In the early years of the volunteer departments, they wielded enormous political power. One of the main
supporters of the local fire departments in Tammany Hall New York, was the infamous “Boss” Tweed. And it was
politics that resulted in the formation of the East Joliet Fire Department.
Towards the end of 1939, the Joliet City Council took action that would result in the formation of the East Joliet Fire
Department: they forbid the City of Joliet Fire Department to answer alarms outside of the city limits. After a fire at
the John Taylor home, 320 Walnut St., in which the Joliet Fire Department refused to send equipment, the leaders of
the Ridgewood area requested fire protection from the Lockport Fire Department.
Although the Lockport Fire Department had sent equipment to the Taylor fire, Chief Clark indicated that they could
no longer send help unless the Ridgewood Area formed its own fire department. On December 20, 1939, the
Lockport Volunteers voted to end free fire protection for the Ridgewood Area. The seriousness of the situation was
clear: the only fire protection available to protect over 125 homes was a hose cart with 750’ of 1 ½” hose. The cart
was provided by the Ridgewood Water Association and there were a total of five hydrants in the area.
The first six weeks of the year 1940 was a fiery one for the residents of unincorporated Joliet Township: four homes
were destroyed by fire.
On February 13, 1940, plans were drawn up by Local Leaders from Forest Park, Ridgewood, Ingalls Park, and
Sugar Creek, to set up a meeting in the E.A. Cary and Son, Grocery Store to form a fire department. After meeting
with Chief Clark of Lockport and after receiving help from the Illinois Fireman’s Association, a meeting was held in
the W.J. Bolton’s Barber Shop. After this meeting, Bolton was elected Chief of the newly formed fire department, and
Russell Nelson was elected Assistant Chief. A Board of Trustees was formed consisting of one member from each
precinct to oversee the operation of the fire department.
As with any new undertaking, one of the most pressing problems was money. The Ridgewood group that had
requested help from the Lockport Fire Dept. told them they had no way of raising money for fire protection. The men
of Lockport suggested to go door to door to collect any contribution they could to help with expenses. After that,
members such as Jack Barnes and Dominic Pomatto would go to each home in the area asking for a five dollar
donation to help buy equipment.
In addition to the soliciting of contributions, the men used their ingenuity to raise money. One idea was to turn
Station One into a movie house for the kids on Saturdays. The men would supplement the admission price with the
sale of popcorn and soda. These were well attended as it saved the neighborhood kids from having to travel all the
way downtown to see a movie. Dances were another way that money was raised. The department also sponsored a
carnival and an annual pancake breakfast that also raised quite a bit of revenue.
Movie Night 1967
In June, the first engine was purchased from the Orland Park Fire Dept.: a 1928 Chevrolet Chemical Truck with a
500 gpm pump. The truck cost $ 950.00 and was housed in a garage rented from Frank Peterson. On July 10,
1940, the new truck responded to its first fire, at 1109 Sterling Ave., Gordon Koch’s garage suffered $ 35.00
damage. Realizing that a fire station was needed, Land was sought to build on what would be Station One. Station
One was erected on land bought from Frank Peterson. Almost every man in the community helped build the first
station of the department. In only three weeks the new station was completed and its first meeting was held in
November. By now, the department also purchased a 1000 gallon tanker. In the enduring tradition of the times, a
Ladies Auxiliary was formed to help the men at fires by serving food and drinks. The first president of the auxiliary
was Mrs. Russell Nelson.
Station One
The department grew to three trucks in September 1942 when a third truck was purchased from the Dwight Fire
Department. In December of 1945, the East Joliet Fire Dept. purchased its first new fire engine. Built by Central Fire
Truck Company of St. Louis Missouri, the 500 gpm Pumper was one of the most modern of its day. It cost $ 8000.00
dollars and was paid for in cash. In the course of events and through the years, it was sold and was later reacquired
and refurbished as a working memorial and is now affectionately known as “Old Number 4”.
In 1952, the Department purchased a used 1946 Chevrolet chassis from the Commonwealth Edison Co. Several
members remounted the pump and body from the 1928 Chevrolet to this new chassis. It was numbered as Engine 5.
It was 1955 when the Department was able to purchase another piece of equipment. This time, we purchased a
1955 Willy’s ”Jeep”, a four wheel drive vehicle, for use in combating grass and brush fires. At the time the
Department was responsible for fire protection of Highland Park. The “Jeep” was built by General-Detroit Corp. and
had a 500 gallon per minute pump and carried 150 gallons of water. The Department added another 150 gallon
tank to the unit and began using it for car fires and as a quick attack unit on structure fires
The Department soon grew even larger with the addition of a 1956 GMC tank truck. The chassis was purchased
separately and the Lubick Welding Co. of Lockport was contracted to build the tank and body. This new tanker
which carried 1500 gallons of water replaced the 1937 Diamond T.
In 1959, a 750 gallon per minute pumper with “High Pressure” was acquired. It was a 1956 I.H.C., built by the F.M.C.
Corp of Lansing, MI.; it carried 500 gallons of water. It was purchased as a demonstrator. Also in 1959, the
Department seen the need for more operating capitol to provide better protection and coverage to the
unincorporated areas of the Eastern portion of Joliet Township. During the summer months, members of the
Department canvassed the area and in the general election of November, the voting residents, overwhelmingly
approved the formation of the East Joliet Fire Protection District.
| EAST JOLIET THE EARLY YEARS |
