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 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 line as backup 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 with ladder placement on the second floor and hose handling, 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, Engine 25, and Truck 23 tried to attack it from below without success. 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 transferred to Station #1 during this time.

Engine 21 and Truck 21 entered the west alley, while Engine 24 laid a supply line for Engine 21 and a dry 2-1/2 inch backup line before connecting to a hydrant. Crews from Engine 21 and Engine 24 pulled handlines from the west side of the school. Truck 22 assisted with salvage work, and Truck 21 immediately extended its main to the roof for vertical ventilation.

Dewey Avenue was a through street at the time, so Squad 21 was parked north of Foster on Dewey, with the mechanic setting up the squad’s four “night sun” floodlights. Chief Geishecker (F-1), who had just arrived from home, ordered a full Code 10, recalling both off-duty platoons. As soon as the first reserve engine was placed into 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.

In total, all three reserve engines were activated. 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 were picked up from their stations and transported to the scene in a CD pick-up truck. Eventually, about 90 men were working on the fire, allowing for regular rotations.

By the time Chief Geishecker arrived, the flames 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, the communication was unclear, and six Chicago FD engine companies, along with the Chicago Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Service, arrived only to find they weren’t immediately needed. The Chicago FD units returned to their stations, but the CCDFRS remained for some time.

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 up to that point, behind only the 1940 Northwestern University Technological Institute fire.

This was 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, especially after Wilmette became a fully professional department in 1958 and Skokie’s new chief, Raymond Redick, reorganized its fire services. The Skokie Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Corps (Squad 26) later played a key role in supporting Evanston fires.

Although the Chicago FD didn’t return after the Foster fire, the CCDFRS did respond once more in September 1959, following a microburst that knocked down trees and caused power outages. Three squads from the CCDFRS helped clear blocked streets using winches and chainsaws throughout the night and into the next day.

Shortly after the fire, on November 1, 1958, 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. He also managed the repair shop and equipment mechanics. This change reduced shift staffing by one person per platoon, from 32 to 31 and 29 to 28. Engine 21 no longer operated with a four-man crew, though Truck 21 still maintained a full team.

Additionally, the Fire Prevention Bureau was upgraded in 1958, with captains replacing firemen as inspectors. A civilian clerk-typist/administrative assistant was hired, starting with Catherine Leahy. Capt. Ed Fahrbach was promoted to assistant chief, and several firefighters were promoted to captain roles, marking a significant step in the EFD’s organizational development.

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