Evanston Fire Department history Part 60

Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

 

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 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 Co. 23 helped locate the fire’s origin. Cross-trained police officers assisted by positioning ladders on the second floor, dragging hoses, and preparing to man Engine 25’s backup 2-1/2 inch hand line.

The fire was found 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 dry 2-1/2 inch backup line before grabbing a hydrant. Crews from Engine 21 and 24 pulled hand lines on the west side of the school, while Truck 22 assisted with salvage work. Truck 21 extended its main to the roof immediately upon arrival 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 in service, Engine 22 was sent to the scene to supply an elevated master stream atop Truck 21 on the west side. Squad 22 was also dispatched in case its high-pressure turret was needed.

Eventually, all three reserve engines were placed into service. 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 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 flames had already spread significantly. To avoid repeating the mistakes of the Boltwood School fire in 1927, he requested mutual aid from the Chicago Fire Department. However, there may have been a miscommunication, as six Chicago FD engine companies and the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service were sent, only to find they weren’t immediately needed. They returned to their stations, but the CCDFRS crews remained 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 basement levels. Fortunately, it wasn’t destroyed. Students were temporarily relocated to other Evanston schools, but repairs were completed in time for the next school year. The $325,000 loss made this the second-highest fire-related loss in Evanston’s history, behind only 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 would rely on suburban departments like Wilmette and Skokie when assistance was needed. In 1958, Wilmette became a fully professional department, and Skokie’s new chief, Raymond Redick, brought structure and professionalism to the department. The Skokie Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Corps (using the call sign "Squad 26") provided critical support in many fires after 1959.

Although the Chicago FD did not respond again after the Foster fire, the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service did so once more in September 1959, after a microburst knocked down trees and caused power outages. Three CCDFRS squads helped clear the streets with winches and chainsaws throughout the night and into the morning.

Following the fire, the EFD officially established its Training Bureau on November 1, 1958. Captain Willard Thiel was appointed as 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, as Engine 21 no longer had a four-man crew. Truck 21 still operated with four members, but the rest of the companies typically had three.

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. Capt. Ed Fahrbach was promoted to assistant chief, and several firefighters were promoted to captain. These changes marked a significant step toward modernizing the Evanston Fire Department.

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