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The Chicago Fire Department made some significant purchases of aerial ladder trucks during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Several models came equipped with booster reels and 300-gallon water tanks, which were later removed for maintenance or operational reasons. Over time, the department acquired various types of aerials to meet its growing needs.
Among these acquisitions were:
- Three 1968 Mack CF/Pirsch 100-foot aerials featuring a red cab face, each with 300-gallon water tanks.
- A unique 1968 Seagrave aerial mounted on an FWD chassis with rear steering, specifically designed for Truck 63 at O’Hare Airport. This model had a 500-gallon booster tank and twin booster reels.
- Eight 1970 Seagrave rear-mount aerials, most equipped with 250-gallon tanks.
- Five 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove units, assigned to key stations like Truck 7, Truck 12, Truck 18, Truck 21, and Truck 34, all featuring 300-gallon tanks.
- Three 1972 Mack CF 700/Pirsch 100-foot aerials with silver cab faces and 300-gallon tanks.
Historically, the department's maintenance teams occasionally drained the water tanks and removed the booster reels from some of these vehicles. While these changes were practical at the time, they altered the original configuration of certain trucks.
In reviewing old photographs, we can see how these modifications affected the appearance of the equipment over the years. For instance, a 1968 Seagrave Rear Admiral assigned to O'Hare Airport still retains its 500-gallon booster tank and twin booster reels, offering a glimpse into the original setup. Another notable example is Truck 5, which received one of the 1972 100-foot Pirsch rear-mount aerials built on a Mack CF chassis, complete with a 500-gallon water tank and twin booster reels.
This post builds upon earlier discussions about CFD trucks with boosters from 1967 and 1968. Future updates will explore additional details about these historical vehicles, providing further insights into their evolution and impact on firefighting operations. Stay tuned for more stories and images highlighting the rich history of the Chicago Fire Department's fleet.