website begins historic phase

I recently stumbled upon a fascinating website that’s dedicated to chronicling the history of various fire departments across the country. As it stands right now, there are 128 fire departments listed, with the Chicago Fire Department being just one of them. Most of these departments are beautifully represented through current station photos and images of all the vehicles assigned to each station. From the very beginning, the contributors behind this project have envisioned adding historical photos to complement the existing visuals. Today marks a significant milestone in this endeavor, as we’ve introduced an historic gallery specifically linked to the Sauk Village Fire Department, part of MABAS Division 27. This new gallery already features 18 images provided by Bill Friedrich, showcasing the Sauk Village Fire Department’s vehicles dating back to 1969. These images highlight how the department’s colors evolved—starting out red, transitioning to white, and now featuring a black-over-red scheme. Bill is now set to start scanning slides and negatives to expand the gallery with contributions from other departments as well.

Sauk Village Fire Department old ambulance

The Sauk Village Fire Department once operated this 1979 Dodge/Palomar Type II ambulance. Photo courtesy of Bill Friedrich.

Our hope is that these historic galleries will continue to grow thanks to additional contributions from both regular contributors and new participants. We’re actively seeking submissions from anyone who might have historical content to share. These galleries can house anything from static posed shots and action photos to patches, old station buildings, and even images of past fire scenes—anything that helps document the rich history of these departments. If you're a reader with a personal collection of memorabilia, we urge you to contribute what you can to enrich these galleries for everyone's enjoyment. Every little bit helps paint a fuller picture of the past!

Sauk Village Fire Department IHC/Darley pumper

For many years, the Sauk Village Fire Department utilized this 1968 Darley engine. Eventually, it was repainted to match the newer color scheme, which included a striking blue stripe running down the center of a predominantly white vehicle. Photo courtesy of Bill Friedrich.

As someone who appreciates both firefighting history and community engagement, I find this project incredibly inspiring. It’s not just about preserving memories—it’s about fostering connections between people and the past. Whether you’re a firefighter, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys looking back at how things were done differently in earlier times, this initiative offers something for everyone. So why not take a moment to dig into your own archives? You never know what treasures you might uncover that could help bring these stories to life for others!

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