Chicago Autocar Squads

[JoeO]

In August of 1952 the Chicago Fire Department received three brand new Autocar U50-124 sedan trucks. The three trucks were assigned to Squad 2, 6, and 7. The unique look of these trucks can not be mistaken. Compact enough to have the crews sit inside the cab, and small enough to maneuver the streets or alley’s of the city. Fire Replicas also produced the 1954 AutoCar 45 Sedan’s, which sold out quickly. Check them out at https://www.firereplicas.com/coming-soon/
Squad 2
Near the end of 1884 a new 3 story Fire house was near completion at 114 N. Aberdeen in Chicago located just a few blocks from the Fulton Market. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 waves of immigrants were settling in this area as the market and factories had job opportunities. On January 1 1885 Engine 34 was organized in this new firehouse with a steamer and hose wagon. In 1906 a one story annex was built next door and used for storage. In 1912 the storage building was cleared out to prepare for Squad 2. The reason the squad would use the Annex was because Engine 34 still had horses.
In 1913 Chicago created and organized three Squads 1, 2 and 3, which would bring more manpower to the inner city fires. Squad 2 was organized with a motorized Harder truck. In 1952 they received their brand new Autocar. The unique look of these trucks can not be mistaken. Compact enough to have the crews sit inside the cab, and small enough to maneuver the streets or alley’s of the city. Being just north of downtown Squad 2 was always issued a brand new truck. Starting in 1930 the squad trucks would be replaced every 11 years. The Autocar was an acceptation and it ran until 1968. The Squads started out as a manpower unit that would respond to fires bringing extra manpower. Chicago would grown from the original 3 squads to 13 at its peak. The squads over time starting doing special duty runs such as inhalators, accidents, rescues, and gas leaks. They even transported to the hospital when needed. The Autocar was also know for fire fighting with the huge turret mounted behind the cab. In historical pictures of the CFD, you see the squads using the turrets at a lot on large building fires.
In 1964 as the city was had been going trough several changes Engine 34’s house would be closed. Engine 34 moved in with Hook & Ladder 41 (Fire Replicas 1954 FWD) while Squad 2 would move in with Engine 5. Later Squad 2 would be renamed and the Autocar would become Salvage Squad 2.
If you want to pair up the Engine 34, and Squad 2 classic station from the 50’s you can also still get one of remaining Engine 34’s left, you could also match this with the 1948 Mack from Engine 5.

Squad 6
In 1916 Engine 43’s brand new firehouse opened at 2179 N. Stave St., The new station was built for motorized rigs and is a two story, two bay station. The Engine a Knox/Christie Steamer ran out of 1 bay while the hose wagon ran out the other. The city was in the process of adding more Squads 1919 and Squad 6 would be organized here.

Squad 6’s first rig was a 1916 White formally used by Squad 3. They would get a brand new 1920 a year later. Squad 6 was in the Palmer Square, just West of Milwaukee Ave, and the “EL”. Stave street and the surrounding streets are unique as they run on an angle of NW or SW as to align with Milwaukee Ave. This area was settled by Polish immigrants during and after WWII. In the 60’s immigrants from Cuba, and Puerto Rico settled in this area of the city. One side note of the area to the east of Milwaukee Ave is “Bucktown", which gets its name from the large number of goats raised in the neighborhood during the 19th century when it was an integral part of the city's famed Polish Downtown. Goats seem to always be famous in Chicago especially if you're a Cub fan, or if you follow the TV show Chicago Fire it is the mascot on the Ladder truck. It is also the Truck 28 mascot.

In 1966 as the city was had been going trough several changes Squad 6 was taken out of service and Snorkel 5 moved into this fire house.

Squad 7
In 1915 Engine 38’s brand new firehouse opened at 2111 S. Hamlin. The new station was built for motorized rigs and is a two story, two bay station. The Engine a Christie/LaFrance Steamer ran out of 1 bay while the hose wagon ran out the other. The city was in the process of adding more squads in 1919. Engine 38 would get a brand new Mack that had a hose bed and the hose wagon would not be needed. Opening a bay for a Squad.

Squad 7 was organized in 1919 and it’s first rig was a brand new 1919 White/Pirsch. In 1927 Squad 7 would move in with Engine 66 at 2858 W. Filmore. The neighborhood around 66’s was settled after the Chicago Fire by middle class people moving west from downtown. After the Great Chicago Fire new immigrants were moving into the west loop, which is outside of downtown. Squad 7’s model has a notitable variation which are canvas covered compartments are on the drivers side. This is only on the Squad 7 model.

In 1965 Squad 7 was placed out of service, and Engine 66 moved to Engine 44’s house on Lake Street. Snorkel Squad 3 was organized in the Fire House. The Snorkel Squads similar to todays Squads were two piece units. Back then the Snorkel would lead the way on a run and the 2nd piece was normally a Hi-Pressure rig that would find its way to the rear of a building. Those are some longer stories. Engine 38’s(Fire Replicas produced a Spartan model)