Chicago Fire Department history

All posts tagged Chicago Fire Department history

Going into the way-back machine for this fire on the northwest corner of Belmont and Pulaski.  This building still stands today and is still a corner tavern.  Kind of a neat series of images as the unknown photographer catches companies pulling up with smoke pushing out the side door.  As the fire is brought under control, you can see a dog mounted on top of Engine 91’s Ahrens-Fox.  The final image is kind of funny as a car goes driving down Belmont with a couch tied to the roof.  I could not find any markings to identify either of the trucks, and in the final image there is what I believe is a squad on Pulaski to the far right.

Eric Haak

 

historic Chicago fire scene

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

Here are some great old color images from a 3-11 alarm in Chicago on July 24, 1966.  The fire was at 2348 S. Federal and from other images I have of this fire, it appeared to be long, wooden store houses that were filled with used tires.  The engine you see is Engine 104 and the other rig is lettered and numbered Squad 8.

 Eric Haak

old Chicago fire scene photo

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

old Chicago fire scene photo with Hi-Ranger Snorkel

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

old Chicago fire scene photo with Mack L Series engine

Classic 3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago July 24, 1966 at 2348 S. Federal . photographer unknown

old Chicago fire scene photo with Autocar squad

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

old Chicago fire scene photo with Hi-Ranger Snorkel

Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

Circa 1977-78

This was either on Scott St or W Goethe St. The call came in as a rescue but it turned out to be a recovery. Evidently the young man was retrieving a ball hit up on the “L” tracks and tripped over the third rail. It was very quiet in the firehouse for a few hours after this run.

 Fred McCahey

Chicago SS1

Fred McCahey photo

Chicago Snorkel Squad 1 history

Fred McCahey photo

Chicago Snorkel Squad 1 history

Fred McCahey photo

Images from an abandoned warehouse fire circa 1977. SS-1A’s winch was used to tear out the garage door

Fred McCahey

Chicago SS1

SS1 at an abandoned warehouse circa 1977. Fred McCahey photo

vintage Chicago FD photo

A classic FWD tractor-drawn aerial is visible in the background. Fred McCahey photo

Chicago SS1

Fred McCahey photo

Chicago SS1

Fred McCahey photo

CFD SS1 Lt Bob Sutherland

CFD SS1 Lt Bob Sutherland at an abandoned warehouse circa 1977. Fred McCahey photo

old Chicago FD photo with SS1

Fred McCahey photo

old Chicago FD photo

Fred McCahey photo

old Chicago FD photo with SS1

Fred McCahey photo

old Chicago FD photo

Fred McCahey photo

 

I dug out a few pics that I thought you might want to see. Still have more to find but this is a start.

Shooting back then with a Canon TL (still have it) film camera AND working/schooling on firefighting was a bit of a trick.

Circa 1977-78 ….

undated images from a fire in a shoe store on State street … with SS1, Engine 42, and Truck 1, the 135′ Morita ladder

 Fred McCahey

This was the first time I ever was pulled into a fire by Lt R Sutherland, “to learn something” as he put it. The pictures were taken after working and coughing my lungs out.

 

old photo of Chicago FD units

Fred McCahey photo

Chicago FD Morita ladder

SSI, Engine 42, and Truck 1. Fred McCahey photo

Chicago FD SS1

Image of Chicago FD units on State Street in the 1970s. Fred McCahey photo

Chicago FD Morita ladder

Fred McCahey photo

The original Snorkel, known then as a Giraffe, is shown here working this 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago. The unit was built in 1958 and delivered to the city for use as a tree trimmer. Note the tree guard above the cab. This image was taken before the boom was piped with steel, as the 3″ hoe line is lashed along the boom sections.

the original Snorkel fire truck working at a fire

5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago on February 20, 1959 at the Atlantic Paper Company at 2931 S. LaSalle Street. photographer unknown

More historic photos from Chicago – the photographers are unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown