Our History

1948

• • Purchased first pump and supplies, 6 lengths of hose.

1951

• • Purchased 1946 Chevrolet truck to mount pumper ($465), built up first pump on truck ($1,291.56).
  • Purchased lot for fire house from Edmund Halfmann ($200).

1952

• • Purchased set of air packs.

1954

• • Incorporated Calumet Volunteer Fire Department. Met with Town of Calumet officials in regard to building a new fire station.

1955

• • Built new fire station, purchased 1948 Ford water tanker ($665), build-up at Pierce Mfg. on 1948 water tanker ($500).

1957

• • Purchased 2-way radios.

• 1961
  • Purchased 1961 Ford pumper truck ($5,150), built up 1961 truck ($9,398).
• 1962
  • Department size now requires two groups.
• 1963
  • Started ambulance service with van ($2,345), build-up ($1,214), radio ($350).
• 1964
  • Started social gathering with Mt. Calvary Fire Department.
• 1965
  • Purchased new water truck.
• 1969
  • Receivers were installed in firemen’s homes.

• 1970
  • Purchased 2nd water truck.
• 1972
  • Installed fire conference in 10 homes and fire station.
• 1974
  • Installed loading station at Columbia Park.
• 1976
  • Purchased new front mount pump – 1975 Dodge.
• 1978
  • Discontinued ambulance service.
• 1979
  • First quick dump added to water tank; insulated ceiling in fire station.

• 1980
  • Received 30 pocket pagers ($261.32 each)
  • Added quick dumps to 2nd water truck.
  • Started taking CPR courses.
  • Purchased van ($1,700); sold old ambulance for $1,350.
• 1981
  • New pumper arrived (Total Cost $74,000: Truck $25,200, Build-up $48,800); added cascade system.
  • Developed new protection contracts – now on assessed valuation ($.03/$100), Town of Taycheedah was $10,000, now at $26,700.
• 1982
  • Beginning of 911 Emergency phone system.
• 1983
  • Mutual agreement put in place with all fire departments in Fond du Lac and Calumet County.
• 1984
  • Installed dry hydrant at Benders; began using relay system with 4″ hose.
• 1985
  • Installed first high-band radio.
  • Sold water tanks used in pick-up trucks; new Insurance Services Offer rating (ISO).
• 1986
  • Building committee met for addition to fire station.
• 1987
  • Building in progress, with addition to communications room and mechanic’s room.
• 1988
  • Updated 350 supply van to 1982 step van including latest equipment ($75,000 value), department’s cost of about $20,000 because build up was done by firemen.
• 1989
  • Sold old van ($1,400); Wisconsin Power & Light donated Ford truck to be used as water tanker, rebuilt by firemen ($23,050); sold old 353 tanker ($7,000).

• 1990
  • Purchased Pipe Auction Center, formerly Edmund Halfmann’s garage and first “home” of the fire department; started to order all new helmets, coats, bunker pants, boots and gloves to outfit firemen according to National Fire Protection Association standards.
• 1991
  • First Responders formerly organized.
• 1992
  • Discussion began on constructing a training tower; installed all new high-band radios in trucks and base ($12,230).
• 1993
  • Built training tower.
• 1994
  • Put 352 water tanker into service.
• 1995
  • Purchased computer system for all fire department records.
• 1996
  • Purchased two wet suits for cold water rescue ($1,600). Purchased 351 pumper; fire department contributed $55,000 for chassis.
• 1997
  • New 351 pumper was put into service, replacing the 1961 pumper truck.
• 1998
  • Purchased cold water rescue sled
• 1999
  • Purchased new turnout gear and thermal imaging camera. Installed dry hydrant at Hansen’s Pond.

• 2001
  • Installed air exchange system in firehouse. Purchased new 354 mini-pumper for $141,000 replacing a 1975 Dodge.
• 2002
  • Purchased 12 defibrillators.
• 2004
  • Purchased washing machine for turnout gear and 18 handheld radios. Replaced 353.
• 2005
  • Purchased new helmets and started build-up for new 350.
• 2006
  • Purchased new 350 for $219,280 to replace 1982 step van. Extrication equipment acquired.
• 2007
  • Upgraded SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), small generator and lighting. Upgrade to concrete approach and asphalt parking lot.
• 2008
  • New truck radios and 20 handheld radios bought. Laptop and crash recovery program bought.
• 2009
  • Members participate in formation of the Calumet County Dive Team. Active participation in formation of MABAS.

• 2010
  • New Pierce Arrow XT Engine 351 put into service and replaced a 1981 truck at a cost of $397,000.
  • 2nd thermal imaging camera bought.
• 2011
  • SCBA masks acquired for each firefighter.
  • Purchased rescue struts
• 2012
  • Tender 352 repainted.
  • Jaws pump upgraded.
• 2013
  • Discussion of the purchase of UTV.
• 2014
  • Ordered 2014 Polaris UTV
  • Purchased thermal imaging camera
• 2015
  • Purchased UTV Trailer
• 2016
  • Replaced all helmets
• 2017
  • Purchased 6 new SCBA
  • New breating air compressor – $21,433
• 2018
  • Installed GearGrid lockers
  • Paid Schrage’s and ordered 2019 Ford F-250 – Command 350
• 2019
  • Purchased new 351: New 2019 Pierce Impel Rescue Engine – $665,000

• 2020
  • Holmatro electric jaws tools
  • Replaced firehouse lights with LED’s
•  2021
  • Purchase of 4 new air packs.
  • Painted overhead doors
•  2022
  • Started building committee to discuss building addition.
  • Purchased Holmatro confined-space cutter to complete set of electric jaws tools.