ST. GERMAIN
Oct. 9, 2013
Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News
Page 23
St. Germain
FROM PAGE 21
servicing the department includes a 1995 Pierce rescue/pumper with a 1,250-gallons-per-minute pump, a
1,000-gallon booster tank and 7.5-kilowatt diesel-powered generator, a 3,000-gallon Marion tanker capable
of dumping its entire 3,000 gallons of water out of either side or the rear in just over a minute and a 2002
four-door, four-wheel-drive Chevrolet. The Chevrolet is
used as a personnel carrier, for hauling hoses back
from a fire or for driving to schools for drills and fire inspections. It also can be used as a tow vehicle for the
department’s boat, snowmobile or Gator. The truck is
fully equipped for rescue calls. The department also
owns a 1985 Ford/Saulsbury 18-foot heavy-rescue vehicle, which is used in transporting rescue and extrication equipment and basic haz-mat supplies.
The heavy-rescue vehicle also is rigged with a
4,500-pounds-per-square-inch Cascade system, with a
two-bottle protected fill station. It allows for the filling
of air bottles at incident scenes.
The department moved into its current fire station
location on Highway 155 in 1999, built at a cost of
$625,000.
A community department
The department’s Fire Prevention Bureau is a very
active part of day-to-day operations. Fire inspections
are conducted twice a year by Phil Kohout for all commercial buildings within the department’s protection
area.
Also very active is the Public Education Division,
headed by Glenn Svetnicka, which presents programs
for children in day-care centers and elementary school
classrooms in addition to programs for all ages. Inspections of private residences are done by request.
Residents who would like these services can contact either Phil or Judy Kohout.
St. Germain residents save approximately 20% to
35% on their homeowner’s insurance policies because
of steps taken by the department over a number of
years to achieve a Class 8 rating. To achieve the Class
8 rating, St. Germain had to put dry hydrants in the
town and the fire department also had to be able to
spray water from its pumper at a rate of 250 gallons
per minute.
The department also offers a Junior Firefighter program. The junior firefighters do informal, on-site training with department members and participate in firefighter training classes.
Messages on fire dangers and other public safety
concerns can be posted on a sign at the front of the station.
St. Germain Fire Chief Tim Clark displays the department’s
utility-terrain vehicle. The John Deere Gator is used for off-
Phil Kohout
road rescue, off-road wildland fire suppression and summer flea market setup.
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