Phil Stenholm provided a fascinating historical account of the Evanston Fire Department’s role in ambulance services. Since 1976, the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) has been responsible for providing emergency medical services to the city. However, this wasn’t always the case—firefighters had been responding to medical emergencies as early as 1913, initially referred to as “inhalator calls.†Before 1976, the Evanston Police Department (EPD) was the main provider of ambulance services. In the 1890s, they operated a horse-drawn police ambulance from their headquarters. By 1916, they upgraded to an automobile ambulance, which was stored in a bay near the firehouse at 807 Grove Street. In 1958, the EPD and EFD initiated a cooperative program, where police officers were trained as firefighters. These cross-trained officers patrolled in station-wagons—Cars 31, 32, and 33—equipped with stretchers, inhalators, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, axes, and turnout gear. They handled medical calls, fires, and regular police duties. Over time, these units were reduced to single-person crews, and the training program was eventually discontinued. Meanwhile, the EFD maintained three staff cars equipped with stretchers: F-5 at Station #1, F-1 at Station #2, and F-3 at Station #5. These served as backup ambulances when the EPD's station-wagons weren't available. In the summer of 1974, the Illinois Department of Health loaned a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) to the EFD for a 90-day trial. Though it lacked Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment, it allowed the EFD to temporarily take over ambulance services. The positive experience led to the launch of the EFD Paramedic Program at St. Francis Hospital in 1975, paving the way for full-time EMS operations in 1976. Despite initial resistance from Mayor Jim Staples, who preferred the police to handle ambulance services, the EPD ultimately stepped back due to rising crime rates. The first EFD ambulance—a 1975 Dodge van MICU donated by Washington National Insurance Company—was placed into service at Station #1 in January 1976. Initially staffed by three firefighters, including two paramedics and one trainee, the ambulance responded to all EMS calls. If a call required Basic Life Support (BLS), a police wagon or another EFD unit would relieve it to ensure quick response times. By 1976, the city approved a second MICU ambulance, and plans were made to operate both with two-paramedic crews. However, in November 1976, Ambulance 1 was severely damaged in a collision. To keep services running, the Skokie Fire Department loaned a Cadillac ambulance, which later became a reserve unit after the new ambulance arrived. By 1977, the EFD had two ALS-equipped ambulances. Ambulance 2 took priority for first-call EMS, while Ambulance 1 responded to fire calls or when needed. A third ambulance, the Cadillac, was added in 1978 with ALS capabilities. By 1980, the fleet was modernized with two new Ford modular MICUs, and older units were retired. Ambulances were strategically assigned to different stations to improve coverage. In 1982, a shift in response strategy was introduced, alternating ambulance calls between A-1 and A-2 to allow crews to rest. By 1986, Ambulance 2 was moved to Station #4, and the EFD aimed to provide faster, city-wide paramedic response. This led to the “jump company†plan in 1989, but it proved ineffective due to insufficient engine coverage during long runs. The plan was abandoned the following year, and the department returned to its original structure. Scrap Steel Pipe Flattening And Shearing Machine Scrap Steel Pipe Flattening And Shearing Machine,Metal Shear Jiangyin Hangli Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.hanglimachinery.com