Albany Fire Department

Albany Fire Department
Few towns have been so unfortunate with fires as Albany. The first large fire occurred in 1866, two years later another major fire occurred, again in 1872 and 1880, then the big one in 1883. Through all of these tragedies the village had no fire fighting equipment, only bucket brigades and a very inadequate source of water, except for the river. The major fire in 1883 did not convince the public that adequate fire protection was necessary since a referendum to spend $1,500.00 for such an undertaking was defeated. In December 1883, an ordinance was adopted making it unlawful of anyone to erect a wooden or veneered building, barn or stable, keep or maintain any wood or lumber yard, within the limits of all block Number 13, all of Lots 1,2,3,4, and 6, Block Number 13 and 19 east of the Sugar River, and north of the south line of Lot Number 6, Block Number 19, of the Original Plat, which was known as the fire district. these rules still apply today.

The Village Board did allow smaller sums of money to purchase fire fighting equipment and in February of 1886, they purchased a lot from Thomas Gravenor for the sum of $70.00 to be used for a fire house.

On November 9, 1887, the first fire company was organized with the following officers:

Fire Chief: Don Osborne
Assistant Fire Chief: E. Van Patten
Capt., Hose Co.: A.W. Bliss
Asst., Hose Co. Charles Flint
Capt., Hook & Ladder: W.P. Bauer
Asst., Hook & Ladder: Eli Knapp
Capt., Engine Co.: S.L. Gothompson
Asst., Engine Co.: Harry Edwards
Steward: Tilbury Gray

In February of 1899 a call went out again to organize a fire company. A meeting was held and Frank Graves was elected Chairman and S. E. Bartlett, Secretary. A committee was appointed for the purpose of drawing up a set of by-laws. In the summer of 1890, the company was organized, however, the Village Board cut down the list of firemen from 50 to 25. On May 21, 1900, the Village purchased a new fire engine from Howe Engine Co., of Indianapolis for the sum of $1,069.50. After that many smaller items such as hoses, etc. were purchased.

On October 15, 1898, the Village Board voted to purchase the Grange Hall and lot for $500. This building, which is located at 106 South Water Street, served as the village hall and fire station for many years until the new building was built at 205 North Mechanic Street in 1975.

In 1902 firemen were allowed pay of 25 cents for attendance at practice and 50 cents for attendance at fires. In 1946 they were granted a raise to $1.50 for the first hour and one dollar for each additional hour. In 1983, they were paid $4.00 for the first hour and $2.50 for each additional hour.

In December of 1928 an inspection by the Fire Insurance Rating Bureau revealed the following equipment: One 1928 Mode “a” Ford Chassis carrying 1100 feet of 2 1/2 – inch and 100 feet of 1 1/2 – inch C.R.I. hose; one 35-foot extension and one 16-foot roof ladder; one 2 1/2 – inch shutoff nozzle with tips 1/2 – in to 1 1/8 – inch; two 2 1/2 – inch playpipes with 1/2 – inch tips; one 1 1/2 – inch tips; one 1 1/2 – inch shutoff nozzle with 3/8 – inch tip and some additional equipment. the inspection found discipline to be informal and not training program whatsoever. No rural fire calls were made.

Another inspection was made in September of 1946 and it was found that a 1945 500-gallon Ford American Marsh Pumper had been added, along with additional hose and ladders. Rural calls were now being made.

In 1983, the fire department has the following equipment: the 1945 Ford truck mentioned above; one 1965 Ford American LaFrance pumper, holding 500 gallons of water with a 500 gallons per minute pump; one 1975 Ford pumper, holding 1000 gallons of water with a 750 gallons per minute pump, carrying 1300 feet of 2 1/2 – inch hose; 500 feet of 1 1/2 – inch hose and 200 feet of 1 – inch hose; one 1969 Ford Tanker, carrying 1800 gallons of water; one 1976 IHC Tanker, carrying 1500 gallons of water; one 1976 Chevrolet grass fire truck; and one 1980 GMC one-ton rescue truck, carrying extrication tools and first aid equipment updates, increased training and fire fighting abilities, in 1975, the village’s fire insurance rating was lowered to Class 6, which is excellent for a community of this size.

