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 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 Shown here many years later as Reserve Truck 7 is the 1967 Seagrave mid-ship aerial without a pump. Larry Shapiro photo Preform mold, Precision mold manufacturing, Injection molding, Mold design Sentis Equipment Co.,Ltd , https://www.spemachine.com
CFD Apparatus History – trucks with boosters 1967
The Chicago Fire Department acquired aerial ladder trucks equipped with booster tanks and pumps over several years. Starting in 1967 and continuing through 1973, a total of 21 aerial units were delivered by various manufacturers, each carrying water onboard. Among these, one was a mid-ship aerial, while the rest were rear-mounted. The units were manufactured by Seagrave, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance (Grove), and American LaFrance.
This is the first in a series of posts that will explore the evolution of these truck companies within the Chicago Fire Department.
In 1967, Chicago received two Seagrave mid-ship aerials. One was a straight truck, initially assigned to Truck 44 and later to Truck 60. The other unit, with shop number E-166, featured a 60-GPM pump and carried 200 gallons of water. It was originally assigned to Truck 26 before being reassigned to Truck 31.
When Truck 31 moved into their new station at 77th and Pulaski, they did not have an engine company stationed with them. Instead, they were supported by a fog pressure unit known as Truck 31A, which was assigned on November 17, 1971. This arrangement continued until Engine 64 was finally located with them on March 12, 1973.