The Maple Bluff Fire Department (MBFD) proudly serves its 1300 residents by providing fire suppression, fire prevention, vehicle extrication, public education, fire inspections, and water/ice rescue services.

Recently Chief Joshua Ripp was kind enough to take time to answer a few questions to allow us to learn a little more about the MBFD and the community they serve.

How long have you been with MBFD?
I started with MBFD in June of 1997 ( little more than 12.5 yrs)

What is your long term vision for the MBFD?
My vision for MBFD is to be able to serve the Village in dealing with fire, EMS and rescue emergencies with the personalized customer service that always have. Maple Bluff has always been a separate community from the surrounding area, and that is what sets us apart.

What key traits do you look for in your FF's and Officers?
When I look for potential fire department personnel, I look for individuals that aren't afraid of work, and what is considered a "normal" work day.

What was the best/worst prank played on you as a rook? (That you can share in mixed company) 
In my intern days, I had a vacuum cleaner bolted to the bed of my old flatbed truck. It was vacuum cleaner that had died, had been replaced, but I just couldn't seem to make it go away.

How many FT staff are employed at MBFD and how many volunteers?
We presently have 4 full time staff, 6 interns, and about 18 volunteers.

Approximately how many calls does MBFD respond to annually and what is the breakdown for each?
Maple Bluff Fire responded to the following calls in 2009

Fire 5 Motor Vehicle Crash 3 EMS Assist 49 Water/Ice Rescue 4 Other Rescue 0 Electrical Hazard 6 CO Invest/Incident 2 Gas Odor 1 Smoke Scare/Odor 2 Other Chem/Biological Scare 2 False Alarm (smoke/fire) 13 Severe Weather/flood/etc 1 Citizen Assist, Other 3 Station Standby 5 Dispatched, Cancelled 6 Other, 1

What was the most memorable call you remember responding to?
Most definitely, the 69 Cambridge Road Fire. It was the first fire I was Incident Commander on, and it was extremely cold (-14 degrees fahrenheit). It was quite a learning experience that night/morning.

What coping methods will be available to MB players after losing this year's football game to BGFD...just kidding.
Hmm, coping methods. Well, I think us getting the trophy again this year will be consolation enough after the game.

Thanks for being such a good sport Chief and taking the time to let me interview you.

FF Miles

Blooming Grove Personnel:

Here is the latest information in regard to Chief Himsel's funeral for Monday, February 8.

DCFCA has been tasked with providing some personnel for Traffic control and Apparatus parking logistics in Mt. Horeb on Monday February 8th, 2010 leading up to and during the funeral and procession to the Cemetery.

The funeral procession from the Evangelical Lutheran Church to the Union Cemetery is very short, however a number of intersections including a round-a-bout need controlling. We are requesting up to 12 volunteers to assist with this assignment. There may also be a need to hand out Mt. Horeb Maps and instructions at the Major “IN Roads” to Mt. Horeb prior to the Funeral Monday as Fire Apparatus will arrive from all different directions. That assignment may begin as early as 8 AM Monday.

So BGFD Personnel: I was wondering who would like to volunteer and help out with traffic on Monday morning early. If you'd like to help all please let me know. 

At this point I am planning on having two fire trucks from Blooming Grove attend the services on Monday. If you like to be part of this we will be leaving the station some place between 730am and 8 AM. Class A dress or your highest level of dress will be the fine. Those that are helping out with traffic class B. dress with turnouts and vest are acceptable.

On Sunday there is visitation at the fire station. There has been a few members that can't attend on Monday. I have decided to send a group of personnel on Sunday the seventh of Feb, department apparatus will be used to go to the visitation anyone interested please let me know at 209.5697. If you plan on attending on Sunday meet at the station at 2.00 pm.

I hope this explains and answers everyone's questions please help out where you can. I know that anyone that is at all available on Monday I could use station coverage from 7 AM Intel we return from the funeral ceremonies.

For those working traffic. Please also dress according to the weather. Personnel working this detail may wear full or partial turn-outs as they might be recognized better by the motoring public during this particular detail.

Thanks for your assistance

Chief Linzmeier

Charles Howard "Chuck" Himsel, age 67 of Mt. Horeb, WI, died on Monday, February 1, 2010 at his home in Mt. Horeb.

