website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Watertown Fire Department
Established 1857
The Watertown Fire Department: 1857-2007
492 pages, $29.95 +
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The 150 year history
of the Watertown Fire Department is now available. This comprehensive reference book is filled
with images and details on the history of the department, fully indexed and
also documents the major fires that have occurred in the city.
All proceeds derived
from the sale of this book go to benefit the Watertown Historical Society. Those wishing to order copies, which make
fine gifts, may do so either by means of a $36.95 credit card charge (includes
mailing) through
this website or by sending their check of this amount to the
Watertown Historical Society, 919 Charles St., Watertown, WI 53094.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPLEMENTAL
AND UPDATING INFORMATION
1853
07 09 Hackett Blacksmith Shop fire Democratic State Reg
1855
05 20 Vulcan Iron Works
destroyed WD
07 12 Anson
Brewery fire WD
07 19 Slaughter
house fire J. H. & J. Martin
WD
1857 Watertown Fire Department established
1858
07 15 Rent for engine house paid Jacob Jussen WD
11 18 Examine all stove pipes and buildings by
fire wardens WD
1859
01 27 &
05 05 Rent
for engine room, paid F. Gebhardt, $6.50,
[Pioneer fire dept] engine room 1 month
WD
05 26 Rent of engine room, contract with Peter
Seibel for WG
Pioneer Engine Company
No. 1
09 08 Whereas,
Edward Johnson, James McHugh, John
Campbell, and their associates, have petitioned the Common Council to be
formed into a Fire Company, and also have the Fire Engine belonging to the city
placed in their charge [a pumper had been obtained in 1858], Therefore
Resolved, That the said Edward Johnson, John Campbell, James McHugh,
and their associates, be and they are hereby formed into a Fire Company, to be
known at No. 1, and that the engine belonging to the city be delivered to the
said Company. [Would become Pioneer
Engine Company No. 1] WD
09 15 Pioneer Engine Company No. 1:
This is the name of the new Fire Company that has recently been
organized in this city, and has now possession of the Engine [pumper]. The members are all active, strong, healthy
men, capable of rendering whatever services circumstances may demand . . . Last
Saturday evening the “machine” was brought out, and judging from the admirable
manner in which it was handled and worked, it can be relied upon if an
emergency should arise, when real duty will be required. We understand it is the intention of the
Company to attend the State Fair and compete with the second class machines of
this state. Whether the Pioneer gets the
prize or not, we are sure the “boys” will make a good show, and if they do not
win, will deserve success. WD
1860
01 12 Sanford
fire; two stave dry houses consumed
WD
01 26 D. Kusel for
stove pipe for Fire Engine Co., $3.04 WD
02 09 First
Annual Ball of Pioneer Engine Co. No. 1
WD
02 16 Western
Star Hotel destroyed by fire WD
04 12 Dept officers
chosen WD
05 17 Pioneer Engine house; site selection WD
06 28 Exhibition for
July Fourth celebration WD
07 19 Annual election of Engine Company No.
1 WD
1860
10 05 Pioneer Fire Company at County Fair at Jefferson WR
Western Star Hotel
Fire, 1860
1861
05 23 “Provisions for and
encouragement of the fire department,” subject of great importance and
interest to the city, Mayor William’s address. WD
06 06 An
Act to Incorporate Fire Companies / State of WI, represented in Senate and
Assembly WD
1868 Mayor’s Inaugural Speech: “Our Fire Department has been shamefully
neglected . . “
05 07
1871 Glue factory [former Plank Road Brewery] burns to the
ground
Rising moon mistaken for fire, memory
of WG of 03 05 1909
Great
Peshtigo Fire: An Eyewitness Account
1872 Habhagger
Brewery fire
1873 Parade
cancelled by tornado 07 04
1875 Bay State House fire
1876c Alarms
sounded with stick and old tin pan by Charley Huber Sr
1876 Phoenix Fire Co, No. 2. Organized 1876. 127 N Water St
Charles Kerr, charter member, fire engine
driver
08 24 Fire at ice house of Exchange
Hotel WD Pioneer and Phoenix respond; reservoir on
Second St
08 24 Proceedings
of a regular meeting of the Board of Street Commissioners, held August 21, 1876
. . . Motion by Com. Woodard; That the City Treasurer is hereby requested to
loan to the city general fund from the school fund, until January 1, next, the
sum of $310 for the purpose of purchasing a site for an engine house on the
West side of Rock River, and paying freight for the Silsby
fire engine. Motion carried. WD
1877
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
1886
11 13 
Invitation
of Fireman’s Ball, Watertown Pioneer Company No. 1
1887
06 23 Junction fire; rail mill, machine
shop, carpenter shop and blacksmith shop of the C. M. & St. Paul RR WD
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.
