Friday, December 22, 2023 | View in browser
From the Chief's Desk
 Dear Evanston Community,
As we wrap up a truly remarkable and successful 2023, we are filled with immense gratitude for the spirit of collaboration that has been the cornerstone of our achievements. It is with great pride and excitement that we share some of the highlights of the Evanston Fire Department's journey this year.
One of our major milestones this year was the successful transition of lifeguards to the fire department. This transition not only strengthened our team but also enhanced our ability to serve and protect the community in a more comprehensive manner.
Additionally, we invested in the safety and well-being of our firefighters by purchasing state-of-the-art air packs, ensuring that they have the best equipment to carry out their crucial duties effectively.
Furthermore, the implementation of two new positions, a Field Chief of Special Operations and a Field Chief of Emergency Medical Services, has allowed us to respond even more efficiently to emergencies and provide
specialized care when it's needed most.
We're thrilled to share that we've expanded our fleet this year with the delivery of a new ambulance, further bolstering our ability to respond to medical emergencies swiftly and effectively.
We are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new fire engine, a generous donation from Northwestern University. This contribution will significantly enhance our capabilities and help us better serve our community.
All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of so many. We are grateful for the continuous support from our city leaders and the unwavering backing of our community. The relationships we've fostered with various departments have been instrumental in our success, and the invaluable input from Local 742 has been instrumental in shaping our initiatives. Most importantly, it's the dedicated and remarkable work of our firefighters that has truly made a
difference.
As the Chief of the Evanston Fire Department, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your dedication, support, and commitment to making our community safer have been instrumental in our achievements this year. I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together.
As we approach the holiday season, I want to wish you all the very best. May your holidays be filled with warmth, joy, and the company of loved ones. Let's look forward to another year of collaboration and continued success in 2024.
Thank you for being a part of our incredible community.
Warm regards,
Paul J. Polep
Fire Chief
EMS Calls
Evanston Fire Department responded to
687 Incidents
in the month of November
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Fire Calls/Technical Rescue/ Other
Evanston Fire Department responded to
311 Incidents
in the month of November
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Total Incidents in November: 998
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November average response time:
3 minutes and 39 seconds from dispatch to emergency
NFPA average: 4 minutes or less
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 End-of-Year Update and Winter Safety Reminder from the Evanston Fire Department
Dear community,
As 2023 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the year and share some important information with you. The Evanston Fire Department has been working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, and we want to provide you with a brief overview of our end-of-year operations.
Throughout the year, our dedicated team has responded to approximately 11,400 incidents, providing assistance and support during emergencies of all kinds. We take immense pride in being there for you when you need us most, and we remain committed to serving you with professionalism.
As we transition into the winter season, it's essential that we come together as a community to ensure everyone's safety. Snow and ice can create hazardous conditions, making it challenging for emergency responders to access your residence quickly. To help us help you, we kindly ask that you do your part by keeping your sidewalks and fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. This small but essential effort ensures that we can reach you promptly in case of an emergency, and it contributes to the safety of our entire
community.
With the holiday season upon us, please remember to stay safe, practice fire safety precautions by keeping your Christmas tree well hydrated, keep burning candles away from combustibles or leave unattended, and take care of one another during this holiday season.
The Evanston Fire Department is here to serve and protect, and we are grateful for your continued support and partnership. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Emergency Management Division
 How to Protect Yourself From Winter Weather
If you are under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away
Know your winter weather terms:
Winter Storm Warning
Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
Winter Storm Watch
Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
Winter Weather Advisory
Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.
Know Your Risk for Winter Storms
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Listen for emergency information and alerts. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Remember the needs of your pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. If you are unable to afford your heating costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
In Case of Emergency
Be prepared for winter weather at home, at work and in your car. Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep a full tank of gas. Follow these safety measures:
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Stay off roads if at all possible. If your car breaks down when you are on the road, then stay inside your vehicle and call for help.
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Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
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Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.
Stay Safe During Winter Weather
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning! Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
Special Operations Training
The Evanston Fire Department recently conducted special rescue incident training. The training involved stabilizing and lifting a large, heavy, odd-shaped object off an entrapped victim. The picture from the training shows a large section of a tree on top of a car. The training concentrated on various ways to stabilize and lift the tree in order to extricate a victim from the car. While this incident may be extremely rare, the skills developed across all members of our department can be applied to many different incidents requiring getting a large object off a victim.
In the fire and rescue world, any incident that is not a routine fire or medical call may be considered a “special rescue” incident requiring the knowledge, skills, abilities, and equipment in order to mitigate the incident as safely and effectively as possible. Many times, special rescue incidents are unique, and rescuers must rely on putting together their training and knowledge in new ways to solve the problem they are facing.
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Fire Safety During the Holidays
The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire as you deck the halls this season.
Following a few simple tips can help make your holidays fire-safe:
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Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is a fire hazard. Trees too close to a heat source cause one in every four winter fires.
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Make sure you are using the right lights. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
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Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulbs
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Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or retardant.
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Keep lit candles away from decorations and things that can burn. More than 1/3 of home decoration fires are started by candles.
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Consider using flameless candles, they look very similar and are safer.
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Blow out lit candles and turn off all light strings and decorations when leaving the room or going to bed.
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Make sure your decorations don’t block windows and doors.
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