Lafayette Fire Department approaching 125 years of service

NEW ULM -- Covering 111 sections out in the country and the town of Lafayette, the Lafayette Fire Department operates differently than other departments.

"We are different from a lot of the neighboring towns," Chief Nick Klingler said, "we have our own separate ambulance crew."

Totaling 24 volunteer firefighters, some members of the crew serve on both the firefighting and ambulance crew.

Since New Ulm is far away from much of the area Lafayette's fire department covers, having their own ambulance allows for quicker response and extra coverage.

Lafayette's ambulance crew was established in 1969. The 125th anniversary of the fire department is also fast approaching.

"We're going to have our [125th] celebration this coming July," Klingler said.

Community events are common for the Lafayette Fire Department.

"We usually do a ham dinner every spring. We did a pork Sunday meal this July and we'll have more fundraising for our 125th coming up next July," Klingler said.

For team building, the crew eats together following drills and attends the fire department day at Minnesota Wild games.

Camaraderie is the reason Klingler joined the department.

As Chief of the fire department since January of 2021, Klingler found out about the position through a friend.

"I had somebody that was on the department ask if I'd be interested and that's where it started," he said.

Klingler said that along with hanging out with the guys, his favorite part of the job is that every day is different.

One of these differences that Klingler doesn't particularly enjoy is the paperwork associated with being Chief.

"There's a lot of paperwork that you have to do in my position, and doing that while having a full-time job and a family, it does get to be a lot of work."

Fortunately, Klingler gets some assistance from his Assistant Chief and Secretary.

Another role of the fire department are Training Officers who are in charge of setting up drills and assisting the new firefighters.

Following an interview, agility tests and other training occurs to make sure applicants are able to handle what is required of them. They also have to pass a physical and a breathing test down at the hospital.

Klingler said that most people would be surprised with the time commitment associated with becoming a firefighter, "Just the schooling alone is six months," he said. "Twice a week at nights that go from 5:30 to 10:30pm."

Schooling and other activities allow Lafayette's firefighters to get to know members of neighboring departments well.

"We do a lot with other departments and mutual aid calls and sometimes our drills cross back and forth," Klingler said.

Oftentimes the Lafayette Fire Department gets called to assist because the department has its own ambulance. They also take motor vehicle accidents, rescues, and any other injuries.

"We have grain bin rescue stuff if somebody gets caught in a grain bin," Klingler said.

Klingler pointed out the different vehicles used for responses. The rescue van houses turnout gear and has seats equipped with air packs.

Another engine pumps water and holds excavation tools for fire accidents.

Lafayette's fire department sends all five of their emergency response vehicles when they respond to calls.

The crew is alerted through pagers and a system on their phone.

"We pretty much send whoever we got. The system on our phones shows who's responding and if we don't have enough, then we call for mutual aid, Klingler said, "It doesn't matter the time of the day, we'll always be there."