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Evanston Fire Department history Part 39
From Phil Stenholm:
Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
Hi everyone,
As we continue exploring the history of the Evanston Fire Department (EFD), here's an interesting update focusing on the 1920s and 1930s. Despite the challenges posed by the Great Depression, the EFD managed to adapt and evolve during these turbulent times.
In the roaring twenties, the department grew significantly, expanding to an 84-man force. During that decade alone, sixty new firemen were hired. However, things changed dramatically in the 1930s. Due to financial constraints, only nine new hires were made during the entire decade, with just four additions occurring during the height of the Depression, from 1932 to 1938. It was a tough era where jobs were scarce, and those who held them were reluctant to let them go. Yet, there were still openings in the EFD during this time. Most often, these vacancies arose when veteran firemen retired with pensions due to health issues or age. But in four instances, leaving the EFD wasn't voluntary.
Tragedy struck several times within the ranks. Assistant Chief Ed Johnson succumbed to a fatal heart attack in October 1932. Fireman Milton Jasper of Truck Company 1 passed away while off-duty in March 1931. Lieutenant Frank Didier of Engine Company 2 died of a heart attack at home in September 1931. And Fireman Fred Walters of Engine Company 5 died at Evanston Hospital after suffering a pulmonary embolism following a joint training exercise with the Wilmette Fire Department at Gilson Park in October 1936.
Despite these losses, promotions continued. Between 1929 and 1934, several firefighters advanced in rank. For instance, Fireman Henry Dorband became a lieutenant in 1929 and took over as assistant company officer of Engine Company 5. Fireman Harry Jasper followed suit in 1931, stepping into the shoes of the late Frank Didier as assistant company officer of Engine Company 2. Other promotions included Captain J.E. Mersch becoming Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in 1932, and Captain Carl Windelborn receiving the same title in 1933 after Ed Johnson's untimely death. Additionally, Lieutenant Anthony Steigelman and John Wynn became captains in 1933, with Michael Garrity earning the same promotion in 1934. These changes ensured continuity amidst adversity.
Even with budget cuts affecting staffing levels, the EFD faced relatively fewer major fires during the Depression years. Notable exceptions include the devastating blaze at the Hemenway Methodist Church on Chicago Avenue in September 1932, which caused $52,000 in damages, and another significant fire at the Weise Brothers planing mill & lumber yard on Dodge Avenue in October 1937, resulting in a $35,000 loss. Interestingly, the EFD found itself assisting neighboring communities more frequently than fighting fires within Evanston itself during this period!
One memorable event occurred early on January 15, 1931, when the EFD joined forces with the Wilmette Fire Department to combat a massive fire at the Bahá'à Temple on Linden Avenue. Firefighters battled freezing conditions and struggled to maintain adequate water pressure throughout the night. Despite deploying Truck 1's 85-foot ladder to deliver a powerful stream of water, the iconic steel structure couldn't be salvaged. Damages amounted to $50,000, and delays caused by the fire, economic downturn, and subsequent World War II meant completion of the temple took another twenty years.
Later in 1933, the EFD collaborated with departments from Chicago, Niles Center, and Morton Grove to help contain a blaze at the Becker Box Company factory in what was then known as Tessville (now Lincolnwood). Similarly, in August 1934, the EFD aided the Niles Center Fire Department at a warehouse fire involving the Hughes Oil Company along Howard Street in Skokie. That same year, on May 19th, Engine Company 1 temporarily relocated to Chicago's Engine Company 71 station on North California Avenue, providing support during a critical period when many Chicago units were occupied elsewhere.
Budget restrictions limited substantial acquisitions between 1933 and 1936, though minor improvements did occur. Wooden ladders on the city service truck were replaced with newer models in 1935, and in 1936, Chief Hofstetter exchanged his 1926 Lincoln Model "L" for a 1936 Ford Tudor Deluxe equipped with a Motorola Police Cruiser AM radio.
The Galvin Corporation pioneered Motorola AM radios for civilian vehicles starting in 1930, and the Evanston Police Department was among the first agencies nationwide to install them in patrol cars. Initially expensive and prone to technical difficulties, these radios gradually improved. By 1935, police departments gained access to dedicated AM frequencies between 1550 and 2800 kHz. Around this time, Galvin developed specialized "Motorola Police Cruiser" radios tailored for law enforcement use. Ford offered factory-installed versions at reduced prices beginning in 1936.
Equipped with a Motorola Police Cruiser radio, Chief Hofstetter's Ford sedan allowed him—or the platoon commander—to monitor emergency communications via AM radio. Although this setup was unidirectional (receive-only), it marked progress toward modern communication systems. Two-way FM radios wouldn't arrive until the mid-1940s, eventually reaching all EFD vehicles by 1952.
Stay tuned for more stories about how the EFD navigated challenges and innovations during these pivotal decades!
Best regards,
Phil
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