Official Guide to Delano 2019 | Page 16

Delano FIRE DEPARTMENT The Delano Fire Department responded to 584 calls in 2018. It responds to calls in Delano and contracted areas within Franklin Township, Rockford Township, and the City of Independence, and will routinely lend aid to departments from surrounding communities. In 2018 Delano provided mutual aid for local fire department 12 times and received mutual aid 3 times. In June of 2018, Delano and Watertown Fire enter into an agreement to provide Auto Aid. This means that when ever there is a structure fire in Watertown’s or Delano’s Fire Districst the other department automatically responds without an additional page. Delano provided Auto Aid 1 time and received Auto Aid 3 times in 2018. Also Delano Fire is now receiving Fire Rescue and Emergency pages directly from the 911 system for Hennepin County for any call within the Delano Fire District that is located in Hennepin’s 911 call system. This reduces any delays in Hennepin needed to transfer the emergency call to Wright county before dispatching Delano Fire and Rescue. Delano Fire Department’s fleet includes three engines, two tankers, a light-rescue truck, a utility truck, a command vehicle, a 1-ton grass truck, and an ATV, which is also used for grass fires. Dedication and courage The Delano Fire Department has been serving the community for more than 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. New firefighters begin with an 18-month probationary period 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 Chief: Bob Van Lith | Assistant Chief: Willie Staunton Captains: Mike Mellgren - Captain 1 Matt Van Lith - Captain 2 Ryan Lazenby - Captain 3 Dale Kimball - Captain 4 Firefighters: Dan Alger Brian Anderson Leif Borg Mike Ditty Jason Dreger Kaleb Fish Mike Frach Luke Gardner Tom Hamm Mike Jensen Kenji Matsuda Jim Rassatt Luke Rassatt Jeff Shrode Nick Werder Jerry Wunderlich For more information about the fire department, call 763-972-0581. In an emergency, dial 911. 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 to not only protect the community better, but also to protect themselves. Their training includes such things as live burns, leadership, maintaining virus outbreaks, and working with vehicle extrication. The department has a regular meeting each quarter, as well as training at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Thursday of the month and the second Thursday of each month that it does not have a quarterly meeting. Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) Delano’s Citizen Emergency Response Team 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. Delano’s active team has had a meaningful impact on the community. To learn more about the program, email corps@delano. mn.us, or call 763-972-0581. More information is also available at www.citizencorps. gov/cert/about.shtml. Working Late? We’re Open! Marine, Snowmobile, ATV, and RV parts available Custom made Hydraulic hoses Heavy duty & Agricultural service • Small engine Sales, Service & Repairs YOUR LOCAL V INTAGE F URNITURE • R EPURPOSED H OME D ECOR A NTIQUES • C OLLECTIBLES & G IFTS THEREFOUNDRY @ GMAIL . COM WWW . THEREFOUNDRY . COM LAWN MOWER & SNOWBLOWER DEALER Mon. thru Thur. 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (812) 514-5231 137 B RIDGE A VE E, D ELANO , MN 55328 P LEASE LIKE | 16 | US ON F ACEBOOK , I NSTAGRAM & T WITTER (763) 972-8500 600 Babcock Blvd., Delano, MN 55328 Official Guide to DELANO 2019