1895
09 11 Tremont house
fire, on West Main Street; one doubts that it was of incendiary origin
1902
01 10 Chief Doerr
called out the fire department Sunday afternoon for practice, having received
the consent of the committee on fire department. WG
1903
Christian
Becker is Secretary of the Fire Department and Treasurer of the Pioneer
Fire Company.
06 20 Ordinance,
gunpowder, dynamite,
nitro glycerin . . .
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
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.
1907
10 20 Steam
heating plant; Phoenix engine house
WL
11 02 Twenty
crates of matches source of fire WL
11 06 Proposed
new building for storage of city property including the No. 1 fire
engine WL
1908
04 22 No. 1 fire engine was taken out of its
storage and tested
05 20 Lehmann & Schroeder fire
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.
10 16 Gus Neitzel
recollection
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
07 09 Elevator at Richwood destroyed WG
09 03 Names of Fire Companies: For the benefit of an inquiring subscriber in
Milwaukee we will state that the names of the Watertown Fire companies are:
Anchor Hook and Ladder
Co. No. 1.
Anchor Hose Co. No. 1.
Phoenix Fire Co. No.
2. WG
09 03 Overhauling Waterloo’s Silsby steamer WG
09 10 Alarm of fire test WG
10 01 Letter from Ernst Wood; Phoenix Fire Co recollections WG
1910
01 07 You are invited to the
Phoenix Fire Co’s ball at Turner Opera House Saturday evening, Jan. 29, 1910. WG
01 14 Officers re-elected WG
03 11 Wisconsin House fire WG
03 11 Fire Dept elections, Glaser reelected
chief WG
04 05 Money receive from insurance companies WG
- Phoenix Co, 35 men; Anchor Hose Co,
34; Hook and Ladder Co, 33 men.
04 22 Robert Kerstell,
Engineer Fire Engine; Standing committee, William Schimmel,
John Kehr, Charles Kohn
04 29 Statement on condition of dept by Mayor Grube WG
06 17 Brandt-Dent factory fire WG
07 08 Max Naatz electrocuted, employed fixing fire alarm wires WG
07 29 Carl F. Otto elected treasurer, in place of
George Weber, deceased. WG
08 12 Homecoming celebration,
fire apparatus parade part of WG
08 19 Louis C. Ullrich
[1850-1910],former member of old Pioneer Fire Co. WG
1911
03 09 Firemen Return Thanks. The fire department, through Chief John
Glaser, expresses its thanks to Mr. George Hawkins for a generous supply of
cigars in recognition of the prompt response of the department when called to
his place recently. WG
03 23 False Fire Alarm. Watertown—At 9:50 o’clock Monday a false fire
alarm was turned in from box 13 and the fire department responded promptly,
several firemen narrowly escaping serious injury by the hook and ladder truck
crashing into hose wagon No. 2. False
alarms are periodically turned in here and sooner or later the guilty party
will be caught and severely punished. WG
07 28 Fire at the New
Commercial Hotel
08 24 Jaeger
wood working plant totally destroyed by fire WG
08 24 Firemen Elect Officers
The Volunteer Fire Co. of this city met last week and elected
the following officers:
President – Justin Wallace
Vice President – Wenzel Kunert
Secretary – Walter Kuenzi
Treasurer – Charles Gruel
The treasurer was placed under bonds of $500
to be furnished by the department. The
regular meeting date was fixed at the third Tuesday in each month. A committee of three, Fred McLaughlin,
William Kasten and R. Traeumer
was appointed to petition the city council to purchase badges for the
members. The total enlistment of men was
42, divided into three companies. WG
1912
10 04 Charles
Straw, 1851-1912
1915
07 01 Barker Lumber Co. destroyed
By Fire; “every fireman from the chief down did heroic work” WG
1916
03 31 Captain Charles Otto,
chief 1886-1887, death of
1920 Junction House fire
1924
05 06 Benke Bros greenhouses fire WDT
1936
Feb Emil
Luther funeral; volunteer fire dept, tribute paid WDT
1940
02 19 Former Phoenix Engine House returned
to Christian
Becker estate WDT
1948
Wayne Wendt and Ronald Nuernberg;
initial training, paid fire department.
Brings the paid department to full strength — 14 firemen, seven on
duty on each of two shifts.
