Snorkel Squad 1 ran as a two-piece company. The Snorkel itself ran as "SS-1" and the Ford with the tool body was SS-1A. Normally, if SS-1 was dispatched on a call, then SS-1A automatically followed with no further communication needed. A "2-11" is Chicago lingo meaning a two-alarm fire. This dates back over 100 years when dispatching was done by telegraph. An internet search will show you how many rigs Chicago sends on a Still alarm, Box alarm, 2-11, 3-11, 4-11, and 5-11.
Great video. I still remember those days in the city. Guys who are on the job now really have no idea what it was like back in the 70's. I was thinking how back in the days there were no enclosed cabs for the guys in the back f the rig to ride in. Plus when the weather was decent you could ride the tailboard. I sure miss those days. Thanks for posting.
@@MIKECNW Traditionally it takes years for the Fire Service to adapt to any kind of change. It’s mostly “we’ve always done it this way” kind of attitude.it was getting to the point that too many injuries and deaths were occurring with ff’s riding on the tailboard “backstep” and jump seats. Once insurance companies got involved the writing was on the wall and changes happened very rapidly. There is no doubt that the culture of safety over the past several decades has decreased the amount of injuries substantially and the fire service is better for it. Of course it creates nostalgia for the “good old days” and looking back some things were “fun” but moving forward it was inevitable that things needed to change. I know your question was asked 4 years ago, it I hope this answers it.
it didn't take all FDs that long. If you watch Emergency, they were riding sitting down in 1972. CFD was last big city to go to full turnout gear...late 2006... and probably the last to mandate wearing tanks.
before the days of two-way radio fire alarm boxes had a telegraph key along with the pull hook inside. you pull the hook to send the alarm. if the officer in charge of the fire requests additional alarms then the key would be used. eg. 2-11 would be 2-with 11straight blows the chief lets say is 2-1-11 he would send 11-1-11 or one two-one-one one with the two-way radios still used the traditional terms.
That snorkel was a "Snorkel." Snorkel was the brand name. The Snorkel brand at that time (1975) was being made in Missouri by ATO, Inc., which later became Figgie Int'l. ATO had purchased the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company in 1971. Recently, the Snorkel name was resurrected by a company in Missouri that manufactures scissor lifts and hi-lifts; but, the Snorkel name for fire apparatus is owned now by American LaFrance. KME was not making new fire apparatus at that time.
Thanks for the comment. That's no ambulance; it's an old city bus converted to the incident command & communications unit. Its radio signature was "4-2-4".
What is the piece at the 1:00 mark with the big “4” on it? Can’t make out the text on the side. Looks like a modern day heavy rescue but I know Chicago runs the 2 piece squad company concept.
That is "Flying Manpower Squad 4" The Flying Squads, of which there were 7 at the time, were somewhat like FDNY's Rescue companies - they brought a full crew of more experienced people to the scene to do whatever had to be done. They did not stick around for overhaul and picking-up because they were off to the next run as soon as available.
@@firemann57 Interesting. So what type equipment did they carry in their inventory? That’s a lot of compartments for the time. Did they carry rescue equipment or did the squads carry that or did both units? Thanks for the info.
@@donnie017 They carried all the typical rescue equipment of the day, acetylene and oxygen bottles on back step, winch, rudimentary chemical protective suits, saws, come-alongs, generator and some lights, maybe a fan. Maybe they had a Hurst tool (or maybe only SS-1 had it, don't recall). There was one of these in each of the 7 divisions at the time. The only other heavy squad or rescue unit in the city was SS-1 which was the premier citywide "do everything" company (also seen in the video), and there was a separate, dedicated scuba unit.
Snorkel Squad 1 ran as a two-piece company. The Snorkel itself ran as "SS-1" and the Ford with the tool body was SS-1A. Normally, if SS-1 was dispatched on a call, then SS-1A automatically followed with no further communication needed. A "2-11" is Chicago lingo meaning a two-alarm fire. This dates back over 100 years when dispatching was done by telegraph. An internet search will show you how many rigs Chicago sends on a Still alarm, Box alarm, 2-11, 3-11, 4-11, and 5-11.
Miss The Old CFD Trucks😭
Love the video. Trained with Lt Sutherland on SS-1 back in the years. What an experience...
