From Phil Stenholm:
Another part in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
In 1954, the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) made a significant change to its ranks by eliminating the position of lieutenant. It was reclassified as "Captain II," while the previous rank of captain became "Captain I." The new role of Captain II came with a slightly higher salary than the former lieutenant position. To be promoted to Captain II, a firefighter had to serve at least one year in the lieutenant role. After one year in Captain II, firefighters would automatically move up to Captain I.
Out of the seven EFD lieutenants, five—Leonard Bach, Herb Claussen, George “Bud†Hofstetter, George Jasper, and Willard Thiel—were immediately promoted to Captain II. However, Lt. Harry Schaeffer Jr. and Lt. Richard Schumacher couldn’t be promoted until January 1, 1955, because they had only served less than a year as lieutenants. This meant that they were the last EFD lieutenants, marking the end of that rank. From this point on, promotions would go directly from fireman I to Captain II.
The EFD also faced two major fires in 1953–1954 that tested their skills and resilience.
The first occurred at the Suburban Surgical Supply Company store at 604 Davis Street on March 2, 1953. As the fire broke out in the downtown high-value district, the EFD responded with three engine companies and one truck company. A second alarm brought in additional units, including a fourth engine, a second truck, and Squad 21. Although the fire was contained to the original structure, the store was completely gutted, with damages estimated at $100,000. At the time, this ranked among the top five most expensive fires in Evanston’s history, alongside the Tapecoat fire of 1951 and the Evanston Country Club fire of 1922.
A second notable incident took place in September 1954 at the A & P supermarket on Central Street in North Evanston. Engine Co. 23 arrived first and found only a light haze of smoke inside. The second engine and truck company followed, and as they searched for the source, the ceiling partially collapsed. Fortunately, all personnel escaped unharmed, but Captains Ron Ford and Herb Claussen, along with firefighters Arnold Windle, Dave Tesnow, and Ted Bierchen, were injured and taken to local hospitals. A second alarm and a call-back of off-duty personnel were issued, primarily to replace the injured men. While the fire wasn't dramatic, the A & P suffered an estimated $70,000 in damage from fire, smoke, and water, and it was a close call for the EFD crew.
In October 1954, the EFD was featured in an educational short film produced by Encyclopedia Britannica titled “The Fireman.†Directed under the guidance of Dr. Ernest Horn of the University of Iowa, the film was released into the public domain and shown in schools nationwide. Though it didn’t win an Academy Award, it offered a glimpse into the daily life of firefighters and showcased some of the department’s new Pirsch rigs.
The film, which bore a plot similar to the 1903 silent film “The Life of an American Fireman,†followed a rookie firefighter named “Tom Briggs†(likely a fictionalized version of Tom Kostopoulos). He participated in drills, climbed ladders, and helped rescue a kitten during a simulated house fire. The film was shot on location at a house soon to be demolished, which later became part of a grocery store parking lot.
Encyclopedia Britannica also released another educational film called “The Policeman†in November 1954. Shot in the Evanston police station and Highland Park, the film depicted a day in the life of Officer Barnes and his partner, showing them recovering a stolen bike, issuing a traffic ticket, and finding a missing child. The film portrayed the officer as a relatable figure, showing him having breakfast with his family before and after his shift.
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