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]They did remove the number 17 from the door while it was at Engine 69.That's another reason why I would be skeptical of the story from Pennsylvania.