THREE LAKES
Oct. 9, 2013
Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News
Three Lakes
Training, public safety
In the past decade, the department made major advancements on Firefighter II certification, haz-mat
training and high-tech equipment.
Kirby said nearly 20 of the department’s members
have completed the 42 hours of instruction and the
state examination to achieve Firefighter II status.
“That training is on top of the 96 hours of classroom
and hands-on instruction they received to become certified in Firefighter I,” he said. “It’s an enormous commitment, but our entire membership is dedicated to
the goal of getting that certification.”
The Three Lakes department is qualified to respond to accidents involving hazardous materials as
well.
“Development of an initial response team means
we now have our own haz-mat trailer, which was received from Oneida County Emergency Government
with the help of a state grant,” said Kirby.
According to Kirby, the department also “is blessed
with” firefighters who are committed to being crosstrained as EMTs, where they serve Oneida County
Medic 10 ambulance.
Also of major significance with respect to public
safety and education is the issue of fire inspections. All
businesses in the Three Lakes area are inspected
semiannually, as required by Wisconsin statute.
The inspections are conducted in the spring and
fall, at a time when they will be least disruptive to
business activities. The majority of Three Lakes firefighters have been trained in fire inspection procedures.
The annual fire department picnic, held the first
Sunday of August, is one of the town’s largest social
events and is the department’s largest single
fundraiser. Kirby said the community greatly supports the fire department and he hopes it will continue into the future.
“With their continued support,” he said, “we will be
able to steadily improve the quality and scope of our
services.”
Kirby added that the Three Lakes Fire Department
is always receptive to new members who are willing to
give freely of their time for such a worthy cause.
The department gives annual presentations for
students at Three Lakes Elementary School and various other National Fire Prevention Week activities for
public-sector training.
The primary fire station is located in the Three
Lakes Industrial Park just west of the downtown area.
It also houses the Oneida County Medic 10 ambulance, operated by Three Lakes EMTs.
Those interested in joining the squad may visit
during one of the department’s monthly meetings,
held the second and fourth Mondays of the month at
6:30 p.m. at Three Lakes Fire Department, located at
1920 Epler Court.
Devan Kirby
Paul Savage
FROM PAGE 11
department.
“It’s volunteers like the auxiliary who are the backbone, letting departments like us grow,” he said.
In 2010, the auxiliary donated six handheld radios,
a handful of Class A uniforms, a K-12 saw with a diamond blade and other items. The money for these
items is raised through events like Pumpkin Fest held
in the fall. Over the years, the auxiliary also has purchased a large number of items, including a fully furnished kitchen and a washer-and-dryer set for the fire
shed. It also pays for many of the firefighters’ training
classes.
Kirby said the Three Lakes Fire Department continues to remain one of the most well-trained and
well-equipped departments in the area. It holds
monthly training sessions in fire-fighting, emergency
rescue and medical assistance to update knowledge
and reinforce proper techniques for safely fighting
fires.
“Department personnel have shown an amazing
amount of dedication to become fully trained,” he said.
“Even longtime EMTs are taking all of the firefighter
training, including state certification.”
To be certified as EMTs, department members had
to complete a 180-hour class, which met two days a
week for four hours a night.
Other equipment
Kirby said a 105-foot ladder truck remains a valuable asset for the fire department. The 1988 Piercebuilt truck was purchased by Goldridge Group of Eau
Claire, the owners and developers of the Northernaire
Resort and Spa condominiums on Deer Lake.
The donation was one of about two dozen conditions attached to the county zoning permit for the
right to develop the multifamily project, which includes two massive lodges that are at least 35 feet
high.
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