Tonica Fire Rescue in LaSalle County ran with this 1977 Ford/Welch (X-Harvard Rescue Squad in McHenry County). Bill Friedrich photo Flat Cap Screen Printing Machine Caps Screen Printing Press,Flat Screen Printing Machine,Bottle Cap Printing Machine,Silk Screen Printing Press GIG (DONGGUAN) CO., LTD , https://www.decorationmachine.com
The color of fire trucks – Harvard/Tonica
Readers shared their thoughts on our recent post about the non-red apparatus in MABAS Division 5, which highlighted a new chapter for the 1977 Ford/Welch rescue unit from Harvard. One reader provided an interesting history of the truck, sharing how it found a second life after being acquired by the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department in the late 1980s.
The Harvard Rescue truck was purchased by Tonica, located in the southern tip of LaSalle County, and underwent a full restoration. It was then painted in a striking chrome yellow and white color scheme. Later, the truck was sold to a chemical plant in Henry, Illinois, where it served as part of their hazardous materials unit. The reader mentioned that they were one of the fire personnel from Tonica who traveled to Marengo to pick up the truck when they first bought it. As a not-for-profit organization, Tonica relies entirely on donations and grants for its operations.
From Bill Friedrich, who captured the truck’s journey:
> "Here's the rig when it went to Tonica. Glad we took the photo when it came down here. We travel quite a bit to find what we call 'old friends.'"
Below is a photo of the truck in Tonica’s care, showing its transformation and continued service.
This story highlights the legacy of vintage emergency vehicles and how they continue to serve in different capacities across the country. It's always fascinating to see how these pieces of history are preserved and repurposed.