Posts Tagged Warren Redick

Chicago Fire Department History

This from Steve Redick:

A classic image from my dad. I believe he took this when assigned to snorkel 4 at 25’s house, then at the academy. Notice the bell cutout in the grill. Don’t know the identity of these companies.

Another great shot Tower & Pressure 3 taken at a fire at 62 & Stony Island

classic Chicago fire engines

Warren Redick photo

vintage Chicago fire trucks and water tower

Warren Redick photo

Another coupla shots …

Eng 48’s Pirsch taken at what was Engine 16 at 40th & Dearborn

High Pressure 1 across from Eng 1

These are great shots

antique Chicago Pirsch fire engine

Warren Redick photo

vintage photo of Chicago FD Pressure Wagon 1 fire engine

Warren Redick photo

Some additional notes from Mike K:

Great picture of Engine 48.  When I started my career at Engine 19, we had an identical pumper.  The rough ride of the back step on these old Pirsches force me to switch from Boxer shorts to Jockey shorts.  Actally, when this picture was taken, the firehouse shown at 4005 S. Dearborn was not Engine 16’s quarters.  It was Engine 48’s house.  Engine 16 was located at 31st and Dearborn and the property was purchased by Illinois Institute of Technology and engine 16 was doubled up with Engine 48 at 4005 S. Dearborn.
One of my Captain’s at Engine 19 was Captain of Engine 48 at that time and after repeated complaints to Commissioner Quinn that the single door firehouse was too small for two pumpers, he finally agreed.  Thus, he ordered Engine 48 removed from service and gave the house to Engine 16.  Captain Fletcher Thompson won his position, but found himself without a company to command.
After losing his assignment at Engine 48, he became Captain of Engine 45 until transferring to Engine 19 about a year after I was assigned there.
I’m not sure if Steve Redick is aware of the fact that 4005 Dearborn was originally Engine 48’s quarters, but his comment gives me the impression that Engine 48 was the “guest” at Engine 16.
Mike K

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Chicago 5-11 at 1520 S Indiana in 1974

This from Steve Redick:

I returned from Arkansas with a lot of my dad’s collection. One of the things he had displayed on his wall was a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a 5-11 he and I were at in 1974. This was a cold storage warehouse and I recall it burned for days. I also remember at some point the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure causing the transmission of another extra alarm. We took it in well after the initial alarm and toured the fireground getting these shots of some classic rigs in action. The image with Big John in the background is probably one of the few images you will see with both guns working. Most times they couldn’t muster up the water supply to use both. Also note the 2000-GPM LaFrances often used both ports on the hydrant. They had an order that no other pumper was to share a hydrant with a 2,000-gallon rig, thus giving them the ability to use both steamer ports.

These photos were in horrendous condition … colors way off and faded. I was surprised at how much of the damaged images I was able to restore. They are far from perfect but at least they are now useable. I bet if I made them B&W they would be near perfect. Enjoy the history.

Steve

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago and Big John

Warren Redick photo

vintage fire engines in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage American LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Seagrave fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage American LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage Ward LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

vintage American LaFrance fire engine in Chicago

Warren Redick photo

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Chicago FD Battalion Chief (ret) Warren Redick (1928-2015)

It is with sadness that we note the passing of Chicago FD Battalion Chief (ret) Warren Redick, the father of CFD Senior Fire Alarm Operator, fire photographer, frequent chicagoareafire.com contributor, and friend to many, Steve Redick.

Mr. Warren Albert Redick, age 86 of Bull Shoals, Arkansas passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 at his home. He was born November 10, 1928 to Raymond and Myrtle (Baumann) Redick.

Mr. Redick enjoyed collecting and photography.

Mr. Redick is survived by his wife and soulmate, Mildred Redick of the home, one son Steven Redick (Linda), Steven’s mother, Joan, four step-children, Deanne Evans (Chuck), Bonnie Hesik (Tony Largent), Frank Hesik (Debbie), James Dixon (Terry), two grandchildren, Zachary and Frank. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepdaughter, Dawn and second wife, Pocahontas.

All services will be private.

From Steve Redick:

My dad was part of a vanishing breed … old school, no masks, high workload and little or no ems. He was in his prime at a time when the job was a much different profession than it is today. Unfortunately he and most of his colleagues have paid the ultimate price for the abuse their bodies took. Dad was always a fan from the time he was a small boy. His grandfather, Henry Redick was a fireman on a horse drawn steamer in the CFD. Dad’s father, Raymond was a member of the fire insurance patrol, later becoming assistant chief.

Dad started out his career as a “patrolio” and spent many years on the various companies, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. In 1959 when the patrols disbanded, he was finally able to realize his dream of becoming a Chicago fireman. He was a candidiate on squad 8 and spent time as a fireman on numerous companies including SS1 and Snorkel 2. One of dad’s best assignments was being the Captain of SS3 … he was there when the company was organized. They only had a Snorkel for a very short time, and mostly ran with junk, but they were arguably one of the busiest companies in the entire country, if not the world. As a little guy I was able to go ride there once or twice after they made the move to Erie street.  Dad was at many famous fires including the Mickleberry Fire and the bowling alley fire at Milwaukee and Spaulding. That’s the one with the famous photo of the Snorkel basket rescue with a member being held onto the basket of Snorkel 7 as they brought him down from the collapsed roof. Dad was not in the photo, but he and his guys were on the roof and made the original rescue to bring him to the basket.

 

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A historical review …

From Steve Redick:

I cranked up the wayback machine for a long overdue session….Here’s a shot I believe I may have gotten from Chuck Madderom. A very rare image of the famous Snorkel Squad 3 operating with a Snorkel. I have no info on this location or date, but I LOVE this shot. This is the same rig, the original Snorkel, that was restored by ALF back in the 90’s. As many of you already know my dad was the captain of this company, and I did ride on one of the foam pressures a coupla times when I lived on Erie Street. That house is now gone too.

Classic Chicago fire scene photo with old Snorke

photographer unknown

Here’s a good old fire fan photo. A still alarm 59th & Lafayette or Lasalle maybe even Perry … not sure now … mid 70’s … fire venting out the side and a truckman holding the door shut after forcing it while the engine leads out. My dad is visible in the white helmet on the right side of the photo. I rode in the 12th battalion buggy to this job. Typical fire in the old 12th battalion in those days.

Vintage Chicago fire scene photo

Steve Redick photo

Don’t remember the date for this next one, but I was coming home from some tavern and took this in. Probably about 0300 or so, I’m thinking the late 80s. This was a pretty well known restaurant if I remember right..can anyone add more info?

1980s night fire scene near Chicago

Steve Redick photo

Let’s look at one more. Detroit lost 3 members in a major warehouse fire back in March 1987. This cartoon appeared in the paper the next day. I thought so much of it I bought a lithograph of it from the paper. This has always been a touching image for me.

lithograph of dalmation crying

Steve

 

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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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