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Unique Station 2 for Newport Township
In Wadsworth, Illinois, within the northern reaches of Lake County, the Newport Township Fire Protection District serves an area spanning 33 square miles. Their primary station is strategically located off Wadsworth Road, just east of US 41. This bustling station houses an impressive array of vehicles, including a tanker, two engines, a pumper squad, two ambulances, a utility vehicle, a staff car, an ATV, and a brush unit. To improve response times to the northern part of their jurisdiction, the FPD leases space in a barn on the property of Doug Reno, one of their members.
Doug Reno isn’t just involved with the fire district; he’s also a passionate collector of fire trucks. His personal collection includes several pieces of equipment, some of which are stored on his property alongside additional Newport apparatus. Among the Newport Township FPD’s fleet, you’ll find:
- A 1977 CF Mack engine equipped with 4,000 feet of 4-inch hose. Unlike the other vehicles in the fleet, this one features a black roof on the cab. Originally serving in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, it was acquired through the generosity of two department members.
- A 1951 Willy’s Jeep fitted with a 100-GPM front-mounted pump and a 150-gallon water tank, used primarily for parades.
- A beautifully restored 1969 Dodge Power Wagon W-300, once the department’s brush rig.
- A 1981 R-Model Mack box truck serving as a 'Heavy Rescue' unit, housing technical rescue team (TRT) supplies.
- A 1988 R-Model Mack flatbed with a 6,000-pound knuckle boom crane, capable of carrying a trench box or acting as a foam tender for the Quad 2 ARFF unit.
Doug’s extensive collection extends beyond the Newport Township FPD’s equipment. He owns a 1975 Ward LaFrance Ambassador engine, originally labeled for the Wadsworth Fire Department in Ohio, featuring a 1,250-GPM pump and a 500-gallon water tank. Another notable piece is a 1971 CF Mack engine that was refurbished in 1987 by Pierce for the Geneva Fire Department in Kane County. Additionally, there’s a CF Mack engine from Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
Doug’s passion for fire trucks is evident in the way he maintains and displays these vehicles. Two of his engines are stored in one end of the building where the Newport crane truck 1455 is also kept. One of these engines, a 1971 Mack CF656, was refurbished by Pierce in 1987 for Geneva, Illinois, and now resides as part of Doug’s collection.
These vehicles not only reflect Doug’s dedication but also serve as a testament to the rich history of firefighting in the region. Each piece tells a story, from its original purpose to its current role in preserving the past.