Fire Department

Washington’s Birthday in 1877; second appearance of Phoenix Co. clad in new uniforms; S. M. Eaton having the contract for hauling the “Phoenix steamer,” and Mr. Mannegold of the east side had a similar arrangement with the city for hauling the “Pioneer” to fires WG, 02 26 1909

Fierce fire broke out in a warehouse at the C.&N.W.Ry. depot and spread rapidly WG, 02 26 1909

The officers and engineers of engine companies in 1877 WG, 02 26 1909

1880 Fred Newmann retirement (discharge certificate) from fire department (WHS_005_480)

“ . he shall be hereafter, so long as he shall reside in this City, exempt from Poll Tax and from Serving

on Juries and from Military Duty, except in case of insurrection or invasion . “

Henry Bieber City Clerk

William H Rohr President, Watertown Fire Dept

Carl Goeldner Treasurer, Watertown Fire Dept

1888

07 20 John E. Weissert, 1847 – 1888; Department in funeral procession for WG

1889

01 11 Charles Hoeffner funeral; the Phoenix Fire Co turned out in uniform.

1906 It is reported that at the time of the fire at the residence of Robert Brennecke [813 Western Ave] a lady living in the neighborhood discovering the fire by the reflection of the flames through a window, telephoned to the central office asking that the fire department be notified. She was told to go to an alarm box and turn in an alarm which would have required several minutes, even if she had known where the alarm box was located. If the report is true, it is to be regretted, for every person in the city is anxious that an alarm of fire should reach the department at the earliest possible moment, and as the city has given the telephone company a valuable franchise and its employees go upon the roofs of buildings at all times to string wires leaving wire and nail holes in the roofs, it certainly would be but a simple matter of courtesy to aid in the preservation of property from destruction by fire. The writer does not wish to be captious nor critical in the matter and only refers to it that the company in the future may cooperate with other citizens in extending all possible aid in case of fire. 01 02

1906 Three weeks ago, the Republican in the issue following the fire at the Brennecke residence contained a general criticism of the Telephone Company for not turning in the alarm to the fire department telephone to the central office. Immediately following the appearance of the article in the Republican, the Daily Times of January 6th contained the following “explanation”: 01 27

An erroneous impression has gone abroad regarding the turning in of a fire alarm at the time of the Brennecke fire. The telephone manager wishes it corrected. He says that since the introduction of the fire alarm system the telephone central has never been requested by the authorities to turn in fire alarms as previously done. On the day in question, however, one of the operators was called up and told to turn in an alarm. The manager claims the girl tried the west side house but got no response and she then notified the person calling that it might be quicker to turn in the alarm from the box and not wait. If this be true the published statements regarding the affair are unjust to the operator. Hereafter when persons wish to send in an alarm in case of fire and when the fire alarm box is not in the immediate vicinity they may send the alarm by telephone to the central station, giving the location of the fire and central will notify the fire department and both houses simultaneously. This matter has been arranged with the telephone management by Chief Clafer, who requested that the public be notified through the press of the change.

1906 The Silsby fire engine which was sent to Seneca Falls, N.Y. some time ago to be repaired arrived back Thursday, and was tested Saturday by Chief Glaser and assistants and found to be all right, and is hoped that its service will not be needed. 02 18

1906 A trial of old fire engine No. 1 was made yesterday afternoon, the scene being on the river bank back of the old brewery. The trial was under the direction of Otto Biefeld, former chief and was for the purpose of instructing the new engineer of fire engines, August Schmidt with the duties of the position to which he was recently elected by the council, which was formerly held by Mr. Biefeld. Despite the fact that the engine has been in service in Watertown for a period of thirty years this summer, the former chief declares that it does just as good work as ever and that during the trial yesterday, it threw a stream across the river. It is said Mr. Schmidt takes hold of the work with much credit to himself. The first engineer was Ferdinand Bursinger and the first chief William Schuette. 05 18

1906 F. Kahlpacker of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the employ of the LaFrance Fire Engine Company, with headquarters at Chicago, reached here yesterday morning and put a new pump on the fire engine Phoenix No. 2, which was repaired by said company and received back about four months ago. After the new pump was attached the engine was tested by the chief and assistants and furnished the required quantity of water and it appeared to be serviceable, throwing a strong, steady stream of water without the aid of parts, with which it keeps the boilers supplied with water. Mr. Kahlpacker took his departure last night, feeling quite confident that the engine would be accepted by the city council at the regular meeting tonight. 06 22

