[quote name='usonian' timestamp='1340292076' post='489463']
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This rig (1982 vintage, I think) has always been a "spare", used on special calls only. Chicago Guys, weigh in with details, please!
[/quote] Usonian the 1982 Seagrave/Pierce Snorkel was not always a spare or a "Reserve" Snorkel. When it was ordered and delivered the Chicago fire department had 5 and then for a very short time 6 Snorkel companies with one assigned to each of our 5 and then 6 fire districts.When we went from 7 Divisions to 5 Districts around 1980/81 it was decided to have each district assigned a separate Snorkel and a separate Squad company assigned to each district that were given the same number of the District that it was assigned to. Other special units were also numbered according to the District that they were assigned to such as the Light Wagons and the Deluge or Turret units. In mid 1982 a 6th district was created and so since we only had 5 Snorkels at the time a new Snorkel was ordered and that was the Seagrave which had been assigned to Snorkel company 1 which was located at Engine 18's old station at the time.
About a year later on September 19 1983 three of our one piece Squad companies and three of our Snorkel companies were combined into three , two piece Squad/Snorkel companies that ran together as one company. The remaining three Snorkels were designated as "Reserve Snorkels" as opposed to spare Snorkels as they were located at various fire stations around the city and the companies that they were located with, were cross trained to operate the Snorkel when they were special called.
The 1982 Seagrave was usually used as one of the "Reserve Snorkels" and was located at Engine 112's station on the north side. Eventually they were relocated to Engine 42 and Truck 3's quarters "downtown" and then to Engine 35 and Truck 28's quarters on the near northwest side. All of the other "Reserve Snorkels" were removed from service by the mid 1990's as the other ones were mostly Oshkosh/Pierce models that had been in service since the mid 1970's.
The last that I had heard the "Reserve Snorkel" had been assigned to Engine 35's house where Engine 35 or Truck 28 would respond with it when special called.
The "Reserve Snorkel" was getting special called several time a year to some of the more stubborn extra alarm fires where they needed an elevated stream to "wet down" the ruins.
From September 1983 to mid 1986 our "Reserve Snorkel's were special called quite often as Chicago's Tower Ladders didn't go into service until then. The 1982 Seagrave Pierce was not in front line service more then a year or two so most of it's life it was indeed a Reserve piece. The reason why I emphasize "Reserve" is because it was located at an active fire station and would be taken to the scene with active fire companies while spare rigs are generally located at the "shops" to be used when a rig had to be serviced..
]
This rig (1982 vintage, I think) has always been a "spare", used on special calls only. Chicago Guys, weigh in with details, please!
[/quote] Usonian the 1982 Seagrave/Pierce Snorkel was not always a spare or a "Reserve" Snorkel. When it was ordered and delivered the Chicago fire department had 5 and then for a very short time 6 Snorkel companies with one assigned to each of our 5 and then 6 fire districts.When we went from 7 Divisions to 5 Districts around 1980/81 it was decided to have each district assigned a separate Snorkel and a separate Squad company assigned to each district that were given the same number of the District that it was assigned to. Other special units were also numbered according to the District that they were assigned to such as the Light Wagons and the Deluge or Turret units. In mid 1982 a 6th district was created and so since we only had 5 Snorkels at the time a new Snorkel was ordered and that was the Seagrave which had been assigned to Snorkel company 1 which was located at Engine 18's old station at the time.
About a year later on September 19 1983 three of our one piece Squad companies and three of our Snorkel companies were combined into three , two piece Squad/Snorkel companies that ran together as one company. The remaining three Snorkels were designated as "Reserve Snorkels" as opposed to spare Snorkels as they were located at various fire stations around the city and the companies that they were located with, were cross trained to operate the Snorkel when they were special called.
The 1982 Seagrave was usually used as one of the "Reserve Snorkels" and was located at Engine 112's station on the north side. Eventually they were relocated to Engine 42 and Truck 3's quarters "downtown" and then to Engine 35 and Truck 28's quarters on the near northwest side. All of the other "Reserve Snorkels" were removed from service by the mid 1990's as the other ones were mostly Oshkosh/Pierce models that had been in service since the mid 1970's.
The last that I had heard the "Reserve Snorkel" had been assigned to Engine 35's house where Engine 35 or Truck 28 would respond with it when special called.
The "Reserve Snorkel" was getting special called several time a year to some of the more stubborn extra alarm fires where they needed an elevated stream to "wet down" the ruins.
From September 1983 to mid 1986 our "Reserve Snorkel's were special called quite often as Chicago's Tower Ladders didn't go into service until then. The 1982 Seagrave Pierce was not in front line service more then a year or two so most of it's life it was indeed a Reserve piece. The reason why I emphasize "Reserve" is because it was located at an active fire station and would be taken to the scene with active fire companies while spare rigs are generally located at the "shops" to be used when a rig had to be serviced..
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