Fire Department Chronology 1950-1974
Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company
Sharp Corner Volunteer Fire Department
Skokie Fire Department Chronology
1871 through 2006
Compiled by Lt. Ron Smith, Skokie Fire Department Historian
for the Skokie Historical Society
| 1871 - 1899 | | | 1900 - 1924 | | | 1925 - 1949 | | | 1950 - 1974 | | | 1975 - 1999 | | | 2000 - 2006 | | | Home |
1950 |
Skokie's population is 14,752 |
1951 |
January 16 - Skokie's Civil Defense is organized.
December 20 - Edens Expressway is opened.
|
1952 |
Sunshine, the fire dog, starts her new job as mascot for the Hamlin Avenue - Station #2. Sunshine is assigned Badge #1.
July 4 - The Skokie American Legion Post #320 presents Skokie Fire Department with a 1951 Chevy Panel Van Ambulance. The ambulance is assigned "Ambulance #1" and "Car 138".
December - Fireman Elmer Ruesch takes his life possibly because he was demoted from rank Lieutenant. Ruesch's wife took her life shortly thereafter. The Ruesch daughter then lived with the Edward Steek family.
|
1953 |
The Skokie Fire Department logs a total of 644 calls for the year. |
1954 |
Skokie's population is 23,704
January 2 - Fire destroys the Morton House Restaurant in Morton Grove. Skokie Engine #2 and Truck #1 respond.
March - The Cook County Inspection Bureau lowers Skokie's Fire Insurance rating from Class 5 to Class 6. The Fire Department consists of fourteen men including the Chief and fifteen men Paid on Call. (Three Paid on Call sleep at the station).
December 23 - A Pirsch Pumper with a 1000 gallons per minute capacity, 300 gallon tank is purchased and is assigned 'Engine Co. #1'.
|
1955 |
A Ward LaFrance 85-foot Ladder Truck is purchased and is assigned 'Truck Co. #1'.
February - The Cook County Inspection Bureau raises the Fire Department rating to Class 5 from Class 6. The Fire Department consists of nineteen firemen including the Chief and twelve Paid on Call firemen with two Paid on Call firemen sleep at the station.
March 8 - Hal Bruno, a Chicago American Newspaper Reporter, holds a contest for top firedog in the Chicago area. Skokie Firedog, Sunshine is one of twelve finalists. Chicago Fire Commissioner, Michael J. Corrigan and Director of The Anti-Cruelty Society, J.J. Shaffer judge the contest. The Batavia Firedog, Streamer, wins the contest.
November 5 - Elliott's Pine Log Restaurant, 7545 Skokie Boulevard, burns with an estimated $250,000. in damages. Two firemen, Fred Albrecht and Warren Redick, are injured when they fall through the floor.
December 25 - Fire Chief Steek reports to the Village that the Fire Department responded to 911 calls of which 289 are ambulance calls.
|
1956 |
Fireman Jerome Burke and Robert Kutz receive awards for saving two fireman at the Elliot's Pine Log Restaurant fire.
|
1957 |
January 21 - The Walgreens Drug Store at Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street is heavily damaged by fire.
January 21 - Skokie Police Department places another ambulance into service. The ambulance is painted blue and white.
April 1 - A new Illinois State Law mandated a fifty-six-hour work week for firemen. A three-shift system is needed to reduce the work week.
December - Nine new firemen are hired to add another shift. Previously, the firemen worked every other day.
|
1958 |
Skokie's population is 52,147.
January 1 - The Skokie Fire Department has a three-shift schedule in place because of the fifty-six hour firemen work week mandated by the State of Illinois. The Skokie Fire Department consists of One Fire Chief, one Fire Inspector, two Captains, four Lieutenants, and thirty firemen. Chief Steek asks and gets approval for one more Captain and three more Lieutenants.
March 3 - An explosion and fire rock a barber shop at 4746 Washington Street. Arson is found to be the cause.
May 13 - Allgauer's Fireside Restaurant at Touhy Avenue and Lincoln Avenue burns to the ground. The fire was reported to have been set by the mob.
