Evanston Fire Department history (more)

The EFD has been providing ambulance services to Evanston since 1976. However, this wasn’t the first time firefighters were involved in emergency medical care. Since 1913, Evanston firefighters had been responding to "inhalator calls," which were early forms of emergency medical assistance. Before that, the Evanston Police Department (EPD) was responsible for ambulance services. In the 1890s, they even used a horse-drawn police ambulance stationed at their headquarters.

In 1916, the EPD upgraded to an automobile ambulance, which was kept in a bay just east of the firehouse at 807 Grove Street. Then, in 1958, the EPD introduced the “Police-Fire Cooperative Plan,” where police officers were cross-trained as firefighters. These two-man units, known as Car 31, Car 32, and Car 33, were equipped with stretchers, inhalators, first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers, axes, and turnout gear. They responded to emergencies, including fires, inhalator calls, and ambulance runs. Over time, these units were reduced to one person, and cross-training ended, though the EPD continued to provide ambulance service using three patrol wagons.

Meanwhile, the EFD maintained its own ambulance support. Three staff cars—F-5 (Training Officer), F-1 (Chief’s Buggy), and F-3 (Fire Prevention Inspector)—were available as backup ambulances when EPD units weren’t available. In the summer of 1974, the Illinois Department of Health loaned an MICU to the EFD for a 90-day trial. Although the EFD didn’t have paramedics yet, this marked the beginning of their transition into ambulance services.

Everyone was impressed, especially the police officers, who were not eager to handle ambulance duties. This led to the start of the EFD Paramedic Program at St. Francis Hospital in 1975, with the goal of taking over ambulance services in 1976. However, Mayor Jim Staples initially wanted the EPD to keep the service. But after Police Chief William McHugh pointed out that the department was already overwhelmed with crime, the plan moved forward.

The first EFD ambulance—a 1975 Dodge van MICU donated by Washington National Insurance Company—was placed in service at Station #1 in January 1976. It was staffed by three firefighters, including two paramedics and a trainee. Ambulance 1 handled all EMS calls, often responding alone in its district or with a supporting engine elsewhere.

If a call required basic life support (BLS), another unit would take over so Ambulance 1 could return to service quickly. By 1976, the city council approved a second MICU ambulance for the EFD, with plans to staff both with two paramedics and retire Squad 21.

In November 1976, Ambulance 1 was nearly destroyed in a collision with a drunk driver. The Skokie Fire Department loaned a Cadillac ambulance until the new Ambulance 2 arrived. The Cadillac became a reserve ambulance and was later purchased by Evanston. Ambulance 2, a 1977 Dodge modular MICU, was placed in service, and both units operated with two paramedics each. Ambulance 2 took all first-call EMS runs, while Ambulance 1 handled fire calls or backed up when needed.

The original Dodge ambulance was repaired and returned to service in 1977. A few years later, the Cadillac became Ambulance 3, initially a BLS unit, but it was later equipped with ALS gear in 1978. Two new Ford MICUs were added in 1980, replacing the old vehicles. Ambulances 1 and 2 were split between Stations 1 and 2, with Ambulance 3 serving as a backup.

By 1982, the ambulances began alternating responses, improving crew efficiency. In 1986, Ambulance 2 was moved to Station 4, and the response areas were reorganized. A “jump company” plan was introduced in 1989, but it failed due to lack of engine coverage. The plan was abandoned the following year, and the EFD returned to its previous structure, with ambulances stationed at key locations and ready for use.

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