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Evanston Fire Department history Part 62
**From Phil Stenholm:**
Another chapter in the **History of the Evanston Fire Department**
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**Hiding in Plain Sight**
Back in 1962, word got out that a towering office building named “State Bank Plaza†was set to rise in downtown Evanston. This sparked a request from Chief Geishecker for the city to buy a 100-foot aerial ladder truck for Station #1. The older 1951 Pirsch TDA at Station #1 would then be relocated to Station #3, replacing the aging 1937 Seagrave 65-foot ladder truck, which was nearing retirement.
At the time, Truck Company 23 was handling around two runs per week, which didn’t impress the city manager. As a result, the city council declined to fund the new aerial truck. Chief Geishecker was left with a tough decision: either move Truck Co. 21’s personnel to Squad 21 and relocate its 1951 Pirsch TDA to Station #3—or take Truck 23 out of frontline service entirely and redistribute its crew.
Opting for the former meant maintaining a presence closer to the city’s core while keeping the fleet intact, but it also risked leaving the bustling downtown district without immediate aerial support—a critical concern given its status as Evanston’s primary tax hub. By contrast, the latter option would eliminate Truck 23’s frontline duties, allowing Squad 21 to step up its role citywide.
Chief Geishecker ultimately decided to remove Truck 23 from active duty starting January 1, 1963. Its personnel joined Squad 21 at Station #1, and Truck 23 became the department’s backup rig. While this ensured better coverage for most of the city, it increased response times to areas like Willard School and the Presbyterian Retirement Home in northwest Evanston, as well as the more distant “High Ridge†neighborhood.
Interestingly, Squad 21 had briefly served as a frontline unit between 1955 and 1957 before being sidelined due to budget cuts tied to the introduction of the three-platoon system. For the next several years, it remained in standby mode, handling fewer than ten runs annually. Occasionally, it was called upon for medical emergencies or minor fires when needed.
Once reinstated, however, Squad 21 quickly reclaimed its title as the busiest unit in the EFD. Equipped with a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pump and a 100-gallon water tank, it functioned primarily as a rescue and manpower vehicle. Unlike traditional ladder trucks, Squad 21 lacked a full hose bed and carried only two 50-foot lengths of 1.5-inch hose for specialized tasks. For simpler incidents—like gas leaks or small fires—it often relied on its booster line instead.
Meanwhile, Engine 21, Engine 22, and Engine 25 carried heavier loads of 1.5-inch hose (300 feet each), while Engines 23 and 24 stocked 650 feet apiece. Each frontline pumper also carried 1,500 to 1,800 feet of 2.5-inch hose, depending on their designated roles. Engine 21, being the first responder to the downtown area, even carried special “hotel loads†tailored for high-rise buildings.
Station #1 held extra supplies too: 700 feet of 1.5-inch hose, 1,500 feet of 2.5-inch hose, and a variety of suction hoses. These resources were regularly rotated to ensure readiness.
This shift marked a strategic adjustment for the EFD, balancing resources across the growing city while addressing specific needs. Despite challenges, the department adapted effectively, ensuring safety remained paramount.