From Collin Ehrlich:
some pictures of the new Engine 23 for Evanston from the unveiling event last week.
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
Collin Ehrlich photo
#1 by Jim on January 20, 2024 - 3:23 PM
Collin,
Thanks for your response. Does Evanston have extrication tools on your engines or on the trucks?
#2 by Chicagoland fire photos on January 19, 2024 - 1:49 PM
Collin,
Is there any way you could message me on either Instagram (@chicagoland_fire_photos), on Facebook (John Keller), or at my email johnkellere292@gmail.com? If so thanks!
#3 by Collin on January 19, 2024 - 12:06 AM
Bill and Jim and Frank R, hopefully this can answer some of your questions
Current daily minimum manning for the department is 26 personnel
B21 – 1 Shift Chief
5 Engines (21-25) with a Captain, FAO, and FF/PM
2 trucks (22, 23) with a Captain, FAO and FF/PM
2 Ambulance (21, 22) with 2 FF/PM
If we are 1 man heavy for the shift that extra person will be assigned to the 4th spot on E21. If we are 2 heavy those 2 extra will be assigned to A23.
The pumper squad is still at least a year away. It will be another Pierce Enforcer and has already been ordered and is somewhere in the que at Pierce. The idea behind it seems to be to have the special rescue personnel/equipment more readily available. As of now there are no plans to get rid of the current squad 21 as it is a true heavy rescue and is a deployable asset for MABAS/the state. The new engine will remain “Engine 21” as its primary function will always still be fire suppression
S21 has a full compliment of advanced hazmat equipment similar to what is on the division hazmat rig (specialized monitors and detection equipment – im not a hazmat guy so I cant tell you the specifics). Additionally it carries all of our trench and collapse equipment including lumber and shoring as well as high angle rescue equipment and extrication equipment such as cutters/spreaders, rams and airbags. It also has a cascade system and is capable of filling bottles at scenes. From my understanding in talking to buddies on Skokie, both Rescue 17 and Squad 18 are set up with similar equipment between the two of them with the squad carrying more of the TRT equipment and the rescue more of the hazmat equipment however, both are still technically rescue engines rather than heavy rescues. Skokie also has Utility 17 which has much of the same equipment as S21 minus the cascade and extrication equipment.
The new E23 went into service on the 17th and both new ambulances have been delivered and decaled and are waiting for state and EMS system inspection/licensing. The Braun is marked A23 and the Horton is marked A21. The 2010 Arrow XT is out for minor work and to be renumbered and will be going to E24
Sorry for the novel of a post. Hope this helps!
#4 by Jim on January 6, 2024 - 8:32 PM
Bill,
My question was what is the difference in equipment that Evanston Squad 21 (not Engine 21) carries compared to Skokie Squad 18 or Rescue 17? I know Squad 21 looks like a heavy rescue-type vehicle but I’m not sure what equipment they carry. Would this equipment be moved to the Engine/Squad when they receive the new apparatus? Both Evanston and Skokie seem to be well-run departments with the proper amount of equipment and staffing.
Also, many departments are ordering apparatus early as the wait times and the costs continue to increase so it is in everyone’s best interest to do so.
#5 by Bill Post on January 6, 2024 - 12:33 PM
Thanks Wayne. Skokie is one of those fortunate fire departments in the area that doesn’t run with less than 2 fire companies out of each station and that doesn’t included the ambulances.
If you compare most of MABAS Division 3 to most of MABAS Division 4 it is like apples and oranges.
#6 by Wayne on January 6, 2024 - 8:44 AM
From my understanding after talking to a Skokie guy a few years ago, the Squad and Rescue are essentially equipped the same, they maintain those designations as a tradition based on the history of those companies.