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 11 Schnappsie, the dachshund mascot, has a birthday
WDT
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)
12 31 Fire
losses in 1957 WDT
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
1959
12 07 Christmas toy project
WDT
1960
06 17 Watertown Civic Center, Fire Dept station would be
part of plan WDT
10 07 Delay
is an old story in the city council. And
last night, another chapter was added to what has become a long-running
serial. The council once more delayed
action on plans for a new fire station. A
resolution which would have authorized the firm of Riley and Horn, architects,
to draw plans for a new fire station at the recreation building site with the
understanding that the building is to be expandable for future development, was
voted down and the issue has again been put over for two weeks. WDT
1961
02 18 Plans for a new fire and police
station on block then housing the recreation building had two strikes
against it. WDT
03 09 Fire early this morning at the O. J. Goeldner building at 113 Main Street, occupied by
Siegel’s Economy Store, caused damage estimated at $20,000. The building, one of Watertown’s Main Street
landmarks, is owned by the O. J. Goeldner Estate,
Mrs. Joseph Wimmer of this city and her sister, Mrs.
William Bennin of Cambridge. As a result of the fire, which started in the
basement near the stoker-operated boiler, the stock in the store suffered heavy
damage and part of the floor in the rear of the building was burned away. WDT
09 05 A petition signed by 26 residents of the area opposing plans for the
location of the city’s new fire station on the site of the old Webster School
in Western Avenue was filed with the common council at its meeting last
night. WDT
1964
11 26 Rank of lieutenant created WDT
1967
04 01 Patrick
Theder joined force. Filled vacancy by retirement
of Jerome (Whitey) Donahue. WDT
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
02 05 Transfer
trauma patients to Madison and Milwaukee hospitals by EMS WDT
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
1985
02 03 Pumping capacity of city's wells could
be exhausted WDT
03 26 Duck rescued from river WDT
10 14 Candle Glo Motel
restaurant fire WDT
12 11 Ronald Weavel appointed Fire Chief. The changing of the guard starts Monday,
as Watertown's newly appointed fire chief, Ronald Weavel,
begins his first day at the 20-employee department. Weavel is expected
to work with current chief Donald Asmus until the
first of the year when Asmus will officially
retire. Asmus
has been head of the department for the last 15 years and has been affiliated
with the department since 1951. Weavel comes to Watertown from a lieutenant's position at
Rockford Fire Department. In Rockford,
the lieutenant's position is equivalent to that of a shift commander. Weavel was an
employee of the Rockford Fire Department since 1966 and has 20 years of firefighting
experience. WDT
1986
Earl
Nienow, firefighter for 29 years, retired in 1986
as lieutenant.
01 07 Carlton Hotel fire: Smoke detectors may have saved the lives of 25 persons
as fire moderately damaged the Carlton Hotel, 115 South First St. Both police officials and firemen responded
to the hotel at about 4:45 a.m. after a tenant, Fred Long, ran three blocks in
near zero degree temperatures to the police department. “We're very fortunate those fire detectors
worked. If they didn't we could have had
a terrific fire, because it could have spread very easily up those pipe
chasers.” - Fire Chief Ronald Weavel WDT
02 15 Announced a promotion and hiring of a new firefighter in the department. Joel Edwards, 39, 114 Warren Street, has been promoted to lieutenant in the department to replace Earl Nienow, 1323 South Third Street, who retired in December after 34 years of service. Keith Becken, 27, 1036 Meadow Street, started employment with the department on Jan. 9 to replace Edwards. Becken, from Milwaukee, was a member of the Greendale Fire Department for 2 1/2 years. He also is a certified EMT. He is single. WDT
02 21 Watertown and town of Lebanon agreed to coincide the boundaries of Emmet EMS district and fire district WDT
03 05 He may have the title “City of Watertown Fire Chief,” but after two months on the job Ronald Weavel has done more than his share in spreading the responsibility of running the department to his 20-man staff. “No one person is running the department anymore. This is a 20-man department,” said Weavel, a Rockford, Ill., fire lieutenant before being named Watertown fire chief last December. “When I first came here, I told them (the staff) if you want to get involved, you can get involved. And that's what they've done. We've got 20 quality guys here, all willing to work.” What Weavel has done is not reduce his workload. His day is still filled with administrative duties - conferences with his men, state fire officials and perhaps a neighboring fire department. WDT
03 16 It sure didn't take long for the Watertown Fire Department's newest piece of equipment to prove its effectiveness. Firemen Thursday afternoon used a 1,200 gallon per minute water deluge gun to virtually disintegrate an ice jam off the North Second Street bridge, freeing water which was rising at a rate of one foot per hour. Ice jams continued this morning in the area of the Division Street bridge, City Engineer Edward Bennett said. With temperatures expected to climb into the 40s today and through the weekend, however, Bennett expected almost all of the jams to break up naturally. WDT
