Chicago Fire Department

[firepost]

[quote name='wardengine' post='58204' date='Dec 12 2006, 16:35 ']here is reply from the pa fire co after i furnished updated info to them:

just to claerify a few things the company does have in its possession a letter from the city of chicago fire dept. and mayors office stating the engine was used in some parts of the movie other ward eones were also used. the trucks were used during different scenes of the movie. the rason we didnt remove the 17 from the engine is we had an agrrement when purchased to keep its authenticity for 7 years.



and another excerp:



Interesting discussion on the authenticity of the rig that is in Schuykill County. I found the following info on the Code 3 Collectibles Web Site:



"When Ron Howard filmed BACKDRAFT he made the Chicago Fire Department one of the most recognized departments in the country. The CFD loaned Universal Studios several pieces of apparatus for their new movie. It is very unusual for Hollywood to use actual authentic apparatus. Most movies using fire apparatus are filmed on the West Coast and use privately owned trucks painted to reflect the city they are meant to represent.



The most recognized engine from the movie would be Engine 17. Engine 17 started service with the Chicago Fire Department in July of 1970. This1970 Ward LaFrance Pumper was first assigned to Engine Co. 8. The pumper was later assigned to Engine 18. In 1987, it was refurbed with a Ranger cab and E\-One body before it was given to Ron Howard's production group in July of 1990. Ron Howard used Engine 18 (portrayed as Engines 17 & 51 in the movie) until February of 1991. After the filming of the movie, the apparatus was given to Engine 69 were it remained in-service until 1995 when it was disposed of."



This says that the "Backdraft Engine" began service in 1970 with a refurb in 1987 - the website trying to sell the engine in Schuylkill County lists the one they have as a 1968 model with the refurb by E\-One done in 1988? Also, according to Code 3's info, the engine used in the movie went back into service with the CFD in 1991 as Engine 69 - it remained there until 1995 - Interesting that they wouldn't have removed the "17" from the door during this time period?



Anybody have any additional info that might unravel this mystery? Were there two rigs used during the filming instead of just the one that Code 3 refers to?[/quote]

[b]Here is more information.None of the Ranger/E One Ward La France rebuilds were 1968 models,they were all 1970 models.They were part of an order of 7 and they all had a 2000 GPM capacity.Ohe of them was totaled by falling Walls at an Extra Alarm Fire.Of the 6 remaining two of them were rebuilt with Ranger Cabs and E/ONE body's in 1988 while the other 4 were rebuilt in 1990.The 1988 rebuild's went to Engines 122 and Engine 14 while the 1990 rebuilds ended up going to Engines 113,34,46 and 69,with Engine 34 and 69 being the last ones in service.THey were all rebuilt with a 140 gallon Foam tank.Unfortunately none them lasted beyond 1995 as inservice Fire Companies.

[Guest]

There were 2 WLFs used in Backdraft. Engine 113 and Engine 69. The guy in Minnesota owns both of those Engines with 69 being in better shape than 113. 69 needs a bit more work and it will again be drivable. He is also going to repaint and reletter it as well to the specs of the CFD when these Engines were in use. 113 will also be rebuilt at a latter date. Let me tell you, these rigs were almost in the shredder pile before he rescued them. They are huge rigs and quite impressive in their own right in addition to being in the movie.



Here is the info on Chicago's WLFs. (Please note this info is for the rigs after rehab except D373 .)



D372 1970 Ward LaFrance 2000 GPM pump.

500 Gal booster

Cummings Diesel

Auto Trans.

Able rehab New E-1 body and Ranger cab 9-1-87 returned from Able 11-9-88 and assigned to E122



Junked 9-6-94



D373 1970 Ward LaFrance (Same specs as above)

Engine 73

Unit never rebuilt. Junked 9-19-83



D374 1970 Ward LaFrance (Same specs as above)

Able rehab 8-28-87. Returned from Able assigned to shop spare and then to filming of Backdraft spring thru fall 1990.

Assigned to Engine 69 9-18-91

Shop Extra 6-13-95

Junked (unk.)



