Fire Department
Weekly meetings and training – Wednesday 1900 Hr. (Except Holidays)
Fire Department History
The Town Fire department was asked to be the City Fire department in 1903. There has been seven Fire Chiefs with the first being Chief D. B. Northrup. The fire department members do fire prevention inspections, safety training, firefighting and other community activities for the City of Peshtigo residences and businesses.
The above picture is the City of Peshtigo Firefighter Memorial dedicated June 24, 2006. The memorial was put up with private donation in memory of past fire firefighters from the community. Memorial donations have also purchased 2 thermal imaging cameras for our department use. We would like to thank all who donated and help in all of our projects.
Organization Description
The area now known as the City of Peshtigo was first settled around 1838. The community was well known for logging and wood product production which was the major economic source for the area.
Peshtigo was destroyed by fire on October 8, 1871. Loss of life and property damage was significant.
Peshtigo was incorporated as a Village in 1887, and as a City in 1903.
After the great Peshtigo Fire, there was a need for an organized fire response in the Peshtigo area. The City of Peshtigo Fire Department became official on May 15, 1903, after Peshtigo became a city in April
1903. Prior to that, the fire department was named the Town of Peshtigo Fire Department. Since 1903, the City of Peshtigo Fire Department has been in continuous operations, covering the approximate 3 square miles that comprises the City of Peshtigo. There have been 8 fire chiefs leading the organization.
Going back to 1903, funds were scarce and equipment was primitive. Firefighters were not paid a salary and had to fundraise for equipment. In the early 1900's, most fires responded to were mainly for wooden stoves, sheds, and grass fires. There were no major fires reported until 1954 when St. Mary's Catholic Church started on fire. Since then, the fire department responded to numerous large fires including Thompson Boat Co., Unit Structures, Peshtigo High School, and Hart Lumber Company.
The primary response since 1903 was out of one fire station, until a second fire station was built in 2002.
In 2023, an addition to the fire station at City Hall began and was completed in late 2024. At the request of the City Council, the fire department was tasked with beginning an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program in the city. Training for the first round of individuals wrapped up in the spring of 2024. The start date of the program was November 1, 2024. New employees have the option of being a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Responder or just Firefighter or just Emergency Medical Responder. All employees fall under the fire department umbrella. With the addition of responding to EMS emergencies, our call volume is expected to increase to over 500 calls per year (Fire + EMS).
The Fire Department today receives a budget from the City of Peshtigo to help with equipment purchases, fire response, and training. Fire trucks and related equipment have evolved into complex and technologically advanced machines for fire-fighting purposes. With continued hard work and dedication, the firefighters today continue the legacy of the past, and put forth effort to keep the City of Peshtigo Fire Department in operation for the future.
The City of Peshtigo Fire Department is considered volunteer with stipends allotted for fire response, EMS response, and training. The primary activities of our fire department are to protect life, property, and the environment by responding to emergencies. We also provide education to all individuals about fires, fire prevention, and fire safety. The biggest item is to safeguard the community when emergencies arise.
The key activities of our fire department include:
Extinguish Fires
Rescue trapped individuals
Emergency Medical Services (This is what will be new to us)
Fire Prevention including inspections of local businesses and schools
General public education including organizing Fire Prevention Week at local schools
Fire Drills and evacuation planning at local schools
Fire Extinguisher Training at local businesses