February 1st was a very significant day because it was Chuck's father's birthday and also the 32nd anniversary of his service as Fire Chief. He was born on July 24, 1942 to Howard Charles "Howdy" and Georgia E. (Thompson) Himsel. Chuck graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1960 and attended Luther College in Iowa. He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from University of Wisconsin Platteville. Chuck also held a degree in fire science, a minor in music, and completed a great amount of post-graduate coursework. He taught elementary and junior high math in the public school system in both Madison and Mt. Horeb. In 1979, Chuck had the opportunity to combine his teaching profession with his firefighting and became the firefighter instructor for the Fire Science Department at MATC. He continued teaching at MATC through 2006 and then retired to officially become the paid Mount Horeb Fire Chief. Chuck has served the Mount Horeb Fire Department since 1965, Mount Horeb Emergency Medical Service since its inception in 1976, and served as Fire Chief since 1978 when his father retired as Chief. Music was an integral part of his life; he was involved with drum corps, bugling, Firehouse Minstrels, vocal and instrumental ensembles, Song of Norway, ELC Church Choir, and The Kristmenn and Old Hickory Quartets.

Chuck was a much loved man who touched countless lives in many ways. He will be forever remembered for his generosity, his humor, and his great compassion. He was a vehement supporter of Mt. Horeb, which he called an authentic community, and was instrumental in initiating many community festivals and festivities.

Survivors include his sisters: Ann (Phil) Dettwiler and Mary Jo (Ron) Brinkmann both of Mt. Horeb; three nephews: Eric, Craig, and Joel; two nieces: Sarah and Mary; three great-nephews; two great-nieces; his fire department family; other relatives, and a great many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, February 8, 2010 at EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MT. HOREB. Full Fire Honors will be accorded. Burial will follow at Mt. Horeb Union Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at MT. HOREB FIRE STATION NO. 1, 120 S. First Street, Mt. Horeb. The Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI, is serving the family.

Chuck's family would like to thank everyone who has put so much energy and heart into honoring Chuck's life and legacy.

A message for our neighbors
Winter weather in Wisconsin is serious business. Here are a few useful tips from  the Wisconsin Department of Transportation regarding safe winter driving....

Winter Driving

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) visited their home to help them do their own fire safety inspection. Click on the different types of home fire safety issues and see how they did!

When you are done, hit your own fire safety home run – print out the safety checklist that Abby and Julia used. Ask a grown-up to help you conduct a fire safety inspection of your home!

Click here to begin

A message for our neighbors
.Fire and Burn Prevention Fires and burns are the second leading cause of household injuries. Each year nearly 4,000 people in the U.S. die in home fires. Thousands of others are injured as a result of fires or accidental burns. Most of these deaths involve children and elderly adults. Kitchen accidents, space heaters, chimney fires, faulty electrical wiring, and cigarettes are common causes. Check your home for fire hazards. Install smoke detectors on every floor.

More tips on Fire Safety

Congratulations go out to BGFD Firefighter Mike "Shrek" McKay for completing the Fire Inspector Certification program at Madison Area Technical College. Mike who is well known for his 'outspokenness' said he does not have any real plans as far as other certifications and that in the future he, "just plans to take the regular courses." 

The Fire Inspector certification is one of the more challenging certifications to complete. He might be a quiet guy from Mellen, but Mike's a good firefighter  and a good guy. 

Congrats Mike!
Pictured ( Chief Linzmeier and FF McKay FD).

A crash involving a Bismarck fire truck, a transit bus and a pickup sent two people to the hospital yesterday morning, according to The Bismarck Tribune.

Firefighter Donavan Voeller, 41, was transported to St. Alexius Hospital and was treated for "non-critical injuries." The bus driver was treated and released at the hospital.

Voeller, one of four aboard the apparatus, was the only firefighter injured.

The fire truck, which was returning from an emergency call, was traveling westbound on Century Avenue and was waiting to turn onto State Street when the bus, traveling eastbound, struck the right side of the fire truck's cab, then continued on and struck a pickup.

The crash caused $35,000 damage to the fire truck.

According to FHP, the unidentified trooper was responding to reports of an abandoned car on Interstate 95 in Oakland Park. He investigated the crash scene but did not see the body and had the car towed.

A wrecker company contacted the car's owner on Tuesday. The woman said she didn't know her car was in an accident and that her boyfriend was missing.

She found his body in a ditch when she stopped by the crash scene that night. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Delvin Lewis.

Authorities believe Lewis was driving his girlfriend's car when he hit a guardrail and was thrown from the car. It's not clear when the accident happened.

Last Christmas Eve, A Shift (Lt. Edge, FF Miles, FF Danks, A\Lt. DiSalvo, Intern Oliver) enjoyed an awesome dinner compliments of Ms. Doris Danks and FF Danks better half Katie.

The crew dined on Brown Sugar Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Baked Beans. 

A big Thank You goes out to Ms. Danks and Katie for a wonderful Meal. 

There were a lot of great stories and news for BGFD in 2009 that I just could not get to.  Look for these to pop up on the web in the near future.

If you would like to contribute stories or ideas for this feature, contact Lt. Edge or email me at marcusm@bloominggrovefire.com.

FF Miles...