Evanston Fire Department history Part 40

From Phil Stenholm:

Another look back at the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

NBFU ’35

In 1935, the National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) conducted a comprehensive inspection of Evanston’s fire protection system. This evaluation wasn’t just about the fire department’s staffing or equipment—it also looked at water supply, alarm systems, and potential fire hazards in the community. Previous NBFU reviews had taken place in 1912, 1924, and 1930, with Evanston receiving a positive rating in 1930. But by 1935, the city had cut six firefighter positions due to budget cuts during the Great Depression, which significantly impacted the final grade.

Following the 1935 assessment, the NBFU made a series of recommendations aimed at improving the department’s efficiency and response capabilities. These included restoring lost personnel, upgrading equipment, and building new stations. However, due to financial constraints, the city couldn’t act immediately on most of them.

The recommendations were extensive and detailed:

  1. Relieve the two platoon commanders from truck company duties and provide them with an automobile and driver;
  2. Restore the six positions that were cut in 1933;
  3. Hire more staff to increase nighttime coverage for engine and truck companies;
  4. Construct a fifth fire station near Grant and Central Park with a 750-GPM pumper;
  5. Upgrade pumpers at Stations #3 and #4 to 750-GPM models;
  6. Move the 500-GPM pumper from Station #4 to Station #1 as an inhalator squad;
  7. Build a new Station #2 with space for a ladder truck and move Truck Co. 2 there;
  8. Construct a new Station #3 with a third truck company;
  9. Dedicate a bay for a repair shop with spare parts;
  10. Establish a training school with a senior officer in charge;
  11. Assign one company per shift to assist with fire code inspections;
  12. Test pumpers twice a year instead of once;

Despite these suggestions, the city couldn’t afford to act right away. But in April 1937, voters approved a $45,000 bond to fund new equipment. The Seagrave Corporation won the contract, delivering two 750-GPM triple-combination pumpers and a 65-foot aerial ladder truck—each equipped with a booster tank and hose reel. This was a major upgrade for the EFD, including enclosed cabs, which were new to the department at the time.

The new ladder truck joined Truck Co. 2 in November 1937, while the two new pumpers began service in January 1938. Old equipment was re-assigned or repurposed: Engine No. 1 went to Station #4, and the old Truck No. 2 became Truck No. 3 at Station #3. Some older rigs were retired or converted into utility vehicles.

Although the bond helped modernize the fleet, it didn’t cover all the NBFU recommendations, like restoring staff or building new stations. Those would have to wait until the economy improved.

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