Western Springs apparatus history

In a recent feature titled “Blast from the Past…” in *The Doings Western Springs*, readers were treated to a nostalgic look at the history of the first motorized fire engine acquired by the Western Springs Fire Department. The article, complete with vintage photos, highlights the journey of a 1941 FWD pumper that was recently purchased by a private collector who plans to restore it to its original condition. Western Springs’ early firefighting efforts were modest. Initially, the department relied on a simple hose reel that had to be manually transported to each fire scene. However, in 1924, the department upgraded to a more practical vehicle: an International/Buffalo pumper. This engine served the community well for many years, but as the village grew, so did the need for more advanced equipment. By 1940, the Western Springs Village Board recognized the importance of modernizing their fire apparatus. Rather than settling for a standard model, Fire Chief Waldo Erickson took a unique approach. He and his team designed the ideal engine themselves, setting high standards for functionality and safety. Their specifications included features that would not become common for decades—like an enclosed cab that could hold three firefighters and internal ladder storage. The engine also featured four-wheel drive and a white paint job for increased visibility. After receiving bids from ten different manufacturers, the village chose the FWD Auto Company from Clintonville, Wisconsin. The winning bid came in at $9,203—equivalent to about $150,000 today. The engine was delivered just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor in late November 1941. Had the order been delayed, it might have been postponed until 1946 due to wartime production demands. For over two decades, the 1941 FWD served the community until it was retired in 1968. Its fate after that remained unclear for many years. In 2012, however, it resurfaced on an Iowa farm and was listed for sale on eBay. Though it had been repainted red and was in poor condition, its story caught the attention of a local historical society. A man from St. Louis reached out to the society and eventually bought the 71-year-old engine. He has since moved it back to Missouri, where he plans to restore it to its original 1941 appearance. The restoration is expected to take a significant amount of time, but this historic piece of fire service history is now in good hands. It’s a fitting tribute to the ingenuity and foresight of those who built it over eight decades ago.

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