May 27 - Villa La Maine at McCormick Boulevard and Main Street is set on fire by two gunmen. Four firemen are injured in the blaze.
August - The Cook County Inspection Bureau lowers Skokie's Fire Insurance rating from Class 5 to Class 6.
October 2 - Fireman William Hughes' home at 8006 Kostner Avenue catches fire and his wife and two children are killed in the blaze. He is on duty at the time of fire and responds to the blaze. Fireman Hughes attempts to make entry to the second-story apartment but is driven back due to the heavy fire.
October 23 - Six firemen testify before the Police and Fire Commission. Skokie Fire Lieutenant Anderson requests to be relieved of his duties as an Officer. Lieutenant Anderson testifies that the lack of training, poor equipment, and low manpower are the contributing factors to the deaths of the Hughes Family.
December - Two firemen are transported to St. Francis Hospital after battling a blaze at the First National Bank of Skokie located at Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street.
December 31 - The Fire Department logs a total of 1,129 calls for the year. |
1959 |
January 25 - An explosion at Hughes Oil Company located at 3349 Howard Street causing $250,000 in damages. The truck driver is severely burned and later dies. Fire Companies from Niles and Evanston assist in the fight.
February 8 - A man is burned to death in his home while removing tile from his basement floor. His 22-year-old son is burned. The home is severely damaged in the resulting blaze.
March - Cook County Officials inform Skokie that in order to improve its Insurance Rating, two more firehouses will have to be built and several additional pieces of equipment will have to be purchased. The County Officials also state that the Department is woefully under-manned and under-trained.
April 3 - Skokie Fireman Harold Siemsen saves 50 people in his apartment building when he discovers a fire. He is overcome by smoke and severely burned. Firemen carried him to safety.
May - Village Manager Ben Marsh requests the construction of two additional fire stations for a total of four stations.
May 21 - Village Trustee G. Raymond Jackson suggests the corner of Niles Center Road and Gross Point Road as a location for a new firehouse. This is across the street from the Sharp Corner Fire barn previously annexed in 1927.
June - A fire truck collides with a car at Crawford Avenue and Howard Street. Fireman Michael Franklin is transported to St. Francis Hospital.
June 15 - Raymond H. Redick is appointed Skokie's new Fire Chief. Redick was Assistant Chief of the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol and a resident of Skokie for 32 years. Edward Steek, former Skokie Fire Chief, becomes Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention.
July 15 - Wasting no time in establishing a training program, Chief Redick is busy training the firemen himself.
July 30 - Firemen begin training every Sunday at the Old Orchard Shopping Center. They are expected to show up off duty and train without pay.
September 27 - Village Officials break ground for the new station at 9024 Gross Point Road. Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Quinn assists in the ceremony.
October 14 - George Trier is appointed Skokies Fire Training Officer. Captain Trier is formerly of the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol and Retired Captain from Great Lakes Training Center.
October 29 - A 1958 Ford Salvage Truck, salvage equipment, and shop tools are purchased from the disbanded Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol. This 1958 Ford Truck is assigned 'Squad Co. #1'.
November - A single-family home fire inspection program begins. At the request of the homeowner, homes will be inspected by firemen.
November 13 - The first plan for the emergency recall of firemen is adopted. Emergency recall is off-duty firemen returning to the fire station.
November - Santa Claus is paraded around town on a fire truck and is delivered to his headquarters at Oakton Street and Niles Avenue.
November 26 - A dispute regarding the type of ladder truck to purchase arises at the village board meeting. The board eventually asks for new bids for ladder trucks.
December 15 - Fire Chief Redick recommends a site at Laramie Avenue and Touhy Avenue for Station #4. Negotiations are underway to purchase the site. The station will be manned by Engine Co. #4.
December 20 - An automobile is struck by a North Shore Line train at Crawford Avenue and is dragged to East Prairie Road.
|
1960 |
Salvage Truck 'Squad Co. #1' is placed in service at Hamlin Avenue - Station #2.
Skokie's population is 59,364. January - Firemen rescue a family of three from the Meadow Lane Apartment fire. The three rescued were transported to St. Francis Hospital suffering from severe smoke inhalation.
