By the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department 2023 – 2024
Information updated January, 2024
The Winsted Volunteer Fire Department was formed Dec. 3, 1889. The department’s first truck, a chain-driven Oshkosh, arrived in 1927.
In 1944, 33 feet of the property was purchased for the construction of Winsted’s first fire station.
Over the years that followed, the bell was replaced by a siren, and then by pagers, ambulance service was provided, and fire trucks came and went. Still, one thing has stayed the same – the dedication and devotion of the volunteers who make up the volunteer fire department.
The Winsted Volunteer Fire Department serves the city of Winsted and Hollywood, Victor, Winsted, and Woodland townships.
In 2022, the department had responded to 305 calls, many being medical-related. In addition to providing general fire suppression services, the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department also provides fire prevention education, cold water rescue, auto extrication, hazardous materials response, Skywarn spotters, and hosts a spaghetti dinner the Thursday before Winstock and the annual firefighters’ pancake breakfast the Sunday morning of the Winsted Summer Festival in August.
The Winsted Fire Department also operates a first-responder service, responding to all medical emergencies within its coverage area. The department operates with state-certified emergency medical technicians and certified first responders.
The fire department continues to utilize state grant funding for training classes. Some training consists of yearly mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classes. Other classes include auto extrication, pumper operator course, search and rescue, SCBA Air Management, and Firefighter Survivability.
At the beginning of 2023, there were 23 fire members on the department roster. A full roster would have 30 fire members. The fire department welcomes applicants. No previous experience is required. The department began EMR-only positions in 2022, which involve only emergency medical tasks within the job scope. Currently there is 1 EMR-only member, a full roster would be 5 members. All training and equipment are provided. Applications for firefighters and EMRs are available on the City of Winsted’s website or at Winsted City Hall.
The 2024 Winsted Fire Department officers and members include:
Troy Scherping (Chief)
Todd Koch (Asst. Chief 1)
Aaron Millerbernd (Asst. Chief 2)
Bryan Schaust (Captain 1)
Matt Marketon (Captain 2)
Brandon Posch (Captain 3)
Ariana Vail (Secretary)
Jim Koch
Brian Langenfeld
Rose Heimerl
Jamie Stender
Justin Hertzog
Kyle Thompson
Ryan Chatterton
Jake Hertzog
Michael Vanderlinde
Marc Cathey
Luke Caturia
Roman Heimerl
Laura Sorensen
Patrick Egan (EMR only)
James Nelson
Lori Quast
Steven Bobrowske
Christopher Krause
Christopher Bahr (Ausiliary)
Nicholas Fosdick (Auxiliary)
Jason Quast
William Casey
Madisen Stillwell