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The History of the Chicago Civil Defense / E.P.D.S. Unit


In 1957, Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert J. Quinn had an idea. He thought about the six heavy duty rescue trucks that the federal government had supplied the city, to use as they saw fit that were brand new, fully equipped but just sitting ideal in city garages. After meeting with Charles (Jimmy) Johnson, a long time friend of Quinn’s and an avid fire fan, Quinn decided to approach Mayor Richard J. Daley with a plan for these Rescue Squads and service. It would involve an all-volunteer unit to facilitate and operate this equipment with proper training and personnel to provide ancillary support at fires and other disasters. Johnson would be the civilian chief of the unit. A handful of volunteers were gathered together between October of 1957 and January of 1958. The Chicago Civil Defense, Fire and Rescue Unit was then born.

The first day in service, the organization responded to a major extra-alarm fire at 54 E. Hubbard St. It was immediately known from that point on, that the organization could play a vital role in the non-hazardous duties at fire scenes and other disasters within the city and the outlining suburbs. The tasks of raising ground ladders, leading out large lines/boat hose, working with the engine company’s Fire Engineers, placing the pumper(s) into hard suction or drafting, thawing out frozen hydrants with propane torch’s, clearing sewers of ice and debris, rolling and re-bedding hose, lighting up incidents with lightwagons as well as countless other types of work at the fire scene. This could only work with an ongoing training program that would involve classroom, film demonstration, and hands-on situations. Training would be mandatory for all members on a weekly basis through the fire academy.

Along with fire duty, the Fire and Rescue Unit, could be utilized in special duty calls at “el or train wrecks and crashes, airplane crashes, major floods, or other weather related incidents such as downed or dangerous trees, dewatering basements at hospitals or other vital structures, as well as providing emergency power through portable and large mobile generator units. The use of ventilations fans for smoke and fumes removal, proved an asset as well. In the early years, the rescue squads were equipped with resuscitators, Port-A-Power hydraulic tools, thawing devices, chain saws, K-12 saws, winches, roto-hammers, and many other specialized hand tools and equipment to enhance operations at any fire and rescue incident. All members were also trained in advanced first aid courses.

In the early years the rescue squads were scattered throughout the city. The CD members would report to the firehouse that quartered the apparatus needed and then respond to the incident. Later the city would provide Civil Defense with an existing firehouse that was no longer being used. The headquarters would be located at 1244 N. Wells St., (Engine Co. 27’s old quarters) for many years to come. It was a two bay house, with one side housing the main apparatus floor, with all working systems found in any firehouse. A working kitchen, waker bell, joker stand with register, marshal line, speaker systems, sliding poles, furnished bunkroom, hose tower and showers. The other bay, commonly known as “the shop,” was the area where, most mechanical work was done by the volunteer members. The shop bay also served as a gasoline depot for Chicago Fire Department’s chief’s buggies, ambulances, or any other apparatus that needed fuel in the area. Most of the fabrication and mechanical work for such apparatus as turret units “Big Mo 6-7-2” and “Big John 6-7-3,” were done here as well as providing man hours for these special units and countless other one of a kind special apparatus! The Headquarters would be manned as close to 24/7 a day as possible. Regular duty watch schedules were assigned to all members ensuring personnel would be available for most emergencies.

The members of this unit worked side by side, hand in hand with members of the city’s fire department. The Chicago Civil Defense Unit, would respond to 2-11 alarms or greater citywide. There was also a “high value” still and box alarm response district that covered the downtown area of the city as well. “CD” was also available for special calls from Chief Officers in the field to access additional equipment and or manpower at any incident as needed through communications by the Fire Alarm Office’s.

The organization taught teamwork, discipline, and other attributes that were the backbone of the unit. Many CD members went on to make the fire service a career in either the city or suburbs. The experience these volunteer members received was priceless in their endeavors in life. While some members chose to be professionals, a majority did it strictly for the love and excitement of the fire service. Just the feeling of being able to make a difference or to give back to the community was all these men required. The idea of honor and tradition in the brotherhood of the fire service, that they would be proud to be a part of.

In the mid-seventies, Chicago Civil Defense was reorganized and renamed. Under Federal Government guidelines, it would now be known as E.P.D.S. or Chicago Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Services. A new coordinator, Chief George Schuller would take over the operations of the unit. Schuller was an active and experienced Division Fire Marshal, and had been a long time member of the C.F.D. Bureau of Fire Investigation. Under his direction, the organization took a giant step forward with better and newer equipment. Existing blue and white CD apparatus were repainted and relettered to more traditional red and white Chicago Fire Department coloring and lettering. New fire department vehicles, such as light wagons, a Triage Unit, and other manpower apparatus were placed in service with the volunteer’s. Members were also able to opt for the “leather helmet” over the traditional MSA plastic type helmet’s used for so many years before.

In the late 1970’s, another big change took place. The city relocated the Company Quarters of E.P.D.S., from 1244 N. Wells Street, to Engine 49’s old quarters at 1653 W. 43rd St., just west of the old stockyard district on the south side of the city. This was a two bay house as well. The firehouse location was thought to be more centralized, for incidents throughout the city. The house was in much better shape as well, seeing as how the old house on Wells St. was erected shortly after the Great Chicago Fire (with a hay loft upstairs). With the new Company Quarter’s, came new turnout gear, more apparatus, new members and a much larger Still and Box alarm district to respond to.

Sadly in July 1989, the city determined it was no longer feasible to maintain the firehouse, equipment and members any longer. On July 24, 1989, it was over! The final returns for E.P.D.S. Company 4-7-4 was transmitted to the E.F.A.O. [3-3-2-4] at 0800 hours officially placing the Company permanently out of service! For the first time since 1958, the city no longer had an all-volunteer unit supplementing the greatest fire department in the world. Of course the city would survive the separation, but it left many questions unanswered. Was it closed because of union strife? Or was it more of a liability? Or could it simply be it had out lived its usefulness, or a little of all?

Whichever way, it left a void in many members’ hearts. Civilian member’s, who thought nothing about going to an alarm at 2:00 A.M. in the middle of a cold night, to help at a fire or disaster and then have to go to their regular place of employment later in the morning. Members that gave up their Monday nights, and free time to be with their families just to participate in training and maintenance along with housework at Company Quarters. Members who ate powdered sugar donuts, cheese and bologna sandwiches with warm coffee, rather than a home cooked meal while at fires and disasters on Christmas Day or any other holiday!

Many long time friendships were made by members that have lasted well over thirty five years. Sadly, the City of Chicago makes NO mention at all of the Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Services in any matter or level of this once strong and dedicated unit. The Chicago Civil Defense/E.P.D.S., will only live through the strong memories and memorabilia that some of the volunteer members still have.