Great video. I still remember those days in the city. Guys who are on the job now really have no idea what it was like back in the 70's. I was thinking how back in the days there were no enclosed cabs for the guys in the back f the rig to ride in. Plus when the weather was decent you could ride the tailboard. I sure miss those days. Thanks for posting.
I can't remember if I ever saw that in my lifetime but it's interesting that was common.
What took FD's so long to change that?
@@MIKECNW Traditionally it takes years for the Fire Service to adapt to any kind of change. It’s mostly “we’ve always done it this way” kind of attitude.it was getting to the point that too many injuries and deaths were occurring with ff’s riding on the tailboard “backstep” and jump seats. Once insurance companies got involved the writing was on the wall and changes happened very rapidly.
There is no doubt that the culture of safety over the past several decades has decreased the amount of injuries substantially and the fire service is better for it.
Of course it creates nostalgia for the “good old days” and looking back some things were “fun” but moving forward it was inevitable that things needed to change.
I know your question was asked 4 years ago, it I hope this answers it.
it didn't take all FDs that long. If you watch Emergency, they were riding sitting down in 1972. CFD was last big city to go to full turnout gear...late 2006... and probably the last to mandate wearing tanks.
Those Hendrickson 1871 cab made for a tough - looking apparatus...888s up front scream Chicagoland 👍👍
Gotta love those old rigs....!
Wish this had sound so we could hear those engine purr.
before the days of two-way radio fire alarm boxes had a telegraph key along with the pull hook inside. you pull the hook to send the alarm. if the officer in charge of the fire requests additional alarms then the key would be used. eg. 2-11 would be 2-with 11straight blows the chief lets say is 2-1-11 he would send 11-1-11 or one two-one-one one with the two-way radios still used the traditional terms.
That snorkel was a "Snorkel." Snorkel was the brand name. The Snorkel brand at that time (1975) was being made in Missouri by ATO, Inc., which later became Figgie Int'l. ATO had purchased the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company in 1971. Recently, the Snorkel name was resurrected by a company in Missouri that manufactures scissor lifts and hi-lifts; but, the Snorkel name for fire apparatus is owned now by American LaFrance. KME was not making new fire apparatus at that time.
there was 3 squads for squad 1 back then flying squad 1 snorkel squad 1 and squad 1A
THANKS
The ambulance at 0:13 kind of reminds me of the one from that "mother, jugs and speed" movie...
Thanks for the comment. That's no ambulance; it's an old city bus converted to the incident command & communications unit. Its radio signature was "4-2-4".
It sucks that few amateur video cameras had audio capability back then. It sucks SO BAD!
Thankfully they at least had video capability, otherwise we wouldn’t even be able to see it at all. 🤷♂️
What is the piece at the 1:00 mark with the big “4” on it? Can’t make out the text on the side. Looks like a modern day heavy rescue but I know Chicago runs the 2 piece squad company concept.
That is "Flying Manpower Squad 4" The Flying Squads, of which there were 7 at the time, were somewhat like FDNY's Rescue companies - they brought a full crew of more experienced people to the scene to do whatever had to be done. They did not stick around for overhaul and picking-up because they were off to the next run as soon as available.
@@firemann57 Interesting. So what type equipment did they carry in their inventory? That’s a lot of compartments for the time. Did they carry rescue equipment or did the squads carry that or did both units? Thanks for the info.
@@donnie017 They carried all the typical rescue equipment of the day, acetylene and oxygen bottles on back step, winch, rudimentary chemical protective suits, saws, come-alongs, generator and some lights, maybe a fan. Maybe they had a Hurst tool (or maybe only SS-1 had it, don't recall). There was one of these in each of the 7 divisions at the time. The only other heavy squad or rescue unit in the city was SS-1 which was the premier citywide "do everything" company (also seen in the video), and there was a separate, dedicated scuba unit.
What kind of traffic control was that?!?!
Captain Donald Rimgale was there.
bring back the snorkels there a lifesaver their part of quins legacy
Chicago still uses them
OK WHAT DO TRUCK 1A DO AND WHAT HAPPEN WHATS A 2-11 I NEVER HARD OF THAT IAM FROM NEWARK NJ CAN UEXPLAIN WHATS A 2-11 THANKS
0:59 i told you there is I really did
I dont think I know we have better rigs than FDNY lol
JUST NVME fdny has better rigs than I've ever seen