Chicago Fire Department historian Ken Little (more)

Before the age of computers and GPS, there was Kenneth F. Little, a man whose memory and intuition were legendary in the world of firefighting. Mr. Little, who passed away recently at the age of 84 in Glenview, was a senior fire-alarm operator with the Chicago Fire Department. They say he knew every street, alley, and shortcut in the city like the back of his hand, allowing him to direct fire trucks to emergencies faster than anyone else.

In his 36-year career, he truly made a difference, saving countless lives, according to former Chicago Fire Commissioner James Joyce. “Ken had an incredible sixth sense for knowing exactly where the nearest fire companies were. He was one of a kind—brilliant and unforgettable.”

Little co-authored six books on the history of the Chicago Fire Department and helped establish the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, which now features a library named in his honor. His dedication extended beyond his work; he was always eager to share stories and insights about the department's rich past.

One particularly memorable moment came during a 1957 fire that devastated the Chicago City Council chambers. For his unwavering commitment, staying at his post while working alongside dispatchers in the old Fire Alarm Office, he received commendation. It was a testament to his dedication even in the face of danger.

His resourcefulness once helped save Schulien’s, a famous German restaurant located at 2100 W. Irving Park Road, as recalled by his son Philip Little, who currently serves as president of the fire museum. Philip recounted how Ken overheard a radio message about a Snorkel squad returning to their station after a fire. Moments later, another call came in regarding a blaze at Schulien’s. Thinking quickly, Ken realized that the squad returning to quarters would be traveling down Western Avenue. Instead of contacting the usual fire companies, he reached out to that specific squad, finding them at Irving and Western. Thanks to this quick thinking, those firefighters arrived within 30 seconds and extinguished the flames before they spread further.

Kenneth “Ken” Little grew up in Old Town, often spending time at a nearby firehouse on North and Hudson, listening intently to radio calls. As he grew older, he explored the city extensively, riding buses, streetcars, and the elevated trains to visit every single firehouse. He even took long bus rides along Western Avenue—the city’s longest street—to walk and discover shortcuts and one-way streets. Later, he studied factory layouts to warn firefighters about potential hazards, such as toxic chemicals stored in basements.

On quiet nights, when the fire radio wasn’t buzzing with activity, Ken and his fellow dispatchers would challenge each other to name every bar and grocery store along Western Avenue from Howard to 119th Street. This trivia prowess earned him a reputation as a sought-after guest on late-night radio shows hosted by Eddie Schwartz.

When Ken joined the Chicago Fire Alarm Office in 1957, fire dispatching was still a manual process. Calls came in via thousands of red, free-standing fire-alarm boxes scattered throughout the city. These boxes dated back to an era when not everyone owned a telephone. Ken remembered old-timers who were on duty during the tragic 1903 Iroquois Theater fire, which claimed over 600 lives, and the 1910 Chicago Stockyards fire, which cost the lives of 22 firefighters—the worst loss of life until the 9/11 attacks. He also knew a fire-alarm operator who, in 1929, drove police officers to investigate a shooting on Clark Street that became infamous as the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Interestingly, Ken learned that slide-down fire poles were first invented right here in Chicago.

During the Great Blizzard of '67, Ken stayed in the office for a full 36 hours. “The roads were impassable,” his son Philip explained. “No one could leave or enter the building, but Ken stayed put to ensure everything ran smoothly.”

Beyond his firefighting legacy, Ken was a passionate educator, teaching history at Wright College. He loved jazz, especially the music of Errol Garner, and collected coins and Tootsietoys. A miniature Tootsietoy fire truck will accompany him to his final resting place.

Ken and his wife, Alice, who passed away in 1986, raised 10 children together, including triplets. In addition to Philip, Ken is survived by daughters Anna, Rita, and Mary Ellen; sons Kenneth, Robert, Stephen, Richard, and Raymond; and four grandchildren. Sadly, his son Thomas predeceased him.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Church, where he spent much of his childhood, located at 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.

Thanks, Dan!

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