Evanston Fire Department history Part 74

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

In January 1976, MICU Company 1—commonly known as “Ambulance 1”—began operations from Evanston Fire Station #1. This unit was staffed with a three-person team, including two paramedics on each shift. The initial crew included seven firefighters who had been trained as paramedics at St. Francis Hospital in 1975: Roger Bush, Dave Cleland, Jim Dillon, Randy Drott, Jerry McDermott, Jim McLaughlin, and Dave Pettinger. The ALS equipment used by Ambulance 1 was generously donated by Washington National Insurance Company, one of the city’s largest employers at the time. The first ambulance (fleet number 310) was a 1975 Dodge Type II van.

Meanwhile, the Evanston Police Department continued to use its three station-wagon ambulances equipped with stretchers and basic first-aid through 1976. These were supported by two older 1970 Dodge station-wagons from the EFD, which were later replaced by sedans and compact cars in 1977. Whenever possible, either a police patrol-ambulance or a fire department auxiliary-ambulance would be sent to assist when paramedics weren’t required.

By the end of 1976, five more EFD members—Joe Hayes, Dave Lopina, Art Miller, Jim Potts, and Bob Wagner—had completed paramedic training, bringing the total number of certified paramedics in the department to twelve. A second MICU, a 1976 Chevrolet Type I modular ambulance with an attached box (fleet number 314), was purchased for $35,000 and put into service at Station #1 in January 1977.

In November 1976, a tragic accident nearly destroyed Ambulance 1. While responding to a medical call on Dewey Avenue, the vehicle was struck broadside by a drunk driver at Church and Ridge—a location that had previously seen a major crash involving Truck Company 2 exactly 50 years earlier. Three firefighters—Jim McLaughlin, Jerry McDermott, and Phil Burns—and a nurse from St. Francis Hospital were injured in the collision.

With Ambulance 1 out of commission and the new MICU not yet available, the EFD borrowed a 1968 Cadillac ambulance from the Skokie Fire Department. After Ambulance 1 was repaired, it was eventually purchased from Skokie and became Ambulance 3. The new MICU arrived in January 1977 and was named Ambulance 2. During 1977, several more EFD members, including Captain Bill Best and firefighters Mike Adam, Miriam Boyle, Ken Dohm, and others, were trained as paramedics as the department expanded to 114 personnel. Captain Best became the first captain to be certified as a paramedic.

Initially, Ambulance 1 operated independently, responding to EMS calls without support from an engine company. However, by 1977, staffing was reduced to two on each ambulance, so an engine company was now dispatched alongside EMS units as a first responder or for additional manpower.

After Ambulance 2 became operational, it took the lead on all city-wide EMS calls. Meanwhile, the former Skokie ambulance handled fire calls and EMS calls only when Ambulance 2 was unavailable. Even after Ambulance 1 was repaired and returned to Station #1 in mid-1977, Ambulance 2 remained the primary EMS response, while Ambulance 1 focused on fire calls.

Before 1980, EFD paramedics often worked alongside firefighters during emergencies, helping with tasks like roof ventilation or fire suppression. Over time, restrictions were placed on their involvement in fire suppression activities, though they could still assist with hydrant connections as long as they were ready to provide immediate EMS care.

In January 1976, Chief George Beattie retired after 29 years of service. Assistant Chief Ed Pettinger, a 28-year veteran, retired just a month later. Captains Richard Schumacher and John Becker were promoted to assistant chief. Meanwhile, 35-year veteran Assistant Chief Willard Thiel, who had served as the department’s training officer since 1958, was appointed acting chief by City Manager Ed Martin during the search for a new fire chief. Thiel was chosen because he expressed no interest in becoming chief and planned to retire once a new leader was selected.