Posts Tagged Jack Connors

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 16)

Another series of images from Jack Connors showing the CFD Turret Wagons that the shops built on the Chevy Scottsdale (C20) chassis. At one point there was one of these assigned to each of the six districts.

 

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 671 6-7-1

Turret Wagon 6-7-1 was fabricated in 1978 by the CFD Shops on a 1975 Chevy chassis. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 673 6-7-3

Turret Wagon 6-7-3. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 674 6-7-4

Turret Wagon 6-7-4 during a FIre Prevention Week parade. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 674 6-7-4

Turret Wagon 6-7-4 on a 1975 Chevy chassis. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 674 6-7-4

A view looking down at Turret Wagon 6-7-4. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 674 6-7-4

Another view looking down at Turret Wagon 6-7-4. Jack Connors photo

More information on the history of CFD 6-7-4 in in an article HERE.

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 676 6-7-6

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6, built on a 1975 CHevy chassis, with boat 6-8-9 at the fire department shops in July of 1998. Jack Connors photo

More on 6-7-6 is HERE.

The previous article in this series can be viewed HERE.

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Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 15)

We have more history to share on the Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagons. Images come from Jack Connors and his collection featuring units built on the Willy’s Jeep chassis.

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2 prior to completion outside of the Civil Defense house on Wells Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 during a Fire Prevention Week parade on State Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4

X-CFD 6-7-4 near 55th and Luna after being sold by the city to a private individual. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Fog Pressure Unit

CFD Jeep Pressure Unit 1, 1959 Willy’s Jeep/Shops built (6-7-1) at Engine 4’s house . Ken Little photo

Chicago Fire Department Fog Pressure Unit

Chicago FD Jeep Pressure Unit 1. Warren Redick photo

Chicago Jeep Pressure Unit 6-7-1

Chicago FD 6-7-1 after a repaint. Formerly this was all red and lettered as Jeep Pressure 1. Jack Connors photo

The previous installment in this series can be found HERE.

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CFD Apparatus History – trucks with boosters 1968

The Chicago Fire Department purchased aerial ladder trucks with booster tanks and pumps for several years. Beginning in 1966 and spanning through 1973, 31 aerials were delivered from different manufacturers with on-board water. Seven of these were mid-ship aerials and the balance were rear-mounts. Units were built by Seagrave, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance (Grove), and American LaFrance.

This is the second of several posts that will highlight the progression of these truck companies in Chicago. The numbers listed above are revisions from what was originally included in the 1st post.

IN 1968, CHICAGO RECEIVED THREE PIRSCH REAR MOUNTED AERIALS …

These trucks were built on Mack chassis with CF Series cabs. Each truck had a 100-foot rear mounted aluminum ladder, 300 gallons of water, and a 60-GPM pump.

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder

Pirsch delivery photo of a 1968 100′ rear mount on a Mack CF chassis for the Chicago Fire Department. Jack Connors collection

  • The first of these 1968 Mack/Pirsch aerials (Shop #E-170) was assigned to Truck 22. This unit was eventually reassigned to Trucks 47, 16, 35, and 34.
Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 22

Chicago Truck 22 was assigned Shop #E-170 in 1968. This was a Pirsch 100-foot rear mounted aerial on a Mack CF chassis. It carried 300 gallons of water and had a 60-GPM pump. Jack Connor photo

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 47

Shop #E-170 was assigned to Truck 47 after it had been running as Truck 22. This photo shows a canvas cover for the rear jacks instead of the metal doors that were delivered in that area.  Jack Connor photo

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 35

This image shows the rear of E-170 after it was on it’s 4th assignment now as Truck 35. The booster reel is still mounted on the unit, but it is empty. Jack Connor photo

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 16

Shop #E-170 was assigned to Truck 16 after it served truck 47. This was the second 1968 Mack/Pirsch for Truck 16. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 34

After some rehab work and the removal of the booster reels, E-170 was assigned for the last time as Truck 34. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Truck 34 1968 Mack CF Pirsch

Another image of Truck 34 on-scene this time after the booster tank and reels were removed. Steve Redick photo

  • The next (Shop #E-171) was assigned to Truck 16.
Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 16

Shop #E-171 was reassigned to Truck 16. Jack Connors photo

  • The third (Shop #E-172) went initially to Truck 15, then was reassigned to Truck 37 and then Truck 42.
Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 15

The 3rd Pirsch in 1968 went to Truck 15. The rear jacks have no cover in this photo. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1968 Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder Chicago Truck 37

Shop #E-172 was reassigned to Truck 37 after seeing service as Truck 15. Jack Connor photo

 

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CFD Apparatus History – trucks with boosters 1967

The Chicago Fire Department purchased aerial ladder trucks with booster tanks and pumps for several years. Beginning in 1967 and spanning through 1973, 21 aerials were delivered from different manufacturers with water on-board. One of these was a mid-ship aerial and the balance were rear-mounts. Units were built by Seagrave, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance (Grove), and American LaFrance.

