Country Club Hills has been added to the site
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Country Club Hills has officially joined the roster of MABAS Division 24 departments listed on their website. This suburb boasts two fire stations equipped with a diverse fleet of vehicles, including three ambulances, four engines, and a distinctive tower ladder. Among their engines, Engine 1140 stands out as a true classic—a 1980 American LaFrance Century, 75-foot Water Chief Quint. This impressive piece of firefighting history features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (GPM) pump and carries 300 gallons of water. Although it's labeled as Truck 1140, its aerial device is currently out of service, so it operates as an engine instead. Interestingly, Country Club Hills is home to the only HME/Ahrens-Fox/RK Aerials tower ladder in Illinois.
This particular engine was recently showcased at a fire incident, with images captured by Karl Klotz available here. Meanwhile, Station 2, located at 4520 W. 175th Street, serves as their headquarters. Jack Connors took this image of the station, offering a glimpse into the department’s operational base.
Another highlight of Country Club Hills’ fleet is their HME Ahrens-Fox RK tower ladder, seen in a separate photograph. The American LaFrance Century Water Chief Quint, Engine 1140, is another standout piece. When American LaFrance manufactured these vehicles, they categorized their rear-mounted aerials under the 'Chief' series, which included models like the Ladder Chief, Ladder Chief Quint, Water Chief, Water Chief Quint, and Aero Chief. The Aero Chief resembled a modern Snorkel, featuring a two-piece articulating boom with a platform at its tip.
American LaFrance's Water Chief models were equipped with a pre-piped waterway, distinguishing them from the simpler Ladder Chief models, which were straight ladders. Both types could be fitted onto units with pumps and tanks to create quints, versatile firefighting vehicles combining aerial and pumping capabilities. The company’s promotional materials from the era showcase these models, highlighting their technical specifications and design innovations.
Despite their historical significance, few of these 'Chief' series aerials remain in active service today. Their legacy, however, continues to captivate enthusiasts and historians alike, reminding us of the evolution of firefighting technology over the decades.