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 is bordered by the Great Lakes Naval Training Center on both sides. Recently, they introduced a new 85-foot tower ladder from Pierce, replacing an older 1977 Hendrickson 1871-S/Pierce/LTI unit. The department is set to receive another new Pierce in January — a custom Contender engine that will replace their 1986 Pierce Dash with open jump seats. 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 At North Chicago Station 2 on Buckley Road, you'll find their latest ambulance. Purchased in 2009, this was originally a Medtec demonstrator built in 2002. It arrived with blue decals, designed to appeal to traditional rescue squads. However, the blue color was later removed and replaced with red graphics, making it stand out from the rest of the department’s fleet. This unique design explains why it looks different from other North Chicago ambulances. 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. The North Chicago Fire Department continues to modernize its fleet while maintaining a strong presence in the community. With recent acquisitions and updates, they are well-equipped to serve their residents efficiently and effectively. Whether responding to fires, medical emergencies, or other incidents, the department remains committed to public safety and operational excellence. Dongguan Huayuan Electronic Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.siliconefactory-oem.com