From Phil Stenholm:
Another installment in our series on the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
NBFU ’59
In 1959, the National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) conducted its first inspection of the Evanston Fire Department since 1935. The department received a rating of “Class 3,†matching the score it had earned in 1935. Among fire departments in the Chicago area, only the Chicago Fire Department held a higher rating—“Class 2.†At that time, Evanston and Oak Park were the only suburban departments rated “Class 3†by the NBFU. However, by 1971, Skokie had improved to “Class 2,†and Winnetka had moved up to “Class 3.â€
The NBFU’s 1959 report included several recommendations for the EFD. These included adding an additional engine company at Station #1, restoring pre-1957 staffing levels, implementing mandatory annual physicals for firefighters over 55, enforcing a mandatory retirement age of 62, and making the chief fire marshal a civil service position rather than a political appointment. Of these, only the annual physical exam for older firefighters was implemented.
Regarding the recommendation to add an engine company at Station #1, Squad 21 was reactivated in 1963 and assigned to the station. Although the 1952 Pirsch unit had a 1,000-GPM pump and a 100-gallon tank, it lacked a hosebed and wasn’t considered a full engine company. This meant it couldn’t carry a standard hose load.
In 1959, the iconic Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph boxes, which had been in use since 1895, were replaced by 80 Western Electric emergency telephones connected directly to the city’s communication center. These new devices allowed callers to describe the nature of an emergency, enabling faster and more accurate responses. Each phone was housed in a bright red box with reflective lettering. If someone lifted the receiver without speaking, a police officer would be sent to check the “cold box.†The EFD would only respond if a fire or medical emergency was reported.
That year also saw promotions: Captains Jim Wheeler and Willard Thiel became assistant chiefs, while Dan Lorden and Ed Pettinger were promoted to captain. Assistant Chief Jim Mersch retired after 23 years, and Captain Joe Schumer resigned. New hires included Edward “Ted†Riley, LeRoy “Charlie†Rohrer, Leonard Conrad, and Ken Hatfield. Conrad later became a captain and eventually the EFD’s first medical officer in 1978.
Inhalators were assigned to all five engine companies in 1959, making Squad 21 a specialized rescue unit. The EFD averaged about 100 inhalator calls per year during the 1950s, but this number increased significantly by the 1960s as the need for medical response grew.
Both F-1 and F-2, the EFD’s station wagons, were equipped with stretchers and first-aid kits in 1959. They served as backup ambulances, used only when police units were unavailable. F-1 was replaced in 1962, and F-2 in 1963.
A Cadillac ambulance from the Scott Funeral Home was offered to the EFD in 1959 but declined due to staffing constraints. It was later donated to Skokie instead.
On June 25, 1959, George and Effie Dye died in a house fire on Hartrey Avenue. Their home was among the farthest from a fire station, though still within NBFU standards. This was the first time two people died in a single fire in Evanston since 1905.
In November 1959, a fire at the Davis Furniture store caused $155,000 in damage. Multiple units responded quickly, and off-duty personnel were mobilized to support the effort.
Fire Prevention Bureau Captain George Croll passed away in 1960, and Art Windelborn retired in 1961 after 33 years of service. William Lapworth was promoted to captain, and new firefighters Bob Schwarz, Richard Beucus, and William Lemieux joined the force. Bob Schwarz would later become a key member of the EFD’s arson investigation team.
In May 1961, a mysterious explosion damaged the North Shore Overall store on Dempster Street. Though no one was injured, the blast caused $107,000 in damage. The EFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau lacked the expertise to investigate, so the Illinois State Fire Marshal was called in.
titanium tube is a tubular material made from pure titanium or titanium alloy, known for its lightweight, high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility. It finds wide applications in various industries, including aerospace, chemical, medical, marine engineering, and sports equipment.
One of the key characteristics of titanium tubes is their lightweight nature. Titanium has a density of approximately 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter, making it significantly lighter compared to other metals. This makes titanium tubes extremely useful in applications where weight reduction is crucial, such as the aerospace industry. Additionally, titanium tubes offer exceptional strength, allowing them to withstand considerable forces while being lighter than conventional steel tubes.
Another important feature is the corrosion resistance of titanium tubes. Titanium exhibits excellent resistance to oxidation, acids, alkalis, and seawater, among other common corrosive mediums. This makes titanium tubes widely used in industries like marine engineering, chemical, and oil and gas, as they can resist corrosion and maintain material integrity.
Titanium Tube,3 Inch Titanium Pipe,Ti Tube,Titanium Square Tube
Yesino Metal Co., Ltd , https://www.yesinometal.com