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History The Silver Lake Fire Department was started sometime in the early 1900s. The first record that could be found was a report from the Fire Insurance rating office in Milwaukee, WI dated in September 18, 1923. The first organizational meeting was held at the Wilbur Lumber Company office. The following volunteered their service: Chief R.C. Barber, Assistant Chief Charles Richards, 2nd Assistant Chief Paul Price, Secretary-Treasurer Joe A. Zelinger, William Richter, Harry Schmalfeldt, Fred Schmalfeldt, Jr., Ray Wasteak, John Taylor, Warren Sarbecker, Cliff Janke, Bert Richards. In August 1929, a new pumper was built by Peter Pirsch & Sons Co., Kenosha, for the village fire department. This pumper was built on a 1929 Model A Ford Chassis. It was equipped with a 250 gallon per minute rotary gear pump. Through the years this pumper answered fire calls in all of Salem and Wheatland Townships until fire departments were organized in those townships.  The fire department moved from its quarters at the Wilbur Lumber Company to a fire house which is now the General Telephone Company garage on Railroad St. In 1949 the fire department purchased another new pumper built by Pirsch & Sons. This pumper was also built on a Ford Chassis and had a 200 gallon per minute pump. In 1952 a new Village Hall and firehouse was built in its present location. In 1960, a 750 gallon per minute pumper was ordered from Peter Pirsch. This piece of equipment was paid for jointly by the fire department and village. The fire department now had three pumpers in service. In 1962 the 1929 Model A pumper was retired from active service but is still used as a parade vehicle by the fire department. In August 1967, construction of a new stall and hose tower was started by the members of the fire department. Money for this project was raised by donations. All labor was free and no one received any money for this project. Help with the labor and materials were received by the department from many people who were not members of the fire department. This project was completed in March 1968. In 1970 another piece of equipment was purchased by the fire department. This was a four wheel drive grass fire truck and carries a portable generator and flood lights and deluge gun. This engine responds to all calls. In 1975 a 1000 gallon per minute pumper was purchased jointly by the fire department and village from Pirsch & Sons. The department also has a 1250 gallon tanker. At the time this article was first written, the fire department consisted of 35 men who are as follows: Chief Richard C. Harrison, Assistant Chief Wayne Lake, Captains David Zillmer, John Smith, Lieutenants Steve Rudolph, Michael Bull, Robert Williams, Secretary-Treasurer William Kowalik, Arthur Schultz, Robert Rudolph, William Zirzow, Frank Cason, Walter Ebling, Harley Jerde, James Kamin, Larry Clark, Erv Pagles, Phil Cayo, Robert Schenning, John Davidson, Bert DeBell, Ronald Felming, Richard Nichols, Ken Richards, Bert Lathrop, Roy Pack, Carl Schultz, Kostantyn Klen, Tom Pheiffer, Clark Berg, Steve Schultz, John Koch, Dave Gyger, Dave Schoenbeck, Joseph Elfers. The above portion of this article can be found in a 1976 publication on the history of the Village of Silver Lake. The remaining portion was updated in 2000.    In 1984 a pumper was purchased from FMC. The rig contained a 1000 gallon tank and a 1250 gallon per minute pump. In 1989 a 3500 gallon tanker with a International chassis was purchased. In 1988 a 1979 panel van was donated to the department. The members volunteered time and material to turn it into a equipment van used to bring firefighters and equipment to calls. In 1994 a Sutphen pumper was purchased. This piece of apparatus had a 1200 gallon tank with a 1500 gallon per minute pump.  On September 1, 1997 the members were called out for a structure fire at the village hall. Unfortunately, the fire was in the apparatus bay when fire fighters arrived, engulfing the entire midsection of the building. The members called 7 departments for mutual aid help and pulled out the only piece of equipment to survive the fire, the 1970 grass rig. Departments from near and far donated clothing, gear and apparatus. Before the sun went down that night the fire department was ready to respond to calls, temporarily housed at the County Building north of town.   The insurance company worked swiftly and the purchasing of new equipment began immediately. By summer of 1998 all equipment was bought except for the apparatus. In July of 1998 US Tanker delivered a 3500 gallon tanker, built on a Western Star chassis. In August of 1998 the members moved into their new building, built where the old fire house burned had down. In September of that same year, 2 nearly identical 1998 Pierce Dash 2000 pumpers were delivered. These rigs contained 1250 gallon tanks, 2000 gallon per minute pumps and seating for 8. The last piece of apparatus that was lost was replaced in May 2000. An 18’ walk in rescue squad built by American LaFrance on a Freightliner chassis was delivered. The unit is used for a command center, firefighter rehab and air truck. Current membership includes: Ken Richards, Richard Jacob, Dave Lathrop, Bill Brown, Andy Burns, Andy McFarlane, Kyle Stoxen, David Snow, Jake McFarlane, Mike Decker, Aaron Lassig, Justin Brown, Nick Shine, Gary Randle, Ginny Randle, Brandon Sellers, Donovan Lassig, Lynn McFarlane, Tyler Trnovec, Greg Galich, Mike Jessen, Chris Pumala, and Kendra Harris. |
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