This year will bring some changes to the Weyauwega Fire Department, while some other things will remain the same.
The first change is the department officer team which now is Chief Tom Cullen, Deputy Chief Robert Ehrenberg, Asst. Chief Dan Nehring, 1st Captain Pat Gorchals, 2nd Captain Brandon Leschke, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Knaus, 2nd Lieutenant Jim Nehring, Engineers Andy Hruby, Don Heise and Mike Koch and Secretary/Treasurer Dale Zeinert.
The department will again hold a firefighter experience for high school age students in March. If interested, a message can be left on the station’s voice mail at 920-867-2119.
Firefighters will be at Weyauwega-Fremont High School prior to the event. Students will be able to sign up then.
The department will again hold its annual chicken barbecue. The event, which also includes a raffle, will be held on Sunday, June 3.
In addition, the fire department is starting a new event this year that will become an annual one.
It is a fundraising dance, and it is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, at the fire station.
The firefighters are looking for sponsorship for the dance and fundraiser.
The Weyauwega Fire District maintains an ISO rating of 3. There are no departments in the state that have a rating of 1 and few that have a rating of 2.
Ratings go up to 10, and this low fire rating helps to reduce the cost of fire insurance in the area that the fire district covers.
Previous fundraisers have helped the firefighters purchase new cutters, spreaders and a power unit for the Jaws of Life for approximately $12,000, with no tax dollars spent.
The goal for this fundraising dance is to raise $7,500 to be used toward the purchase of a water rescue boat and related water rescue equipment.
At this time, the Weyauwega Fire Department has some water rescue equipment but relies on personal boats for responses on water.
The firefighters are approaching businesses for sponsorship for the fundraiser, with various levels of sponsorship.
If someone has not been approached and would like to be contacted, call the department’s voice mail at 920-867-2119 and leave a message.