From Phil Stenholm:
Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
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On the early evening of Tuesday, October 28, 1958, a fire broke out at Foster Elementary School, located at 2010 Dewey Avenue. Engine Co. 23 was the first to arrive and deployed a 1-1/2 inch pre-connected line. Engine 25 provided a supply line for Engine 23 and laid a dry 2-1/2 inch backup line before securing a hydrant. Engine 25 also pulled a second 1-1/2 inch pre-connect from Engine 23, while Truck Co. 23 helped locate the fire’s origin. Cross-trained police officers assisted by positioning ladders on the second floor and moving hose lines, preparing to man Engine 25’s backup 2-1/2 inch handline.
The fire was discovered in the attic of the school’s older section, and crews from Engine 23, 25, and Truck 23 struggled to contain it from below. 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 temporarily moved to Station #1 during this time.
Engine 21 and Truck 21 entered the west alley, and Engine 24 laid a supply line for Engine 21 and a backup 2-1/2 inch line before connecting to a hydrant. Crews from Engine 21 and 24 pulled handlines from the west side (rear) of the school. Truck 22 assisted with salvage operations. 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 the squad’s four “night sun†floodlights. Chief Geishecker (F-1), who had just arrived from home, ordered a full Code 10—calling back both off-duty platoons. As soon as the first reserve engine was on duty, 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 its high-pressure turret was needed.
Eventually, all three reserve engines were deployed. Two pumpers were sent to Station #1 to cover the city, 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 in a CD pick-up truck. Around 90 men were eventually involved, allowing for regular crew rotations.
By the time Chief Geishecker arrived, the fire had already spread significantly. To avoid repeating the disaster of the Boltwood School fire in 1927, he requested mutual aid from the Chicago Fire Department. However, there may have been some confusion, as six Chicago FD engine companies and the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service were sent, only to find they weren’t immediately needed. The Chicago FD units returned to their stations, but the CCDFRS remained for a while.
The Foster School suffered major damage to its roof and attic, with some smoke and water damage on the second floor and extensive water damage on the first and basement levels. While not destroyed, the $325,000 loss made it the second-highest fire-related loss in Evanston history at the time, behind only the Northwestern University Technological Institute fire in 1940. Students were temporarily relocated, but repairs were completed in time for the next school year.
This was the last time the Chicago FD responded to a mutual-aid call in Evanston. From then on, the EFD relied on suburban departments like Wilmette and Skokie. In 1958, Wilmette became a fully professional department, and Skokie’s new chief, Raymond Redick, transformed the local department into a top-tier force. The Skokie Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Corps (using the call sign "Squad 26") provided critical support in many Evanston fires after 1959.
Although the Chicago FD didn’t return after the Foster fire, the CCDFRS did respond once more in September 1959, helping clear downed trees after a microburst knocked out power across the city. Three squads used winches and chainsaws to clear streets throughout the night.
Following the fire, the EFD’s Training Bureau was officially established on November 1, 1958. Captain Willard Thiel became the first training officer, overseeing all three platoons and police officers. He also managed the repair shop and equipment mechanics. This change reduced maximum shift staffing from 32 to 31 and minimum from 29 to 28. Engine 21 no longer had a four-man crew, while Truck 21 still operated with four members. The extra men were often assigned to Engine 21, Truck 22, or Engine 25 when needed.
In addition to the Training Bureau, the Fire Prevention Bureau was upgraded in 1958. Captains replaced firemen as inspectors, and a civilian clerk-typist was hired. Captain Ed Fahrbach was promoted to assistant chief, and several firefighters were promoted to captain positions.
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