By Caroline Wigmore
Staff Writer

The Lester Prairie Volunteer Fire Department/First Responders is a group of trained firefighters and first aid personnel serving the Lester Prairie area.

In order to join the fire department, prospective members must be physically fit and able to pass a physician’s exam. A background check is also conducted by a local law enforcement agency, which is followed by an interview process with a fire department selection committee.

After acceptance into the department, the new member is required to successfully complete a Firefighter 101 course which is supplied by the fire department.

Some of the responsibilities of firefighters are to attend regular monthly business and training meetings, and any special training meetings deemed necessary by the department.

Department members also facilitate community fire prevention activities and provides fire prevention training at the school throughout the year.

LP Fire Department’s long history of service

Lester Prairie Fire Department has maintained its commitment to protecting the community since 1892.

The department has approximately 30 volunteer members, including one chief, two assistant chiefs, one rescue captain, and one fire captain.

Lester Prairie Fire Department officers for 2009 are: Jim Hoof, chief; Dave Horsman, assistant chief; Fred Pawelk, assistant chief; Andy Heimerl, captain; Matt Tonn, captain; Maurice Tonn, secretary; and Don Hoof, treasurer. Relief Association. officers are: Josh Foust; president, Wade Schultz; vice president, Justin Thompson; secretary, Matt Tonn; treasurer, Steve Klobe; trustee, Dave Dressler; trustee.

In addition to responding to fire emergencies, the department is also trained both in first response and hazardous material emergencies.

The volunteer department covers the city proper, the majority of Bergen Township, and a portion of Winsted Township.

In order to promote fire prevention over suppression, the department facilitates many activities in the community to educate citizens about the dangers of fire.

One such activity is a program with school children, grades K-5, which emphasizes prevention and includes a poster contest. Children are taught such techniques as “stop, drop, and roll,” how to find fire exits, how to use a fire alarm, and how to call 911.

The department also hosts open houses and, at times, makes use of a smoke trailer to demonstrate smoky conditions in a house fire.

Department members receive training through a vocational system, as well as from in-house instructors Matt Tonn and Chris Bahr. The training includes Firefighter 1, 11, and III instruction, and live burns, which are planned fires set for training purposes. There is additional firefighter training once per month, first responder training three times a year, plus special training. The members are required to take three one-day refresher courses every year.

The department has a business meeting on the first Monday of each month, and training meetings the third Monday of each month.

The fire department is funded largely by tax monies. Contributions and donations to the fire department have allowed it to purchase additional equipment for the fire protection area, at little or no additional cost to taxpayers. Recently, a 3,500-gallon Mack water tanker was added, funded by donations. Volunteers continue to work hard to keep the equipment in top working order.

Technology aids in firefighting

The department also has a thermal imaging camera, which is used to see through any kind of atmosphere to find hot spots and cool spots. The $20,000 camera has been used during house fires to assure that no occupants remained in the blaze.

How to apply to join

Anyone may apply to join the department, but he/she must meet physical and training standards, as well as pass a drug test. The candidate must be validated by a committee and go through orientation.

For more information, or to request an application for membership, contact any fire department member, write to PO Box 911, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, or e-mail lpfd630@embarqmail.com.

Current members

Current members of the Lester Prairie Fire Department and first responders include Rick Alberts, Don Artmann, Chris Bahr, Dan Barrett, Paul Christenson, Jerry Christenson, Scott Christenson, Shad Dial, Steve Dietel, Dave Dressler, Don Duffy, Christ Ehalt, Jeff Forcier, Nick Fosdick, Josh Foust, Andy Heimerl, Don Hoof, Jim Hoof, Dave Horsman, Steve Klobe, Doug Minnick, Lucas Meyer, Lee Ortloff, Fred Pawelk, Mike Schauer, Wade Schultz, Justin Thompson, Matt Tonn, and Maurice Tonn.