#7 by Bill Post on January 6, 2024 - 7:37 AM
Jim when you are asking about the difference between Evanston Squad 21 and Skokie Squad 18 are you talking about the Heavy Rescue Squad 21 because Evanston Engine 21 is still just an Engine company as far as J know and they are supposed become a Pumper/Squad when they get their new rig delivered. I wonder if when they get their new Pumper/Squad if they are going officially redesignated Engine 21 as Squad 21 or whether it will remain as Engine 21 because the way I understand it Evanston Engine 21 will still respond as an Engine company the way it does now when the run is within its first due district. Current I understand that when their Heavy Rescue Squad is needed the 3 man Engine crew “Jumps” to the Heavy Rescue Squad”. I understand that the Heavy Rescue Squad is equipped for “Dive Rescues” and “Collapse Rescues” and probably other speciality assignments as that is a Heavy Rescue Unit. If it gets called on a MABAS box then the Engine crew uses the Heavy Rescue from my understanding. There are probably some people on this site who can give you more information than I can on it.
Simular to yout question I wonder if there is really much of a difference between the Equipment Carried on Skokie Squad 18 and Skokie Rescue 17. I know that Skokie Rescue 17 normally responds as if it is the 2nd Engine when it is responding in District 17 and I know that it did carry some larger ground Ladders and that it is also equipped for RIT operations as well as for extrications. Skokie Rescue 17 does have a very interesting History. Before Skokie switched to Mabas Division 3 uniform number system, their Old Station on Hamlin south of Main was Station 2 and they had been Orginally assigned Truck 1 as well as Engine 2 as they were opened around the late 40s. In 1960 Skokie Station 3 open at 9024 Gross Point road and Engine 3 and Truck 2 as well as Squad 1 went in service there. The Squad was relocated from Station 2.
In 1969 New Station 1 was put in service at 7424 Niles Center Road. Engine 1 was relocated there and New Snorkel Truck 3 went in service.
For 11 years Skokie ran with 3 Engines 3 full service Truck companies and a Pumper Squad. The ratio of one Engine to one Truck was pretty high as most fire departments run with more Engines than Truck companies. Two of the Trucks ran with an Aerial Ladder and One iniitiall ran with a Snorkel.
Before they went to the current numbering system for a short period all of the fire companies at each station were given the same company number which is how they do things in many west coast fire departments. Then they changed the Station numbers to 16, 17 and 18. The Truck company as Station 17 on Hamlin was replaced with a Ford/ E One short wheel base ALS Engine company and was redesignated as Rescue Truck 17 and ran with 4 men which included 2 Paramedics on board. It ran first due on all Ems runs in Station 17s district and was followed by either Ambulance 16 or Ambulance 18 from one of the other 2 stations. In 1999 they received new Piece Rescue Engine with a Longer body to accommodate longer ground ladders and more equpment When the new Station 17 opened in 2003 Ambulance 17 was put in service as a new company and Rescue Truck 17 lost its ALS status and they also went from being a 4 man company to being a 3 man company while Sqaud 18 also lost its 4th man which done to be able to man the new Ambulance 17 without increasing the fire departments payroll. Skokie Squad 18 and Rescue Truck 17 were the only 4 man companies that were running in Skokie at the time. When Rescue Truck 17 lost its ALS status they also changed the designation to Rescue 17 minus the word Truck. In effect it runs as Skokie 4 th Engine companie and Squad 18 in effect is a 5th Engine company. I know that Skokie Squad 18 is due on Pin In and other Squad related calls however if there is a pin in Station 17s district I don’t whether they only get Rescue 17 dispatched or if Squad 18 also responds on pin ins in Station 17s district.
#8 by Jim on January 5, 2024 - 8:50 PM
What equipment is on Evanston Squad 21 compared to Skokie Squad 18?
#9 by J. C. on January 4, 2024 - 9:57 PM
Skokie has a Rescue Pumper for Squad 18 and Engines for 17 and 18 on order. They were ordered early to avoid a nearly 10% price increase
#10 by Bill on January 2, 2024 - 9:57 PM
Who is building the squad pumper, hopefully they keep the current heavy rescue
#11 by John Keller on January 2, 2024 - 7:29 PM
Frank R,
To answer your question specifically, I believe Evanston Currently Runs
1 Battalion Chief – 21 – (1 BC)
3 Man Engines – 21-25 (Officer, FAO, FF)
3 Man Trucks – 22/23 (Officer, 2 FFs)
2 Man Ambos – 21/22/23 (2 FFs) (23 Is if manpower allows)
So a daily of around 25-27 Per Day
#12 by Mike C on January 2, 2024 - 5:44 PM
I’m sure the 2027 emission engines is one of the reasons why Skokie ordered 3 new engines. The 2027 emissions are insane and drove the price up on engines like crazy! It’s not just the COVID money for all the new apparatus purchases, it’s also the new emission engines.
