From Phil Stenholm:
Another installment in our series on the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
STEE-RIKE!
In early 1974, Evanston experienced two major fires within a month of each other. The first occurred on a Sunday afternoon in January at the service department of Humphrey Chevrolet, located at 635 Chicago Avenue. The second fire broke out on a Saturday night in February at the Marblecast Company warehouse on 1920 Ridge Avenue. Both incidents tested the skills and resilience of the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) during a challenging time.
The Humphrey Chevrolet fire started in the garage, where vehicles, gasoline, and flammable materials were stored. Firefighters from Engine 22 and Squad 21 initially attacked the blaze with hand lines but had to retreat as conditions worsened. Engine 24 supplied water from a hydrant at Hinman and Keeney, while Engine 21 and 23 arrived on the second alarm, laying out 2½-inch hose lines. Despite their efforts, the service department was heavily damaged, with an estimated loss of $160,000.
A month later, the EFD responded to a large fire at the Marblecast warehouse, which was housed in the former Bowman Dairy building. Initial attacks were made from the inside, with Truck 21 ventilating the roof. A second alarm was called, bringing in additional units, including mutual aid from Wilmette. However, the fire had spread too quickly, forcing a defensive operation. Elevated master streams were used after the roof collapsed, and firefighters worked to protect the nearby Fields Cadillac dealership. The warehouse was gutted, with an estimated loss of $543,000—making it the sixth-largest fire loss in Evanston’s history up to that point.
This period also marked a significant moment for labor relations in the EFD. In the 1960s, IAFF Local 742 grew more militant under Captain Michael Lass, who later left the department to work full-time for the union. After his resignation, Captain William Currie took over, continuing the strong union presence. On February 28, 1974, just days after the Marblecast fire, 88 members of Local 742 went on strike, demanding a 10% pay raise and a shorter workweek. The city refused to negotiate, leading to a 53-hour strike that ended on March 2nd. Although the court issued an injunction, the strike ultimately led to improved wages and working conditions for EFD members.
By 1977, salaries had increased significantly, with top-ranking firefighters earning between 30% to 40% more than they did in 1973. Additionally, the average workweek was reduced from 56 to 54 hours, thanks in part to the reintroduction of the “Kelly Day†or “Short Day,†allowing firefighters an extra day off every twelve weeks.
The success of this strike helped pave the way for collective bargaining rights, which were later formalized by the Illinois Collective Bargaining Bill in 1985. While strikes by firefighters became illegal, the 1974 action demonstrated the power of organized labor in securing better conditions for public safety workers.
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