Denmark Fire Department sees year of improvements

By Star-News staff

DENMARK – The Denmark Fire Department (DFD) has seen a year of improvements, upgrading the apparatus in its fleet to increase its response capabilities for the communities they serve.

On Sept. 15, DFD took delivery of a new fire engine for Station No. 1 in Denmark.

“It was constructed by Marion Body Works of Marion. Engine 1412 was built on a 2023 Spartan MFD cab and chassis. It has a 380-horsepower Cummins L9 diesel engine and an Allison automatic transmission. The cab features seating for six firefighters and has the four rear seats set up with SCBA (commonly referred to as “air packs”). The aluminum body features a Waterous 1500 gallon-per-minute side-control fire pump, a 1000-gallon water tank and a Class A foam system that has a 30-gallon foam tank. This new engine also has other features (like LED lighting) that will increase firefighter safety when dealing with any type of call they respond to. Engine 1412 will be carrying Station 1’s hydraulic rescue tools (commonly called the “Jaws of Life”) along with other specialized tools and equipment that are used for handling motor vehicle accidents,” the department explained in a statement.

In April, DFD also took delivery of a new brush truck now housed at Station No. 2 in the town of Eaton.

“Brush 1421 is a 2021 Ford F-550 with a four-door cab and four-wheel drive chassis. It was built by Emergency Vehicle Services, also of Marion. The new brush truck is powered by a 6.7 L Ford Power Stroke diesel engine and has a 10-speed automatic transmission. The water tank holds 200 gallons, and it has a pump module with a foam system that is powered by a 73-horsepower Deutz diesel engine and is rated to pump 250 gallons per minute. This unit also has LED lighting and a Warn winch mounted in the front bumper,” the department explained.

“The other special feature on the front bumper is an Elkhart Stinger nozzle that can be operated from a joystick controller mounted in the cab. The pump module, water tank and the front bumper nozzle with its controls were acquired by DFD from the village of Howard following the completion of the highway construction project on the Interstate 41/43 and Highway 29/32 interchanges in the Green Bay/Howard area.”

A third apparatus project was completed in November when some work was done to an existing unit.

“Tender 1412, a 2003 Freightliner cab and chassis that has an aluminum body which holds a 2170-gallon water tank, received some needed repairs to the body and water tank. The existing warning and scene lights were upgraded with LED lights, and the body was repainted and had new lettering and reflective striping applied. The work on this unit was done locally by Bones Welding and Fabrication of Denmark and should help keep the current Tender 1412 in service for many years to come,” they added.

The department consists of on-call volunteer personnel who cover two stations that serve the village of Denmark, the towns of New Denmark and Eaton and the eastern part of the town of Glenmore in Brown County.

DFD also serves the western two-thirds of the Kewaunee County town of Franklin.