#13 by Bill Post on January 2, 2024 - 3:19 AM
Frank R , Collin and Engine 37 post’s have answered your question about the Evanston fire department below. The plans are for Engine 21 to become a Pumper/Squad when their new rig gets delivered.
As far as Skokie goes sometime during this year they will be getting a new Mid Mounted Tower Ladder delivered which will be going in service at Truck 18 and so both of Skokies Truck companies will be Tower Ladders. They also supposedly have 3 Engines? on order which is a surprise to me as at the moment only Skokie Engine 18 is due for replacement as the Skokie Fire department tries to replace its heavy apparatus at 20 years of front line service. If Skokie is supposedly ordering 3 additional Engines it must be due to the long waiting period for new apparatus now. Squad 18’s Pumper/Squad won’t be 20 years old until 2027 and Engine 17 Engine won’t be due for replacement until 2033 so they either plan to retire Engine 17s rig early or my information source is incorrect. Engine 16 just received a new rig about a 2 years ago. I would only bet on Skokie having 2 Engines on order as Skokie Engine 17 has a 9 year wait to be replaced unless Skokie is now planning on waiting less than 20 years to replace its apparatus.
#14 by Frank R on January 1, 2024 - 8:35 PM
What is Evanston daily manpower look like? Thought they still run 5 engines? Also, any new rigs coming for Skokie?
#15 by Bill Post on December 31, 2023 - 11:20 AM
Thanks for the interesting information Eng 37 and Collin.
It is very good news that finally Evanston has a 3rd Ambulance in regular or at least semi regular service as a town like Evanston really should have their third Ambulance regularly manned.
I would say that the most interesting news is that idea of having Engine 21 run as a Pumper/Squad. So now Evanston will have 3 companies with extrication tools on board the 2 Truck companies and the new Pumper Squad. I believe that the nornall pin in accident response is One Engine , One Truck the Battalion Chief and an Ambulance. I wonder if you know what the response protocol will be when Engine 21 becomes a Pumper/ Squad? I would imagine that they would still get a Truck and another Engine responding unless the Pin/In would be in Engine 21s first due area or perhaps more likely I would guess that would now send An Engine, Truck plus the Pumper Squad and Ambo and Chief? Either way that seem to still be a ways off. I know that Evanston now gets a third Engine on most reported Structure fires and since Engine 21 is the most Centrally located Engine in town they usually are the 3rd responding Engine , so once they get the new rig they would also assume the duties of a Squad company.
From a historical point of view , I remember when Evanston ran with 5 Engine companies plus a Pumper Squad in addition to the 2 Trucks. Phil Stenholm our Evanston fire department historian has alot of interesting information on that.
Skokie (Evanstons Neighbor to the North) in effect runs with 2 Pumper/Squads as their Squad 18 is a Pumper/Squad and Rescue 17 is more or less a Pumper/Squad even though it called a Rescue and not a “Squad” however in both of their cases both Stations 17 and 18 run with official Engine companies as well.
#16 by Collin on December 30, 2023 - 6:57 PM
Bill – There is a new Ford E-450/Braun ambulance that was purchased as a demo that is currently waiting to go into service. The current plan is to have that go to A23 and the 2010 IHC to go to reserve. We also have a new Ford F-550/Horton that is waiting to be delivered. Delivery has been delayed several times due to supply chain issues. It is currently estimated to be here in February and will go to A21 and the 2016 will go to reserve. The current 2012 IHC that is in reserve will presumably be sold. There has also been discussion of the new Braun going to reserve and the 2016 Horton going to A23.
