Skokie’s Pirsch Snorkel

Skokie Fire Department 1969 Pirsch Snorkel

Skokie Snorkel 1 (later Truck 16) when it was in-service. Steve Redick photo

Jeff Rudolph came across a piece of Skokie Fire Department history that stirred some nostalgia.

It was a 1969 Pirsch Snorkel, the old Skokie unit that had been sitting in a scrapyard in Wisconsin. It had been picked up from Jim Carew’s place in Bristol, WI. After being retired in the mid-90s, it was sold to Wally Mitchell and later to Jim. The truck was used for installing radio towers and antennas. Notice the missing basket and any other modifications that might have been made over the years. Also, take a look at the trailer it was being transported on. The driver only managed to go one mile before getting pulled over by a state trooper for an unsafe load.

Skokie Fire Department Pirsch Snorkel

The remnants of Skokie Truck 16, a 1969 Pirsch Snorkel heading to a scrap yard. Jeff Rudolph photo

Skokie Fire Department Pirsch Snorkel

A rear view of the Snorkel shows the bucket is missing. Jeff Rudolph photo

Meanwhile, Jeff shared some recent updates about the Skokie Fire Department:

  • Tower 16 has returned from its refurbishment with Pierce and is currently not yet back in service.
  • Engine 17’s Pierce Saber is currently in Tipton, Indiana, undergoing a long-term refurbishment at RPI.

It's always interesting to see how fire apparatus evolves over time, and it's even more special when parts of that history are still around, even if just for a moment.

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