Bill Friedrich has reviewed his collection and shared a number of images capturing the Chicago Fire Department's helicopters and suppression units from Meigs Field in the early 1980s. These photos offer a rare glimpse into the department’s aerial and ground operations during that era.
These images not only showcase the equipment used by the CFD during that time but also highlight the evolving nature of firefighting technology and tactics. The UH-1B Huey, known for its versatility, was an important asset for aerial support, while the Bell Jet Ranger represented a more modern approach to emergency response. On the ground, the GMC/E-ONE and IHC Fire Boss units were critical in handling large-scale incidents, especially at locations like Meigs Field, which served as a key base for rapid response. Bill Friedrich’s collection provides a valuable historical record of these vehicles and their roles in protecting the city.
CFD Helicopter 441 was a 1961 UH-1B Huey. Bill Freidrich collection
CFD Helicopter 442 was a 1977 Bell Jet Ranger. Bill Freidrich collection
The assignment at Meigs Field included Crash 6-3-6, a 1980 GMC/E-ONE 250/500/15F (G-453); Dry Chemical 6-2-4, a 1967 IHC Fire Boss 100/200/20DC (D-342); and Dry Chemical 6-2-1, a 1966 IHC-Fire Boss 100/175/750DC (D-331). Bill Friedrich collection
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