CONOVER Oct. 10, 2012
Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News
Page 41
Conover FROM PAGE 39 mate-controlled atmosphere,” said Gary Vold. The truck is equipped with a 1,250 gallons-per-minute mounted pump and an injection-style foam system. The water tank is a 1,500-gallon tank with a 20-gallon foam concentrate cell. “At the top of the apparatus, directly behind the crew cab, is an electronically controlled deck gun,” said Gary Vold. “There are compartments on both sides to maximize storage space.” A ladder rack stores the ladders above the apparatus when not in use and electronically lowers to an accessible height at the side of the body. The truck also is equipped with a 6-kilowatt hydraulic generator which supplies power to four 740-watt removable lights. Several Conover firefighters completed RIT training in 2008. They include Chad Lederer, Todd Vreeland and Steve Vold. They are members of the Eastside RIT with Eagle River, Phelps and Land O’ Lakes. The team is trained to assist other firefighters if they’re injured or trapped in a fire. The Conover department also gets a lot of use out of its mini pumper-rescue truck purchased in 2004. Gary Vold said the mini pumper is the first vehicle out of the garage on fire calls and it travels to all auto accidents and fires in the town of Conover. The pumper carries Jaws of Life, foam, tools and air packs for four firefighters. The truck also houses a defibrillator, which all firefighters are trained to use along with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Gary Vold said the rescue truck carries four passengers, plus the driver. The department purchased a Lifeline ambulance in 2001. He said the Ford diesel-powered ambulance is twice as large as the department’s previous vantype ambulance. The vehicle stores hard boards, defibrillator units and equipment for splinting and immobilizing patients. The ambulance is operated by
Justin Hoffman
Showing the new multiuse truck purchased this year are Conover Fire Department members, front row from left, Jerod Hoffman, John Lakso, Chad Lederer, Mike Bedish and Dave Larson; and back row,
Conover EMTs, who respond to approximately 200 calls each year. The department also has a Polaris 6x6 all-terrain vehicle, which is a rescue-recovery vehicle for all incidents. The sixwheeler is rigged with a long board on the rear bed for trail rescues, and is used for brush fires and to transport victims, personnel and equipment. Gary Vold said the six-wheeler is large enough to carry a victim and an EMT in the back and two or three personnel on the front seat. Community minded Besides responding to about 50 fire calls each year, the fire department has contributed to the community in other
Randy Barnes, Fire Chief Gary Vold, Justin Hoffman, Kevin Hartman, Robert Martinson and Richard Martinson. —NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO
ways. “Through our fundraisers, we were able to donate new playground equipment for the town park in 2005,” said Gary Vold. In 2003, many of the firefighters volunteered to build a concession stand at the soccer fields in the town park. “The material was purchased by the town and the labor was 100% donated by the firefighters,” said Gary Vold. Firefighter Robert Martinson Jr., a self-employed carpenter, led the construction project. The building serves two soccer fields and a ball field. “In addition, community events, such
Jerod Hoffman
as the car show, are held on the grounds and make use of the facility,” said Gary Vold. “It’s just something the firefighters wanted to do for the community.” He said the department gets strong support from area taxpayers, as well as donations from individuals and civic organizations. The department’s major fundraiser is a pancake breakfast and car show held each July. The department holds an annual Ice Fishing Jamboree on Pioneer Lake. To preregister for the tournament, people can call Vreeland at (715) 891-2251. For more information about the Conover Fire Department or ambulance service, contact Gary Vold at (715) 4794881.
Jeremy Schlitt
Length of service: 6 years Rank: Firefighter Employer: Log Cabin Outfitters
Length of service: 6 years Rank: Firefighter Employer: Log Cabin Outfitters
Length of service: 3 years Rank: Firefighter Employer: The Toy Shop of Eagle River
Justin, of Conover, has completed courses in Firefighter I and II, water rescue, wildland fire, landing zone, pumper operator, vehicle extrication and weapons of mass destruction. He is also an EMT-I for the Conover Ambulance.
Jerod, of Conover, has completed courses in Firefighter I and II, water rescue, wildland fire, landing zone and pumper operator.
Jeremy, of Conover, has completed courses in entry-level Firefighter I and II, cold-water rescue, CPR and wildland fire.
AmeriGas
Ahlborn
America’s Propane Company
EQUIPMENT, INC.
Eagle River
2924 State Hwy. 155, Sayner, Wis.