Part 3 of the Waukegan Fire Department's history, brought to you by the Waukegan Fire Department.
The 1930s and 1940s
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Waukegan Fire Department faced significant challenges as the city dealt with the Great Depression and later, the demands of World War II. Despite these hardships, the department continued to evolve and innovate. In 1935, they became one of the first in the area to incorporate inhalator-resuscitator units into their operations, expanding their role beyond traditional firefighting. On June 26, 1936, the department joined the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and was granted charter membership as IAFF Local 473.
A major fire on December 16, 1943, destroyed part of the east side of the 100 block of North Genesee Street. Later, Hein’s Store was built on that site, marking a new chapter for the neighborhood.
The 1950s and 1960s
The post-war period brought growth and expansion to both Waukegan and its fire department. On September 28, 1952, Mayor Robert E. Coulson, Chief Norman Litz, and the city council dedicated the West Side Fire Station at 216 N. Lewis Ave. An estimated 3,000 people attended the event, and a new $16,000 Seagrave pumper was also introduced. Later that year, on October 5, 1952, Chief Litz unveiled a brand-new 85-foot Seagrave aerial ladder truck, purchased for $37,000.
In 1954, the Central Fire Station underwent renovations, but by 1958, it was considered outdated due to space limitations and dangerous fire lines running through the busy downtown area. In 1962, the station moved to the city hall building on West Street.
In June 1955, the Old Clock Tower at the Courthouse burned down, prompting the creation of a dedicated fire prevention bureau. In 1958, a fire at the Nitro Chemical Plant on Market Street tested the department's resilience, as firefighters battled the blaze in freezing temperatures for nearly 11 hours.
By 1959, the department had 3 captains, 11 lieutenants, 1 master mechanic, and 46 firefighters. Their equipment included two rescue squad cars, an emergency truck, four pumpers, two aerial trucks, and the chief’s car. Firefighters worked 56 hours a week and responded to around 600 calls annually. The Illinois Bell Telephone Company provided alarm services through its secure central offices in the business district.
Notable fires during the 1960s included the 1960 Johns Manville plant fire, which caused $6 million in damage, and the Commercial Hotel Fire in 1965. Fires at the Piggly Wiggly store in 1964 and 1965, and the Sahs Warehouse Fire in 1966, further tested the department's capabilities.
In 1966, the department handled 1,530 calls with similar staffing levels as seven years earlier. By 1969, the North Side Fire Station was built at Golf Road and Jackson Street. That same year, a massive explosion at the Waukegan Tannery required all available resources to control the fire.
The 1970s
In 1972, Lieutenant Dale Adams formed the Waukegan Fire Department Bomb Team under the leadership of Fire Commissioner Edward R. Pavelick. Initial training was conducted by the New York Police Department and later through the FBI at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
Commissioner Pavelick also launched the first EMT-Paramedic program in the state, making the WFD the second public safety agency in Illinois to offer this critical service. The department’s first paramedics were graduates of the state’s first paramedic training class.
In 1979, a record number of firefighters retired, including several long-serving members who left with over 300 combined years of service. Their contributions helped shape the department’s legacy.
The 1980s
One of the most tragic events in Waukegan history occurred on Christmas morning in 1984 when a fire at the Karcher Hotel on Washington Street claimed nine lives. Faulty wiring was suspected as the cause.
On December 29, 1985, Lieutenant Franklin Mercer lost his life while fighting a house fire on McAlister Street. He fell through a weakened floor while attempting to rescue children trapped inside. His funeral drew representatives from 63 agencies across the country. He is survived by his wife and two children.
In 1986, Chief Richard Kamerad introduced the “Vital Link†program, allowing citizens to support the department’s paramedic efforts through donations.
The 1990s
A devastating fire on June 17, 1991, completely destroyed the 96,000-square-foot Waukegan Warehouse after it was set on fire intentionally. The incident marked one of the largest losses in the city’s history.
In 1995, Chief Charles Perkey acquired a new ladder truck and two engines from Seagrave Fire Apparatus. In 1997, the new Fire Station #2 at 4505 McGaw was dedicated by Chief Perkey, Deputy Chief John Terlap, and city officials. In 2000, Fire Station #5 at 3221 N. Green Bay Road was also opened.
2000
On September 11, 2001, the Waukegan Fire Department, like many others, increased its readiness in response to the terrorist attacks. Members of IAFF Local 473 raised over $70,000 in just two days through a “pass the boot†drive to support the families of FDNY firefighters who lost their lives.
In October 2002, WFD representatives attended the FDNY memorial service at Madison Square Garden, where 55,000 firefighters gathered in honor of those lost.
A malicious fire at Cub Foods on September 3, 2001, caused $1 million in damage. Firefighter David Rigney suffered a broken leg during the incident. In December 2004, the new Seagrave heavy rescue Squad 1 was officially put into service.
On October 27, 2004, a hidden fire went undetected for over an hour, leading to the total destruction of the historic Academy Theatre, which had originally operated as a silent film theater in the early 1900s.
In February 2007, the department received a new ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing, equipped with a 105-foot ladder, hose, and pump. That same year, the department recorded the highest number of calls in its 158-year history—over 9,400.
Throughout its history, the Waukegan Fire Department has been supported by many individuals who have shown kindness and dedication. One such person was Mrs. Bess McClure, who sent letters, cards, and even homemade cookies to firefighters for decades. In 2003, Rescue 3 was dedicated in her honor. After her passing in 2006, members of IAFF Local 473 established a scholarship in her name to continue her legacy of care and support.
Waukegan Fire Department History Part 1
Waukegan Fire Department History Part 2
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