January - An automobile collides with a fire truck at Oakton Street and Crawford Avenue. Firemen Richard Hoffman and Eugene Paulsen are injured and are transported to St. Francis Hospital.
February 15 - Fire and explosions destroy NorthWest Molded Products located at 8220 N. Christiana Avenue. The Evanston fire company assist in battling the blaze.
March - The top pay for a Skokie Fireman is $460 a month.
March 13 - Master Mold Products, 8109 Lawndale Street, is destroyed by fire and a series of explosions. This is the second fire at a plastics plant this month. The Evanston fire company assists at the blaze.
April - Five firemen sustain burns on their faces and necks in a fire at 3933 Oakton Street. Lt. Robert Burke, Lt. H. Maierhofer, T. Domain, J. Elder, and J. Henrici, are treated at St. Francis for first- and second-degree burns.
April 6 - Five local Fire Departments including Skokie battle a blaze that destroys the F.W. Woolworth Store at 7044 Golf Road in Morton Grove.
April 14 - Two Mack pumpers with a 1000 gallon per minute capacity, 300 gallon tank are purchased and are assigned 'Engine Co. #3' and 'Engine Co. #4'.
April 24 - A Fire Thrill Show is held at Old Orchard Shopping Center. Fire Companies from Skokie, Morton Grove, Des Plaines, and Niles participate. Lead-outs, ladder drills, pump demonstrations, simulated auto accidents, and salvage drills are demonstrated.
June - The Skokie Village Board instructs corporation counsel to change an ordinance for minimum height of firemen from 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 7 inches. Chief Raymond Redick is only 5 foot, 7-3/4 inches tall.
July - Over the next few months, the Fire Department will hire 25 more firemen to raise the manpower to approximately 75. The increase in manpower is needed for the new station.
August 21 -Twenty-five fire alarm boxes are installed on village streets.
October - The Mutual Aid Agreement is signed by the Village of Niles. The agreement formalizes the existing policy. The Mutual Aid Agreement state that the Village of Niles will assist the Skokie Fire Department if necessary.
November 6 - The Gross Point Road - Station #3 located at 9024 Gross Point Road is dedicated. Reverend Francis T. Trainor, Fire Department Chaplain and Pastor of St. Lambert Catholic Church leads the dedication ceremony.
November 25 - Fire sweeps through the Oasis Muffler Shop at 8340 Skokie Boulevard.
December 4 - A large-scale drill is held at Oakton Street and Central Park Street. Fire Companies from Morton Grove, Niles, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Evanston attend as well as Teletype Corporation and A.B. Dick & Company Fire Brigades.
December 4 - A 1957 Cadillac Ambulance is donated to the Fire Department by Scott's Funeral Home in Evanston. The firemen refurbish the ambulance. This ambulance is assigned 'Ambulance Co. #1'.
|
1961 |
A Pirsch 85 foot Ladder Truck is purchased and is assigned 'Truck Co. #2'.
January 25 - A child is critically burned in a blaze in his home. Firefighters douse the flames and transport the child to St. Francis Hospital.
February - Twenty-five fire alarms are placed throughout the village on street corners.
April 24, April 25, April 26 - The Skokie Fire Department develops a training film of a response to a burning building. The Taylor Estates located at 4400 Dempster Street is used for the training film. Fire Companies from Evanston, Wilmette, Morton Grove, and other agencies participate in the training film.
May 1 - A large gas explosion rocks seven stores at 5315 Lincoln Avenue and causes $60,000 in damages. One store is destroyed with heavy damage to others.
May 18 - A home at Touhy Avenue and Central Road is damaged by fire.
June 22 - Chief Redick speaks at Village meeting demanding more 'Firemen not Street Lights!' The Chief informs village officials that 24 more men are needed to man Ladder Truck Co. #2.
August - The Cook County Inspection Bureau raises the Fire Department rating to Class 5 from Class 6. The Fire Department consists of seventy firemen including the Chief and two inspectors. A part-time training officer and a secretary are on the roster.
