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Evanston Fire Department history (more)
As Phil Stenholm highlights, the history of the Evanston Fire Department's (EFD) involvement in ambulance services is quite extensive. While the EFD began offering ambulance service to the City of Evanston officially in 1976, it's worth noting that firefighters had been attending to "inhalator calls" since 1913. Prior to 1976, the Evanston Police Department (EPD) held the responsibility of providing ambulance services. They initially utilized a horse-drawn ambulance from the late 1800s, housed at their headquarters station.
By 1916, the EPD upgraded to an automobile ambulance, stationed near the firehouse at 807 Grove Street. In 1958, the department implemented the "Police-Fire Cooperative Plan," which involved cross-training some police officers as firefighters. These cross-trained officers operated out of station wagons—referred to as Car 31, Car 32, and Car 33—each equipped with essential medical supplies, firefighting tools, and emergency gear. Their dual role included responding to medical emergencies, ambulance runs, and firefighting duties. However, these units eventually transitioned to single-person operations due to resource constraints, though the EPD continued to maintain a limited ambulance service using these vehicles.
Simultaneously, the EFD kept three staff cars—F-5, F-1, and F-3—equipped with stretchers for backup ambulance services. These cars were stationed at different firehouses and were dispatched when the EPD’s resources were stretched thin.
In the summer of 1974, the Illinois Department of Health temporarily loaned an MICU (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) to the EFD for a trial period. Although the EFD lacked paramedics at the time and the MICU lacked advanced life support gear, the experiment was successful, prompting widespread approval, especially from the police officers who were eager to relinquish their ambulance duties.
Inspired by this success, the EFD launched its paramedic program at St. Francis Hospital in 1975, with the goal of fully transitioning ambulance services to the fire department by 1976. Initially, Mayor Jim Staples favored keeping the EPD in charge of ambulance services, citing the need for continuous availability. However, Police Chief William McHugh convinced him otherwise, highlighting the already overwhelming demands on the police force.
The first ambulance—a 1975 Dodge van MICU with ALS (Advanced Life Support) equipment, generously donated by Evanston's Washington National Insurance Company—entered service at Station #1 in January 1976. Initially staffed with three firefighters—two paramedics and one trainee—it covered all EMS calls across the city. Ambulance 1 handled calls in its primary district independently, while receiving support from an engine in other areas.
In 1976, the City Council approved the acquisition of a second MICU ambulance. By November, Ambulance 1 was severely damaged in a collision and temporarily replaced by a borrowed Cadillac ambulance from Skokie. Once Ambulance 2 arrived in January 1977, both MICU ambulances became operational, with Ambulance 2 handling primary EMS calls and Ambulance 1 focusing on fire responses and backup duties when Ambulance 2 was unavailable.
Over the years, the fleet evolved. In 1980, two new Ford modular MICUs replaced older models, with the Cadillac ambulance converted into an unmanned BLS (Basic Life Support) unit known as Ambulance 3. Staffing adjustments followed, including splitting Ambulances 1 and 2 between stations and introducing an alternating response model in 1982. This system allowed crews to rotate breaks, managing the high call volume effectively.
By 1986, Ambulance 2 moved to Station #4, dividing the city into distinct response zones. To enhance efficiency, the "jump company" plan introduced in 1989 aimed to integrate paramedics into engine companies. Despite initial enthusiasm, this plan struggled due to prolonged engine outages. Consequently, by 1990, the traditional two-paramedic model resumed, with Truck 23 relocating to Station #3 and Ambulance 23 joining its ranks.
This intricate evolution reflects the EFD’s commitment to balancing resources and ensuring optimal emergency response coverage throughout Evanston’s history.