#17 by Bill on December 29, 2023 - 9:51 PM
Did Evanston buy a new ambulance, what is the reserve fleet consist of
#18 by Collin on December 29, 2023 - 2:17 PM
Bill – the current plan is to move the 2010 rig to Engine 24 however there is also some discussion of refurbing the current rig and sending the 2010 to reserve status due to its condition (and most of the station 4 guys don’t want it given the size difference and how cramped the cab on the Arrow XT is). Engine 24s rig is in remarkably good condition given its age. The purple coloring was decided by the members of the apparatus committee.
ENG37 – while funds for A23 have been approved and staffing has increased to 115 members, the union contract states that minimum manning is still 26 per day and therefore A23 is only in service if we are at 28 or greater for the day. The city will not hire back/pay overtime to have the 3rd ambulance in service full time so with time off/injuries/sick calls its probably only been up 60-70% of the time.
#19 by ENG37 on December 29, 2023 - 1:42 PM
Bill, the most probable outcome here is that E24 will get the 2010 Pierce. E21 is getting the next new rig because they are going with a pumper/squad concept that they want centrally located. Will probably be a while before that rig comes around. Funding for the third ambulance was approved and 9 new Firefighters were hired.
#20 by Bill Post on December 29, 2023 - 4:18 AM
So I would guess that Engine 24 which is using the Oldest Front line rig still in frontline service (2003 PIerce) would probably be getting Engine 23’s former 2010 Pierce as a hand me down?
It is unusual that Engine 21 is the next on the list to get a new rig while Engine 24s current rig is older than Engine 21s current rig which is a 2007 rig.
I know that Engine 23 received the newest rig because of the University donation but I would expect Engine 24 to get the next new rig however it seems that Engine 21 has more clout as it serves downtown Evanston.
I was also wondering if the funds for a 3rd full time Ambulance have come through or whether Ambulance 23 will remain a jump company with Engine 23? I wonder if the Purple Color was decided on by the University (Donors) or whether the Evanston (Woke) City Council decided on a Purple Engine company?6
#21 by ENG37 on December 28, 2023 - 11:56 AM
Hose loads will consist of the following:
Rear Hose bed
700′ 5″
500′ 2 1/2″ to a play pipe to 100′ of 1 3/4″ (1 3/4″ packed in a reverse horseshoe) (Courtyard Load)
500′ 2 1/2″ (Can be broken off to accommodate length) (final 50′ packed in a reverse horseshoe) (Blitz Line)
Crosslays
2x 250′ 1 3/4″ (Final 50′ packed in a reverse horseshoe)
High-Rise Loads
1st Bundle – 2x 50′ lengths of 2″
2nd Bundle – 1 100′ length of 2″
100′ Trash Line
Front bumper
50′ 5″
Engineer Compartment
50′ 3″ Pony Line
#22 by Michael m on December 28, 2023 - 11:18 AM
What will be the hose load this rig will carry? Will the new rig for engine 21 be this color as well?
#23 by Chuck on December 27, 2023 - 8:15 PM
ENG37, donations are a drop in the bucket compared to what Northwestern consumes. Like to see the list of these “donations”, too. Besides the apparatus.
#24 by ENG37 on December 27, 2023 - 12:55 PM
RJ, You are correct. This was done long before the stadium talks. Chuck, Northwestern paid for this Engine. You should read the article about it. Northwestern has given quite a few donations to the Fire Department.
#25 by Chuck on December 27, 2023 - 11:11 AM
Nothing like honoring a school that doesn’t pay its way when it comes to city services….
#26 by Michael m on December 27, 2023 - 10:14 AM
Love the color scheme. Something different, have to give them credit for being different.
A replacement for engine 21 is on order.
#27 by crabbymilton on December 27, 2023 - 5:59 AM
I was thinking of that “Purple people eater” song too. You’re paying a ton of money for a new apparatus so why not order it in whatever color you want.
#28 by Rj on December 26, 2023 - 3:42 PM
Hmmm… does Northwestern University run Evanston? Evanson just barely passed the approval for all the Ryan field renovations …I geussing this purple people eater was paid for long before though knowing buildout times now