Evanston Fire Department history Part 35

From Phil Stenholm:

Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

EXPANSION

In November 1927, a major restructuring and expansion took place within the Evanston Fire Department. Two lieutenants, Henry Tesnow and Carl Windelborn, were promoted to the rank of captain. Four firemen—Walter Boekenhauer, Michael Garrity, Anthony Steigelman, and John Wynn—were elevated to lieutenant. J.K. Wilen, the motor driver, was given a new title: "Engineer – Mechanic." Additionally, twenty new firefighters were hired, including 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 hires were evenly divided between the two platoons, with no more than three assigned to any single company.

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 company moved into their brand-new station at 1817 Washington Street on December 30, 1927. This two-bay station was the first 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 men were assigned to the new company, which received one of the new Seagrave “Standard” 1000-GPM pumpers (the other went to Engine Co. 2). Engine Co. 5 was designated as the primary engine company for the downtown "high-value district" for many years. Henry Tesnow was the first captain of this company.

However, there was a change in leadership when Captain J.E. Mersch was supposed to take command of Engine Co. 5. In September 1927, he suffered a severe leg injury when the police ambulance he was riding in was struck by a bus. After recovering from the injury, Mersch declined a disability pension and instead accepted a newly created position as Fire Prevention Inspector. He was later promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in 1932 and served in both roles until his death in 1950 at the age of 67.

With Mersch’s transition, Lieutenant Ed McEnery was promoted to captain, and Fireman Frank Didier became a lieutenant. Additionally, Captain Tom McEnery was appointed as Assistant Chief Fire Marshal and Platoon Commander, ensuring that each platoon had an assistant chief overseeing operations.

With five engine companies and two truck companies now in service, the EFD significantly changed how it responded to alarms. Instead of sending one engine and one truck to structure fires, the department now sent two engines and one truck for general alarms, three engines and one truck for high-value districts like downtown Evanston, and three engines and two trucks for hospitals, nursing homes, and schools during school hours.

Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol No. 8 continued to respond to all working fires involving high-value properties in Evanston, stationed at 3921 N. Ravenswood Avenue since June 1922. The EFD's truck companies remained at Station #1, with Truck Co. 1 serving as the first-due truck company east of Asbury Avenue, and Truck Co. 2 handling west of Asbury.

Engine Co. 1 became the city-wide second engine and handled inhalator calls across Evanston. Engine Co. 2 was first due east of Asbury and south of Greenleaf Street, while Engine Co. 3 covered areas north of Church Street and Foster Street. Engine Co. 4 was responsible for the area west of Asbury and south of Church Street, and Engine Co. 5 was first due in the downtown high-value district. If needed, Engine Co. 2 could transfer to Station #1 if Engine Co. 5 was on a call, and similarly, Engine Co. 3 or 4 would move to Station #1 if Engine Co. 1 was out. Before radios were installed in 1952, quick repositioning was crucial, as units had no communication while en route.

Each platoon had 41 men, with specific assignments for each company. For example, 14 men were assigned to Truck Co. 1, 12 to Truck Co. 2, and 10 each to Engine Co. 3 and 4. Each company could operate with one man short, meaning the minimum staffing was 34. Assistant Chiefs Ed Johnson and Tom McEnery, who also served as platoon commanders, worked opposite shifts. Chief Albert Hofstetter still responded to routine alarms while on duty, but starting in May 1928, assistant chiefs would take the chief's car to incidents, acting as the on-scene commander and having the authority to call for additional resources if needed.

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