From Phil Stenholm: Another installment in our series on the History of the Evanston Fire Department. THE END OF THE ROARING TWENTIES With Engine 1 out of service for nearly four months, Engine Co. 1 was temporarily assigned the aging 1911 Robinson Jumbo pumper — once the department’s first motorized fire engine but now in poor condition. The inhalator typically found on Engine 1 was temporarily moved to Engine 5, as the Jumbo was unreliable and prone to mechanical issues. After being repaired at the Seagrave factory, Engine 1 returned to Station #1 on September 18, 1928. The Robinson Jumbo was placed back into reserve at Station #2. During its time at the shop, the engine received a new drive shaft, front axle, upgraded suspension with new springs and shocks, new wheels, and pneumatic tires — matching the factory setup on the three Seagrave rigs purchased by Evanston in the 1920s. New wheels and tires were also installed on Truck 2 and Engine 3 in 1929. In December 1928, the Evanston City Council allocated $800 to purchase a Ford Model “A†Tudor sedan for the fire prevention inspector. Capt. J. E. Mersch, who had been appointed to that role in May 1928, had previously relied on the chief’s buggy driver, taxis, or public transport — not ideal for someone using a cane. The new car provided a more reliable means of transportation and served as a backup for the chief, replacing the dog catcher’s wagon used earlier when the chief’s vehicle was unavailable. In February 1929, the City Council passed the “Fire Prevention Ordinance,†officially establishing the EFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau. The bureau was tasked with: preventing fires through education, regulating flammable materials, overseeing automatic fire alarms, ensuring proper fire escapes, inspecting exits in public buildings, and investigating fire causes. This marked a major step toward modern fire safety protocols in Evanston. Also in February 1929, two new electrically driven high-lift pumps were installed at Lincoln & Sheridan Waterworks. One could pump 10,000 GPM, the other 7,000 GPM, replacing the old 3,500 GPM steam-driven Gaskill pump that had been in use since 1888. In August 1929, the Robinson Jumbo failed its annual pump test at Becker’s Pond. With no replacement available due to the company’s bankruptcy, the engine was repurposed as a utility truck for the street department, which still used horse-drawn vehicles at the time. On December 2, 1929, Engine Co. 5, Truck Co. 1, Engine Co. 1, and Engine Co. 2 responded to a fire at Thompson’s Restaurant in downtown Evanston. Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol No. 8 assisted with salvage, and Truck Co. 2 and Engine Co. 3 were called on the second alarm after the fire spread to the DeBreuil Tea Room next door. The total damage reached $57,274, making it one of the most costly fires in Evanston history up to that point. Following the fire, the EFD recognized the need for a new reserve pumper. The city allocated $3,000 to convert Engine Co. 4’s hose truck into a 500-GPM Suburbanite TCP, complete with a 50-gallon booster tank and 150-foot line. It featured new axles, wheels, shocks, pneumatic tires, fenders, and warning lights. The Suburbanite closely resembled the 1927 Seagrave Standards but was shorter and had a smaller pump. Once rebuilt, the Suburbanite was returned to service as Engine No. 4. The original Engine No. 4 — a 1906 American-LaFrance steamer attached to a 1918 Seagrave tractor — was placed in reserve as Engine No. 6. The decommissioned Robinson Jumbo was kept available to serve as a hose truck if needed. Throughout the 1920s, several firefighters passed away while off-duty, leaving a lasting impact on the department: 1. Lt. Harry Schaeffer Sr. (Truck Co. 1), father of future assistant chief Harry Jr., died of a cerebral hemorrhage in June 1923. Stainless steel fittings are for those fittings made of Stainless steel 316L AISI316 INOX316 . inclduing Stainless Steel Push In Fitting, Stainless Steel Compression Fitting, Stainless Steel Pipe Fitting, stainless steel ferrule fiting, stainless steel check valves and other stainless steel pneumatic and automation connectors Stainless Steel Fitting,Pneumatic Fitting,Quick Coupler,Push To Connect Fitting NINGBO AIHUA AUTOMATIC INDUSTRY CO.,LTD , https://www.iwapneumatic.com
In May 1928, Engine No. 1 of the Evanston Fire Department (a 1917 Seagrave 750-GPM TCP) sustained $4,000 in damage after hitting a large pothole on Bridge Street near McCormick Boulevard while returning from an alarm in North Evanston. Chief Hofstetter was on board as the engine was transported by rail to the Seagrave factory in Columbus, Ohio, likely hoping to secure faster repairs for a long-time customer like Evanston. Meanwhile, the city filed a lawsuit against the Sanitary District of Chicago, which was responsible for maintaining Bridge Street, seeking reimbursement for repair costs.
2. Orville Wheeler, a firefighter and chief’s buggy-driver, died of pneumonia in July 1924, just weeks before his promotion to lieutenant. His sons James and Chester would later join the EFD.
3. Fireman Clinton Claypool (Engine Co. 3) died of meningitis in January 1925.
4. Rookie Fireman Fred Michelau (Truck Co. 1) drowned while vacationing in Michigan in August 1928.
5. Lt. Walt Boekenhauer (Engine Co. 4) suffered a heart attack while on vacation in July 1929.