November 19 - The Village Board forms a committee to investigate combining police and fire departments.
December 7 - A Nativity scene located at the Gross Point Road Station was covered by a tarp. The Village Officials ordered this since several members of the Niles Township Jewish Organization were upset.
December 11 - The beginning of military action in Vietnam. |
1962 |
April 5 - Edward Steek retires after 40 years of service including ten years as Fire Chief.
May 7 - Burning insulation at a 9528 Keystone Street house fire caused seven firemen to be overcome by toxic fumes. The fire started in the incoming electric box.
May 24 - The Committee investigating combining police and fire departments rejects the concept.
May 24 - Skokie hires twelve more firemen to man Truck Co. #2
June 26 - The Village Board proclaims Skokie the world's largest village.
December 20 - Glenview Naval Air Station's hanger is damaged and four aircraft are destroyed in the extra-alarm fire. Skokie Squad #1 and Engine Co. #3 respond. Squad #1 used its large deluge gun to reach the fire located in the hanger roof area. No other town had a gun big enough to reach the fire. The Skokie Fire Department is credited with saving the hangar.
|
1963 |
January 1 - Fireman rescue a 59-year-old woman who had collapsed in her apartment during a fire. She was overcome by smoke.
February 28 - Fireman Richard Haefel dies while en route to a train and car accident at Dempster Street and the NorthWestern railroad tracks. He fell from the rear of Squad #1. Fireman Haefel is the first fireman killed in the line of duty.
April 4 - Eighteen Fire Chiefs from Japanese Fire Departments visit the Skokie Fire Department to study the firefighting methods. The Japanese Fire Department Chiefs pay tribute to fallen Fireman Haefel.
May 9 - Firemen rescue a man trapped in a trench at 9406 Kildare Avenue. A fifteen-foot trench wall collapsed in on him.
May 19 - Fire Lt. Neville Bicknase is severely injured when a drunk driver, just released by Chicago Police, rear-ends Squad #1 at a fire. Lt. Bicknase would never work again as a fireman but became a dispatcher.
June 7 - Fire sweeps through two stores at 3359 and 3361 Dempster Street. Several other stores were damaged.
July 30 - Firefighters battle a blaze in a furniture store at 3417 Church Street.
August 22 - A Cadillac Ambulance is purchased and is assigned 'Ambulance #1' at the Gross Point Road - Station #3.
August 22 - Five firemen are overcome by hydrochloric acid fumes at the Austin Liquors fire located at 9601 Gross Point Road.
August 30 - A fire rages through the second floor of Duffy's Tavern at 8024 Lincoln Avenue.
October - Skokie Valley Hospital opens at Golf Road and Gross Point Road.
October 7 - A $2.5 million fire destroys the Hospital Supply building located at 2020 Ridge in Evanston. Several firemen are injured in the blaze. Fire Companies from Skokie and Wilmette assist Evanston.
October 14 - A fire at Marsh Instruments Company located at 3501 Howard Street causes $2.0 million in damages. Fire Companies from Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Niles, and Morton Grove assist with 107 firemen to battle the fire for two hours.
December 13 - A fire ravages Metal Treating and Engineering Co. located at 8231 Christiana Street. Fire Companies from several local towns send 80 firemen to battle the blaze in sub-zero weather.
|
1964 |
January 12 - Firemen rescue four from an apartment fire at 8039 Keating Street.
March 5 - Probable arson fire destroys a beauty shop at 8746 East Prairie Road.
June 20 - Assistant Chief Raymond Suckow dies from a heart attack during a boating accident in Canada.
September 4 - Hughes Oil storage tanks at 3349 Howard Street are set on fire by an acetylene torch.
|
1965 |
January 21 - A multiple-alarm fire raged through the Charles Salon Furs at 7941 Lincoln Avenue.
April 26 - The Cook County Inspection Bureau raises Skokie's Fire Department rating to a Class 3 from Class 5, a jump of two classes. No community the size of Skokie's population has such a rating.
July - A Pirsch pumper with a 1000 gallons per minute capacity, 300 gallon tank is purchased and is assigned 'Engine/Squad Co. #1'.
