By the Winsted Fire Department

The Winsted Volunteer Fire Department serves the city of Winsted, along with Hollywood, Victor, Winsted, and Woodland townships.

The following is a list of activities that the department was involved in during 2011:

• added one new member to the department, had one member retire with 20 years of service, and one member resigned;

• purchased a new rescue boat, motor, and rescue gear;

• hosted an annual spaghetti dinner and pancake breakfast;

• sponsored a firemen’s dance with Lester Prairie;

• provided fire protection for Winstock and Higher Ground;

• purchased four ice rescue suits with money raised by the Winsted Fire Department Relief Association; and

• responded to 221 calls in 2011 (166 medicals, 55 fires/other).

The Winsted Volunteer Fire Department was formed Dec. 3, 1889. The department’s first truck (chain-driven Oshkosh) arrived in 1927. In 1944, 33 feet of Meulener’s property was purchased for the construction of Winsted’s first fire station.

Over the years that followed, the bell was replaced by a siren and then by pagers, ambulance service was provided, fire trucks came and went, but one thing has stayed the same over the years – the dedication and devotion of the volunteers who truly make a volunteer fire department.

The fire department operates with a roster of up to 30, all volunteer members. Currently there are 26 members. They are: Chief Chad Engel, 1st Asst. Chief Brian Langenfeld, 2nd Asst. Chief Jon Davidson, 1st Capt. Tim Kosek, 2nd Capt. Brent Mickolichek, Ladder Capt. Shaun Bush, secretary Justin Hertzog, Mike Laxen, Jim Koch, Dale Gatz, Charlie Fiecke, Tim Purcell, Chad Stender, Mike Thonvold, Gerald Heinen, Rose Heimerl, Jamie Stender, Brady Tormanen, Todd Koch, Mitch Wittmer, Troy Scherping, Wayne Schumann, Matt Williams, Kyle Thompson, Ryan Chatterton, and Brandon Dahl.

In addition to providing general fire suppression services, the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department also provides fire cause determination, fire prevention services, cold water rescue, auto extrication, hazardous materials response, Skywarn spotters, and Minnesota licensed daycare inspections.

The Winsted Fire Department also operates a first responder service, responding to all medical emergencies within its coverage area. The department operates with state-certified emergency medical technicians, and certified first responders. With an average annual call volume of just over 150 calls for service, an average of 66 percent of the calls are for medical emergencies.