Lafayette County WI Archives History - Books .....Fire Department 1976
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 1, 2007, 12:56 am

Book Title: A History Of Blanchardsville, Gem Of The Pecatonica

The Blanchardville Fire Department

    Back in the 1880's, a move was made for a way of fighting fire. Some water
mains were laid and a rotary pump was placed at the Sardeson grist mill which
furnished water from the Pecatonica River. This arrangement served very well
until the new system was installed.

    The Fire Department incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin
June 1, 1895. Among the first members were Peter Walrack, John Walrack, John
Coffey, Tom Coffey, W. H. Dudley, I. E. Evans, M. O. Evans. M. L. Gould, Dan
Lyons, Dan Charles and James Blanchard, R. F. Lund, Robert Lamb, John Larson
(Bildon), and Arne Lewis, Thos. Johnson, Peter Olson, E. T. Morrison, W. E.
Robinson, A. M. Sardeson, Joe Sardeson, Anton Strommen, Anton Schlosser, H. D.
Thomas, Frank Uren, and Clarence Uren.

    The Power House was also used as the Fire Station and the equipment, which
consisted of two hose carts and one ladder, was kept there. Meetings were held
in there also and the fire bell was rung to remind members of the meeting.

    In 1937, the department purchased its first gas driven engine from Orville
Syse and it was used only in the village. 

    The first pumper, a Ford, was purchased in 1948 and it was used to serve the
Townships of Blanchard, Moscow, Perry and York in addition to the village.

    In 1953, the department purchased a used 1949 Ford truck and mounted a tank
on it for country fires.

    The local Fire Department joined the Southern Wisconsin-Northern Illinois
Firemen's Association in 1956.

    An International van was purchased in 1961 and fitted out for the newly
organized Rescue Squad which had taken a seven week training course under the
Red Cross Program and was assisted by Dr. L. J. Unterholzner.

    In 1966, the Fire Department was moved to a new location and is housed in a
Pruden all steel building which was purchased at a cost of $15,549.

    The bell was taken down from the cupola of the old building, refurbished by
Ronald Wyttenbach, and placed near the front of the building.

    In 1968, a Chevrolet van was purchased to carry equipment and to be a rescue
vehicle.

    A new pumper was purchased in 1969 and the 1948 one was used as a "back-up"
unit.

    In 1972 ambulance service was offered with a specially built ambulance
equipped with oxygen, radio communication and other emergency apparatus. Sixteen
men from the local department took advantage of a twenty-five week "Emergency
Medical Technicians Course". At the present time, twenty men are taking a
refresher course and are attending eleven of the three hour sessions.

    The department joined the State of Wisconsin Firemen's Association in 1973
and also in the same year, purchased a 1968 International truck on which was
placed a 1500 gallon tank to serve as the second tanker.

    In 1975 they purchased a Ford truck on which was placed a 1500 gallon tank
and this replaced the 1949 Ford tanker.

    There are at present thirty-one loyal and dedicated firemen who have
meetings the first Thursday of each month, ambulance drill the second Thursday
and fire drill the third Thursday. The present Fire Chief is George Torkelson.

    The firemen are also active in the Civil Defense Program and they serve in
all emergencies.

    Names of the present firemen are: Lincoln Barber, Everett Ingwell, Casper
Schober, Herbert Dobson, Verdean Vick, Clifford Lien, Jr., Elmo Holt, Dennis
Novinski, George Torkelson, Gordon Larson, Dean Hendrickson,

    Roy Kundert, Richard Engstad, Dennis Severson, Daryl Schober (in Military
Service), Douglas Kiel, Duane Kundert, R. Thomas Saether, Benedict Zimmerman,
Jr., Richard Severson, Carl Chandler, Ralph Farrell,

    Robert Kapke, Gary Jeglum, Michael Hasburgh, Phillip Peterson, Paul Hughes,
David Wiemiller, Donald Hendrickson, Dave Gerber and Richard Haldiman.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from

A History of Blanchardville, Gem of the Pecatonica

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wi/lafayette/history/1976/ahistory/firedepa150gms.txt

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