Gaylord Fire Department called 39 times in 2006
March 30th, 2007Gaylord Fire Chief Dean Schons, at the annual firefighter’s banquet Monday, reported that the department responded to 39 fire/rescue calls in 2006.
Three major fires headlined last year’s activity. A July barn fire at the Daryl Husfeldt farm south of Gaylord resulted in damages of approximately $120,000, according to Schons.
There was also major damage in a December house fire on South 5th Street in Gaylord. Schons also highlighted a tractor fire which produced a $24,000 loss.
The 39 calls answered by Gaylord firefighters are three more than a year ago and a dozen more than 2005. Among the 12 calls in the City of Gaylord were two structure fires and six false alarms. Other calls for the Gaylord Fire Department included:
• 2 vehicle fires (down from 7 in 2005);
• 8 vehicle accidents (same as 2005);
• 7 false alarms (same as 2005);
• 1 gas spill (same as 2005);
• 1 odor investigation;
• 2 weather watches (down from 5 in 2005);
Gaylord firemen provided mutual aid to the Green Isle Fire Department three times. They also assisted Henderson firefighters in a 2006 fire.
Arlington’s Fire Department provided mutual aid to Gaylord two times last year. Winthrop, Green Isle and New Auburn each assisted Gaylord firemen one time.
According to Chief Schons, the Gaylord firefighters spent 573 man hours at calls, an increase from 544 a year ago. Members of the department also received more than 600 hours of training in 2006.
A $3,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be used this year to equip the fire department’s grass rig, Schons explained. The used Ford F350 grass rig cost $12,000 and was purchased from the Shakopee Fire Department.
Approximately 50 people attended the fireman’s banquet held at the Fire Hall. Schons thanked the retired firefighters in attendance for their years of service. Retired firefighters in attendance included: Edgar Abraham, Alex Gasow, Paul Kloeckl, Martin Jr. Kuphal, Tom Homme, Jim Sommers, Paul Hanson, Roger Zachow, Doug Schulte, Bill Walsh, Dennis Grack, Bob Bauer, Bill Magers, Dick Uecker and Tom Whalen.
Four people represented the City of Gaylord at the banquet. They were Mayor Doug Quast and council members Carl Wetzel, Pat Pinske and Jessica Uecker.
“This is a great department which has always had great leadership,” Mayor Quast said. “The City truly appreciates the time and effort put in by this department. It is a great asset to the community.”
Also recognized at the banquet for its years of service was the kitchen staff. This group included Jim Huffman and Don Pinske who have each helped serve the meal for nearly 60 years. Other meal servers included Dale Maass, Sheldon Goetsch, Bruce Hahn, Mike Pinske and Brian Young.
