From Phil Stenholm:
Another installment in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
STEE-RIKE!
Two major fires struck Evanston within a month of each other in early 1974. The Evanston Fire Department (EFD) responded to an extra alarm fire at the service department of Humphrey Chevrolet on Chicago Avenue on a Sunday afternoon in January, and then tackled a massive blaze at the Marblecast Company warehouse on Ridge Avenue just a few weeks later.
The Humphrey Chevrolet fire occurred at 635 Chicago Avenue, near the northeast corner of Chicago and Keeney. Firefighters entered through the main garage door on Keeney Street. Like previous incidents such as the Moto-Port fire in 1956 and the Holiday Lincoln-Mercury fire in 1968, this blaze involved cars, gasoline, and flammable materials inside a commercial garage, producing thick black smoke that spread throughout the neighborhood.
Engine 22 and Squad 21 were the first on scene, but they had to retreat when conditions worsened. Engine 24 secured a hydrant at Hinman and Keeney to supply water for the other units. On the second alarm, Engine 21 and Engine 23 arrived with large-diameter hose lines. Despite their efforts, the service department was gutted, and several vehicles were destroyed. The estimated damage was $160,000.
About a month later, the EFD faced another major challenge at the Marblecast warehouse, located in the former Bowman Dairy building. Initial attacks came from the interior, while Truck 21 ventilated the roof. A second alarm brought in Engine 25, Engine 22, and Truck 22 to protect the nearby Fields Cadillac dealership. Mutual aid was requested from Wilmette, and Engine 202 was dispatched to cover the city while Engine 24 was sent to the fire.
Despite heroic efforts, the fire was too intense, and firefighters were ordered out of the building. Elevated master streams were used after the roof collapsed, and ground ladders helped access the Fields Cadillac location. Employees from the auto dealership helped move cars to safety.
A full Code 10 was called, bringing in off-duty firefighters from IAFF Local 742, many of whom had just attended a union party. With backup crews and station wagons, the EFD managed to save the exposure but lost the warehouse, which suffered $543,000 in damages—the sixth-highest fire loss in Evanston’s history at the time.
During the 1960s, IAFF Local 742 became more militant under Captain Michael Lass. He left the EFD in 1971 to work full-time for the union, and Captain William Currie took over. In February 1974, just days after the Marblecast fire, 88 members of Local 742 went on strike, demanding a 10% pay raise and a shorter workweek. This was the first major strike by Evanston firefighters since 1888.
The city sought a court injunction, but the strike lasted 53 hours before firefighters returned to work. Though the city claimed victory, the City Council recognized the union as the bargaining representative. As a result, firefighters received a significant pay increase and a reduced workweek from 56 to 54 hours.
By 1977, salaries had increased significantly, and the “Kelly Day†system was reintroduced, giving firefighters an extra day off every twelve weeks. This change helped improve work-life balance and morale across the department.
In 1985, the Illinois Collective Bargaining Bill was signed, granting firefighters the right to negotiate while making strikes illegal. However, Evanston firefighters had already won these rights through their bold actions in 1974, paving the way for better wages, working conditions, and long-term stability for the department.
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