Merrillan Volunteer Fire Department

Jackson Co., Wisconsin

Celebrates 125 years of service

The dedicated volunteers of the Merrillan Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department are committed to serving the area.  With the assistance of he Alma Center and Humbird Fire Departments, they provide Fire Safety education to the Lincoln Elementary children during Fire Safety Week, teaching hem what to do in case there is a fire and sending home information for them to share with their families.

The volunteers donate their time to plan and work on fundraisers.  Funds are used for training and the purchase of equipment.  Volunteers also do research and write grants for equipment needed to provide quality service to the area.  Through some of these grants, the department has obtained the department’s primary engine (Engine 1), which is a pumper engine.  The department has also received SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) and wild land fire fighting equipment.

The department currently applied for a grant for an ATV unit with trailer.  Often, the volunteers are not able to reach the patient with the rescue truck; and ATV unit would be used for ATV, horseback riding and hunting accidents and wild land fires if the grant is received.  The trailer would be used for hauling an ATV and be used as a command/warm up, cool-down rehab center.

The volunteers also spend countless hours training, learning the latest techniques and practicing skills to provide quality care and service to the area.  They train on firefighting – both structural and wild land, vehicle extrication and rescues/medical skills.

The volunteers are a dedicated group who care deeply about the area, serving the village of Merrillan, Township of Dewhurst (in Clark County) and part of the Township of Alma.  They also provide mutual aid to all the surrounding area when requested.

The volunteers appreciate the community for its generous, continuous support over the years.  The public is invited to celebrate the department’s 125^th Anniversary at an open house Saturday, October 14, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the fire hall, where a complimentary pig roast with fixings will be served.  Door prizes will also be awarded.  State Senator Ron Brown will be a guest at the event.

Merrillan Fire Department

Standing from left: Al Hawley, Chief Alvin Lunderville, Harry Dekeuster, Greg Mandigo, Gerald Zinn, Jay Austin, Penny Danielson, Teri Hawley and Jeff Casper, Kneeling – Dave Sonsalla and Heather Sonsalla.  Firefighters not pictured – Bobby Barhyte, Dan Domensosky, Scott Gearing, Ray Gohde, Scott Loveland, Kris Lunderville, Wayne Lunderville, Paul Menning, John Ross, Erv Sprinkle and Doreen Winson (Contributed photo)

Source: Banner Journal, Black River Falls, Jackson Co, WI, October 4, 2006, Page 5

Open house at Merrillan Volunteer Fire Department

The Merrillan Volunteer Fire Department will hold an open house at the fire station Saturday, October 14, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  There will be a complimentary pig roast and door prizes.

The department was organized by the village board May 1881 when Village President Sydney Brown appointed a fire warden and authorized the building of several reservoirs around the village. The first firefighting equipment was authorized May 1884.  Prior to this, fires were fought by the “Water Bucket Brigade.”  (Photo by Jean Anderson)

Source: Banner Journal, Black River Falls, WI, October 11, 2006