This is the ninth installment in our ongoing series exploring *The Color of Fire Trucks*, brought to you once again by Bill Friedrich. This edition focuses on MABAS Division 7, which covers Kankakee County and part of Iroquois County. The region has a rich history of fire apparatus, with many unique color schemes that reflect both tradition and change over time.
One standout piece of equipment from the Essex Fire Protection District was Squad 1974, a 1974 Dodge Power Wagon that was modified by the department. It was the only white vehicle in their fleet at the time. This image captures the unit as it once appeared, showcasing its distinct appearance.
*Essex ran Squad 1974, a 1974 Dodge Power Wagon that was modified by the department. Bill Friedrich archives.*
In Kankakee, the city’s fire department had two units built on Mack CF chassis, both painted white over lime-green. One of them was Ladder 6, a 1983 Mack CF600 equipped with a 100′ Pirsch aerial ladder, a 1,250-GPM pump, and 200 gallons of water. These vehicles were notable for their striking color combination, and both have since been retired.
*The City of Kankakee had two units on CF Mack chassis that were white over lime-green. One was this 1983 Mack CF600 with a 100′ Pirsch aerial ladder, a 1,250-GPM pump and 200 gallons of water. This was Ladder 6. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Kankakee Township Fire Department once operated an all-lime-green fleet, but today, all their vehicles are red. One example from the past was Engine 84, a 1975 IHC Cargostar 1910 with an Alexis body, featuring a 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water.
*The Kankakee Township FPD had this 1975 IHC Cargostar 1910 with an Alexis body, 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. It ran as Engine 84. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Pembroke Fire Protection District also had a few lime green rigs in the past, including Engine 139, a 1972 IHC Loadstar 1800 with a Central body, 500-GPM pump, and 500 gallons of water. Today, all their apparatus is red.
*Pembroke FPD Engine 139 was a 1972 IHC Loadstar 1800 built by Central with a 500-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Otto Township Fire Protection District once had a lime green engine, specifically Engine 38, a 1986 IHC S1900/Luverne with a 750-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. Like many others, they have since transitioned to red.
*Otto Township Engine 38 was this 1986 IHC S1900/Luverne with a 750-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Papineau Fire Protection District currently operates one yellow rig, Engine 1533, which was purchased last year from Glenside FPD in MABAS Division 12. This is the only yellow truck in their fleet.
*This X-Glenside FPD engine is now running as Engine 1533 for the Papineau FPD. It is a 1981 Pierce Arrow with 750 gallons of water and a 1,250-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich photo.*
Bourbonnais Fire Protection District once had several yellow rigs, but all others are now red. One example was Engine 63, a 1976 Hendrickson 1871 built by Howe, with a 1,000-GPM pump and 800 gallons of water.
*Bourbonnais Engine 63 was a 1976 was built by Howe on a Hendrickson 1871 with 800 gallons of water and a 1,000-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Grant Park Fire Protection District once had one lime-green rig, Engine 112, a 1963 IHC/Central with a 1,000-GPM pump and 1,000 gallons of water. All other units have always been red.
*Engine 112 for the Grant Park FPD was this 1963 IHC/Central with 1,000 gallons of water and a 1,000-GPM pump. Bill Friedrich archives.*
Chebanse Township Fire Protection District in Clifton had two white rigs, with everything else being red. One of these was Tanker 2871, a 1994/2001 Peterbilt 379 built by Midstate Tank, carrying 3,000 gallons of water with no pump.
*Chebanse Township FPD Tanker 2871 was a 1994/2001 Peterbilt 379 built by Midstate Tank. It carried 3,000 gallons of water with no pump. Bill Friedrich photo.*
Salina Township Fire Protection District still operates a white tanker, Tanker 164, built on a 1985 GMC F-7000 chassis by Midstate Tank. It had a 2,000-gallon tank with no pump. They previously had a white brush truck, but everything else is now red.
*Salina Township FPD ran Tanker 164 which was built on a 1985 GMC F-7000 chassis by Midstate Tank. There was no pump alongside the 2,000-gallon tank. Bill Friedrich archives.*
St. Anne Fire Department had a blue rescue truck, Rescue 10, a 1967 Chevy Step Van. It was later repainted white and red, but all other apparatus in the department has always been red.
*Rescue 10 saw service with the St. Anne Fire Department. It was a 1967 Chevy Step Van. Bill Friedrich archive.*
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