1906 The final test of the Silsby engine was made yesterday afternoon, perched on the river bank near the Cady Street bridge and subsequently on the Main Street bridge. The first test was based with three lengths of hose and water was thrown nearly if not quite across the river at that point. Afterward with the Siamese twin coupling, water was sent across the river without any trouble. The engine was then taken to the Main Street bridge and a further test made, which was as satisfactory as the first. The tests showed that with the new cylinder and the adjustment made by Mr. Langdon, the representative of the American Fire Engine company, the work was accomplished with less than half of the coal formerly used, a stronger and more uniform water pressure maintained and a gain of one three quarter inch stream secured. The old machine is now better than when it was new and good for thirty years more of service. 08 22

1906 A 1906 Gamewell automatic system, on display at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, located in Phoenix, AZ, is believed to be that of Watertown.

1908

04 22 No. 1 fire engine was taken out of its storage and tested

06 27 Wisconsin State Fireman's Assn, Lake Mills

08 07 Beals & Torey false fire alarm. WG

08 07 Letter of Nic Bruegger on his time with H&L Co. WG

10 16 Gus Neitzel recollection WG

11 27 Fire insurance agents of city elect officers WG

12 11 Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 elected officers for the ensuing year: WG

12 18 Phoenix Fire Co. grand ball at Turner opera house WG

1909

01 01 Anchor Volunteer Hose Co. No. 1 elected for the ensuing year; Phoenix Fire Co. grand ball WG

01 08 Copeland-Roach Motor Co purchased former fire engine house/emergency hospital WG

01 15 Officers elected WG

02 05 Winter storm shuts down fire alarm system WG

02 05 Reeseville nearly wiped out by fire; Watertown Fire Dept arrives by train WG

02 26 Fire at L. H. Cordes’ home on Third Street WG

03 05 Improvements at Water Works Plant; pressure increased for fire fighting WG

03 19 Fire Chief and officers elected WG

03 19 Hose team of c.1895 remembered WG

04 02 Clyman Fire Company organized WG

04 30 Circus performance to benefit volunteer firemen WG

05 14 Bids for hauling fire apparatus WG

05 29 Officers elected, Phoenix Hose Co No. 2 WG

06 04 Amoskeag fire engine owned by city of Columbus, Dornfeld-Kunert secured contract for new boiler on WG

1912

10 04 Charles Straw, 1851 - 1912

1940

02 19 Former Phoenix Engine House returned to Christ Becker estate WDT

1956

11 08 Emil Doerr, 1879-1956; City Hall flag flown at half staff for Mr. Doerr; had been a member of the old Watertown Volunteer Fire Department WDT

1957

07 23 Watertown's new fire truck, a 7 1/2 ton American-LaFrance, arrived in Watertown yesterday afternoon and was unloaded this morning at the freight yards of the Milwaukee Road at the foot of South Fifth Street. The new truck replaces the city's first motorized fire truck, a Seagrave, which has been in use here 32 years.(*) The new truck was shipped from the American-LaFrance Co. headquarters at Elmira N.Y. and arrived somewhat ahead of schedule. It cost $18,448, based on the bid specifications. WDT

(*) The city’s first motorized fire truck was a 1917 Seagrave. The second was obtained in 1928. Both were in service into the 1940s, with the 1928 Seagrave in use until 1957. (p 198 of fire history book)

1958

08 14 Fire protection of rural townships, first steps toward new contracts WDT

09 02 New fire station proposed . . . again WDT

09 27 Safety conditions at City Hall; special emphasis on the Fire Department's quarters WDT

09 29 Christmas toy project preparation WDT

09 30 Question of a future fire station; City Council WDT

10 21 Schnappsie, the dachshund mascot, banished from City Hall WDT

11 26 Family Welfare Assn, Fire Department repairs and turns over toys for distribution WDT

1967

04 01 Patrick Theder joined force. Filled vacancy by retirement of Jerome (Whitey) Donahue. WDT

1982

07 06 1982 Flood, Fire Department pumps water from basements and businesses [WHS_005_548] WDT

12 11 Fire truck gets a new engine and transmission to “improve roadability and pumpability.” WDT

1983

05 05 Riverview Commons apartment complex to be rebuilt following fire WDT

12 13 Fire broke out at The Office tavern, damage estimated at $100,000 WDT

1984

03 24 Watertown Outboarders Club destroyed by fire early WDT

1986

Earl Nienow, firefighter for 29 years, retired in 1986 as lieutenant

1996

02 10 Michael J. Knope, 1960-1996 WDT

1997

07 09 Expansion of the Watertown fire station has been recommended by the public works committee of the Watertown Common Council. The committee endorsed the construction of a building addition, 28 feet by 60 feet, in the south driveway of the fire station. The addition will have room for storage of four of the department's largest vehicles. Currently, the department is unable to store its heaviest equipment in the fire station because the floor's load capacity is inadequate. The floor, which is deteriorated, wasn't designed to hold the larger fire vehicles being built these days. WDT

