Delano Fire Department
We responded to 706 calls in 2021 . We have auto aid setup with Watertown Fire , and we assisted them 7 times in 2021 . Watertown came here 4 times . We had 4 mutual aid calls to other departments also . With others departments mutual aid to us 1 time .
In June of 2018 , Delano and Watertown Fire entered into an agreement to provide Auto Aid . This means that whenever there is a structure fi re in Watertown ’ s or Delano ’ s Fire Districts the other department automatically responds without an additional page .
Dedication and courage
The Delano Fire Department has been serving the community for more than 100 years . Its offi cial creation was in 1896 , when the Delano Village Council decided it needed to organize an offi cial fi re department .
The organization has continued to grow , and members are on-call 24 hours a day , seven days a week .
For more information , call 763-972-0581 . In an emergency , dial 911 .
How to become a Delano fi refighter
In order to become a fi refi ghter , a person has to go through extensive training , including more than 100 hours of fi refi ghting training , as well as a minimum of 40 hours of fi rst responders training .
New fi refi ghters begin with an 18-month probationary period to complete the required training . They attend classes twice a week , to learn about the various equipment , procedures , and skills they will need to become a competent fi refi ghter .
Along with the classes , the trainees also can go on calls with the department , to get some experience in the fi eld .
Once one becomes a fi refi ghter for the Delano Fire Department , the training does not stop . The members of the department are required to have a minimum of 24 hours of fi refi ghting level one training , along with eight hours of fi rst responders training each year .
The department trains year-round , perfecting skills , as well as learning new skills and technology . The training allows the fi refi ghters to not only protect the community better , but also to protect themselves . Their training includes such things as live burns , leadership , maintaining virus outbreaks , and working with vehicle extrication .
The department has a meeting for the Relief Association the second Thursday of every month at 6 p . m . with truck maintenance , along with truck and station cleanup . Department meetings are the 2nd Thursday quarterly with Relief meetings , March , June , September , December .
Jan through Oct 3 and 4 Thursdays of the month , with times changing between 5 p . m . to 6:30 p . m . start time depending on what type of training . November and December training is only 1 Thursday , because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays . We do have other random trainings times throughout the year . .
Chief : Bob Van Lith Assistant Chief : Willie Staunton Captains Dale Kimball , Matt Van Lith , Jerry Wunderlich
Firefighters :
Dan Alger Brian Anderson Travis Bodine Leif Borg Devon Crawford Mike Ditty Jason Dreger Mike Frach Luke Gardner Emily Grinnell Tom Hamm Brett Hennen
Mike Jensen Kenji Matsuda Tim McKean Charlie Riley Jeff Shrode Josh Streich John Wick
For more information about the fire department , call 763-972-0581 . In an emergency , dial 911 .
Citizen Emergency Response Team ( CERT )
Delano ’ s Citizen Emergency Response Team is a volunteer organization that assists the fi re department when needed . The group promotes readiness in the community in case of a natural disaster .
Participants in the CERT team range from people in their mid-20s to age 80 .
Delano ’ s active team has had a meaningful impact on the community .
To learn more about the program , call 763-972- 0581 .
More information is also available at https :// www . ready . gov / cert .
A new firetruck joined the fleet in 2021 .
PHOTO BY JOE MCDONALD
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