Prior to 1942, the fire alarm was through the telephone company located at East Main and North Water Streets. The general alarm was an electric siren operated from the telephone exchange, fire station and a control switch at a centrally located restaurant. In 1942, the fire siren was moved to a tower located next to the Village Hall (106 South Water Street). It remains there today. A new 3-tone siren was purchased in 1969 from Morgan Fire Equipment Company for the sum of $1,676.

Fire Department records of many years ago were somewhat inadequate; however, we did find that the following is a partial list of men who have served as Chief over the years: Don Osborne, Tom Carver, Charles Dixon, Oren Burt, Eugene Krueger, Gene Doyle, Walter G. Althaus, Irvin Klapper, Dennis Krueger and Danny Mueller.

Albany EMS

Albany EMS was founded in 1975 under the auspices of the Albany Community Health Planning Council. Through the years, Albany EMS has been at the forefront of emergency pre-hospital care in Green County.

In 2000, Albany EMS took a step forward in providing optimal patient care by becoming certified as an Advanced EMT Service. As an AEMT unit, certified crew member can administer IV therapy, prescribed cardiac drugs such as Nitro, albuterol for breathing difficulties and IV Dextrose for diabetic emergencies. These advance care techniques will greatly enhance the pre-hospital care for all patients in need of emergent medical care.

In the spring of 2016, with great support and assistance given by the whole community, Albany EMS was able to purchase and welcome a new ambulance.  This ambulance features a self-loading power cot which decreases the potential for back injuries to the EMTs.  The ambulance also carries a cardiac monitor capable of defibrillation and acquiring EKG’s and an automatic CPR device that provides constant quality compressions to a patient in cardiac arrest.

As a service, Albany EMS offers three levels of patient care.

  •     *  Emergency Medical Responder, which can provide skills such as airway management and trauma care.
  •      *Emergency Medical Technicians, which can provide airway management, trauma care, basic cardiac care and give some medications.
  •    *Advanced Emergency Technician, which can provide the care of a basic EMT but can also administer more medications and provide IV therapy.

Monthly trainings, special conferences, and other educational resources allow crew members to stay up to date in the latest developments of emergency medicine. In 2000, Albany EMS was one of three finalists statewide for “The EMS Service of the Year” awarded by the Wisconsin EMS Association.

Albany EMS is always in search of new recruits to enter this challenging and rewarding field.  For more information on joining The Albany EMS Team you may contact Laurie Keepers (608) 862-3240 or Email [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALBANY AREA EMS

President: Tonya Stephan
Vice President: Mark Reidel
Secretary: Laurie Keepers
Treasurer: Dean Walz
Director: Jamie Stephenson  608-862-3249

Curent Albany EMS Crew Members

  • Deb Bailey
  • Terry Bailey
  • Sue Bender
  • Ricky DeNure
  • Angela Elmer
  • Julie Flood
  • John Frydenlund
  • Greg Gage
  • Lisa Keeley 
  • Laurie Keepers 
  • Nick Krueger 
  • Teresa Martin
  • Danny Mueller 
  • Justin Mueller 
  • Dave Pluss
  • Jennifer Pope
  • Mark Reidel
  • Thomas Richter 
  • Tonya Stephan
  • Jamie Stephenson 
  • Bruce Walz
  • Dean Walz

Albany Emergency Medical Services is a Health Care provider licensed by the State of Wisconsin to provide 24 hour a day health care services. Albany EMS will effectively serve the public, and implement an EMS public information and education program. The Albany EMS (PI&E) program is intended to be a resource for the public to enhance the knowledge of the EMS system, support appropriate EMS system access, demonstrate essential self-help and appropriate EMS system access, demonstrate essential self-help and appropriate bystander care actions, and encourage injury prevention.

Albany EMS would like the residents of Albany and the surrounding communities to help us improve. Please forward any comments, concerns or ideas to Albany Area EMS 208 N Water St. Albany, WI. 53502 or email us at [email protected].