Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
On December 5, 1897, a dramatic fire broke out aboard the steamer *Morley*, a 1,000-ton vessel that was 193 feet long and had a crew of 12. The fire started when a lamp exploded in the engine room, and it occurred just half a mile offshore from Evanston on Lake Michigan. A resident of 305 Davis Street spotted the flames and immediately reported the incident. In response, Chief Sam Harrison called for "City of Evanston No. 1" and all the available hose in town. When the steamer and the hose carts arrived, Chief Harrison took matters into his own hands. He boarded a surf boat from the Northwestern University Life Saving Crew and ventured nearly half a mile (2,500 feet) out to the stricken ship, dragging a lengthy hose behind him. Upon reaching the *Morley*, he was warned by the crew that the boilers could explode at any moment. Despite the danger, Harrison courageously attacked the fire, managing to extinguish the blaze in one of the coal bunkers. As he tried to douse the second bunker, a sudden surge of flames forced him to abandon the ship. The fire continued to burn for another eight hours, drawing a large crowd to the beaches of Evanston. Fortunately, both Chief Harrison and all twelve crew members escaped without injury. A few years later, on August 22, 1899, a devastating fire damaged the home of Judge Harvey B. Hurd and destroyed several nearby buildings at the corner of Davis and Ridge. Judge Hurd, a prominent figure in Evanston’s early history and the first president of the Evanston Town Board in 1864, was highly critical of the EFD’s response. He pointed out that the steam fire engine was not sent to the initial alarm, and the Waterworks engineer failed to increase pressure in the water mains when it was needed. In response to the criticism, the Evanston City Council launched an investigation. While they found that existing policies had been followed, they concluded that changes were necessary. From that point on, the steam fire engine would respond to every fire alarm, and water pressure in the mains would be increased whenever a fire was reported—before confirmation was even made. This policy, implemented in 1900, eventually led to the collapse of some city water mains in 1912, forcing the department to limit the use of direct-pressure (plug-pressure) to only extraordinary situations. As a result of the Hurd fire investigation, the city council also recognized the need for more firefighters and a third fire station. In 1900, they allocated $10,000 to build a new station in North Evanston, located within a quarter-mile of the C&NW RR Central Street depot. With the opening of Fire Station #3, each of the three C&NW depots had a fire station nearby. On January 31, 1901, a horse-drawn hose wagon, two horses, and three full-time firefighters were assigned to the new station at 2504 West Railroad Avenue (later known as Green Bay Road). A third firefighter was also stationed at Station #2 in South Evanston. Additionally, the chief was provided with a horse-drawn buggy and a driver who doubled as his secretary. By 1901, the EFD had grown to 19 personnel: 12 firefighters at Station #1, 3 at Station #2, 3 at Station #3, and the chief, who either worked from his office or lived at home. The number of horses in service increased to 14, with 10 at Station #1, 2 at Station #2, and 2 at Station #3. Station #1 was equipped with the Ahrens Metropolitan 2nd size steamer, a two-axle four-wheeled hose wagon, the old Babcock chemical engine, the Davenport H&L ladder truck (the only one in town), and the chief’s buggy. All five units used a two-horse hitch. Stations #2 and #3 operated with similar two-axle hose wagons. These three wagons formed the backbone of the EFD from 1901 to 1907, each carrying 1,250 feet of high-quality 2½-inch hose, various nozzles, fire extinguishers, and hand tools. Direct-pressure (plug-pressure) was still commonly used during this time. To read all the installments of this history, click HERESuper Market Label,Thermal Shipping Label,Thermal Transfer Label,Supermarket Thermal Label
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