WIOTA — The Wiota Fire Department is making plans to showcase the best July 4 celebration in honor of their 75 years as an all-volunteer fire department.
Jeremiah Johnson, who is the new Fire Chief as of January, said he and the department are stepping up efforts to raise needed funds for training and upgrading of equipment, plus raise additional funds to make the fireworks show bigger and better than in past years.
“It’s our way of giving back to the community,” Johnson said of their biggest community event.
Assistant Chief, Robert Cooper, Jr. mirrors Johnson’s sentiments toward the community who has been supportive.
“We are making the effort to thank everyone with our big celebration in July. Plans are still in the works, however we know this will be our biggest year yet. We’re doing it for the community,” Cooper said.
There are 25 volunteer firefighters who make-up the Wiota Fire Department. They got their start due to the water works being set-up in Wiota, otherwise it would have taken too much time to travel back-and-forth with water trucks to save property and lives.
The longest-running volunteer, Paul Finley, shared some history of the Wiota Fire Department. Finley, 86, has been a volunteer firefighter for 62 years, and plans to continue. He said the equipment starting out was used, and the only requirement to join was “your word.”
“The first fire truck purchased was used. The 350 gallon pump truck was a 1932 Willys, bought second-hand from the Darlington Fire Department,” Finley said. “We aren’t sure if the pump truck would have passed inspection back then, but we used it, and it worked every time. In fact, we still have it, and it runs so good, it’s been in several parades in the area.”
Fundraising efforts begin Saturday, March 16 with their St. Patrick’s Day Fireman’s Dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m. The event takes place in the Wiota School House.
Fundraising will continue throughout the year, as this year the Wiota Fire Department will further maintain the facilities, such as the ball park, shelter house, school house, playground area, food stand and other out-buildings that are used, primarily during their July event.
In addition to those responsibilities, they will be upgrading their necessary gear. Cooper states that to gear-up each firefighter, the costs is around $4,000 per volunteer. The gear is up-to-code for the next 10 years, so the calculated value seems worth the price. With that said, ongoing training efforts are planned, starting as early as late spring.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer fire-fighter is asked to speak to any of the officers to start their efforts to serve the community.
The officers of the Wiota Fire Department include Johnson, who is the department’s 13th Fire Chief; Cooper, who serves as the Assistant Chief; Steve Tuescher, Treasurer; and Dave Gabel, Secretary. They, along with all of their department, look forward to any ongoing financial assistance that supports their efforts to continue serving their community.
The fireworks display, has been ongoing since the late 1950s and early 1960s. Volunteers are welcome to assist. Donations can be sent to the Wiota Fire Department, 9830 Park Street, South Wayne.
