Evanston Fire Department history Part 60

From Phil Stenholm:

Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department

 

FOSTER, TRAINING, AND FIRE PREVENTION
 
On the early evening of Tuesday, October 28, 1958, a fire broke out at Foster Elementary School, located at 2010 Dewey Avenue. Engine Company 23 was the first to arrive and deployed a 1-1/2 inch pre-connected hose line. Engine 25 provided a supply line for Engine 23 and also laid a dry 2-1/2 inch backup line before connecting to a hydrant. Engine 25 then pulled another 1-1/2 inch pre-connect from Engine 23, while Truck Company 23 helped locate the fire’s origin. Cross-trained police officers assisted by positioning ladders on the second floor and dragging hose lines, preparing to man the backup 2-1/2 inch hand line from Engine 25.
 
The fire was discovered in the attic of the school's older section. Crews from Engine 23, 25, and Truck 23 tried to attack the fire from below but were unsuccessful. A second alarm was called by F-2, followed quickly by a third. Engine 21, Truck 21, and Squad 21 (driven by the mechanic) responded on the second alarm, while Engine 24 and Truck 22 arrived on the third. Engine 22 moved to Station #1 during this time.
 
Engine 21 and Truck 21 entered the west alley, with Engine 24 laying a supply line for Engine 21 and a dry 2-1/2 inch backup before grabbing a hydrant. Crews from Engine 21 and 24 pulled hand lines on the west side of the school. Truck 22 helped with salvage efforts. Truck 21 immediately extended its main to the roof and began vertical ventilation.
 
Dewey Avenue was a through street at the time, so Squad 21 was parked north of Foster on Dewey, with the mechanic preparing four “night sun” floodlights for operation. Chief Geishecker (F-1), who had just returned home, ordered a full Code 10, calling back both off-duty platoons. As soon as the first reserve engine was placed into service, Engine 22 was sent to the scene to provide an elevated master stream atop Truck 21 on the west side. Squad 22 was dispatched in case the high-pressure turret was needed.
 
Eventually, all three reserve engines were activated. Two of them were sent to Station #1 for city coverage, while Engine 27 (formerly E23) responded directly from Station #3 to support Truck 23’s elevated master stream on the east side. Additional firefighters arriving from home were picked up at their stations and transported to the scene via the CD pick-up truck. About 90 men were eventually working at the fire, allowing for regular crew rotations.
 
By the time Chief Geishecker arrived, the fire had already spread significantly. To avoid repeating the tragedy of the Boltwood School fire in 1927, he requested mutual aid from the Chicago Fire Department. However, there may have been some confusion—six Chicago FD engine companies and the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service were dispatched, only to find out they weren’t immediately needed. They returned to their stations, though CCDFRS crews stayed for a while.
 
Foster School suffered major damage to its roof and attic, some fire and smoke damage on the second floor, and extensive water damage on the first and second floors and basement. Fortunately, it wasn’t destroyed. Students were temporarily relocated to other schools, but repairs were completed in time for the next school year. The $325,000 loss made it the second-highest fire-related loss in Evanston history at that point, behind the 1940 Northwestern University Technological Institute fire.
 
This fire marked the last time the Chicago Fire Department responded to a mutual-aid call in Evanston. From then on, the EFD relied on suburban departments like Wilmette and Skokie for assistance. In 1958, Wilmette became a fully professional department, and in 1959, Skokie’s new chief, Raymond Redick, transformed the department into a top-tier force. The Skokie Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Corps (using the call sign “Squad 26”) provided critical support at many Evanston fires after that.
 
Although the Chicago FD didn’t respond again after the Foster School fire, the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service did assist one more time in September 1959, after a microburst knocked down trees and caused power outages across the city. Three squads from CCDFRS helped clear streets using winches and chainsaws, removing dozens of fallen trees.
 
Following the fire, the EFD officially established its Training Bureau on November 1, 1958. Captain Willard Thiel was appointed as the first training officer. Previously, each platoon had its own drillmaster, but now Thiel oversaw training for all three platoons and even the police. The bureau was based at Station #1, and Thiel also managed the repair shop and equipment mechanics.
 
The creation of the training officer position and the transfer of mechanics to the Training Bureau reduced maximum shift staffing from 32 to 31 and minimum from 29 to 28. Engine 21 no longer had a four-man crew, but Truck 21 still operated with four members. Other companies usually had three, with extra men assigned to Engine 21, Truck 22, or Engine 25 when not covering for absent personnel, though these extra men rarely served as fourth crew members on active rigs.
 
In addition to the Training Bureau, the Fire Prevention Bureau was upgraded in 1958. Captains replaced firemen as inspectors, and a civilian clerk-typist/administrative assistant was hired—Catherine Leahy in the first year, followed by Margaret Wood and Eleanor Franzen. Captain Ed Fahrbach was promoted to assistant chief and took over as a platoon commander, while firemen John Becker, George Croll, George Neuhaus, and Lou Peters were promoted to captain.

Railway Tools

Various tools are used for the manipulation of rails. These are primarily for the unloading or loading of rails and the longitudinal distortion.
Various designs of loaders are available, including self-propelled equipment, but also loading cranes, which can be mounted on rail cars. A rail lifting clamp is necessary for the safe lifting and manipulation of rails. It is important to note that when rails are unloaded there should not be too much deflection or elongation and care should be taken not to damage the rail surface.

Railway Tools,Roller Linear Guide,Roller Rail Track,Roller Guide Rails

Shenyang Lubang Railway Maintenance Machinery Co.,Ltd. , https://www.srmfrailwayequip.com

Posted on