Chicago squads.

grumpy grizzly · Feb 12, 2017

2 of the new sets of squads will go into service on 2-14. One is Squad 7 @ O'Hare, the other is Squad 2 @ Engine 91 on the North side. After evaluations and modifications the other 2 units, 1 and 5 will go into service.

Bulldog · Feb 12, 2017

You know what the outcome of the problem was the booms not being able to go low enough below horizontal is? It seems like that something that should've been part of the specifications and not even an issue at the time of delivery. Last I heard they were having to go back to be reworked to meet the specifications.

grumpy grizzly · Feb 13, 2017

Re-worked at CFD shops. The boxes prevented the use of the boom at a low angle.

raybrag · Feb 13, 2017

grumpy grizzly said:
Re-worked at CFD shops. The boxes prevented the use of the boom at a low angle.

DOH! Somebody FUBBed!

firebuffkevin · Feb 16, 2017

Any pictures Grumpy?

raybrag · Feb 16, 2017

Here ya go, Kevin . . . the airport squad, courtesy chicagoareafire.com and Niko Stefani:

raybrag · Feb 16, 2017

More photos of the rigs in a more familiar Chicago color here:

http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/articles/2016/11/chicago-squad-1-olk.html

grumpy grizzly · Feb 19, 2017

Story that never ends. Squad 2 @ Engine 91 will not fit end-to-end in quarters, but side-by-side instead. Perhaps the Tunnel Rescue Unit will be moved out. There is a device made of wood or metal with numbers on it and lines marked out in uniform increments, AKA a ruler. CFD never heard of it obviously!

jks19714 · Feb 19, 2017

grumpy grizzly said:
Story that never ends. Squad 2 @ Engine 91 will not fit end-to-end in quarters, but side-by-side instead. Perhaps the Tunnel Rescue Unit will be moved out. There is a device made of wood or metal with numbers on it and lines marked out in uniform increments, AKA a ruler. CFD never heard of it obviously!

One of my neighboring fire companies bought a new TDA years ago. They went to back it into the station, but the tiller's cab wouldn't clear the garage door.

Ooops.

Bulldog · Feb 19, 2017

grumpy grizzly said:
Story that never ends. Squad 2 @ Engine 91 will not fit end-to-end in quarters, but side-by-side instead. Perhaps the Tunnel Rescue Unit will be moved out. There is a device made of wood or metal with numbers on it and lines marked out in uniform increments, AKA a ruler. CFD never heard of it obviously!

Only the union electricians, carpenters and plumbers get those in Chicago, they are issued to the FD! They forgot to call in reinforcements before they place the order!

fdny747 · Feb 19, 2017

How come Squad 7 is smaller this time then the older one?

Bulldog · Feb 19, 2017

fdny747 said:
How come Squad 7 is smaller this time then the older one?

Not sure it is based on the information provided above that the new squad won't fit front to back at engine 91s quarters. Why do you think they are?

firebuffkevin · Feb 19, 2017

Thanks for the pictures Ray

fdny747 · Feb 20, 2017

Bulldog. Squad 7 is at the Airport and has nothing to due with E91 so not sure why the new SQ-7 is smaller

firebuffkevin · Feb 20, 2017

raybrag said:
More photos of the rigs in a more familiar Chicago color here:

http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/articles/2016/11/chicago-squad-1-olk.html

Ray

Who is the manufacturer? Rosenbauer?

Bulldog · Feb 20, 2017

fdny747 said:
Bulldog. Squad 7 is at the Airport and has nothing to due with E91 so not sure why the new SQ-7 is smaller

True, however there are 4 identical sets built for this order, the only difference is the ones at the airport are painted a different color. So comparing the size of the ones at 91 would be meaningful when looking at the size of the ones at the airport. Why do you think the ones of the airport are smaller?

raybrag · Feb 20, 2017

Yes, Kevin. Rosenbauer, Commander chassis. They were the only manufacturer willing to build the articulated platforms (i.e. Snorkels).

Bulldog · Feb 21, 2017

raybrag said:
Yes, Kevin. Rosenbauer, Commander chassis. They were the only manufacturer willing to build the articulated platforms (i.e. Snorkels).

if I'm not mistaken these are bid out before Smeal had acquired the rights to the Snorkel line of products. They had to completely design the entire articulating system for this use. I wonder how things would've gone differently if Smeal was able to bid.

grumpy grizzly · Feb 21, 2017

FAA pays for all the equipment at O'Hare, perhaps they spec'd out a different size. Ironically when ALF had the rights they would not build for Chicago because CFD only wanted 3 and ALF said a minimum of 4.

raybrag · Feb 21, 2017

Bulldog said:
if I'm not mistaken these are bid out before Smeal had acquired the rights to the Snorkel line of products. They had to completely design the entire articulating system for this use. I wonder how things would've gone differently if Smeal was able to bid.

You have a point, Bull. But the contract for these squads was signed in 2012 (yup, almost 5 years from contract to delivery), when ALF still owned the rights to Snorkel. Smeal didn't get those rights until 2014. As was mentioned somewhere else on this site, originally Chicago went to ALF to build 3 squads, but ALF said they had to have at least 4, so they turned them down. Ironic, isn't it that they ended up buying 4. Or perhaps Chicago was lucky . . . look what Philadelphia went through with their order for ALF TDAs when ALF was going under.