 6-8-7 patch, Engine 13 has a patch in the same house. There are three variations of the patch for Engine 16, and another version of the patch for Squad 1. All images were submitted by Alexander Alexandrovski.
Engine Company 8, Truck Company 4, Ambulance 85, Battalion 2
On Saturday, January 29, The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, located at 5218 S Western Ave., officially opened. The museum is housed at a firehouse built in 1916 for Chicago Fire Department Engine Co. 123. They occupied this firehouse from 1916 through 1973. An estimated 60-70 people visited on opening day. There was a preview of the museum that was offered to the public last year.
The exhibits include hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and early motorized apparatus to the 20th Century. The museum artifacts not only chronicle Chicago, but many of the suburban departments that make up the Chicagoland area. One of the many highlights on display is a 1923 Ahrens-Fox 750-GPM engine that was first assigned to Engine Co. 40 before being reassigned to Engine Co. 98. It was nearly destroyed in 1934 when Engine 98 responded to the Stockyards and was caught in the fire. The fire department shops rebuilt the engine and gave it back to 98. It’s last assignment was to Engine Co. 70.
The museum will be open the last Saturday of every month from 10am – 2pm. Please come out and enjoy the many displays and the great history that this museum has to offer.
[book id=’2′ /]
Denis McGuire, Jr. submitted images from the opening
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
