Evanston Firefighters Local #742

06/04/2026

By orders of Chuck Sullivan-AFFI President and Commander Jay Coburn, the AFFI Honor Guard is being activated for the line of duty death of Brother John Morgan of Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters Local 5575. Brother Morgan passed away overnight during his May 31st shift.
Full service details can be found on the AFFI website: https://www.affi1935.org/news/activationforjohnmorgan/

Art Thompson - AFFI District 5 Vice President Kurt Snow - AFFI Secretary/Treasurer Chris Coats AFFI Vice-President Steve Shetsky - Northern District Legislative Representative International Association of Fire Fighters

05/29/2026

Today is a Friday. You may see your Evanston Firefighters Local #742 wearing RED shirts today & wonder why. It represents Remember Everyone Deployed in the military & we wish that they ALL return home safely, including our very own Local #742 Members who is currently deployed on Active Military Duty! We don't just wait for Veterans Day to salute our Soldiers, we are proud of them each & everyday! But each Friday, we wear a special RED shirt to keep them in your thoughts as well as ours! Come home safe Brother, and all who are serving!

05/16/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2026

The Chicago Fire Department announces with deep sorrow the passing of Engineer Steven M. Decker who suffered a medical emergency Thursday during an annual equipment test shortly after 3 p.m. in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue.

Engineer Decker was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston where he later died.

"We are heartbroken by losing another one of our own. Steve gave everything in service to the people of Chicago and his courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences go out to the Decker family, fellow firefighters and paramedics and all who cherished him," said CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt.

Engineer Decker, who was 61, had nearly 30 years on the job and was assigned to Engine 71 in West Ridge.

Out of respect for the family, no additional personal information is being released at this time. The Chicago Fire Department asks that the media and public respect the privacy of his family during this difficult time.

We also want to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Francis Hospital and the Chicago and Evanston Police Departments for their assistance.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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05/15/2026

04/29/2026

Evanston Fire Department Announces Four Promotions
Trippi, Gonzalez, Lynch and Olsen

Pictured: Captain Trippi, Captain Gonzalez, FAO Lynch, FAO Olsen

EVANSTON, IL - The Evanston Fire Department (EFD) is pleased to announce the promotion of four of its members in recognition of their direction, experience, and service to the community.

On February 23, 2026, James Trippi was promoted to Captain, and William Lynch was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO). Effective May 4, 2026, Jeffrey Gonzalez will be promoted to Captain and Niels Olsen to Fire Apparatus Operator.

Captains Trippi and Gonzalez have demonstrated strong leadership and a steadfast commitment to both their crews and the residents they serve. In their new roles, they will oversee emergency incidents, make critical operational decisions under pressure, and manage station administration and personnel.

FAOs Lynch and Olsen bring extensive technical expertise to their positions. They will be responsible for the safe operation and deployment of fire apparatus, as well as ongoing training and maintenance to ensure the department continues to operate at a high standard.

Together, these four individuals represent more than 74 years of combined service to the EFD, reflecting a deep dedication to public safety and professional excellence.

Please join us in congratulating Captains Trippi and Gonzalez, and Fire Apparatus Operator's Lynch and Olsen on their well-deserved achievements.

04/22/2026

Over the course of this week, all on-duty crews are training under live-fire and smoke conditions.

Today, crews from Shift 1 drilled on “first due” company operations. This Training focused on fire ground tasks assigned to first arriving fire companies to a working fire.

First arriving Engine or Truck company assignments typically include: fire attack or advancing hose lines to the seat of the fire, primary search for potential victims and fire. These are the initial steps taken in only the first 3-5 minutes of a working fire.

Evanston firefighters train all year on these types of basic fire ground activities to remain prepared, at all times, to deliver efficient and professional service to the citizens of Evanston.

Evanston Local 742 Firefighters are proud to serve the citizens of Evanston 24/7/365

04/16/2026

It’s been a difficult week for the Illinois Fire service. We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lieutenant Andrew Klatt of the North Maine Fire Protection District, who succumbed to duty-related cancer.

Evanston Firefighters Local #742 extends our thoughts and prayers to the North Maine FPD, North Maine Firefighters Local 2224, his friends, and his family.

04/12/2026

Thank you to our Evanston Telecommunicators for the hard work they do on the other side of the radio everyday! We appreciate you all!

Happy National Telecommunicators Week from the AFFI!
An integral part of the emergency system, our dispatchers our always there for us! Thank you for your service to our communities.

Chuck Sullivan-AFFI President Kurt Snow - AFFI Secretary/Treasurer Chris Coats AFFI Vice-President

04/12/2026

Evanston Firefighters Local #742 extends our thoughts & prayers to Schaumburg Professional Firefighters Association IAFF LOCAL 4092 on your loss.

04/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CghE3gB7e/

The AFFI is saddened to learn of the passing of active DeKalb Fire Fighters Local 1236 Member Juan Gasca who died off-duty on April 6th.
Although this is not an official activation, Brother Gasca was as an active member of his local and the AFFI Honor Guard.
Therefore, Honor Guard assistance has been requested by Local 1236. Visit the AFFI website for full service details: https://www.affi1935.org/news/notification-for-juan-gasca/

Chuck Sullivan-AFFI President Kurt Snow - AFFI Secretary/Treasurer Chris Coats AFFI Vice-President Scott Cavenaile, AFFI District Four Vice President Art Thompson - AFFI District 5 Vice President Eric Hall AFFI District 2 Vice President Steve Perry AFFI District 3 VP Steve Shetsky - Northern District Legislative Representative Jeff Maher - AFFI Central District Legislative Representative Brant A Maine-AFFI Southern District Legislative Representative International Association of Fire Fighters