From Phil Stenholm:
Another chapter unfolds about the fascinating history of the Evanston Fire Department.
Go Northwestern!
The Mutual-Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), established in 1968, aimed to provide pre-planned mutual aid responses to large-scale fires involving north suburban fire departments and districts. The Evanston Fire Department joined MABAS Division 3 alongside neighboring departments like Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, and others. Glenview FD served as the primary dispatch center with Niles FD as backup. Communication occurred through the Northern Illinois Fire Emergency Radio Network (NIFERN) on 154.265 MHz. In emergencies, the affected department would alert the MABAS dispatcher, who would broadcast the alert. Responding units would switch to NIFERN to confirm their deployment. Due to staffing requirements, typically only Stations 1 and 2 would respond to MABAS calls.
Evanston's MABAS card, numbered 625, centered around Lake & Elmwood. Wilmette and Skokie would send engines, with additional support from Winnetka and Morton Grove. Initially, specific specialized boxes like dive teams or ambulances weren't included - MABAS focused on major fire events. Notably, Evanston didn't respond uniformly across Division 3; its involvement depended on the alarm level and box location. For instance, Engine 23 was often first to Northwestern, while other stations might cover adjacent areas.
Personnel changes within the Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) marked these years. Capt. Harry Meginnis retired in 1965 after 23 years, followed by Asst. Chief Harry Schaeffer Jr., who became Illinois State Fire Marshal in 1967. Capt. Tom Hanson succeeded him, later retiring in 1968 for a lucrative private-sector role. Capt. Robert Schumer then took command. Other transfers and retirements occurred among veteran officers, including Capt. Ervin Lindeman after 31 years in 1967.
Recruits filled the ranks: Don Searles, Joe Planos, Bill Moore, and others advanced to captain roles. New hires brought fresh talent, bolstering the department's strength.
A notable development involved Northwestern University's tax-exempt status. In 1968, Northwestern donated $29,602 for a new Pirsch pumper, partly motivated by rezoning approval allowing construction of Engelhart Hall. Expectations were high, but the pumper surprisingly went to Station 2 instead of Station 3. Replacements and reassignments followed, reshaping station configurations.
This era also saw significant retirements and promotions within the ranks, ensuring continuity while adapting to evolving needs. Each change, whether administrative or operational, contributed to shaping the Evanston Fire Department's trajectory during these transformative years.
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