Fire
Department
Submi� ed by the Howard Lake Fire Department
Although called the Howard Lake Fire Department, its role
has expanded to many areas over the years. Its purpose remains
to protect the citizens of the area.
Along with responding to fi res of all kinds, fi refi ghters are
also called to rescue lost children and adults, conduct weather
watches, view storm damage, assist at accidents, and almost any
other situation in which people need help.
Medical situations account for the most calls, and many
fi refi ghters are EMT-certifi ed. Fire department members also
are responsible for running the Howard Lake Ambulance.
Members are expected to respond to calls 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
Required training for all new members include Firefi ghter
One Training, and a 120-hour Emergency Medical Technician
class. Besides this training, there are two meetings monthly: a
business meeting and a training meeting. There are also many
other training opportunities members are encouraged to a� end,
including fi re schools, medical conferences, specialized training,
and other mandatory and voluntary classes.
Over the past several decades, mandatory training has
increased in a number of areas. Along with training in fi re
and medical emergencies, fi refi ghters now must be trained in
hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism,
national incident management systems, mass casualty incidents,
and other areas.
Howard Lake ’ s Finest
The Howard Lake Fire and Ambulance Department’s
current roster is listed below. Members of the department
are always ready to welcome new volunteers!
Current fi re department offi cers include:
Chief - Daryl Drusch
Chief 2 - Keith Bobrowske
Captain - Craig Loebertmen
Captain - Eric Stoll
The current Ambulance Director is Jake Drusch
Assistant Ambulance Director is Eric Stoll.
Other volunteers serving the department include:
Tim Berg, Kurt Bobrowske, Anthony Bury,
Eric Cleasby, Chris Diers,
Rich Diers, Joe Drusch,
Zach Drusch, Mike Hetrick, Brian Ki� ock,
Alex Mages, Damien Olson, Dave Peterson,
Jeremy Peterson, Joe Sherod, Michal Spyra,
Kurt Strub, Mark Stueven,
Kyle Weich, and Andrew Yokiel.
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Members of the Howard Lake Fire Department delivered pizzas via fi re truck
Sept. 11, 2019. The funds they earned were donated to the Minnesota Fallen
Firefi ghters Foundation.
The Howard Lake Fire Department currently serves the city
of Howard Lake, all of Middleville Township, a majority of Victor
Township, and parts of Albion and Woodland townships. The
ambulance service covers those same areas, as well as the city
of Waverly and parts of Marysville and Woodland townships.
For larger incidents that require more equipment or manpower,
Howard Lake has mutual aid agreements with all other Wright
County fi re departments.
Funding for the fi re department is primarily through tax
dollars. A fi re board, including members of the fi re department,
Howard Lake City Council, and Middleville, Victor, Albion, and
Woodland township board members, meets annually to set the
department budget.
The fi re department currently has two fully-equipped
pumper trucks, a tanker truck, a heavy rescue unit, a fi rst
responder truck, a grass rig, and a Gamma Goat for grass fi res.
The members also proudly maintain a bit of their past with a
1959 pumper truck and a 1926 Ford Model T pumper truck for
parades and special events.
Current offi cers of the Howard Lake Fire Department are:
Chief – Daryl Drusch; Chief 2 – Keith Bobrowske; Captain – Craig
Loebertmen; and Captain Eric Stoll.
Ambulance Director is Jack Drusch; Assistant Ambulance
Director is Eric Stoll.
While being a fi re department member requires a great deal of
time and dedication, members will tell you they are very proud
of their commitment to protecting their neighbors, and enjoy
their time on the department.
For updates, check out the department’s Facebook page.
Photos courtesy Howard Lake Fire Department
The Howard Lake Fire Department’s trucks are a magnet for kids during the
department’s annual Open House each October.
OFFICIAL GUIDE TO HOWARD LAKE 2019-20