From Phil Stenholm:
Another chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE
In January 1976, Evanston Fire Station #1 welcomed its first dedicated emergency medical unit: MICU Co. 1, also known as “Ambulance 1.†This marked a major step forward in the city’s emergency response capabilities. The ambulance was staffed with a three-person crew, including two paramedics, ensuring that critical care could be provided on the scene. These initial paramedics—Roger Bush, Dave Cleland, Jim Dillon, Randy Drott, Jerry McDermott, Jim McLaughlin, and Dave Pettinger—had been trained at St. Francis Hospital earlier that year. Their expertise helped set the foundation for the EFD’s EMS operations. The equipment used by Ambulance 1 was generously donated by Washington National Insurance Company, one of Evanston’s largest employers at the time. The first vehicle, a 1975 Dodge Type II van, became the backbone of the department’s new EMS initiative. Meanwhile, the Evanston Police Department still operated its own fleet of station-wagon ambulances equipped with stretchers and first-aid supplies. These units were used alongside the EFD’s older 1970 Dodge station-wagons until 1977, when they were replaced by more modern sedans and compact cars. At the time, whenever possible, police or fire department ambulances were sent to assist in non-critical cases, allowing Ambulance 1 to focus on more severe emergencies where paramedics were needed. By the end of 1976, five more firefighters—Joe Hayes, Dave Lopina, Art Miller, Jim Potts, and Bob Wagner—were certified as paramedics, bringing the total number of EFD paramedics to twelve. A second ambulance, a 1976 Chevrolet Type I modular unit (fleet #314), was purchased for $35,000 and put into service at Station #1 in January 1977, designated as Ambulance 2. However, tragedy struck in November 1976 when Ambulance 1 was involved in a serious accident on Dewey Avenue. While en route to an emergency, it was struck broadside by a drunk driver at Church & Ridge—a location that had seen a similar crash involving Truck Co. 2 exactly 50 years earlier. Three firefighters—Jim McLaughlin, Jerry McDermott, and Phil Burns—and a nurse from St. Francis Hospital were injured in the collision. With Ambulance 1 temporarily out of commission and Ambulance 2 not yet ready, the EFD borrowed a 1968 Cadillac ambulance from the Skokie Fire Department. After the EFD repaired Ambulance 1, they eventually bought the Cadillac from Skokie and reclassified it as Ambulance 3. In 1977, the EFD continued to expand. Capt. Bill Best and several other firefighters were trained as paramedics, increasing the number of certified personnel. With staffing reduced to two per ambulance, engine companies were now assigned to all EMS calls as support. After Ambulance 2 came online, it became the primary unit for city-wide EMS calls. The old Skokie ambulance took over fire responses and handled EMS calls only when Ambulance 2 was unavailable. Even after Ambulance 1 returned to service in mid-1977, Ambulance 2 remained the first responder for EMS incidents, while Ambulance 1 focused on fire calls. Before 1980, EFD paramedics often worked alongside firefighters during emergencies, assisting with ventilation or fire suppression. However, this practice was later restricted, though they could still help with hydrant connections if available for immediate EMS response. Meanwhile, leadership changes occurred in 1976. Chief George Beattie retired after 29 years, followed shortly by Assistant Chief Ed Pettinger. Captains Richard Schumacher and John Becker were promoted to assistant chief. Assistant Chief Willard Thiel, who had served as the department’s training officer since 1958, was appointed acting chief until a new fire chief could be hired. He agreed to the role only because he had no interest in becoming chief and planned to retire once a replacement was found.
In January 1976, Evanston Fire Station #1 welcomed its first dedicated emergency medical unit: MICU Co. 1, also known as “Ambulance 1.†This marked a major step forward in the city’s emergency response capabilities. The ambulance was staffed with a three-person crew, including two paramedics, ensuring that critical care could be provided on the scene. These initial paramedics—Roger Bush, Dave Cleland, Jim Dillon, Randy Drott, Jerry McDermott, Jim McLaughlin, and Dave Pettinger—had been trained at St. Francis Hospital earlier that year. Their expertise helped set the foundation for the EFD’s EMS operations. The equipment used by Ambulance 1 was generously donated by Washington National Insurance Company, one of Evanston’s largest employers at the time. The first vehicle, a 1975 Dodge Type II van, became the backbone of the department’s new EMS initiative. Meanwhile, the Evanston Police Department still operated its own fleet of station-wagon ambulances equipped with stretchers and first-aid supplies. These units were used alongside the EFD’s older 1970 Dodge station-wagons until 1977, when they were replaced by more modern sedans and compact cars. At the time, whenever possible, police or fire department ambulances were sent to assist in non-critical cases, allowing Ambulance 1 to focus on more severe emergencies where paramedics were needed. By the end of 1976, five more firefighters—Joe Hayes, Dave Lopina, Art Miller, Jim Potts, and Bob Wagner—were certified as paramedics, bringing the total number of EFD paramedics to twelve. A second ambulance, a 1976 Chevrolet Type I modular unit (fleet #314), was purchased for $35,000 and put into service at Station #1 in January 1977, designated as Ambulance 2. However, tragedy struck in November 1976 when Ambulance 1 was involved in a serious accident on Dewey Avenue. While en route to an emergency, it was struck broadside by a drunk driver at Church & Ridge—a location that had seen a similar crash involving Truck Co. 2 exactly 50 years earlier. Three firefighters—Jim McLaughlin, Jerry McDermott, and Phil Burns—and a nurse from St. Francis Hospital were injured in the collision. With Ambulance 1 temporarily out of commission and Ambulance 2 not yet ready, the EFD borrowed a 1968 Cadillac ambulance from the Skokie Fire Department. After the EFD repaired Ambulance 1, they eventually bought the Cadillac from Skokie and reclassified it as Ambulance 3. In 1977, the EFD continued to expand. Capt. Bill Best and several other firefighters were trained as paramedics, increasing the number of certified personnel. With staffing reduced to two per ambulance, engine companies were now assigned to all EMS calls as support. After Ambulance 2 came online, it became the primary unit for city-wide EMS calls. The old Skokie ambulance took over fire responses and handled EMS calls only when Ambulance 2 was unavailable. Even after Ambulance 1 returned to service in mid-1977, Ambulance 2 remained the first responder for EMS incidents, while Ambulance 1 focused on fire calls. Before 1980, EFD paramedics often worked alongside firefighters during emergencies, assisting with ventilation or fire suppression. However, this practice was later restricted, though they could still help with hydrant connections if available for immediate EMS response. Meanwhile, leadership changes occurred in 1976. Chief George Beattie retired after 29 years, followed shortly by Assistant Chief Ed Pettinger. Captains Richard Schumacher and John Becker were promoted to assistant chief. Assistant Chief Willard Thiel, who had served as the department’s training officer since 1958, was appointed acting chief until a new fire chief could be hired. He agreed to the role only because he had no interest in becoming chief and planned to retire once a replacement was found.
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