This latest update comes from Bill Freidrich, who has shared some fascinating insights into the unique color schemes of various fire departments in Dekalb County, part of MABAS Division 6. Over the years, several departments have ventured away from the traditional red fire trucks, opting for more distinctive hues.
One such example is the Cortland Fire Department, which, at one point, had just one non-red vehicle in its fleet. This particular unit was a 1977/1982 Chevy/Horton Type I ambulance, affectionately known as Rescue 1751. The image captures this ambulance in all its glory, standing out against the standard red backdrop.
Moving on to the Dekalb Fire Department, they too embraced a non-traditional color scheme with their Ward LaFrance/Hi-Ranger Snorkel. This lime-yellow and white 85-foot aerial ladder was quite the eye-catcher when it rolled out in 1975. Interestingly, after being sold to the Shabbona Fire Protection District, it underwent a repaint, losing its vibrant colors for a more conventional red.
Speaking of the Shabbona Fire Protection District, they also had a single non-red unit in their lineup—a 1975 Chevy Step-Van serving as Rescue 2516. This step van was unique not just for its color but also for being the sole piece of equipment in their fleet that wasn’t red.
In Malta, the Fire Protection District similarly had only one non-red vehicle, a 1965 Dodge/Boyer mini-pumper affectionately named Rescue 4. With a 250-gallon-per-minute pump and a 300-gallon water tank, this mini-pumper was both functional and visually striking.
At the Maple Park Fire Protection District, there was a 1985 Alexis 2,750-gallon tanker mounted on a Mack MC chassis. Originally built as a show truck for Alexis, it was the only non-red unit in their entire fleet. Its 750-gallon-per-minute pump made it a standout among the red apparatus.
The Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District once sported a colorful fleet, with units painted in orange, red with white trim, or even white with an orange stripe. An early example was Engine 78, a 1978 Pierce build on a Ford C-8000 chassis, equipped with a 750-gallon pump and a 45-foot Aerial-ETT.
Kirkland Fire Protection District initially went all-white, with their 1961 GMC-Howe front-mounted pumper tanker, Tanker 2, being a prime example of this unique approach. Today, however, their fleet is entirely red.
Lastly, the Waterman Fire Protection District features a predominantly red fleet, save for one notable exception: Rescue 1251, a 1986 McCoy-Miller build on a Ford F-800 chassis. This rescue squad stands out as the lone non-red vehicle in their inventory.
These stories highlight how fire departments across Dekalb County have occasionally deviated from the norm, creating memorable fleets that reflect their individual identities. Each department’s choice of color tells a story about their history and priorities, making these vehicles much more than just tools for emergencies—they’re pieces of local heritage.
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