Archive for January 14th, 2021

Box alarm fire in Evanston, 1-14-21

Excerpts from the City of Evanston:

On Thursday, January 14, at 1:07 pm, Evanston firefighters responded to the 300 block of Dempster Street for the report of an automatic fire alarm in a residential multi-story structure.

First arriving companies encountered moderate smoke and fire conditions on the third floor. Due to a quick and aggressive offensive attack plus fire sprinkler activation, the fire was extinguished and contained to the unit of origin approximately 10 minutes after crews arrived on scene. 

One middle-aged female was found unresponsive in the apartment, pulseless and non-breathing. Fire crews removed the victim to safety and began resuscitative efforts on scene. En route to a local area hospital, paramedics were successful in resuscitating her. The patient is currently in the intensive care unit. 

Additional equipment from neighboring municipalities assisted the City of Evanston provide station coverage while EFD units battled the blaze. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

apartment building in Evanston

Larry Shapiro photo

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Evanston Fire Department news

Excerpts from the City of Evanston:

Evanston Fire Department Deputy Chief Paul Polep

Evanston Fire Department photo

Evanston City Manager Erika Storlie announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Paul Polep as interim chief of the Evanston Fire Department.

Polep, a 24-year veteran of the department with 30 years of fire service experience, will assume his new role following the retirement of Fire Chief Brian Scott on Friday, January 15.

Polep began his service with the Evanston Fire Department in 1996 and has risen through the ranks serving as captain, division chief of emergency medical services, and most recently as deputy chief of operations. As deputy chief, Polep has managed the day-to-day operations of the Evanston Fire Department while also implementing key upgrades to the department’s Computer Aided Dispatch and National Fire Incident Reporting systems.

He previously served as lieutenant and as a firefighter/paramedic with McHenry Township Fire Protection District. Polep holds an associate degree in Applied Fire Science from McHenry County College, and has achieved Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. He is a resident of Evanston.

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 311 in Evanston.

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