• Dan Derusha
• Dustin O’Brien
“The number one chance of injury or death on any
call is being hurt in a roadside accident in which the
fi re department member is struck by a vehicle.”
Though being a fi refi ghter involves signifi cant
commitment, intense training, and likely danger,
the members of the fi re department manage to fi nd
an opportunity for recreation every year. The New
Reserve members:
• Mary Fillbrandt
• Jerry Goede
• Chris Rademacher
• Lee Ortloff
• Nathan Roepke
“These volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365
days a year; it’s a huge commitment,” Fire Chief
Dan Ruschmeier noted. “They decide if they can
make the call when it comes in.”
Anyone who lives or works within the fi re
protection zone served by the department is
eligible to volunteer for membership. Physical and
other requirements must be met. Contact any fi re
department offi cer for more information on joining
this honorable crew.
Intense training is an important part of being
a fi refi ghter. All members of the department
participate in regular ongoing training in a variety
of areas. The department conducts one training
meeting every month, and in addition to this,
members participate in classes and training events
throughout the year.
One of the goals of the department is to make
sure fi refi ghters are always prepared to deal with
the situations they may encounter. Today, training
is more important than ever, because the nature of
fi refi ghting has evolved over the years.
Germany Fire Department Relief Association
hosted its annual softball tournament in August,
and 20 local fi re departments participated.
To help keep homes safe, Ruschmeier shares a
reminder to change smoke and carbon monoxide
alarm batteries yearly, and to have carbon monoxide
detectors replaced every seven years.
Homeowners with long driveways and driveways
with low-hanging branches should also make sure
their driveways are cleared year-round. A 14-foot
height and width opening above the driveway
allows emergency vehicles to access homeowners’
property and buildings.
Additionally, driveways and houses should be
clearly marked with address numbers, both in town
and in the country.
“The quicker and easier a homeowner can make
it for the fi rst responders and ambulance teams to
locate the correct address, the quicker we can help
you,” commented Ruschmeier.
Equipment to fi ght fi res has also evolved, and
this is another reason that ongoing training is vital.
Firefi ghters must be comfortable with, and understand
the equipment before they are called upon to use it at
a fi re scene.
Recently, the fi re department bought two new
thermal imaging cameras, which are used for interior
attack fi refi ghting. This equipment helps fi re fi ghters
fi nd and rescue people in smoke-fi lled rooms.Despite
the numerous dangers of the job, Ruschmeier note d,
Watertown
Your Local Hometown Grocer
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Bob’s Repair
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Offi cial Guide To Mayer & New Germany 2018-19