Bartlett first department posted in Division 2
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The Bartlett Fire Protection District serves the Village of Bartlett, as well as unincorporated areas of Hoffman Estates and parts of Wayne Township. This unique coverage spans two counties—Cook and DuPage. The department is dispatched through DU-COMM but is also a member of MABAS Division 2. Bartlett has three fire stations: two are staffed with an ambulance and an engine, while the third station houses a jump unit equipped with a tower ladder, a 3,000-gallon tanker (tender), and a brush truck. Over the years, the apparatus have been painted in a black-and-red scheme, though they were originally bright yellow.
Currently, Bartlett operates a 1993 Seagrave engine that was decommissioned after being delivered in its original yellow color. The latest apparatus include three Pierce Velocity engines, which replaced two E-ONE units, themselves successors to a pair of Seagrave engines. In the 1980s and earlier, Bartlett (then known as the Bartlett and Countryside Fire Protection District) acquired Howe and Grumman engines, marking a significant part of its early history.
One of the most notable pieces of equipment is the 1997 HME/US 3,000-gallon tender, one of only three such units in the area. These tankers were used together during a major fire in Barrington in September 2008. Before this, Bartlett operated an 8,000-gallon tractor-trailer tanker, which was powered by an L-Series Ford tractor.
Photographs from the Larry Shapiro collection show various historic units, including Engine 612 and 613, which were delivered in 1993 and 1973 respectively. Earlier models, like the 1963 Ford C950/Howe engine #616, highlight the evolution of the department's fleet over time. Other vintage units include the 1982 Ford/Grumman engines and the 1977 Hendrickson/Howe units, each playing a critical role in the district’s firefighting efforts.
These historical images not only showcase the equipment but also provide a glimpse into the community’s past, capturing the growth and development of the Bartlett Fire Department over decades.