Unique Station 2 for Newport Township
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July 02 13:09:16, 2025
In Wadsworth, Illinois, located on the northern edge of Lake County, the **Newport Township Fire Protection District** serves an area spanning 33 square miles. Their main fire station is situated off Wadsworth Road, just east of US 41. The station is well-equipped with a tanker, two engines, a pumper squad, two ambulances, a utility vehicle, a staff car, an ATV, and a brush unit—all ready to respond to emergencies across the district.
To improve response times in the northern part of their jurisdiction, the FPD has set up a satellite facility by renting a section of a barn on Doug Reno’s property, located at 42874 Delaney Road in Zion. Reno, a long-time member of the department, also maintains a personal collection of historic fire apparatus, some of which are stored on his land and even on neighboring properties.
The Newport Township FPD operates several notable pieces of equipment, including:
- A 1977 CF Mack engine (Engine 141), equipped with 4,000 feet of 4-inch hose. This unique rig features a black cab roof and was previously used in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. It was acquired through the generosity of two department members.
- A 1951 Willy’s Jeep, modified as a parade piece with a 100-GPM front pump and a 150-gallon water tank.
- A beautifully restored 1969 Dodge Power Wagon W-300, once used as the department’s brush unit.
- A 1981 R-Model Mack box truck, designated as a "Heavy Rescue" unit carrying TRT supplies.
- A 1988 R-Model Mack flatbed truck equipped with a 6,000-pound knuckle boom crane, used for trench rescue or as a foam tender for the Quad 2 ARFF unit.
One memorable incident occurred in 2008 during a massive fire in Winthrop Harbor, where Engine 1413 spent nearly a full day drafting water from Lake Michigan. The operation was captured in photos showing the crew working tirelessly under challenging conditions.
Doug Reno’s personal collection includes:
- A 1975 Ward LaFrance Ambassador engine, originally assigned to the Wadsworth Fire Department in Ohio. Interestingly, there is no fire department in Illinois named Wadsworth, as that area falls under the Newport Township Fire Protection District.
- A 1971 CF Mack engine that was later refurbished by Pierce for the Geneva Fire Department in Kane County.
- A CF Mack engine from Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
These vintage vehicles not only serve as historical artifacts but also reflect the passion and dedication of those who keep the legacy of firefighting alive. Whether on duty or in private collections, these rigs continue to tell the story of fire service in the region.