Delano Fire Department
With training, fire prevention education, and emergency calls, it seems that the work of a firefighter is never done.
In 2010, the Delano Fire Department responded to a total of 452 calls, Fire Chief Bob Van Lith noted.
This year, the number of calls was already up to 63, as of Feb. 28.
The Delano Fire Department typically responds to calls within a seven-mile radius of the station.
Dedication and courage
Many Delano firefighters have served for more than 20 years, including Bob Van Lith (32 years), Tim Esler (29 years), Dan Alger (25), Jeff Shrode (24), Mike Ditty (23), Mark Alger (21), and Mike Frach (21).
Gary Zitzloff retired in October 2010, with 24 years of service.
Members who joined the department in 2011 include Mike Larison and Mike Jensen.
The Delano Fire Department has been serving the community for well over 100 years. Its official creation was in 1896, when the Delano Village Council decided it needed to organize an official fire department.
The organization has continued to grow, and members are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information, call (763) 972-0581. In an emergency, dial 911.
How to become a Delano firefighter:
In order to become a firefighter, a person has to go through extensive training, including more than 100 hours of firefighting training, as well as a minimum of 40 hours of first responders training.
The trainees have 18 months to complete the required training. They attend classes twice a week to learn about the various equipment, procedures, and skills they will need to become a competent firefighter.
Along with the classes, the trainees also can go on calls with the department, to get some experience in the field.
Once one becomes a firefighter for the Delano Fire Department, the training does not stop. The members of the department are required to have a minimum of 24 hours of firefighting level one training, along with eight hours of first responders training each year.
The department trains year-round, perfecting skills as well as learning new skills and technology. The training allows the firefighters not only to protect the community better, but also to protect themselves. Their training includes such things as live burns, leadership, maintaining virus outbreaks, and working with the “Jaws of Life.”
The department has a regular meeting at 8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month, as well as training at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Thursday of the month.
Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Delano’s Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer organization that assists the fire department when needed. The group promotes readiness in the community in case of a natural disaster.
Participants in the CERT team range from people in their mid-20s to age 80.
Current CERT team directors are Brian Anderson, Derrick Hoiland, and Bob Van Lith.
Other members include Jill Anderson, Jim Anderson, Bruce Beltrand, Craig Bodin, Deacon Bruhn, Adam Czech, Andy Erickson, Jeff Etzel, Bill Fischer, Carolyn Hirsch, Del Hirsch, Jeanne Kaiser, Angie Krech, Michele Krenik, Kim Larson, Harlan Lewis, Kathy Lindbloom, Penny Loeffler, Pam Lynch, Daryl Mac Lean, Dennis Nieman, Dick Nordling, Jeanie Pilarski, Derek Schansberg, Dan Stolfa, Kevin Trujillo, Linda Van Lith, Dale Vander Linden, Joyce Vavra, Judy Waddell, Julie Winters, Dorothy Zitzloff, and Gary Zitzloff.
Delano’s active team has had a meaningful impact on the community.
To learn more about the program, e-mail corps@delano.mn.us or call (763) 972-0581.
More information is also available at www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm.
Members of the Delano Fire Department include: front – Steve Zitzloff, Jason Groskreutz, Dan Alger, Gary Zitzloff (retired in Oct. 2010), Fire Chief Bob Van Lith, Tim Esler, Mike Ditty, Jeff Shrode, and Mark Alger; second row – Jason Dreger, Derrick Hoiland, Randy Weege, Troy Meyer, Dan Reimer, Jacob Kittock, Nick Werder, Mike Frach, and Rodger Erickson (retired in 2009); and back – Mike Wisner, Phil Carlberg, Matt Van Lith, Jeff Otto, Travis Esler, and Willie Staunton. Not pictured are members Brian Anderson, Allen Rolf, Scott Pivec, Mike Larison, and Mike Jensen.