This is the first of several posts that will highlight the progression of these truck companies in Chicago.

In 1967, Chicago received two Seagrave mid-ship aerials…

… one was a straight truck (assigned first to Truck 44 and then to Truck 60) and the other (Shop #E-166) had a 60-GPM pump and carried 200 gallons of water. This unit was originally assigned to Truck 26, and then to Truck 31.

Chicago Fire Department Truck 31 1967 Seagrave mid-ship aerial with booster tank

Chicago received this 1967 Seagrave aerial that was assigned as Truck Company 26 and then Truck Company 31 (as lettered here). It had a 60-GPM pump and 200 gallons of water. Jack Connors photo

When Truck 31 moved into the house at 77th and Pulaski, there was no engine company with them. They were assigned a fog pressure unit as Truck 31A on November 17, 1971 until Engine 64 was located with them on March 12, 1973.

Chicago Fire Department Truck 31A 1966 International CargoStar Darley Fog Pressure unit

Chicago Truck 31A, a 1966 International/Darley Fog Pressure Unit was assigned to Truck 31 until Engine 64 was located with them at 77th and Pulaski in March of 1973. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1967 Seagrave mid-ship mounted aerial

Shown here many years later as Reserve Truck 7 is the 1967 Seagrave mid-ship aerial without a pump. Larry Shapiro photo

 

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1969)

Chicago received two Ward LaFrance engines in 1969. Both Model P80 units had 1,000-GPM pumps and 500-gallon water tanks. One was assigned to Engine 45 (D-347) and the other to Engine 83 (D-358). Engine 83’s unit was later assigned as a spare R-2.

Chicago Fire Department 1969 Ward LaFrance Model P80 Ambassador engine 83

Chicago Engine 83 was assigned a 1969 Ward LaFrance Model P80 engine with an Ambassador cab. One of only two units built in 1969 for the city. Jack Connors photo

This engine featured a cab that was similar to the 1,000-GPM engine purchased in 1967 without the extended bumper, and no floodlights were on this series. Unlike the 1967 unit though, these  had a bell mounted under the officer’s windshield and a siren in the center of the cab’s face.

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1967)

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)

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine

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

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine

The officer's side of Engine 42's 1967 Ward LaFrance engine when it was delivered. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 46

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).

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 34

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.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 54

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.

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 98

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

Chicago Fire Department history Ward LaFrance 1967 Engine 107

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

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance (1973)

Part 3 in the series covering Ward LaFrance and the Chicago Fire Department:

In 1973, Chicago received an additional five Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engines. Four of these had 1,500-GPM pumps and were assigned to Engine 23 (D-389), Engine 29 (D-390), Engine 57 (D-391), and Engine 67 (D-392). The remaining engine had a 1,750-GPM pump and went to Engine 74 (D-393). All had 500-gallon water tanks.

Engine 74 with the 1,750-GPM pump had several differences in trim design which gave it a different look than the other 1973 models. The pump panel was painted red and did not have the polished panel like the other units. In addition, the wide steel band which wrapped the front doors and cab face of the other units was omitted from Engine 74.

Unlike the units which came in 1970, these engines had the large company numbers relegated to the rear compartment and another number was on the cab face. Also, “Chicago Fire Dept.” was now lettered on both sides of the cab under the jump-seat window as well as on the cab roof over the windshield. The handrail at the back of the cab no longer ran the full width as these engines had a multi-versal that was stored on the roof.

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 23

Chicago Engine 23 was assigned shop #D-389. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 29

This image of Engine 29 shows the officer's side of the 1973 Ward LaFrance Model 80 engines that were built with the Ambassador series cab. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 57 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Engine 57 had one of four 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador engines with a 1,500-GPM pump. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador P80 engine 67

Engine 67 received one of the five units delivered by Ward LaFrance in 1973. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 74 Ward LaFrance

Chicago Engine 74 had a 1973 Ward LaFrance engine that varied slightly from the others. It had a 1,750-GPM pump and slightly different body styling. Larry Shapiro photo

Shop #D-393, the one unit with a 1,750-GPM pump that was originally assigned to Engine Company 74, was later reassigned to Engine 104.

