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Wilmette’s old ambulance and ladder truck were donated to South America
The City of Las Parejas in Buenos Aires recently received a much-needed ambulance and an impressive 110′ EONE RM aerial ladder, both sourced from Wilmette. The story behind this donation is quite intriguing, and several links below provide more details.
Wilmette originally ordered an EONE HP95 mid-mount tower ladder, which was delivered but later rejected. The first link includes a photo of the mid-mount ladder at a ceremony in Station 26 before it was returned to the vendor. Eventually, the department replaced it with a rear-mount HP95 tower ladder.
Before sending the old ladder overseas, Wilmette removed the sign plates but left all other lettering and decals intact. In response, the Las Parejas Fire Department added their own custom signs to the ladder, but they kept the original Wilmette markings. Additionally, they have incorporated Wilmette embroidery into their uniforms alongside their own local stitching.
*Wilmette Truck 26, a 1985 EONE Hurricane 110' RM quint prior to being removed from service and shipped to Buenos Aires. Photo by Larry Shapiro.*
In addition to the ladder, Wilmette has also sent bunker gear, hose, and other surplus equipment to Las Parejas, helping the department without any municipal funding. This act of goodwill highlights the strong international connections between fire services.
From *The Wilmette Life*, Pioneer Press: "A South American city that received a donated ambulance from Wilmette last year is now set to receive a major upgrade to its fire service through the purchase of a surplus 1985 ladder truck — if they can figure out how to get it there."
Wilmette recently acquired a new truck with the help of a $675,000 federal grant. The new unit, known as a quint, is a fully modern version of the 1985 model it replaces. Fire Chief James Dominik explained that while the village wasn’t in a position to simply give the old truck away, its book value was only $30,000, and the department knew someone who could make better use of it than a resale agent.
Las Parejas is a rural community of over 11,000 people, and this donation is expected to significantly improve their emergency response capabilities. The collaboration between these two fire departments showcases how global partnerships can make a real difference in communities far and wide.