December 8 - Happy Foods, 4616 Oakton Street, is destroyed by an extra-alarm blaze. The store was only open for one day. Twenty employees flee to safety.
|
1966 |
March 12 - The Montgomery Wards store at Old Orchard Shopping Center burns causing $285,000 in damages. Seventy firemen fight the blaze. Seven firemen are injured and transported to Skokie Valley Hospital.
June 1 - Chief Redick advises the Village Board to restore parity between Fire Department and Police Department pay.
June 15 - Four workers are killed in a large steam pipe at the North Side Metropolitan Sanitary District Plant. Two firemen were overcome by heat attempting a rescue.
June 29 - A three-story apartment building at 8419 Monticello Street is damaged by fire.
October 20 - The Grocerland Store burns causing $85,000 in damages. Fireman Clement Mazzolini is overcome by smoke and transported to Evanston Hospital.
November 21 - Two men are killed when a CTA Swift train hits their car at Crawford Avenue. One man was extricated from the wreckage.
December 14 - Seventy people flee from a burning CTA Swift train car. The CTA Swift car hits a 55 gallon oil drum that was placed on the tracks by vandals.
|
1967 |
June 23 - Three firemen are injured battling an extra-alarm fire in four stores at 3353 - 3361 Dempster Street.
|
1968 |
February 12 - Two homes under construction at 6839-6843 Lockwood Street are damaged by fire.
March 29 - The cornerstone for the new Niles Center Road - Station #1 is laid with a time capsule inside.
April 5 - 16:50 hours - As agreed in the Mutual Aid Agreement with Chicago, Engine Co. # 3 responds to Chicago Engine 69's quarters at 4017 Tripp during the Chicago Democratic Party Convention Riots. Skokie Engine Co. #3 responds to four calls including one structure fire. Engine Co. #3 turns to Skokie after eighteen hours.
April 5 - 18:30 hours - As agreed in the Mutual Aid Agreement with Chicago, Reserve Engine Co. # 4 responds to Chicago Engine 128's quarters at 2100 Eastwood during the Chicago Democratic Party Convention Riots. Skokie Engine Co. #3 responds to several calls including one structure fire. Engine Co. #3 turns to Skokie after sixteen hours.
April 5 - 16:50 hours - As agreed in the Mutual Aid Agreement with Chicago, Skokie Fire Department Shift #2 was recalled, Reserve Engine Co. #4, Reserve Squad Co. #2, with six men each and three Ambulances with two men each were placed in service at the Chicago Democratic Party Convention Riots. A total of sixteen Engine Companies answers the call for aid. Bourke Eye Shields are placed on all helmets to protect the firemen from missiles tossed during the civil disturbance.
June 25 - Fire Department shoulder patches are placed on all department uniforms and shirts.
July 17 - National Die Casting at 3635 Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood is rocked by an explosion. Part of the building collapses, killing one and severely injuring and burning 32 others. The Skokie Fire Department transports many of the patients in ambulances and bureau cars. Skokie's Fire Department is first on the scene with a still alarm response. A Chicago Fire Company responds with an extra-alarm call.
July 25 - Skokie Fire Chief Ray Redick severely criticizes Lincolnwood's lack of fire protection. This action leads to Chief Redick's retirement in August 1969.
November 4 - The Jewel Food Store at 4028 Dempster Street is destroyed by an extra-alarm fire.
|
1969 |
A Chevrolet Pickup Truck with a Deluge Gun is purchased and is assigned '#213 Utility Truck'.
February 26 - The Niles Center Road - Station #1 is dedicated at noon. The Floral Avenue Station is closed.
April 11 - A shift numbering system is changed to reflect Chicago's system.
June 12 - An explosion levels the Prairie State Screw Co. at 7315 N. Monticello Street. Firemen fight the resulting blaze.
June 27 - A Pirsch 65-foot Snorkel Truck is purchased and is assigned 'Truck Co. #3'.
July 27 - A fire at 4139 Suffield Court burns in a basement. Fireman Frank Guirsch is overcome by smoke and transported to a local hospital.
