From Phil Stenholm: Another chapter in the History of Evanston Fire Department Water treatment resin grinding wheel iron sulfide, iron sulfide,Customizable water treatment LUANCHUAN COUNTY HENGKAI METALLURGICAL MATERIALS SALES CO.,LTD , https://www.pyritechina.com
Evanston Fire Department history Part 48
THE END OF AN ERA
In 1949, after returning from Germany, Lt. John Schmidt was promoted to captain, following Lt. William Owens’ promotion and subsequent retirement after two decades of service. Similarly, Lt. Ed Fahrbach also rose to captain and took command of Engine Co. 4. Meanwhile, Capt. Michael Garrity, an Irish-born officer, used his seniority to switch stations—from Station #4 in the less developed southwest area of Evanston to Station #3 on Green Bay Road in North Evanston, a location more accessible by public transit. At the same time, Fireman Charles Novak was promoted to lieutenant, marking another shift in leadership.
By 1950, Evanston’s population had grown to 73,641—a 20% increase from 1930. This growth was largely driven by the post-WWII baby boom and the expansion of residential areas in both southwest and northwest Evanston. However, the Evanston Fire Department struggled to keep up with these changes. Although 50 new firefighters—mostly WWII veterans—were hired between 1946 and 1949, the department’s leadership remained outdated, worn out, and resistant to change. But change was coming fast.
On September 24, 1950, Chief Albert Hofstetter passed away at the age of 70, after 49½ years of service with the EFD, including 36 years as Chief Fire Marshal. He had hoped to retire on his Golden Anniversary in March 1951, but he didn’t live long enough to see it. Just 17 days later, 1st Assistant Chief J. E. Mersch died of a heart attack while leading the annual Fire Prevention Week parade. Mersch had served 45 years with the department, and was the first Fire Prevention Inspector, running that bureau alone for over two decades after a leg injury in 1927. His death marked the end of an era.
The passing of Hofstetter and Mersch came just two years after two other long-serving chiefs, Tom McEnery and Carl Windelborn, retired. Together, these four leaders had served a total of 178 years with the EFD—an average of over 44 years each. Their legacy was now fading, and the department stood at a crossroads.
The last major fire under Hofstetter’s leadership was the destruction of the North Shore Flour Supply Company warehouse at 709 Chicago Ave in April 1950. Located just a few hundred feet from Station #2, Engine Co. 2 responded quickly, taking the hydrant next door and attacking the fire through the front. Truck Co. 1 and Engine Co. 1 assisted, but challenges arose when the reinforced roof proved difficult to ventilate. As a result, the crews had to retreat to avoid the intense heat and smoke.
Engine Co. 4, 5, and Truck Co. 2 arrived on a second alarm, and Engine Co. 3 relocated to Station #1. Off-duty personnel were called in to support the operation, and nearby Station #2 became a staging area for firefighters waiting for assignments. The fire was eventually brought under control, but not before causing $70,000 in damage.
Soon after the fire, assistant chiefs scheduled training for the truck companies on proper vertical ventilation. During this session, they noticed significant wear on the wooden aerial ladder of Truck No. 1, which was 25 years old. With Chief Hofstetter on medical leave, Assistant Chief Henry Dorband met with city officials to discuss repair options. Three proposals were made: replacing the ladder, the trailer, or the entire unit. The city chose the most comprehensive option, costing $35,000.
The contract was awarded to Peter Pirsch & Sons of Kenosha, Wisconsin, a surprise choice that marked the first non-Seagrave apparatus purchase since 1911. Seagrave had been a long-time supplier, with Evanston spending over $135,000 between 1917 and 1949. But by 1950, Seagrave was overwhelmed with post-war orders, often delaying deliveries by up to two years. This shift signaled a new chapter for the Evanston Fire Department—one that would embrace modernization and change.
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