Western Springs apparatus history

Western Springs has a fascinating article under the "Blast from the Past" section, featuring photos that tell the story of the first motorized fire engine purchased by the Western Springs Fire Department. Recently, a private collector acquired the 1941 FWD fire truck and is now working on restoring it to its original condition. WESTERN SPRINGS – In 1941, just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Western Springs Fire Department received its first modern fire engine—a remarkable piece of equipment that was years ahead of its time. However, for many years, this historic vehicle was left to rust away on a farm in Iowa. The department’s early firefighting efforts were modest. Initially, they only had a simple hose reel that had to be manually transported to fires. In 1924, they upgraded to an International/Buffalo pumper, which served them well for many years. But as the village grew, the need for a more advanced unit became clear. Rather than settling for a standard model, Fire Chief Waldo Erickson took a bold approach. He and his team designed the fire engine they needed, specifying features that would not become common for decades. The design included enclosed cabs, internal ladder storage, and four-wheel drive—features that were revolutionary at the time. The engine was also built to pump 750 gallons per minute and painted white for better visibility. Ten companies submitted bids, but the winning one came from FWD Auto Company in Clintonville, Wisconsin, for $9,203—equivalent to about $150,000 today. The engine arrived in late November 1941, just days before the U.S. entered World War II. Had the village waited even a few weeks, delivery could have been delayed until 1946. By the 1950s, Western Springs saw rapid growth, leading to the purchase of a new 1952 Ward-LaFrance engine, which still makes appearances in the Memorial Day parade. In 1967, another fire apparatus was added, and the 1941 FWD was eventually retired in 1968, replaced by a newer model. After retiring, the 1941 FWD disappeared from public view. It resurfaced in 2012, listed for sale on eBay, sitting on an Iowa farm. Though it had been repainted red over the years, it was in poor condition. When a story about it appeared on the Western Springs Historical Society website, a man from St. Louis reached out to learn more. He tracked down the owner and bought the 71-year-old engine, bringing it back to St. Louis with plans to restore it exactly as it was when it first arrived in 1941. The restoration will take time, but this rare piece of fire history has found a new home and a second chance.

API5L Pipeline Steel Pipe

Api5L Pipeline Steel Pipe,Api 5L Carbon Steel Line Pipe,Api 5L Round Tube Carbon Tube,Api 5L Transport Steel Pipes

Shandong Fengmai Metal Materials Co., Ltd. , https://www.cngangguan.com