D375 1970 Ward LaFrance (Same specs as above)

Able rehab 4-8-87. Returned from Able to shops and then used for filming Backdraft 6-12-90 until 12-2-90. Assigned to Engine 113 on 8-12-91.

Junked 10-21-96



D376 1970 Ward Lafrance (Same specs as above)

Able rehab 7-2-86. Returned 6-14-89. Assigned to Engine 46.

Junked 9-9-96



D377 1970 Ward LaFrance (Same specs as above)

Able rehab 10-28-86. Returned 3-9-89 assigned to Engine 14 on 5-29-90.

Junked 8-29-96



D378 1970 Ward LaFrance (Same specs as above)

Able rehab 10-28-86. Returned 8-30-89. Assigned to Engine 34 0n 5-18-90. Shop extra 8-11-98.

Sold to Hanson Brothers for $5,200.00

Hanson Brothers sold it to the PA fire dept. for approx. $59,000.

NEVER USED ON BACKDRAFT

[Guest]

Here is a link to Jeff's Murphy's Epson site. He owns the actual Backdraft CFD rig, and he explains everything you always wanted to know about the CFD Rangers and his trucks as well as the movie trucks, and the legal troubles with the Pa. Fire Department. He does answer emails, but as you can imagine, he is quite busy. The CFD Graveyard photos are worth the look alone at his albums and you will be quite amazed.

[url="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4172839"]Jeff's Epson albums[/url]

[Guest]

Well, since you mentioned his name.....Within Jeff's photo album are a couple of shots of the old Hendrickson Squad 5 with snorkel. Recently he told me that had been shredded and no longer exsists. Probably a pop can by now (his words)!!

[Marc]

Is Jeff still thinking of buying either the Mack/Pirsch Rearmount ladder or old Mack Flying Squad rigs that were in that graveyard?

[Marc]

As a matter of fact, if you look in Jeff's "Found Backdraft Rig" album, he has some of my pictures posted that i took of the rig and later sent to him.

[Guest]

Photo 8 in the above mentioned post/file also includes the smashed in front of a Ladder truck. Police officer (off duty) comitted suicide by running into it with his motorcycle.

[Operaone]

Does Chicago still have the "graveyard" and where is it located. thanks in advance. Dick Logan

[Guest]

The CFD has a few places where they store old rigs. North and Throop (next to Engine 20's old house) is where the ready reserve is located. This is in front of the City of Chicago's Fleet Services complex where the CFD shops are now located. Last time I was there, many months ago, there were quite a few ladder trucks and some E\-One Hurricane pumpers. I think the pumpers were sold within the last year.

There used to be the main graveyard at the old shops at 31st and California. Some new city buildings were constructed on this land which ate up a good portion of the graveyard land. Not sure how much is still left there.

Finally, at about 107th and Stony Island is where all City of Chicago surplus vehicles go to await sale to junkyards, etc.. The City has auctions where anyone can buy these old vehicles. They also are selling them online now. It's interesting to see when fire trucks come up for sale. They don't sell for very much considering what they orginally cost. Now seeing a lot less CFD vehicles up for auction since the city has bought so much new replacement equipment. For awhile they were selling 15-20 pieces every six months or so.

[Marc]

[quote name='mprender' post='58440' date='Dec 13 2006, 17:17 ']Photo 8 in the above mentioned post/file also includes the smashed in front of a Ladder truck. Police officer (off duty) comitted suicide by running into it with his motorcycle.[/quote]





Interesting, i also have a picture of this rig, and the chief who was showing me around the shops told me that a motorcycle had hit this rig while it was responding to a call. Never mentioned though that it was an off duty police officer.

[CFD Adv207]

Would that be the ALF rearmount in this picture?



[url="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4172839&a=31169317&p=66687158"]http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?...&p=66687158[/url]

[Marc]

[quote name='CFD Adv207' post='58633' date='Dec 14 2006, 12:23 ']Would that be the ALF rearmount in this picture?



[url="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4172839&a=31169317&p=66687158"]http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?...&p=66687158[/url][/quote]





That would be it, and that's one of my pictures that i sent to Jeff.

[Guest]

I got bored today so I whipped this up.







