Bill Friedrich has launched the first in a series of posts exploring different types of fire apparatus that served in Chicago. The initial post focuses on the Ward LaFrance engines delivered in 1970, marking an important chapter in the city’s firefighting history.
There were seven P80 models delivered to Chicago in 1970, one for each district. These units were assigned to Engine 126 (D-372), Engine 73 (D-373), Engine 8 (D-374), Engine 106 (D-375), Engine 22 (D-376), Engine 113 (D-377), and Engine 49 (D-378). Each was equipped with a 2,000-GPM pump and carried 500 gallons of water. These trucks were built on the Ambassador chassis and represented a significant upgrade in performance and reliability for the department at the time.
Photos from the era show these units in their original condition, with some later undergoing major renovations. For example, Engine 113, one of the original seven, was later rebuilt and featured a Ranger cab and an Emergency One body. Similarly, Engine 22 went through several reassignments and a full refurbishment, changing its appearance over the years.
Some of these engines, like Engine 73, remained untouched and eventually ended up being scrapped. Others, such as Engine 126, retained their original design elements, while others saw modifications like the addition of foam tanks and updated graphics.
In 1990, six of the original 1970 P80s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. in Frankfort, Illinois. The upgrades included a 4-door Ranger cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other modern components. These rebuilt units were reassigned to various districts, including Engine 122, 69, 113, 46, 14, and 34. All of them were equipped with 5-inch hose, enhancing their firefighting capabilities.
Notably, two of these units, D-374 and D-375, appeared in the movie *Backdraft*, giving them a unique place in both firefighting and pop culture history.
The photos provide a fascinating look into the evolution of these iconic engines, showing how they changed over time—both in function and appearance. Whether in their original form or after a complete rebuild, these trucks played a vital role in protecting the city of Chicago for decades.
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