August 14 - Skokie Village Trustees agree to honor the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Evanston in the event the Evanston firefighters go out on strike.
September 10 - A Skokie landmark, Landl's Restaurant, located at 5301 Foster Street is destroyed by an extra-alarm fire.
October 18 - A 43-year-old woman is killed in a fire in her home at 8646 Springfield Street. Her ten-year-old son and dog escape through a first-floor window.
December 7 - An old 1800s homestead at 5356 Lincoln Avenue is damaged by fire.
|
1970 |
Skokie's population is 68,322.
The Skokie Fire Department consists of thirty-one officers, ninety firemen, and seven civilians.
January 9 - A factory at 8130 Central Park Street is destroyed by an extra-alarm fire.
March - A Cadillac Ambulance is purchased and is assigned 'Ambulance Co. #2' at Niles Center Road - Station #1.
March 9 - The Edward Hines Lumber Yard, 1613 Church Street in Evanston, burns to the ground. Fire Companies from Evanston, Skokie, and Wilmette fight the blaze with 150 firemen.
April 2 - Fire Companies from Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, and Glenview participate in a large training drill at Dilg's Tavern located at Lincoln Avenue and Ferris Street in Morton Grove. This three-story landmark building was also an apartment building with a large dance hall and was the center of action at the turn of the 20th Century.
May - Jerome Burke is appointed Fire Chief.
July - Firemen stand on street corners collecting 4,500 signatures for a pay raise. The firemen succeed in achieving the raise and an additional two days off.
September - A Cadillac Ambulance is purchased and is assigned 'Ambulance Co. #1'. at Gross Point Road - Station #3.
November - Groundbreaking for a training tower to be built at the Gross Point Road Public Works Garage is held.
|
1971 |
November 16 - A second alarm fire breaks out in a large apartment building at 8528 Lotus Street. Ten people are rescued by ladder and four suffering from smoke inhalation are transported to the hospital.
|
1972 |
January 24 - The Coach & Fore Restaurant at Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street is destroyed by an extra-alarm fire. The cause of the fire is ruled to be arson.
July 27 - The Fire Chiefs of Skokie, Niles, and Morton Grove state that "we will not paint our fire trucks yellow" despite the findings of Dr. Solomon, a volunteer fireman, who states that yellow trucks are easier to see than red-colored trucks.
September 27 - A major fire at the Inland Die Casting Co. at 8141 Lawndale Street is caused by a ruptured oil line located near a furnace.
|
1973 |
A Pirsch Pumper with a 1250 gallon per minute capacity, 300 gallon tank is purchased and is assigned 'Engine Co. #3'. This is the first diesel-powered fire engine in Skokie.
March 20 - Aldino's Restaurant at 4435 Oakton Street is destroyed by fire. The owner is charged with arson and was burned starting the fire.
September 12 - An extra-alarm fire at A.B. Dick & Company in Niles kills one employee and injures three other employees. Fire Companies from Skokie and Niles battle the blaze. Skokie Fire Lt. Robert Burke selflessly races to the second floor and rescues two men caught in the fire. Lt. Burke is injured during the incident. His heroism is acknowledged by the Village of Niles.
|
1974 |
March 5 - The second-floor apartment at 8039 Keating is damaged by fire. An eighty-one-year-old woman who suffered from smoke inhalation is transported to the hospital.
March 10 - The Gross Point Medical Center, 9631 Gross Point Road, is destroyed by fire. Firemen fight the blaze for two hours.
June 16 - Penner Supply at 8200 McCormick Boulevard is destroyed by fire. The back portion of the building collapses.
June 27 - Seven men graduate from Paramedics School bringing the total number of paramedics to ten.
July 7 - A gas explosion severely damages an apartment building at 8250-8258 Niles Center Road. One person dies and eight others are injured. Several people are rescued from the second floor.
December 11 - A three-alarm fire ignites at Marvel Engineering, 7227 Hamlin Avenue. One hundred firemen fight the blaze. Four firemen are injured and three Marvel Engineering employees are treated for burns.
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