From Phil Stenholm:

Another chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

GIVE THE LADY WHAT SHE WANTS! On June 10, 1947, Engine No. 4’s pump failed during a routine annual test and couldn’t be fixed. This 1917 Seagrave pumper, which had served as Engine No. 1 from 1918 to 1937 and then as Engine No. 4 since 1938, had endured nearly three decades of heavy use. Its frame and chassis were severely corroded, making it unlikely to last much longer—even with a new pump.

Chief Albert Hofstetter, a respected leader in the EFD, took the matter seriously. He met with the mayor and city council, arguing that replacing the pump would be a waste of public funds. He emphasized that the safety of Evanston residents was at risk, and his persuasive case convinced the aldermen to approve an emergency budget of $18,000 for a new triple-combination pumper. Naturally, Seagrave won the bid.

To make room for the new engine, the EFD’s only spare pumper—the 1917 Seagrave chemical and hose booster that had been rebuilt in 1930—was temporarily put back into service at Station #4. This left the department without a backup pumper for 18 months while the new rig was built. Meanwhile, the old engine was dismantled for parts to keep the other two 1917 Seagraves running, and its remains were sold for scrap.

In 1948, downtown Evanston was a thriving commercial hub, home to high-end stores like Wieboldt’s, Lord’s, and Marshall Field & Company. The latter, located at 1700 Sherman Avenue, was considered one of the most exclusive department stores on the North Shore. Just before Christmas in December 1948, a devastating fire broke out at the Marshall Field warehouse on Emerson Street. Four engine companies, two truck companies, and off-duty firefighters worked tirelessly to save what they could and control the flames. At the time, the EFD had no reserve pumper, so Engine Co. 4, along with additional help from the off-duty platoon, provided critical support from Station #1 while others fought the blaze.

Despite the chaos, the Chicago Fire Department stepped in at the request of Marshall Field’s president. However, the CFD wasn’t needed, and the fire caused an estimated $177,430 in damage—making it the third-largest fire loss in Evanston’s history up to that point.

That same year, a wave of retirements hit the EFD. Long-serving officers like 46-year veteran Tom McEnery, 40-year veteran Ed McEnery, 38-year veteran Carl Windelborn, and 28-year veteran Harry Jasper all retired. Assistant Chief J. E. Mersch took over the Fire Prevention Bureau and became the new First Assistant Chief. Captains Henry Dorband and Jim Geishecker were promoted to Assistant Chiefs, taking over key roles in the department.

Several lieutenants also advanced in rank. Ed Hanrahan, who had scored first on the 1947 civil service exam, became company officer of Engine Co. 1, while William Murphy took over Engine Co. 5. New lieutenants included Lincoln Dickinson, Ronald Ford, William Owens, and Fred Schumacher.

Alongside the promotions, several longtime firefighters retired, including John Monks, John Lindberg, John Anderson, and Lou Knockaert. In 1949, more veterans like Norman Fochs, Dominic Bartholme, John Gleeson, Ted Thompson, and Walter Janz also left the force.

By the end of the 1940s, the EFD was undergoing a major transformation. Thirty mostly WWII veterans passed the entry-level civil service exam between 1946 and 1949, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives to the department. For the first time in years, the EFD was getting younger—and ready for the challenges ahead.

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