From Phil Stenholm:
Another Chapter on the History of the Evanston Fire Department
The Seagrave Connection
In April 1917, Evanston voters approved a $30,000 bond issue that paved the way for the department's full motorization. This led to the acquisition of five new automobile firefighting vehicles from the Seagrave Company for $28,800. These included a Model "E" city service ladder truck with a 55-foot ground-based extension ladder, a 750-GPM triple-combination pumper, two chemical & hose 300-GPM booster pumpers, and a Model "K" front-drive, single-axle truck tractor to motorize the previous horse-drawn American LaFrance Metropolitan steamer.
Seagrave representative Michael Shafer arrived in Evanston just before Thanksgiving 1917 to oversee the delivery of the new equipment. He stayed for two months to train drivers, teach pump operations, and assist with any mechanical issues. The first rig to arrive was the city service truck, which quickly replaced the leased Chattanooga F.D. LaFrance/Hayes 55-foot HDA.
The city service truck saw immediate action in a major fire on December 30, 1917, at the Evanston Strand Theater. Two men were seen fleeing the theater shortly before the fire broke out, but arson couldn't be proven due to severe fire and smoke damage. This was the second fire at the Strand in two years - the first occurring in February 1916 due to an electrical short in the orchestra pit.
The remaining Seagrave apparatus arrived in January 1918 after being briefly stranded on a Chicago rail siding during the Great Blizzard of '18. All three pumpers passed their pump tests at Becker's Pond (now Boltwood Park). The 750-GPM pumper became Engine No. 1 at Station #1, replacing the Robinson Jumbo. One 300-GPM pumper became Truck No. 2 at Station #2, and the other became Truck No. 3 at Station #3.
By early 1918, all horse-drawn apparatus except the 1906 American LaFrance Metropolitan steamer had been scrapped. The steamer was sent to Seagrave for conversion to a tractorized unit. When it returned in March, it became Engine No. 2 at Station #2.
Initially, plans called for overhauling the Robinson Jumbo, but its chronic mechanical issues led Chief Hofstetter to retire it after just six years of service. It became the department's lone reserve vehicle as Engine No. 4. The Seagrave 300-GPM pumper intended as Truck No. 3 became Engine No. 3 at Station #3.
The Jumbo served as a utility truck for the street department starting in August 1929. The tractorized steamer remained reserve apparatus until 1938 when a 1917 Seagrave pumper was rebuilt into a 500-GPM pumper.
By 1918, the firefighting force grew to 41 members with three nine-man engine companies and one 13-man truck company. Due to the 24/12 shift schedule, two-thirds of the personnel were on duty at any given time.
Several promotions occurred that year. Assistant Chief Thomas Norman retired after 22 years. Capt. Ed Johnson became Assistant Chief. Lt. Tom McEnery was promoted to Captain. Firemen Harry Schaeffer and Ed McEnery became Lieutenants. Engineer Earnest Erickson was let go after Motor Driver Arthur McNeil passed the civil service exam.
Frank Altenberg qualified as a motor driver and was assigned to Station #3. Engineers J.A. "Dad" Patrick, Max Kraatz, and William Richards remained at Station #2 operating the American LaFrance Metropolitan and maintaining the 1895 Ahrens Metropolitan in reserve.
Motor Engine Co. 1 was reorganized. Truck Co. 1 and Engine Co. 1 became separate companies at Station #1. Engine Co. 2 remained at Station #2, and Engine Co. 3 stayed at Station #3. Assistant company officers were J.E. Mersch, Harry Schaeffer, Ed McEnery, and Pat Gayner.
With automobile apparatus now at all three stations and two separate companies at Station #1, response protocols changed. Truck Co. 1 now responds citywide following the first-due engine company. The districts were divided: Greenleaf to Foster (Engine Co. 1), south of Greenleaf (Engine Co. 2), and north of Foster (Engine Co. 3).
This transition marked a significant evolution in the Evanston Fire Department's operational capabilities and organizational structure.
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