North Chicago's 1977 Hendrickson 1871-S/Pierce/LTI 85' tower ladder which was disposed of recently with the arrival of the new tower ladder. Larry Shapiro collection Prior to changing the graphics on this 2002 Medtec demonstrator that North Chicago purchased in 2009, it was in service for a short time with the blue graphics seen here. This photo was taken on-scene at a 2nd alarm fire response in Libertyville in July of 2009 shortly after the new ambulance was delivered. Larry Shapiro photo The ambulance with updated red graphics. Disc Magnets,Thin Disc Magnets,Neodymium Disc Magnets,Strong Rare Earth Magnets Anfeng Industrial Co.,Ltd , https://www.afmagnets.com
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In northern Lake County, the **North Chicago Fire Department** operates a fleet of **Pierce** and **Medtec** units from two fire stations. Their 8-square-mile jurisdiction borders the **Great Lakes Naval Training Center** on both sides. Recently, they replaced their 1977 **Hendrickson 1871-S/Pierce/LTI 85' tower ladder** with a brand-new **Pierce 85' tower ladder**, marking a significant upgrade to their aerial apparatus. The department is also set to receive another new **Pierce** unit in January — a **custom Contender engine** that will replace their 1986 **Pierce Dash** engine featuring open jump seats.
A few months ago, the department retired their long-serving **1977 Hendrickson 1871-S/Pierce/LTI 85' tower ladder**, which had served them for over four decades. This historic piece of equipment was eventually sold off as part of their modernization efforts. The new **Pierce 85' tower ladder** now stands in its place, offering improved performance and technology.
At **Station 2 on Buckley Road**, the department has one of its most recent additions — a **Ford Medtec Type III ambulance** purchased in 2009. Originally built in 2002 as a demonstrator, it arrived with **blue decals** designed to appeal to traditional rescue squads. However, these were soon removed and replaced with **red graphics**, making this ambulance stand out from the rest of the fleet.
This unique design reflects the department’s evolving identity and commitment to maintaining a modern, efficient emergency response system. Whether it’s through new apparatus or updated vehicle livery, North Chicago continues to adapt and improve for the safety of its community.