More images from the collection of Bill Friedrich
Posts Tagged historical photos of Chicago Fire Department
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Jul 17
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Jun 30
More historic Chicago Fire Department images
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Jun 2
Steve Redick has compiled a collection of vintage photos of fires in Chicago from the 50s and 60s. He has shared many which will be posted periodically. Where possible, he has labeled the relevant information about each incident and the source of the photo.
Steve Redick collection
Steve Redick collection
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
May 16
search “Vintage CFD Fire Photos” for all of the posts in this series.
Vintage Pirsch ad with CFD
May 13
In this reprint from a September, 1953 issue of Fire Engineering Magazine, the Peter Pirsch & Sons Co. of Kenosha, WI highlights 50 years of building fire engines for the Chicago Fire Department. The ad states that they started with 27 Pirsch Horse Drawn Wagons built in 1907, then there were 3 Pirsch equipped motorized chemical and hose cars in 1912 (the first motorized apparatus in Chicago), followed by 2 Pirsch equipped 600-gallon pumpers in 1916, and then 15 Pirsch 1,000-GPM 2-door cab pumpers built in 1953.
Bill Friedrich collection
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
May 7
More images from the collection of Bill Friedrich – photographers unknown.
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Apr 27
More historic fire photos from Chicago.
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Apr 24
More from the collection of Bill Friedrich.
For those who wish to view all of the vintage fire photos that have been posted, simply type the word vintage into the search field.
Vintage CFD Fire Photos
Apr 16
Another installment of vintage photos from the collection of Bill Friedrich
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
