Another historical perspective on the Evanston Fire Department comes from Phil Stenholm, who highlights the evolution of ambulance services in the city. The Evanston Fire Department (EFD) began providing ambulance service to the city in 1976, though firefighters had been responding to emergency medical calls—referred to as “inhalator callsâ€â€”since 1913. Before that, the Evanston Police Department (EPD) was responsible for ambulance services. In the 1890s, they operated a horse-drawn police ambulance from their headquarters. This evolved over time, and by 1916, the EPD had acquired its first automobile ambulance, stationed in a bay just east of the firehouse at 807 Grove Street. In 1958, the EPD introduced the "Police-Fire Cooperative Plan," where officers were cross-trained as firefighters. These two-man units, known as station-wagons (Cars 31, 32, and 33), were equipped with stretchers, inhalators, first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers, axes, and turnout gear. They handled not only police duties but also emergency medical calls and fire responses. Eventually, these units were reduced to one person, and cross-training ceased, though the EPD continued to provide ambulance service using the three patrol wagons. The EFD also maintained three staff cars—F-5, F-1, and F-3—each equipped with stretchers, used as backup ambulances when the EPD’s vehicles were unavailable. In the summer of 1974, the Illinois Department of Health loaned an MICU (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) to the EFD for a 90-day trial. Though the department had no paramedics at the time, the MICU allowed them to serve as the city’s primary ambulance provider temporarily. The experience was positive, especially among police officers who preferred not to handle ambulance duties, leading to the start of the EFD’s Paramedic Program at St. Francis Hospital in 1975. The plan was to transition to full ambulance service by 1976, but Mayor Jim Staples initially wanted the EPD to retain control, believing that having ambulances on the street 24/7 was more effective. However, after Police Chief William McHugh expressed concerns about the EPD's already heavy workload, the mayor changed his stance. The first EFD ambulance—a 1975 Dodge van MICU donated by Washington National Insurance Company—began service at Station #1 in January 1976. It was staffed by three firefighters, including two paramedics and a trainee, and responded to all EMS calls in the city. Initially, it handled both BLS and ALS calls, but if a call required basic life support, a police wagon or another EFD vehicle would take over to free up the ambulance. A second MICU ambulance was purchased in 1976, and plans were made to staff both with two-paramedic crews. However, in November 1976, Ambulance 1 was severely damaged in a collision, and the Skokie Fire Department loaned a Cadillac ambulance until the new one arrived. The Cadillac was later purchased and became a reserve unit. By 1977, Ambulance 2 joined the fleet, and the two ambulances operated under a specific response plan: Ambulance 2 took all first-call EMS runs, while Ambulance 1 handled fire calls and served as a backup. Over the years, the fleet expanded, with new Ford modular MICUs replacing older models, and ambulance assignments shifted to improve coverage across the city. Throughout the decades, the EFD refined its ambulance response strategies, experimenting with different crew configurations and station placements to enhance efficiency and response times. Despite some challenges, such as the failed "jump company" program in the late 1980s, the department continuously adapted to meet the growing demands of emergency medical services in Evanston. Sprial Welded Steel Pipe,Welded Steel Pipe A139,A139 Steel Welded Pipe Henan Houming Industry Co., Ltd. , https://www.houmingsteel.com