From Phil Stenholm: Another installment in our series on the History of the Evanston Fire Department. THAT’S VERY ROOD! During World War II, Evanston experienced a rare lull in major fires. This led to the formation of the Evanston Auxiliary Fire Service (EAFS) in June 1942, with Auxiliary Truck Co. 3 stationed at Fire Station #3 and Auxiliary Engine Co. 7 at Station #4. However, the EAFS was never called into action. In 1944, after a breakdown during a training drill, the old 1917 Seagrave 300-GPM chemical and hose booster-pumper (previously Engine 3) could not be repaired, leading to the disbandment of the EAFS. The war also placed immense pressure on the regular Evanston Fire Department. With many younger firefighters drafted into military service—often shortly after being hired—the department faced severe manpower shortages. Prospective recruits waiting on civil service lists were also enlisting or getting drafted before they could even start their jobs. Longtime members, struggling with the workload, often found themselves working overtime without the chance to use those extra days off due to the emergency situation. In 1944, several long-serving members retired. Captain Anthony Steigelman, a 29-year veteran, passed away at 57 after a long illness. Captains Henry Tesnow (30 years) and Ed Newton (34 years), along with Master Fire Equipment Mechanic J.K. "Karl" Wilen (21 years), all stepped down that year. Other retirees included firemen Lawrence Ahrens (24 years), Frank Altenberg (28 years), Jerry Moriarty (25 years), Herman Peters (21 years), and Herman Windelborn (24 years). Meanwhile, promotions filled key roles. Lt. Jim Geishecker, who would later become chief, took over as captain of Engine Co. 1 after Capt. Steigelman’s death. Lt. Frank Sherry replaced Capt. Tesnow at Engine Co. 2, and William Murphy, William Rohrer, and Edward C. Fahrbach were promoted to lieutenant. It's worth noting that the EFD had two Edward Fahrbachs around this time: one named Edward C. and another older Edward G. In 1945, Lt. William Elliott, an assistant company officer for Truck Co. 1, died while off-duty at age 43. His position was taken by Ed Hanrahan, who was promoted to lieutenant. In 1946, Lt. John Reddick retired after 22 years, and Jim Mersch was promoted. By 1947, with Lt. Schmidt in Berlin, Lester Breitzman, the chief’s buggy driver and future EFD chief, was promoted to lieutenant and assumed duties as assistant company officer of Engine Co. 1 and administrative assistant to Chief Hofstetter. Throughout these years, from 1945 to 1947, several more long-time members retired, including Herman Godeman (21 years), John M. Mersch (40 years), Michael Olk (22 years), John Balmes (34 years), Harry Nelson (18 years before disability pension), Lou Morgan (20 years), Charles Lapp (20 years), Harold Anderson (20 years), George Wilson (20 years), William Brundage (23 years), George Paugels (25 years), and Fred Godeman (27 years). These retirements left the EFD struggling to maintain its staffing levels. Despite the relative quiet in terms of major fires during the war, Evanston firefighters still had their hands full. One notable incident occurred on February 15, 1946, when a significant fire broke out at the iconic Rood Building in downtown Evanston. Built in 1895, the four-story structure, known for its cupolas, gables, and turrets, was largely unoccupied and scheduled for demolition. The fire required a high-value district response, including three engines and a truck, followed by a second alarm and a call-back of the off-duty platoon to help control the blaze and protect nearby buildings. The building still carried $46,000 in fire insurance, making the timing of the fire somewhat unusual. There was little inside to save, and no one was injured, so the firefighting strategy quickly turned defensive. At its peak, all four EFD engines were pumping water from nearby hydrants, while both Truck Co. 1 and Truck Co. 2 used their aerial ladders to spray thousands of gallons of water onto the roof and attic. As was standard for such large-scale fires in Evanston’s downtown area, Engine Co. 4 was temporarily relocated to Station #1 to ensure city-wide coverage. Off-duty crews from Engine Co. 2 and 3 provided backup support, staffing reserve units at their respective stations. The off-duty platoon from Station #1 walked to the scene, just a block north of the station, to assist with relief and rotation. During the war, most police cars and fire chief vehicles were unavailable due to the focus on military production. But once the war ended, car manufacturers began producing new models, allowing departments like the EFD to update their aging fleets. In 1946, two new Ford sedans were purchased to replace the old 1936-37 models. Chief Hofstetter received a Ford Deluxe Fordor sedan, while a Ford Deluxe Tudor was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau. the Alchemy Crystal Bowl, where ancient alchemical principles meet the magic of sound therapy. Alchemy Bowls,Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowl,Alchemy Bowls Meditation,Alchemical Crystal Singing Bowl Live Better , https://www.qresoundtherapy.com
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