CHICAGO CIVIL DEFENSE - Chicago Fire Department

 
  The first day the unit was in service, members 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 outlying suburbs. The tasks of raising ground ladders, leading
  out large lines/boat hose, working with the engine companies 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 Chicago Fire Academy.  
  Along with fire duty, the Fire and Rescue Unit, could be utilized in
  special duty calls at, el or train wrecks, 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
  ventilation fans for smoke and toxic fume removal, proved to
  be 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 placed in service at
  Chicago Firehouse's throughout the city.  CD members would
  report to the firehouse that quartered the CD apparatus needed
  and then respond to the incident.  On February 2, 1960, the city 
  provided 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 chiefs 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 apparatus!  The Headquarters
  would be manned as close to 24/7 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 Offices. 
 
  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.  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 the Chicago Fire Department - E.P.D.S. or Chicago
  Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Services.  A new coordinator,
  Chief George Schuller would take over the operations of the volunteer
  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 volunteers.  
  Members were also able to opt for the leather helmet over the
  traditional MSA plastic / fiberglass type helmets used since 1960.
 
  On September 30th 1978, another big change took place.  The city
  relocated the Company Quarters from 1244 N. Wells Street, to
  Engine 49's old quarters at 1653 W. 43^rd St., just west of the old
  Union 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, seeing as how the old house on Wells St.
  was erected shortly after the Great Chicago Fire in 1874 (with a hay
  loft upstairs).  With the new Company Quarters, 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. 
  On July 23, 1989, it was over!  The final signal for Chicago
  Fire Dept. - E.P.D.S. Co. 4-7-4 and 4-7-9, was transmitted
  to the E.F.A.O. [3-3-2-4] at 0800 hours, by Orders of Chief
  Altwasser, officially placing the Company/Unit 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 had it become
  more of a cost cutting liability?  Could it simply have been, it had out
  lived its usefulness, or a combination of all?
 
  Whichever way, it left a void in many members hearts. 
  Civilian members, who thought nothing about going to an
  alarm at 2:00 A.M. on 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!