03 28 Ruling out arson, Watertown fire officials today say they are still unsure on what started a blaze at Loeb Industries' metal processing facility early Saturday evening. The metal processing plant, one of two Loeb buildings at 1111 South Tenth Street, sustained extensive smoke damage throughout and fire damage to its west side receiving end, where officials believe the fire started. The plant and adjacent office building were unoccupied at the time of the blaze. WDT
10 03 It was November 1985 when Ronald Weavel promised progressiveness as he took the helm at the Fire Department. Almost one year later, the progress may be a little slower than expected but the commitment hasn’t waned. June 1, 1987, appears to be D-Day for the Watertown Fire Department. That’s when the insurance service officers are expected to come to the city and see if the fire department, with the water department, deserves a class three fire protection rating. The class three would mean a two-class jump from the department’s present class five rating. WDT
1994
Chief
Ron Weavel Sr. resigned
WDT
1996
02 10 Michael J. Knope, 1960-1996
WDT
1997
05 09 Proposal to fill area underneath floor to
increase load carrying capacity WDT
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
1999
05 15 Largest volume
of calls received since first formed, Q1 1999 WDT
2000
01 27 Police dept
space problem, municipal bldg renovation, three police/fire precincts WDT
03 19 Fire
Chief Richard Olson retires; succeeded Ron Weavel
as chief. Weavel
held the post from Dec 1985 to 1994 WDT
03 24 On-call
firefighters for staffing needs; reinstate inter-facility transport
program; Chief Olson WDT
06 29 Joel Edwards
retirement, began in the 1970s WDT
2001
01 31 Fire struck the engine of a train bound for Illinois
on the Canadian Pacific Railroad Thursday as it approached the northwest side
of Watertown. Watertown firefighters
responded to the blaze at the railroad's intersection with Welsh Road just
before 7 a.m. No one was injured. Seven firefighters contained the fire and fuel. They spent about 20 minutes battling the
fire, which caused about $30,000 in damage.
WDT
03 14 A
mechanical failure caused the Saturday blaze at the Wisconsin Investcast warehouse, state investigators determined. No criminal activity was to blame for the
fire that destroyed most of the building, including its roof. Investcast
president Larry Blanton said he didn't anticipate serious disruptions in the
work flow at the foundry. He said area
foundries and suppliers were supportive.
09 06 The band shell at Riverside Park
received roughly $30,000 in damage following a suspicious fire.
09 11 9-11
image
2002
07 11 Lights
‘N Sirens event WDT, article & pics
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
03 21 Lights ‘n Sirens, plans for announced
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.
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 REPORT: Planning for the effective use of rapid
intervention crews for the Watertown Fire Dept; Michael H Quint, author
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 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
07 08 Breast cancer awareness and research,
members be wearing pink
T-shirts to support WDT
08 22 Combustible gas detector donated;
Chickens Unlimited WDT
09 15 Rich Nienow
honored, 30 years as auxiliary firefighter WDT
09 29 Fire Prevention Week; open
house; teaming with the Natl Fire Protection Assn;
“Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get
Burned” WDT
09 30 Fire Department visit to Public Library
at story time; Great Expectations Early Learning Center WDT
12 14 Rural
fire rate hike on agenda WDT
2010
01 25 Ice
training exercise, members of department take part, on Rock River, near station WDT [pic]
02 03 Residents
honored for rescues during May 2009 house fire, John Jeffery and Kyle West WDT [pic]
02 10 Town
of Watertown residence declared a total loss [$350,000, structure and contents] WDT [pics]
04 14 $1,000 donation from Golden
Living for continued enhancement of services
WDT [pic]
04 14 Fire
at 1307 South Third
WDT
07 06 11th annual
Lights 'n Sirens event returns to Watertown July 8 at Riverside Park WDT
07 29 Muscular Dystrophy Association;
Firefighters will remove their boots to collect money for WDT
10 08 Students from Germany visit
Department
2011
02 20 Test
America Laboratories destroyed by fire.
03 11 Survive Alive House Restored WDT
03 23 Steven
Beer, Asst Chief of Operations, Fond du Lac Fire Dept, to be new chief of
the Watertown Fire Department.
04 01 Steven Beer declines appointment
Fire Chief Gregory Michalek appointed
09 22 Department no longer endorsing businesses,
residents or organizations. In the past allowed
solicitation on its behalf for public education materials.
12 21 Butts
charged with theft. Did not reimburse the city for airfare purchases made with the
city’s credit card.
Cross References:
Fuermann Brewery, Fire
Dept occupies former site of