[url="http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4516/backdraftnb7.jpg"]Larger Image[/url]

[Guest]

In the above shots with the two rigs coming towards camera that is E69. You can tell because that is the only WLF that had the speaker between the front windows installed that low. The shot from the hose bed looking forward with the flag in shot is E113. 113 had diamond plate supports for the deck gun, 69 had a red form fitting support. The other shots are to dark to tell.

[Guest]

[quote name='RichRoadB' post='58411' date='Dec 13 2006, 16:05 ']Here is a link to Jeff's Murphy's Epson site. He owns the actual Backdraft CFD rig, and he explains everything you always wanted to know about the CFD Rangers and his trucks as well as the movie trucks, and the legal troubles with the Pa. Fire Department. He does answer emails, but as you can imagine, he is quite busy. The CFD Graveyard photos are worth the look alone at his albums and you will be quite amazed.

[url="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4172839"]Jeff's Epson albums[/url][/quote]

where is this junkyard located?

[Guest]

Minnesota. Erickson Truck Parts I believe.

[Guest]

Can someone answer me this. On the Ranger/E-one rigs why did they carry hose on top of the cabs. This seems very impractical place to put it. It maybe just me but very strange and I have never been able to come up with a reasonable explanation for it.



Gnarldtoad.

[Ladder 68]

Without being a Chicago Fire Fighter, I would say why not. It is a good use of space for something seldom used. If you have to carry something you very rarely use, put it someplace that doesn't take space for items used more often. I know ISO has requirement for hard suction I believe as does NFPA.



Just a thought.

[Guest]

These were 2000 GPM pumpers and if I remember correctly were spread out over the city to provide "super pumper" capabilities, hence the need for more hard suction lines. A total of four were carried; three on the roof and one on the driver side rear. Normal CFD rigs never carried more than one or two at a time. As the previous poster said "If you have to carry something you very rarely use, put it someplace that doesn't take space for items used more often." I think these gave the rigs a unique look and added to their imposing image.

[firepost]

[quote name='mprender' post='59101' date='Dec 16 2006, 14:17 ']These were 2000 GPM pumpers and if I remember correctly were spread out over the city to provide "super pumper" capabilities, hence the need for more hard suction lines. A total of four were carried; three on the roof and one on the driver side rear. Normal CFD rigs never carried more than one or two at a time. As the previous poster said "If you have to carry something you very rarely use, put it someplace that doesn't take space for items used more often." I think these gave the rigs a unique look and added to their imposing image.[/quote]

Yes they were indeed spread out around the city and they were also put near some of our Expressways as well.Before they were rebuilt with the new Ranger Cabs and E/One body's the suctions were on the side just like on most other pumpers.We originally had 7 of them delivered by Ward La France in 1970 however one of them was wrecked several years before the rebuilding took place.When they were Originally put in service the CFD had 7 Fire Divisions and there was on assigned to each division.About two years after the 7 Ward La France 2000 GPM pumpers were delivered we had 6 American La France 2000 GPM pumpers also delivered however the 6 ALF's were all located either in or near Chicago's "Loop" (downtown area).About 6 years after the first batch of American La France 2000 GPM pumpers were delivered another 5 ALF 2000 Gpm pumpers were delivered in 1978.Those last 5 were spread out around the city as well.In the late 1970's the CFD had an all time high of 18, 2000 GPM pumpers in service.From 1980 to 1982 most of the Original Ward La France and American La France pumpers were taken out of service,so by the mid 1980's we only had about 6 2000 GPM pumpers in Frontline service.

The only 2000 GPM pumpers that the CFD has in service as of today are Engines 9 and 10 at O'Hare Field which are also the only Custom built Pierce pumpers that the CFD operates and they are 1998 model Foam pumpers that were built specifically for O'Hare Field.They both have 1000 Gallon Water Tanks and 210 gallon Foam Tanks built on a Tandem Rear Axle Chassis.O'Hare Field also has two "Reserve" 1992 E/One 2000 GPM Foam Pumpers which both have Telesquirts built in and are used as Spare Rigs for the 1998 Pierces. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drredengine.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drredengine.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drredengine.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />