Dan Lundeen and Dan DeRusha , members of the New Germany Fire Department , participated in a prescribed burn recently to help the regrowth of native grasses for area landowners . The fire department makes the burn safer than if residents did it themselves , as the fire fighters have the proper equipment and resources .
Submitted photo
New Germany
New Germany Fire Department members Dan Lundeen , Clayton Quaas , and Craig Kahle are seated in the Polaris 6x6 UTV fire apparatus owned by the fire department , as Eric Roepke stands in background . The UTV is used to put fires out and get around at fire scenes and off-road medical or rescue calls where the large trucks cannot go .
Submitted photo
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Since 1901 , the New Germany Fire Department has provided service , loyalty , and protection to the city of New Germany , as well as to the surrounding townships of Camden and Hollywood .
The volunteer department currently has more than 20 active members , and five rescue reserve members ( those who are available during the day and can be either first responders , firefighters , or both ).
Active members :
• Steve VanLith
• Eric Roepke
• Bruce Fillbrandt
• Ryan Goede
• Dan Ruschmeier
• Dan Mielke
• Travis Kubasch
• John Lenarz
• Ria Roland
• Brock Sennes
• Craig Kahle
• Dan Lundeen
• Cole Midthun
• Clayton Quaas
• Jacob Floer
• Nick Erickson
• Alex Kurtz
• Jacob Kemnitz
• Dan Derusha
• Dustin O ’ Brien
• Jon Heitz
Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day , 365 days a year . Though being a firefighter involves significant commitment , intense training , and likely danger , the members of the fire department manage to find an opportunity for recreation every year .
The New Germany Fire Department Relief Association hosts its annual softball tournament each August , and typically , more than 20 local fire departments participate .
Anyone who lives or works within the fire protection zone served by the department is eligible to volunteer for membership . Physical and other requirements must be met . Contact any fire department officer for more information on joining this honorable crew .
Intense training is an important part of being a firefighter . All members of the department participate in regular , ongoing training in a variety of areas . The department conducts one training meeting every month , and in addition to this , members participate in classes and training events throughout the year .
One of the goals of the department is to make sure firefighters are always prepared to deal with the situations they may encounter . Today , training is more important than ever , because the nature of firefighting has evolved over the years .
Equipment to fight fires has also evolved , and this is another reason that ongoing training is vital . Firefighters must be comfortable with , and understand the equipment before they are called upon to use it at a fire scene .
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