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance trucks (1970)

Part 2 in the series on CFD Ward LaFrance apparatus in Chicago discusses the Grove aerials. Bill Friedrich submitted the following information:
There were a total of (5) WLF P80/Grove 100-foot rear-mount aerials ordered.  Companies that received these were Truck 12 (E-183), Truck 34 (E-184), Truck 21 (E-185), Truck 18 (E-186), and Truck 7 (E-187). These were delivered with booster reels that were removed from Trucks 12 & 18.
Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' rear mount aerial.

Chicago Truck 18 shown here with their 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' rear mount aerial. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department Truck 12 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove aerial

Truck 12 also had one of the 100-foot Grove aerials with a Ward LaFrance Ambassador cab and chassis. As shown here, the booster reel has been removed. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Chicago Truck 7 at the fire academy when it was ready to go in service. The booster reel is visible above the ground ladders. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck 34 during a fire prevention week parade on State Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck 21's apparatus (E-185) was later assigned to Truck 39. Jack Connors photo

Truck 21’s unit was later reassigned to Truck 39, and Truck 7’s unit was reassigned to Truck 61.

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

Truck Company 61 was assigned the unit that was previously Truck 7. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Ambassador Grove aerial

This unit (Shop #E-185) was given to Truck 39 after it saw service as Truck 21. The booster reel as seen in the image of Truck 21 was removed prior to the re-assignment to Truck 39. Jack Connors photo

 

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CFD apparatus history – Ward LaFrance (1970)

Bill Friedrich has initiated the first in a series of posts chronicling different types of apparatus that saw service in Chicago. The first post covers the Ward LaFrance engines from 1970.

There were a total of (7) P80’s delivered in 1970, one for each district. Companies that received these were Engine 126 (D-372), Engine 73 (D-373), Engine 8 (D-374), Engine 106 (D-375), Engine 22 (D-376), Engine 113 (D-377) and Engine 49 (D-378). These units had 2,000-GPM pumps.
Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 1970 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Chicago Engine 113 was one of 7 units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance with the Ambassador chassis, a 2,000-GPM pump, and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 22

This unit originally assigned to Engine 22 later went to Engine 99 and then to Engine 46 after a complete refurb. The CFD scramble on the door and the red unit number on the front were not part of the original graphics. This unit, damaged by a wall collapse, was rebuilt. Shown here after the rebuild, the cab is lacking the continuous hand rail at the canopy that extended up the sides and across the top. Additionally, the red section above the pump panel is not how this series was delivered to the city. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 73

Engine 73 was assigned shop #D373 that was eventually scrapped. This was the only 1970 Ward LaFrance that was not later rebuilt. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 126

Engine 126's rig (shop #D-372), shows the full height polished metal behind the pump panel.. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 106

Engine 106 received one of the seven units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance. The original graphics only included the Chicago Fire Department name above the windshield. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 8

This photo of Engine 8 in Chinatown shows the unit when it went into service. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 49

Engine 49 is seen here on the fireground. Jack Connors photo

In 1990 (6) of the original 1970 P80’s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. at their Frankfort, IL facility. The rebuild included a Ranger 4-door cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other components of the original apparatus. The following companies received these vehicles;  Engine 122 (x-Engine 126), Engine 69 (x-Engine 8), Engine 113 (x-Engine 106), Engine 46 (x-Engine 22), Engine 14 (x-Engine 113) and Engine 34 (x-Engine 49)  All these vehicles were equipped with 5″ hose. One was assigned in each district of the city. Two of these, D-374 and D-375, were used in the movie Backdraft.

Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 Ward LaFrance Ranger

Engine 113 with a rebuilt 1970/1990 Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE engine. Bil Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This unit (D-378) for Engine 34 was formerly assigned to Engine 49. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 14 Ward LaFrance

Chicago Engine 14 also received one of the rebuilt Ward LaFrance engines in 1990 that had an extended bumper with LDH. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 122 received one of the 1973/1990 Ranger/EONE/Ward LaFrance refurbished engines. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 69 received shop #D-374 which was later used in the movie Backdraft. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This shot of Engine 46 working at a fire scene provides a look at the officer's side of the rebuilt units. Jack Connors photo

 

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CFD Truck 56 receives new apparatus

Jack Connors informs us that Truck 56 has received their new Spartan Gladiator/Crimson 103′ aerial.

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