Denmark Volunteer Fire Department to hold fundraiser for traffic control

DENMARK – The Denmark Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD) will hold its annual raffle and booyah fundraiser on Sunday, March 15, hoping to raise enough money for a traffic message board to be mounted on a water tanker. This year, it closely follows an accident where a Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department squad car was struck while responding to a call.

Thad Tremble, a Denmark firefighter, was one of the first on the scene, and said the accident only emphasized how essential clear warning is when police or EMS are operating on or near the road.

“I was one of the first responders who was helping out at that particular accident Friday night, when that squad car got struck. Luckily, the officer wasn’t sitting in the car at the time, and the driver of the other vehicle that struck it, nobody in their vehicle was injured either. But it still happened,” Tremble said. “The warning lights were in operation on the police car, and yet it was still struck from behind and pushed into the ditch.”

Currently, the DVFD relies on Brown County for traffic message boards. With Denmark Fire Station 1 positioned just off Interstate 43, this often means Denmark Firefighters are first to emergency calls. Without a traffic message board, first responders can find themselves relying on only cones and the light of a patrol car to control traffic while responding to high-stakes situations. Tremble said by mounting a message board on one of the department’s trucks, it will be accessible for immediate deployment.

“Any time we’re near moving traffic, you’re always at risk because that driver may not be paying attention to the warning lights and the signage that you’re trying to put up,” Tremble said. “Everybody’s always in a hurry, so they don’t want to take the time to slow down and move over like the law says.”

The addition of a traffic message board can be much more attention-grabbing for drivers who might not spot cones or police lights until it’s too late. With its bright lights and ability to quickly change between messages, the board serves as a versatile tool that can warn of construction or serve as the vital barrier between first responders and distracted drivers.

Thanks to past fundraisers, the DVFD has been able to purchase equipment like a backup generator, which can turn the station into a haven for the community in case of floods or severe storms. They’ve also added a UTV with a mounted skid to their fleet, capable of bringing water directly to brush fires and rescuing injured outdoors enthusiasts.

“We appreciate the support that we get,” Tremble said. “We’re working to help keep everybody as safe as we can and keep ourselves safe when we’re in potentially dangerous situations out there on the roadways.”

The drive-through fundraiser will be held at Denmark Fire Station 1, located at 451 N Wall St., Denmark. Food will be sold starting at x and vehicles will be staged in the Denmark High School parking lot. Firefighters will be taking orders from waiting vehicles and offering raffle tickets for sale until shortly before the drawing. The main item on the menu is booyah, made with bone-in chicken and vegetables, with about 200 gallons prepared. Tremble warns though that may sound like a lot, the booyah goes fast. Brats and burgers will also be for sale.

The raffle will offer cash prizes, with the first place prize increased from $1,000 to $1,250. Second place wins $750, third place wins $500 and fourth place wins $250. Fifth through tenth place will also win smaller cash prizes. Tickets can be purchased at the fire department or from any firefighter.