Evanston Fire Department history Part 55
From Phil Stenholm: Another part of the History of the Evanston Fire Department. ALMOST DONE While waiting for their new facilities to be ready, Engine Company 23 and the reserve truck were temporarily moved from Fire Station #3 on Green Bay Road to the new Station #5 in northwest Evanston. Station #3 was closed on January 25th, and during its final days, the apparatus floor was supported by temporary wooden beams in the basement. Because Engine Co. 23 had to move out quickly, Engine Co. 25 stayed at Station #1 for most of 1955 and only relocated to Station #5 after Station #3 was completed in September. Chief Dorband, the Fire Prevention Bureau, and Truck Company 22 moved from Station #1 to the new Station #2 on Madison Street on March 12th. The two assistant chiefs who served as platoon commanders at Station #1 were relieved of company officer duties and were given a Chevrolet station wagon (called “F-2â€) and a driver. This made them more like Chicago FD battalion chiefs. Chief Dorband only responded to working fires, and if he was off-duty, his driver would pick him up at his home on Wesley Avenue and take him to the scene. The Evanston Fire Department expanded from 88 to 100 members on April 1, 1955. New hires included Peter Erpelding, David Henderson, Roger Lecey, Roger Schumacher, Joseph Burton, Patrick Morrison, Robert Pritza, Richard Ruske, Donald Searles, Frank Sherry Jr., and Richard Zrazik, along with Edward Pettinger returning from leave. Firemen James Wheeler and William Windelborn were promoted to captain, replacing the two platoon commanders as company officers. Squad 21 continued responding to all inhalator calls and special rescues, but starting April 1st, it also took all fire calls citywide with a four-man crew, or three if someone was missing. Squad 21 didn’t have a company officer, so the platoon equipment mechanic usually led the crew. In 1956, Squad 21 handled over 400 calls—25% more than the busiest engine company, Engine Co. 24. Though Squad 21 had a 1000-GPM pump, a 100-gallon water tank, and a booster hose reel, it lacked a hose bed and standard hose load, so it couldn’t operate as an engine company. However, it could assist in minor fires or start a limited attack with its booster if no engine was on scene. Engine Co. 21, Truck Co. 21, Engine Co. 25, Squad 21, Engine Co. 22, and Truck Co. 22 were twelve-man companies, with six men per platoon. Engine Co. 23 and 24 were ten-man companies, with five each. The driver of the platoon commander’s car (F-2) was assigned to Squad 21, and the driver for the Chief Fire Marshal (F-1) was assigned to Engine Co. 22, meaning those two units had one fewer man available each shift. One person per shift was on a Kelly Day, so actual staffing varied. On most shifts, Engine Co. 21, Truck Co. 21, Engine Co. 25, Squad 21 (including F-2 driver), Engine Co. 22 (including F-1 driver), and Truck Co. 22 had five people, or four if short-handed. Engine Co. 23 and 24 typically had four, or three if missing a member. If a truck company was short, they often borrowed a man from a full engine company. Each shift had a platoon commander, plus a driver and radio operator for F-2, and a driver and administrative assistant for the chief (F-1). These drivers also acted as the department’s photographers. Another man was assigned as a fire prevention inspector and assistant to the Fire Prevention Bureau chief (F-3). As of April 1, 1955, the maximum staffing per shift was 39, and the minimum was 31 if all companies were short. Companies usually ran full strength from November to March when vacations weren’t allowed, but would sometimes be short in spring, summer, and early fall when vacation time was permitted. Overtime days accumulated in winter could be used then. This 39-to-31 range brought EFD staffing back to pre-World War II levels, before Kelly Days were introduced. Along with new equipment and new stations, restoring staffing to pre-war levels was one of the key goals of Chief Dorband’s modernization plan. Accelerator Mbs Nobs,Raw Material Rubber Accelerator Nobs Mbs,Vulcanization Accelerator Mbs Nobs,Lowest Price Rubber Accelerator Mbs SHANDONG MINGDE CHEMICAL CO.,LTD. , https://www.sdmingdechem.com
All three of Evanston’s new fire stations were completed and put into service in 1955. Station #5 opened on January 25th at 2830 Central Street, Station #2 on March 12th at 702 Madison Street, and Station #3 on September 3rd at 1105 Central Street.