Evanston Fire Department history Part 67

From Phil Stenholm:

Another installment in our series on the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

GO YOU NORTHWESTERN!

The Mutual-Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was created in 1968 to coordinate responses from north suburban fire departments and districts during large-scale fires. Evanston Fire Department was part of MABAS Division 3, which included several other communities like Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, and more, as well as the Glenview Naval Air Station. This system aimed to streamline emergency response by pre-arranging mutual aid across jurisdictions.

Glenview was the primary dispatch center for MABAS Division 3, with Niles serving as a backup. The NIFERN (Northern Illinois Fire Emergency Radio Network) operated on 154.265 MHz was used for communication. When a major fire occurred, the affected department would contact the MABAS dispatcher via NIFERN, providing details such as the box number, location, and alarm level. The dispatcher would then send out the alert over the same frequency. Responding units were required to switch to NIFERN and confirm their arrival before proceeding.

Only EFD Stations #1 and #2 were authorized to respond to MABAS alarms due to staffing requirements. Most departments had multiple box cards, each with different response levels depending on location. However, Evanston only had one box card (#625), located at Lake & Elmwood (Fire Station #1). On a first alarm, a Wilmette engine and Skokie truck would respond, while a second alarm called for a Skokie engine, and a third alarm brought in a Winnetka engine (later replaced by a Snorkel in 1983) and a Morton Grove engine. A Glenview Naval Air Station ARFF unit was also listed in case it was needed. Beyond the third alarm, it was considered a "special call."

Evanston wasn't expected to respond to every MABAS incident. Depending on the box number, an Evanston engine, truck, or squad might be called in. Sometimes, they just provided backup coverage. For example, Evanston units were listed on box cards for Morton Grove, Niles, Skokie, Glenview, and others. Despite this, EFD rarely requested MABAS assistance even for large fires, often preferring to reach out directly to neighboring departments like Wilmette or Skokie instead.

During the years 1965–1968, the Evanston Fire Prevention Bureau saw significant changes. Capt. Harry Meginnis retired after 23 years in 1965, followed by Assistant Chief Harry Schaeffer Jr., who left in 1967 to become Illinois State Fire Marshal. Capt. Tom Hanson took over but retired in 1968, leading to Capt. Robert Schumer assuming command. New inspectors like Capt. William Lapworth and Capt. Joe Thill joined the team around that time.

Several veteran firefighters also retired during this period, including Nicholas Jung, George Harrison, John Boho, Ervin Lindeman, Stan Broslovik, James Liozzo, and Lou Peters. Captains Richard Zrazik and Frank Sherry retired on disability pensions. Meanwhile, new leaders emerged, with Don Searles, Joe Planos, Bill Moore, and others promoted to captain. New recruits like Vincent McEnaney, Darold Olson, and many others joined the department between 1965 and 1969.

A long-standing issue in Evanston was that Northwestern University was tax-exempt and received city fire protection without paying. This changed in November 1968 when the university donated $29,602 to fund a new Pirsch pumper for the EFD. In return, the city re-zoned a block near Emerson & Maple to allow high-rise development, enabling the construction of the Engelhart residence hall. It became the second-tallest building in Evanston after its completion in 1971.

There was talk of painting the new pumper in purple with “Willie the Wildcat” stickers, but that never happened. Initially, it was expected to go to Station #3, but it was instead placed at Station #2 in May 1970. Engine 22, a rebuilt 1952 Pirsch, moved to Station #5, replacing Engine 25. The older Pirsch was put into reserve, and eventually sold to a collector for use in parades.

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