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In 1904, the residents of the Village of Campbellsport organized a volunteer fire department. With the organization of the fire department, the first officers were elected. One week later, the constitution and by-laws were voted on. At first, the department only had the following officers: chief, first assistant chief, second assistant chief, secretary, and treasurer. The following officers were added years later: 4 fire captains, 3 Engineers, 3 Asst. Engineers, 2 EMS captains, Safety Officer, Communications Officer, Training officer.
The Campbellsport Fire Dept. proudly serves an area of approximately 7,000 residents and covers the Village of Campbellsport, Town of Ashford, Town of Auburn, and Town of Osceola. Campbellsport Fire Dept. also responds into other area depts. territories for mutual aide. Mutual Aide can consist of one truck of full department response depending on the request of the fire dept requesting mutual aide. If there is a structure fire, FDL Co. established something called automatic mutual aide where the predetermined fire dept. gets called at same time if there is a structure fire for full mutual aide.
When the department was first organized, the membership consisted only of men. Currently there are both men and women that are members. The members are EMT's, firefighters, firefighter/EMT. In the earlier years, the department only had four fire trucks. The department currently has eight fire trucks, two ambulances, and RTV. The Campbellsport Fire Dept. is willing to offer tours of our fire station and the equipment that we use. If you would like to set up a tour e-mail cfdwebmaster@verizon.net or call the fire station at 920-533-5266 and we will be glad to give anyone a tour.
The department has fought many fires throughout the years. Some fires are more memorable than the others. There are a few factors that make these fires memorable. These factors are if the fire involves a known place, the length of time the fire was fought, or the amount of mutual aid that is requested. The first memorable fire was in 1908. In 1908, the Seaman, Loebs & Knickel store burned. One of the memorable things about this fire was that it was almost out of control; due to the lack of equipment. Throughout the years there have been many more memorable fires. Some of the fires have included farms, businesses, and schools.
When the department started in 1904, the equipment they used was horse-drawn. Along with this equipment, they used hoses and buckets to deliver water to the fire for extinguishment. As the years have come and gone, the equipment has greatly changed and improved the ways we fight fires. Today we fight fires with trucks that are equipped with pumps, hoses and other equipment that is needed for fighting fires. The protective equipment that firefighters wear also changed throughout the years. Earlier firefighters had to share equipment, now they no longer need to share equipment because they have their own. The protection gear consists of many items. Firefighters have helmet, hood, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, air mask, and air pack.
Along with fighting fires, the fire department also provides an ambulance service. Some of the firefighters are also EMT's. When the fire department first started with the ambulance, they only had one ambulance. Now the department operates two ambulances. The fire department ambulances currently serve the Townships of Ashford, Auburn, Osceola, Eden and the Villages of Campbellsport and Eden.
The members, who volunteer their time, go through many hours of schooling and training to keep up with their skills. The members have practice every month so firefighters and EMT's stay current and up to date.
For many years, the department has held the annual firemen’s picnic. The first picnic was in 1908. The picnic was originally called the July 4th Homecoming. There was only one year in which they did not hold a picnic. In 1914, there was no picnic due to the war. The picnic is usually held around July 4th. There were years in which the picnic was held in June or August. In 1949, the department decided to make July 4th the permanent date for the annual picnic. The picnic has been extended to the 3rd of July also for a two day picnic.
The department is also involved in doing fund raising and public education classes. One of the most recent fund raisers were done for the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial. The Campbellsport Fire Dept. also hosts an annual golf outing. Along with that the dept. also has an annual raffle, and brat fry's throughout the year. One of the public education classes the department sponsors is Emergencies in Child Care and also does many things during fire prevention week. Throughout the year many children come and tour the fire station and our equipment with school or daycare classes. The fire department also helps the local Boy and Girl Scout troops earn some of their badges.
Any problems or questions with the website contact cfdwebmaster@verizon.net