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Bill Friedrich has started a series of posts highlighting the different types of fire apparatus that served in Chicago. The first post focuses on the Ward LaFrance engines from 1970, which marked a significant era in the city’s firefighting history.
In 1970, seven P80 engines were delivered to Chicago Fire Department stations, 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 of these engines was equipped with a powerful 2,000-GPM pump and carried 500 gallons of water, making them some of the most advanced pumper trucks of their time.
One of the most iconic images from this era is of Engine 113, which was originally built with a Ward LaFrance Ambassador chassis. The truck featured a polished metal panel behind the pump, and it was later rebuilt with a Ranger cab and an Emergency One body. Another notable unit was Engine 22, which underwent several reassignments and a full refurbishment. During its rebuild, the original graphics were altered, and some features like the handrail and red panel above the pump were not part of the original design.
Engine 73 was unique in that it remained unrebuilt throughout its service life. Meanwhile, Engine 126 showcased the full-height polished metal panel behind the pump, while Engine 106 had minimal original graphics, just the department name above the windshield.
By 1990, six of the original 1970 P80s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. in Frankfort, Illinois. The upgrades included a four-door Ranger cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other modern components. These vehicles were assigned to Engine 122, 69, 113, 46, 14, and 34—each representing a different district. All of them were equipped with 5-inch hose, ensuring they could handle a wide range of fire scenes.
Two of these rebuilt units, D-374 and D-375, even made appearances in the film *Backdraft*, further cementing their place in Chicago’s fire history. The transformation of these trucks from their original 1970 configurations to the more modern 1990 models shows how the city adapted its fleet to meet evolving needs.
Today, many of these Ward LaFrance engines have been retired or replaced, but their legacy lives on through historical photos and the stories shared by firefighters and enthusiasts like Bill Friedrich. Their journey—from production in 1970 to rebirth in the 1990s—offers a fascinating look at the evolution of fire apparatus in Chicago.