The Chicago Fire Department acquired aerial ladder trucks equipped with booster tanks and pumps over several years. Between 1967 and 1973, a total of 21 aerials were delivered from various manufacturers, all featuring onboard water systems. Among these, one was a mid-ship model while the rest were rear-mounted. The manufacturers included Seagrave, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance (Grove), and American LaFrance.
This post marks the beginning of a series that will explore the evolution of these fire truck companies within Chicago. In 1967, Chicago welcomed two Seagrave mid-ship aerials. One was a straight truck initially assigned to Truck 44 before moving to Truck 60. The other, Shop #E-166, came equipped with a 60-GPM pump and carried 200 gallons of water. This unit started its service with Truck 26 and later transferred to Truck 31.
When Truck 31 relocated to the station at 77th and Pulaski, it operated independently without an accompanying engine company. It was assigned a fog pressure unit as Truck 31A on November 17, 1971, until Engine 64 joined them on March 12, 1973.
The image below shows the 1967 Seagrave aerial assigned as Truck 31, which later became part of Truck 31A’s fleet. It featured a 60-GPM pump and carried 200 gallons of water. This photograph was taken by Jack Connors.
[Image description: A 1967 Seagrave aerial ladder truck labeled as Truck 31, with a mid-ship mount and a 60-GPM pump. The truck carries 200 gallons of water in its booster tank.]
In addition to this, Truck 31A was also supported by a 1966 International CargoStar Darley Fog Pressure Unit, which served the area until Engine 64 arrived in 1973. This vehicle is shown in another image provided by Jack Connors.
Further down the line, the same 1967 Seagrave mid-ship aerial resurfaced as Reserve Truck 7, though by then it lacked its original pump system. The photograph of this vehicle was captured by Larry Shapiro.
As we delve deeper into this series, future posts will continue exploring how these different manufacturers shaped firefighting capabilities in Chicago. These early models not only enhanced fire suppression but also set the stage for more advanced equipment in the years to come.
[Image description: A 1967 Seagrave mid-ship aerial truck now serving as Reserve Truck 7, missing its original pump setup but still standing as a testament to its legacy.]
Stay tuned for more insights into the rich history of Chicago's firefighting arsenal.
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