Chicago Fire Department

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[quote name='usonian' date='02 March 2010 - 07:23 PM' timestamp='1267578234' post='367556']

Here's a CFD question I haven't seen asked:



Why doesn't Chicago have any TDA's? I've done plenty of driving in Chicago, and I know there are miles upon miles of narrow streets and tight corners where a Tiller could be a real advantage.

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That's a very good question Usonian and while I don't know the actual reason why Chicago doesn't have any Tillered Aerials ,I can give you a few possible reasons as to why the Chicago Fire Department doesn't have any TDA's.

Cost would probably be one of them as TDA's are more expensive then rearmounts from what I understand. Another possible reason is that Chicago would have to certify and train a pool of qualified Tiller (rear trailer) driver's and that it would put a dent in the standardization of are Ladder companies. Whether the Management of the CFD has recently considered buying any TDA's would be a good guess on my part. That said, I personally think that Chicago could also make use of a Tillered Aerial Ladder Trucks in a few congested areas. There are several major Fire Departments that do make use of TDA's to some extent and there are some Fire Departments that have gone back to purchasing or at least trying out some TDA's after not using them for a number of years.

Anaheim California recently put a few in service and Dallas Texas had recently increased it's fleet of TDA's from 2 to 6 companies.

Chicago ,in my opinion, could use about half a dozen of them in a few areas, particularly in several of our Lakefront districts where there is alot of congestion and narrow streets which would also include the North Loop (downtown) area.

There is also at least one or two Truck companies on the West Side that have fire stations with Truck companies that are located on narrow side streets that could make good use of a TDA. Particularly our Truck 32 which is located several blocks from a main artery and our Truck 29 may also be able to make use of a TDA.

While it may be a good idea for Chicago to put a few of them in service in those congested area's considering that the City does have budget and financial problems (like so many other cities) and that Chicago recently signed a contract for thirty conventional rear mounted Aerial Ladders after submitting "Requests for Bids" on four separate rounds over a nearly two year period before finally deciding to sign a contract, I wouldn't hold my breath.