08 18 Lenius building fire WDT

1998

07 11 All fire hydrants sandblasted and repainted WDT

08 13 Larry E. Sterwald, 1938-1998 WDT

09 30 Henry Butts started as captain in the training division of the WFD WDT

11 25 A railroad engine spilled more than 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel near a wetlands area WDT

2001

09 11 9_11 image

2005 Tire fire: Settlement up to date on second anniversary of fire, WHS_005_550 July 19-24

2006 City reaches deal on fire contracts with townships, Doc WHS_005_549

2007

07 27 Listing of all fire department personnel

08 07 Fire at 116 W Main, above Rico’s Pizza

08 12 Book on 150-year history of the Watertown Fire Dept released.

09 08 Controlled burn, training event

10 12 Keith Knollenberg hired as full-time firefighter/paramedic

11 12 Watertown Head Start visited to promote fire safety.

2008

01 02 Perry Street apartment building totally destroyed by fire by a mattress fire [WHS_005_555]

02 28 Brad Fox joins dept as firefighter/paramedic

03 09 South Tenth St home fire claims one

03 29 Vacant home at 316 Summit Ave., owned by Mae Snell-Lynch Gloede, was declared a total loss. When firefighters arrived at the scene 75 percent of the home was engulfed in flames. While battling the blaze, firefighters also had the task of keeping the flames from spreading to an adjacent building and a number of cars parked near the home. Twenty-three firefighters from fire departments in Watertown and Ixonia battled blaze. No injuries reported. WDT story and photo

04 25 North Washington St duplex fire caused by lightning

05 07 Mike Meyers recognized by City Council for 40 years of service WDT, includes pic

05 07 Watertown aerial ladder provided mutual aid, Lake Mills apartment bldg WDT story

05 07 Fire in town of Shields destroyed a two-story home and some records of the town board. WDT

05 21 419 S. Washington St. resident awoken and notified of blaze by his dog WDT

05 21 Mason Pugh new firefighter/paramedic, replaces Ray Tessmann. WDT

07 07 Bottle rocket likely cause of fire, 216 N Church [ former Kusel Home ]. WDT

07 07 Lights ‘n Sirens safety fair held at Riverside Park. [no link] WDT

07 08 City teen, Ben Richter, killed by lightning WDT story Local teen killed by lightning remembered WDT story

07 08 Permit issued in June to install walls for lockers. WDT

07 16 Department Commemorates 150 Years - Elk’s Club gathering

07 21 Four-unit apartment complex fire, 800 block Clark St; about $35,000 in damages WDT

07 26 Husband, wife injured in plane crash at Watertown airport; Plane tumbled into hangar, then caught fire

00 08 Muscular Dystrophy Assn collection by firefighters

08 18 Common Council resolution denying request from firefighter looking for the city to pay him a supplemental income WDT

08 20 Department opposes Heron Landing subdivision due to length of response times WDT

09 02 Kraig Biefeld has been promoted to assistant fire chief and director of EMS WDT

10 13 Fire damages detached garage on Division St WDT

10 14 10-year-old helps family avert tragedy, Cole St WDT

10 20 Villages of Lowell and Reeseville, EMS contracts for 2009. WDT

10 28 Fire Chief Butts talk about current role of the fire department WDT

10 29 McDonald's is total loss after fire; first use of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System WDT

11 13 Bill Adams hired by department WDT

11 14 Tanya Manke hired by department WDT

11 15 Rock River Pizza Co. and River City Distributing Co.; a fund-raiser for the Watertown Fire Department WDT

12 18 Watertown Food Pantry donation; drive sponsored by the Watertown Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 877 WDT

12 26 A garage in the Town of Watertown and its contents were declared a total loss WDT

2009

02 06 Fire Department Auxiliary Schedule, several firefighters exceeding 600 hours per year WDT

02 17 Fire Department rates for area towns set by Common Council WDT

04 03 Lifestar Emergency Medical EMS considers Watertown; EMS rates WDT

06 25 Lifepak 12 cardiac defibrillator; Review of paid-on-call firefighters to augment fire services WDT

06 29 Earl Nienow, 1930-2009, firefighter for 29 years, retired in 1986 as lieutenant WDT

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