PRESQUE ISLE
Page 56
Oct. 9, 2013
Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News
Presque Isle
FROM PAGE 55
ther.”
The department purchased two hydraulic cutters for its JAWS extrication
unit in 2010. The new cutters are more
durable and can cut through the
stronger materials found in modern
cars.
After the purchase of a second set of
extrication equipment five years ago,
the department now carries a set on
both the rescue truck and the ambulance.
Four years ago, Presque Isle became
one of the first organizations in the
North Woods to purchase the most powerful handheld fire-knockdown tool
available, called FIT-5.
Nelson said they purchased two of
the units at $1,300 each because they
can be effectively deployed in a wide
variety of structure fire scenarios, from
incipient to fully involved, and in defensive, offensive and transitional
modes.
Additionally, Nelson said the hightech device interrupts flame and lowers
temperature rapidly, making any interior attack safer. He said the nontoxic
devices work in contained areas in seconds, removing from the equation the
molecular elements that fuel a fire’s
chemical reaction — fuel, oxygen and
heat.
Marketers of the product say first
responders who don’t have water or
proper personnel available for an interior attack “can buy crews 15 minutes
or more” by deploying the FIT-5 unit.
Also in 2009, firefighters purchased
two water-rescue suits and a set of rescue jacks for vehicle stabilization. The
ambulance acquired a stair chair — a
chair that allows EMTs to strap an injured person tightly in a chair for maneuvering in staircases and tight
spaces.
“It can be used with or without a
short hard board,” said Jukich. “The
unit features a track system on the
back side so that patients can be scooted down tight stairwells without much
lifting.”
Grants from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency allowed the department to purchase in
2008 a thermal-imaging camera,
turnout gear and a new system to fill
air tanks.
In 2007, Presque Isle used an
$11,655 federal grant to help purchase
16 two-way radios, six pagers and a
new truck radio for about $16,000.
The department also has a Polaris
six-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle,
which can pull a sled or trailer, and a
special-purpose rescue sled to help the
department with off-road and snowmobile rescue operations.
Also serving the department is a
grass-fire truck with a 250-gallon tank
and foam capabilities, purchased with
a 50/50 matching grant from the DNR.
Presque Isle Fire Chief Jim Nelson shows one of the sliding compartments on the new heavy-duty rescue truck. The truck is equipped to
The department
The fire department is staffed by a
tightly knit group of volunteers. Like
many other departments, Presque Isle
is able to offer minimal stipends and
length-of-service awards to firefighters.
Jim Nelson, a retired police officer
from Racine, was named t he new chief
in early 2010 after serving four years
on the department, including one year
as assistant chief. He is also EMT-B
certified.
Douglas Wolter, a seven-year firefighter, holds the rank of assistant
chief. He is employed by Carl Wolter,
who owns an excavation company.
Kenneth Tworek, the former chief,
is certified in Firefighter I and II, as
well as NIMS 700, 100 and 200. He retired from the Cook County Sheriff’s
Department in Illinois and now lives in
Marenisco, Mich. Tworek, who served
three years as chief, served the Cook
County Sheriff ’s Department from
1974 to 2002.
Ray Straubel, a former chief and
assistant chief, is a self-employed solidwaste hauler who has completed Firefighter I training and other courses in
his 29 years with the department. He is
a state-certified firefighter.
John Sitkiewitz is state-certified
and has completed courses in Firefighter I and II, and has been an EMT in the
National EMT Registry for 31 years.
He works for the town.
Al Eschenbauch, a former fire
carry the department’s rescue equipment in the many compartments
in the custom-built body.
—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO
chief, is a 35-year department volunteer who is self-employed. Eschenbauch has completed numerous training courses and both Firefighter I and
II. He is a certified EMT.
Cathy Gascoigne, a 21-year member, is the secretary/treasurer. She is a
self-employed medical transcriptionist.
Donna Jukich has 20 years of experience with Presque Isle fire and rescue and is in her 15th year as the EMS
director. Jukich is a registered nurse
and co-owner of Cedar Bay Resort.
Carl Wolter is the member with the
longest standing on the squad — 52
years. He has completed many training
courses. He is self-employed in excavating.
Jay R. Gascoigne, a 41-year veteran of the department, works for the
town.
Bill Logan, a self-employed log
home builder, has been with the department for 13 years. He is trained in
Firefighter I.
Joe Thoma, a firefighter for 17
years, has completed Firefighter I and
II training.
Forrest Jukich, a firefighter for 20
years, co-owns Cedar Bay Resort. He
has Firefighter I training and has completed other courses.
Adam Johnson has been an EMT
and firefighter for 13 years. He owns
Skyview Lodge & Supper Club.
Linda Novak, in her seventh year
with the department, is the assistant
EMS director. She has completed Firefighter I and II as well as becoming certified in CPR and EMT-Intermediate.
She also has completed the introduction to wildland fire-fighting course
and is a basic life support instructor.
Mark Riegelman, with the department for eight years, is a retired airplane mechanic from Racine.
Marshall Reckard, a firefighter
who has served for eight years with the
Presque Isle Fire Department, is retired from Ameritech.
Jesse Moore, a seven-year firefighter, works at Pukall Lumber Co. in
Arbor Vitae.
Cal Johnson, with the department
for seven years, is self-employed.
Linda Chantry, a retired United
Airlines customer service agent, is in
her seventh year with the department.
She is certified in CPR and EMT-Basic.
Beth Marohn is in her seventh
year as a first responder. She is self-employed in construction.
Kathy Nelson, a retired registered
nurse, is in her seventh year as an
EMT.
Sara Moore, an EMT and firefighter with four years’ experience, is certified in EMT-Intermediate, hazardous
materials and human tracking.
Richard Wallden is EMT-Basic
certified.
Max Wallace and Joe Wallace are
both in their first year of service to the
Presque Isle Fire Department.