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Weston Volunteer Fire Department History
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The Weston Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1908.
At this time there was a considerable amount of activity going on in the
Village of Weston. The village was installing a water tower, wells, underground
water lines, and fire hydrants. This gave the department its start. Basically
all the department had was a waterous - wooden wheel hose cart, with hoses
and nozzles, and a number of volunteers who trained to use the equipment.
Manpower was required to rush the hose cart to the scene of a fire. The town
Marshall was in charge of pumping the wells to fill the water tower. Personnel
with five years of service and in good standing were eligible for honorary
membership and could retire if they chose to.
Essentially all the fireman had to do was grab the hose
cart, run with it to the fire, find the nearest fire hydrant, and shoot
water at the fire. This was fine if the fire was in town. If you were too
far away from a fire hydrant, your fire probably didn't get extinguished.
Since then, the department has gone through a lot of changes and modifications.
However, one thing that hasn't changed is the dedication to serve and
protect.
Years later a La France fire truck was purchased. We're
not really sure when the truck was purchased, but this was the first time
rural route Weston could have fires extinguished. One draw back: You needed
a water source to help out (pond, cistern, stock tank, etc..).
One day the La France fire truck was en route to a fire
and the engine blew up. People from the community and personnel from the
department decided the Weston Volunteer Fire Department needed a new fire
truck. They went door to door asking for donations throughout the community.
They purchased a 1949 Studebaker and equipped it with a World War II surplus
pump unit. This was quite a remarkable apparatus for its time. It would
easily pump twice the amount of water compared to any other truck in the
area at the time. Records indicate that the Weston Volunteers were helping
out the surrounding communities regularly. This truck is still used today
by the department, but not as a front line apparatus as it was used in its
early days.
James Henrichson, current Fire Chief Dean Henrichson's
grandfather, operated this truck. Before he passed away, he would always ask
about the Studebaker and was checking to see if we were keeping it in good
shape. There are also many other current personnel who had members of family
serve on the department throughout the years.
In 1964 the Weston Rural Fire District was formed. This was done so a
tax district could fund the department for equipment and supplies needed.
Up until this time, the majority of funds for operating expenses were raised
by the fireman at dances, carnivals, auctions, or whatever would make money
at the time. The town budgeted funds but the department realized if they
went out and worked at it and raised their own funds, when combined they
would be further ahead and have the most up to date equipment possible.
This is why the Rural Fire District was formed. Everyone in the district
would contribute to the operation of the department so the firemen could
concentrate on training and responding to calls. Guess What? The department
still likes to sponsor activities to raise funds. Why? Combined we will
be further ahead! In 1997, the district built its current fire station to
house 2 pumpers, 3 tankers, and a rescue equipment vehicle. The land where
the building sits has a great significance to the department. The land was
given to the department by the widow of a past member. The condition was
that if the department ever build a fire station on this ground, the family
would like the station named after her late husband. The building is known
as the "Dwight Craig Memorial Fire Hall". The department
was also a large contributor towards the construction of the facility. The
station is also a memorial to all personnel who have served on the Weston
Volunteer Fire Department over the years.
Today, we have 40 members with a waiting list of people wanting to join.
We have monthly meetings and training practices. Every fall, personnel go
to the Weston Public and St. John's Grade Schools to educate kids about
the hazards and danger of fire. We put out fires of all kinds - inside
buildings and out, handle hazardous material emergencies, and also serve
as the Weston Civil Defense Officials. In 1993, the department took on the
Emergency Medical Services of the community. Personnel are trained to handle
almost any pre-hospital emergency that may arise.
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Dean Henrichson
Chief
Ryan Sabatka
2nd Assistant Chief
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