News:  Humbird (26 Jul 2006)

 

Clark County Press, (Neillsville, WI)

July 26, 2006

Transcribed by Delores Kenyon

 

 

 

Nelson Brothers ‘Humbird Fire Fighter of the Year’

 

For the past three to four years, members of the Humbird volunteer Fire Department have been voting to give one of their members the "Fire Fighter of the Year" award.  This year was different as three members received the award.   There was a tie with these members, and the committee decided to give each of them a plaque rather than re-voting to break the tie.

 

After 30 years of being on the fire department, the Nelson brothers, Maynard, Odell and Kenny, all received this prestigious award.  They all joined the department at the same time in May 1976.

 

Living close to town, the brothers are often first at the station when the emergency tones go off, and they are ready to respond.  They will do anything that is asked of them, whether it is on the fire scene, maintenance at the station or cleaning the hall for weddings, school reunions, anniversaries, etc.  The trucks are then "stationed" at the Nelson’s ready to respond to an emergency.  The "boys" take great pride in the fire department and since their retirement from employment, they make certain to attend all trainings and meetings.

 

Their main jobs during a fire call now are either taking the brush truck (which carries the portable pump) to the pond to fill all responding tankers or driving the tanker. 

 

If you listen closely, you can be told many good stories of things that have happened about the fire department.  They could also tell you about all the trucks the department has ever owned.

 

Odell and Kenny both own their own fire trucks, which they proudly drive in the local parades each year.  Odell’s truck is the first truck the fire department had.  It is a 1944 Chevrolet pumper, which incidentally still pumps.  Odell wanted to buy this truck when the department replaced it because it was made the same year he was born.  He received first place with this truck last year in the Fairchild’s Lions Parade.

 

Kenny owns a 1954 GMC pumper, which he bought from the Hatfield Fire Department.

 

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Friend of the Fire Department Award

During the Annual Humbird Fire Department picnic, Grace Stevens of Humbird received the "Friend of the Fire Department" award.  For a number of years, Stevens has donated her time, expertise and talents to the department.  Helping out whenever and wherever needed, she has sold tickets for fundraising functions and helped make and serve food at these functions as well as fought the cold during the annual ice or no-ice fishing contest.  She has been a committed/active member of the fire department’s Ladies Auxiliary since it started over 11 years ago.  (Contributed photo)

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Humbird volunteer Fire Fighters Annual Picnic held

Humbird Volunteer Fire Fighters held their annual picnic at the Humbird County Park , July 9.  In attendance were, back row: Dale Wallace, Brian Krumholz, Ed Lloyd, Steve Aldach, Dave Sadloske, Bob Nandory, Mekinie Mitchell, Pete Emer, Ken Nelson; front row: Bob Mitchell, Frick Theiler, Odell Nelson, Lee Carter, Dale Marasek, Maynard Nelson;  Missing from picture: Barry Laffe, Tim Mayer, Jeremy Hart, Randy Collins, Randy Johnson, Greg Martin and Craig Adam  (Contributed photo)

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Fire ladder truck training

Twelve members of the Humbird Fire Department recently took part in a six-hour training course on their newly acquired aerial truck.  John Neihart, a fire instructor from Chippewa Valley Technical College and the fire chief of Chippewa Fire District, came to Humbird Saturday, July 15, to give this course.  To pass the course, each member needed to operate the aerial from the bottom (back of the truck) and learn all the safety issues.

 

 

 


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