From Phil Stenholm: Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department. As part of this expansion, Engine Company 4 was established at Fire Station #2. Ten men were assigned to the new unit, which was equipped with a tractorized-steamer and a booster-pumper that had previously belonged to Engine Company 2. Pat Gaynor became the first captain of Engine Co. 4, and the unit moved into their brand-new home at 1817 Washington Street on December 30, 1927. Station #4 was the first fire station in Evanston specifically built for automobile apparatus, featuring a kitchen and dining area as part of its original design. On the same day, Engine Company 5 was also formed at Fire Station #1. Twelve firefighters were assigned to this new company, which received one of the newly acquired Seagrave "Standard" 1000-GPM pumpers. The other pumper was assigned to Engine Co. 2, and Engine Co. 5 became the designated engine company for the high-value district in downtown Evanston for many years. Henry Tesnow was appointed as the first captain of this company. However, Capt. J.E. Mersch was initially expected to lead Engine Co. 5. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious leg injury in September 1927 when the police ambulance he was riding in was hit by a bus. After recovering from his injuries and being discharged from the hospital, it was determined that he could no longer serve as a firefighter. Rather than taking a disability pension, Capt. Mersch accepted a new role as Fire Prevention Inspector. He was later promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in 1932 and continued to serve in both roles until his passing in October 1950 at the age of 67. With Capt. Mersch now serving as Fire Prevention Inspector, Lt. Ed McEnery was promoted to captain, and Fireman Frank Didier became a lieutenant. Capt. Tom McEnery was also promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal and Platoon Commander, marking a shift in command structure where each assistant chief would oversee one of the two platoons. With five engine companies and two truck companies now in operation, the EFD’s response to alarms changed significantly. Previously, only one engine and one truck would respond to structure fires, but now, two engines and one truck would be dispatched for general alarms. For the high-value downtown district, three engines and one truck would respond, while three engines and two trucks would be sent to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools during school hours. Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol No. 8 continued to handle all working fires involving high-value properties in Evanston from its location at 3921 N. Ravenswood Avenue, as it had since June 1922. Meanwhile, both truck companies remained stationed at Fire Station #1, with Truck Co. 1 (operating with the TDA) responding east of Asbury Avenue, and Truck Co. 2 (operating with city service) responding west of Asbury. Engine Co. 1 was now the city-wide second engine, and also handled inhalator calls across the city. Engine Co. 2 was first due to the area east of Asbury and south of Greenleaf Street, while Engine Co. 3 covered the area north of Church Street west of Asbury and north of Foster Street east of Asbury. Engine Co. 4 was responsible for the area west of Asbury and south of Church Street, and Engine Co. 5 was first due to the area east of Asbury between Greenleaf and Foster, including the downtown high-value district. If available, Engine Co. 2 would transfer to Station #1 if Engine Co. 5 was on a call, and either Engine Co. 3 or 4 would move to Station #1 with the reserve inhalator on board if Engine Co. 1 was out. Before the installation of radios in 1952, quick return to quarters was essential, as units had no communication while en route. Each platoon consisted of 41 men. Truck Co. 1 had 14 men (seven per platoon, with one acting as the chief’s driver), Truck Co. 2 had 12 men (six per platoon), and Engine Co. 1, 2, and 5 each had 12 men. Engine Co. 3 and 4 each had 10 men (five per platoon). If each company ran short by one person, the minimum staffing per shift would be 34 men. The assistant chiefs for Truck Co. 1 (Ed Johnson) and Truck Co. 2 (Tom McEnery) served as both company officers and platoon commanders, working opposite shifts. EFD Chief Albert Hofstetter still responded to routine alarms when on duty, often being picked up at home and driven to the scene. Starting in May 1928, assistant chiefs began responding to alarms in the chief’s car, acting as the on-scene commander and having the authority to request additional resources, call back off-duty crews, or even seek help from the Chicago Fire Department if needed. NG-4015 Full Electric Servo Press Brake CNC Servo Electric bending machine,Metal bending press brake,full electric servo bending machine | press brake,Full Electric Servo Press Brake Machine FOSHAN RAGOS NC EQUIPMENT CO.,LTD. , https://www.ragosnc.com
In November 1927, the Evanston Fire Department took a major step forward. Lieutenant Henry Tesnow and Carl Windelborn were promoted to captain, while firemen Walter Boekenhauer, Michael Garrity, Anthony Steigelman, and John Wynn moved up to the rank of lieutenant. J.K. Wilen, the motor driver, was given the new title of “Engineer – Mechanic.†Additionally, twenty new firefighters joined the department: Harold Anderson, John Anderson, Albert Balmes, Charles Bammesberger, Fred Carlson, Herbert Claussen, Norman Fochs, Edward Hanrahan, Knud Hanson, Milton Kummer, Charles Lapp, Fred Michelau, Louis Morgan, William Murphy, Elmer Nepstad, Charles Novak, Fred Schumacher, Francis Williams, B.V. Williamson, and L. P. Williamson. These new recruits were evenly split between the two platoons, with no More than three assigned to any single company.
Evanston Fire Department history Part 35
EXPANSION