Rosemont Snorkels
![Ford Pierce 65' Pitman Snorkel](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rosemont_SNKL158-1-600x407.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![Ford Pierce 65' Pitman Snorkel](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rosemont_SK-158-600x368.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![Ford Pierce 65' Pitman Snorkel at work](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rosemont_Snorkel_on-scene-416x600.jpg)
Des Plaines Theater fire. Larry Shapiro photo
![Spartan E-ONE 85' Snorkel](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rosemont-Snorkel-158-600x367.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
Dec 29
Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos | 6 Comments
Rosemont Snorkels
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Des Plaines Theater fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Tags: Des Plaines theater fire, Larry Shapiro, Pierce Snorkel, Pitman Snorkel, Rosemont FD history, Rosemont FD Snorkel, Rosemont Fire Department, Spartan E-ONE Snorkel, two Snorkels
Jun 1
Posted by bgshap in Fire Service News | 33 Comments
One of the great things about Tower Ladder 10’s location, is that they are not more than a mile and a half away from Fleet Management (the shops), so they could easily have work done on their rig whenever they wish. The oldest front line tower ladders though are three, 1996 HME/LTIs that are at Tower Ladders 21, 37, and 39, all of which are 16 years old. The CFD had been trying to replace most of their rigs within 10 to 15 years of frontline service. That said, Tower Ladder 21’s rig looks pretty good and it’s been getting it’s share of extra alarms lately. Tower ladders are listed on the city of Chicago’s official 2012 buying plan issued by the department of Procurement Services. This means that they intend to have bids requested to build them.
My concern is about the spare Snorkel that was running as Squad 1. That’s the only spare 55′ Snorkel left. I understand that it’s twin was gotten rid of over the last few years. Most readers of this site probably know by now that the CFD has been wanting to replace the three Snorkel Squads for the last few years, and that it has even been listed on Chicago’s official buying plan.
The catch, is that American LaFrance (ALF) holds the manufacturing rights to the Snorkel brand that they acquired from the old Snorkel corporation that went out of business (over 10 years ago), and ALF refuses to build any new Snorkels. The alternative is to rehab and remount an old Snorkel on a new chassis and body which several fire departments that still use Snorkels have done already. When there are fewer Snorkels out there, it becomes more difficult to even find Snorkels to rebuild and remount.
I have heard that there may be other manufacturers that would be willing to design their own aerial similar to a "Snorkel", however it would be very expensive. So, it would be much simpler if American LaFrance would just sell the rights to the Snorkel if not just build them again. Even though you see less of them in use, there are still a few major and several smaller fire departments that use Snorkels. The Memphis (TN) fire department had been running with two single-piece Snorkel Squads (which had been been using remounted Snorkels on newer chassis) and the Philadelphia (PA) fire department had been using two remounted full-size Snorkels. Since both Memphis and Chicago make extensive use of the smaller Snorkel Squads, it would be a good idea if they would start a class-action suit against American LaFrance to either manufacture the Snorkel or to at least let another company (who is willing to build the Snorkel) have the specs and rights to build them. The irony about this is that the Chicago Fire Department and our old repair shops is where the idea for the original Snorkel began, and our old repair shops even outfitted the original Snorkel for fire service applications. American LaFrance now owns the original Snorkel (which served as Snorkel 1 and Snorkel Squad 3) as part of their historic collection, even though they never actually built or outfitted the rig. The boom and platform were actually built by the Pitman Corporation. It really seems as if they are holding the fire service (in general) and Chicago Fire Department (in particular) hostage.
Tags: American LaFrance, Bill Post, Chicago Snorkel Squad, Memphis Fire Department, Philadelphia Fire Department, Pitman Snorkel, Ray Pitman, Snorkel
Bill Friedrich has been sharing vintage photos of the Chicago Fire Department. Several images here depict classic winter scenes on the fireground in Chicago. The photographers are unknown to us as well as the dates and locations of the downtown fire.
Photographer unknown. Two Hi-Ranger Snorkels and the original Pitman-Snorkel are working along with several ladders in 1963 at this extra-alarm fire at Mercy Hospital.
Photographer, date and location unknown. Two Autocar pumpers and a water tower all encased in ice.
Photographer, date, and location unknown. Another view of the downtown fire.
Photographer, date, and location unknown. A third view of the downtown fire shows two water towers at work.
Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Autocar engines, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Snorkel, Chicago water towers, Hi-Ranger Snorkel, ice covered fire trucks, Mercy Hospital fire in Chicago 1963, original Snorkel, Pitman Snorkel, vintage fire photos from Chicago
Jun 8
Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Fire Department News, updated listing | Comments off
A historic gallery has been posted for the Niles Fire Department which includes photos from Bill Friedrich, Steve Redick, and Larry Shaprio plus others from the collection of Carl Fox and Jeff Schielke. Highlights include a history of Pirsch engines, a Pirsch TDA, a Pitman Snorkel, and an undated photo of the original fire station.
Tags: Bill Friedrich, Carl Fox, historic gallery, historic truck photos, Jeff Schielke, Larry Shapiro, Niles Fire Department, photo history, Pirsch TDA, Pitman Snorkel, Steve Redick
Apr 20
Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Fire Department News, Site News, updated listing | Comments off
The Western Springs Fire Department photo history has been added to their page. Located in MABAS Division 10, Western Springs has a rich history featuring Ward LaFrance, FWD, Seagrave, E-ONE, American LaFrance, and Pierce apparatus. Originally white, their rigs transitioned to white over red beginning with an American LaFrance Ladder Chief Quint in 1977. Three of their units were repainted to accommodate the change. These were the 1977 E-ONE, 1975 Seagrave, and the 1982 Pierce.
Tags: American LaFrance, American LaFrance Ladder Chief Quint, Bill Friedrich, Cadillac ambulance, E-ONE, fire department history, FWD, historic gallery, historic truck photos, Larry Shapiro, MABAS Division 10, Miller Meteor ambulance, Pierce Arrow, Pitman Snorkel, Snorkel, Ward LaFrance Fireball, Western Springs Fire Department
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
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