Cylindrical Roller Bearings,Full Complement Needle Roller Bearing,Cylindrical Roller Bearing Nup306,Cylindrical Roller Bearing Nfp306 UKL Bearing Manufacturing Co., Ltd., , https://www.bearingukl.com
Part 3 of the Waukegan Fire Department history, provided by the Waukegan Fire Department itself.
The 1930s and 1940s presented new challenges to the Waukegan Fire Department as the city grappled first with the hardships of the Great Depression and later faced resource constraints during wartime. Despite these obstacles, the department remained innovative. In 1935, the Waukegan Fire Department became a pioneer in inhalator-resuscitator work alongside its traditional firefighting duties. On June 26, 1936, the firefighters joined the International Association of Firefighters and received their charter as IAFF Local 473.
A significant fire broke out on December 16, 1943, destroying part of the east side of the one hundred block of North Genesee Street. Later, Hein's Store was constructed on this very spot.
The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of rapid growth for both Waukegan and its fire department following the post-war boom. On September 28, 1952, Mayor Robert E. Coulson, Chief Norman Litz, and the city council officially opened the West Side Fire Station at 216 N. Lewis Ave. Approximately 3,000 people attended the grand opening. Also unveiled was a brand-new $16,000 Seagrave pumper. Just a few months later, on October 5, 1952, Chief Litz introduced the city's new Seagrave 85-foot aerial ladder truck, which cost $37,000.
The Central station underwent another round of renovations in 1954. However, by 1958, it was considered outdated due to limited space and dangerous proximity to congested business district fire lines. In 1962, the Central Fire Station relocated to city hall with facilities facing West Street.
In June 1955, the historic Old Clock Tower at the Courthouse caught fire. Shortly afterward, a fire prevention ordinance created a dedicated fire prevention bureau within the department. That same year, the Nitro Chemical Plant at 740 Market Street suffered extensive damage from fire. Fighting the blaze in freezing temperatures took nearly 11 hours.
By 1959, the Waukegan Fire Department consisted of three captains, 11 lieutenants, one master mechanic, and 46 firefighters. Their fleet included two rescue squad cars, an emergency truck, four pumpers, one 85-foot aerial truck, one 65-foot aerial truck, and the chief's vehicle. Firefighters worked 56-hour weeks responding to around 600 calls annually. Illinois Bell Telephone Company handled fire alarms through its manned machine-switching central offices in downtown Waukegan.
In 1960, a fire at the Johns Manville plant resulted in $6 million in damages. Other notable fires during that decade included the Commercial Hotel Fire in 1965, two incidents at the Piggly Wiggly Store in 1964 and 1965, and the Sahs Warehouse Fire in 1966.
In 1966, despite having roughly the same personnel and equipment as seven years prior, the department responded to 1,530 calls as the city expanded. Consequently, so too did the fire department. In 1969, the North Side Fire Station opened at the corner of Golf Road and Jackson Street. Around the same time, an explosion and massive fire at the Waukegan Tannery required every available piece of equipment and personnel.
The 1970s brought further advancements. In 1972, Lieutenant Dale Adams formed the Waukegan Fire Department Bomb Team under Fire Commissioner Edward R. Pavelick. Initial training occurred with the New York Police Department before transitioning to the FBI at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
Commissioner Pavelick also implemented the first EMT-Paramedic program to safeguard Waukegan residents during medical emergencies. The WFD became the second public safety agency in the state to offer this service. Graduates hailed from Illinois' inaugural paramedic training class.
In 1979, an unprecedented number of firefighters retired, including Joseph Regis, Lieutenant John Kink, Richard Repp, Charles Ahlstrom, James Poirier, Sergeants Charles Dicig and William Worth, Lieutenants Roy Hampson and James Hushour, Captains Louis Milewski and George Hull, and Jack Evans. Collectively, they amassed 367 years of fire service experience.
The 1980s witnessed some of the darkest moments in Waukegan's history. A fire on Christmas morning 1984 at the Karcher Hotel on Washington Street claimed nine lives. Faulty wiring was suspected as the cause.
Tragedy struck again when Lieutenant Franklin Mercer lost his life while combating a house fire on December 29, 1985, at 721 McAlister Street. Lieutenant Mercer perished after falling through a weakened floor while attempting to rescue children inside. Sixty-three public safety agencies paid tribute at his funeral; he left behind his wife Paula and two children.
In 1986, Chief Richard Kamerad launched the "Vital Link" initiative allowing citizens and businesses to contribute funds supporting the fire department's paramedic program.
The 1990s brought more changes. On June 17, 1991, a deliberately set fire devastated the 96,000-square-foot Waukegan Warehouse building.
Chief Charles Perkey acquired a new ladder truck and two engines from Seagrave Fire Apparatus Company in 1995.
In 1997, Chief Charles R. Perkey, Deputy Chief John E. Terlap, Mary William Durkin, and City Council members inaugurated Fire Station #2 at 4505 McGaw. Three years later, the same leadership group opened Fire Station #5 at 3221 N. Green Bay Road.
September 11, 2001, remains etched in memory. The Waukegan Fire Department bolstered readiness by deploying additional units and bomb experts to protect residents amid unfolding events. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, firefighters attended memorials in New York honoring fallen heroes. Within days, IAFF Local 473 members and colleagues collected over $70,000 via a "boot drive," donating proceeds to families of the 343 FDNY members killed in action.
In October 2002, FDNY hosted its official memorial ceremony at Madison Square Garden; representatives from WFD joined 55,000 uniformed firefighters in attendance.
A deliberately set fire damaged the Cub Foods store on September 3, 2001, causing $1 million in losses. Firefighter David Rigney sustained a broken leg during response efforts. The new Seagrave heavy rescue Squad 1 entered service on December 27, 2004.
On October 27, 2004, an overlooked fire led to the complete destruction of the historic Academy Theatre, originally a silent movie house dating back to the early 1900s.
The fire department received a new ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing Company featuring a 105-foot ladder, hoses, and pumps. Placed into service in February 2007, it enhanced capabilities significantly.
In 2007, the department's 113 members responded to 9,407 calls for help—the highest number recorded since its founding in 1849.
Over the years, countless individuals have supported the Waukegan Fire Department through kindness and generosity. One such individual was Mrs. Bess McClure, who over decades sent letters, cards, and thoughtful gifts like delicious cookies to firefighters. Recognizing her generosity, Rescue 3 was dedicated in her honor in 2003. Friends Jack Kruse, Jim McGrain, and Jeff Lynch maintained a close bond with Bess until her passing in 2006. In her memory, IAFF Local 473 established a scholarship fund.
This account represents only Part 3 of the Waukegan Fire Department's storied past. Parts 1 and 2 provide earlier narratives leading up to these developments.