The Harvard Rescue Squad has this 1977 Ford/Welch unit. Bill Friedrich photo Tonica Fire Rescue in LaSalle County ran with this 1977 Ford/Welch (X-Harvard Rescue Squad in McHenry County). Bill Friedrich photo Vodka Glass Bottle,Vodka Glass Alcohol Bottles,Empty Glass Alcohol Bottles,700Ml Empty Glass Bottles Shandong Tengrui Glass Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.trglassbottle.com
Readers have shared their comments on our recent post about non-red apparatus in MABAS Division 5, specifically mentioning the new life of the 1977 Ford/Welch rescue squad from Harvard. One reader provided a detailed account of the truck's journey over the years.
"The Harvard Rescue truck was purchased by the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department in LaSalle County in the late 1980s and underwent a full restoration. It was then repainted in chrome yellow and white. Later, it was sold to a chemical plant in Henry, Illinois, for use in their hazmat unit. I was one of the firefighters from Tonica who went to Marengo to pick up the truck when we first acquired it. Tonica is a not-for-profit organization that relies entirely on donations and grants—no tax money is ever used."
Here’s a photo of the truck as it appeared when it was still with Harvard:
From Bill Friedrich:
"Here is the rig when it went to Tonica. I'm glad we captured it at that time. We travel quite a bit to find what we call 'old friends.' Tonica is located in the southern tip of LaSalle County."
And here’s a shot of the same truck once it was in Tonica’s possession:
It's always fascinating to see how these vintage pieces of fire equipment continue to serve in different capacities. Whether it's in a small volunteer department or a private facility, they often find new purpose—and new stories along the way.