Evanston Fire Department history Part 60

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 hose line. Engine 25 provided a supply line for Engine 23 and also laid a dry 2-1/2 inch backup line before securing a hydrant. Engine 25 then pulled another 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 the backup 2-1/2 inch handline from Engine 25.

The fire was found in the attic of the school’s older section, and crews from Engine 23, 25, and Truck 23 struggled to attack 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 with the third. Engine 22 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 dry 2-1/2 inch backup before connecting to a hydrant. Crews from Engine 21 and 24 pulled handlines from the west side of the school, while Truck 22 assisted with salvage work. Truck 21 immediately extended its main to the roof and began vertical ventilation.

At that time, Dewey Avenue was a through-street, so Squad 21 was parked north of Foster on Dewey, with the mechanic setting up four “night sun” floodlights. 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 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 also dispatched in case the high-pressure turret was needed.

Eventually, all three reserve engines were deployed. Two of them 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 via the CD pick-up truck. About 90 men were eventually on site, allowing for regular crew rotations.

By the time Chief Geishecker arrived, the flames had spread significantly. To avoid a repeat of the Boltwood School fire of 1927, he requested mutual aid from the Chicago Fire Department. However, the request may have been misunderstood, as six Chicago FD engine companies and the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service arrived only to find out they weren’t immediately needed. The Chicago FD units returned to their stations, but the CCDFRS remained for some time.

Foster School suffered significant damage to its roof and attic, along with fire and smoke damage on the second floor and extensive water damage on the first and basement levels. Fortunately, it wasn’t destroyed. Students were temporarily relocated to other Evanston schools for the rest of the year, but the building was repaired in time for the next school year. The $325,000 loss was the second-highest in Evanston’s history up to that point, behind only the Northwestern University Technological Institute fire in 1940.

This fire marked the last time the Chicago Fire Department responded to an emergency in Evanston. From then on, the EFD would call 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 local department into a top-tier force. The Skokie Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Corps (using the call sign "Squad 26") provided valuable support in many fires after that.

Although the Chicago FD did not return to Evanston after the Foster fire, the CCDFRS came again in September 1959, responding to a microburst that knocked down trees and caused power outages. Three squads from the CCDFRS helped clear streets using winches and chainsaws throughout the night and into the morning.

In November 1958, just three days after the fire, the EFD officially established its Training Bureau. Captain Willard Thiel was appointed as the first training officer, overseeing all three platoons and even police officers. Previously, each platoon had its own drillmaster, but now the training was centralized. The bureau was based at Station #1 and also managed the repair shop and equipment mechanics.

This change reduced maximum shift staffing on each platoon from 32 to 31 and minimum staffing from 29 to 28. Engine 21 no longer had a four-man crew, while Truck Co. 21 still operated with four members. The extra personnel were usually assigned to Engine 21, Truck 22, or Engine 25 when needed, though it was rare for them to actually serve as the fourth crew member on a rig.

Alongside 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—first Catherine Leahy, then Margaret Wood, and later Eleanor Franzen. Captain Ed Fahrbach was promoted to assistant chief and took over as a platoon commander, while several firefighters were promoted to captain positions.