Richmond Fire Protection District – History Overview
The Richmond Fire Protection District has been a proud provider of emergency services to the Richmond community and surrounding rural areas for over 50 years. Established in 1926, the District originally operated as a small volunteer organization dedicated to protecting local farms, homes, and businesses.
Over time, the community grew — and with it, the responsibilities of the Fire District. Significant progress was made with the introduction of emergency medical services, expanded training standards, and upgrades to firefighting apparatus and equipment throughout the decades.
The Richmond Fire Station is located at 5601 Hunter Drive and includes a dedicated team of full-time, part-time, and volunteer personnel serving as firefighters and paramedics. The station is equipped with modern apparatus and technology, ensuring rapid and effective emergency response.
Through fire suppression, emergency medical response, fire prevention education, and community support programs, the District continues its commitment to protecting lives and property with professionalism, compassion, and pride.
District Timeline
Early Beginnings (1926–1940s)
The Richmond Volunteer Fire Department was organized on February 3, 1926 at Memorial Hall, under the leadership of Mayor J. G. “Curly” Stevens. Twenty-one men attended the first meeting, and the initial officers were elected, including Chief William Sandgren and Assistant Chief E.M. Stewart.
The first fire truck, a 1926 International with a 500-gallon per minute pump, was purchased from Peter Pirsch in Kenosha, WI, along with a Packard touring car for fire calls. By 1930, the department was debt-free and fully equipped to meet fire safety standards.
In 1941, the department expanded its scope by forming the Richmond Burton Fire Protection District, officially recognized after a successful vote on May 1st.
Growth and Equipment Expansion (1950s–1970s)
The 1950s–70s were a period of major growth and modernization:
1950: A Rio water tanker was added, built almost entirely by volunteer Frank Dammier.
1954: The department purchased its first rescue truck and elected Theron Ehorn as Rescue Captain.
1960s: New vehicles, including water tankers, grass fire jeeps, and panel trucks, expanded response capabilities.
1969: The department installed a Plectron alerting system, improving response times, and took over Ehorn’s Ambulance, donated free to the rescue squad.
1970s: New fire trucks, water tankers, and a Horton ambulance were added, and firefighters began using personal pagers by 1979.
Modernization and Technology (1980s–2000s)
In the 1980s, RTFPD integrated the rescue squad into the fire district, funded by tax dollars, and continued to update its fleet and facilities:
1981: Purchased a gas station for housing rescue trucks.
1983–1985: Added large water tankers and a new ambulance.
2000s: Major upgrades included a 1500 GPM HME/US tanker, a 3500-gallon Peterbilt water tanker, and a MEDTEC ambulance.
2005: Rick M. Gallas was appointed full-time Fire Chief.
2006–2008: First ladder truck placed in service, new fire engines purchased, and the Fire North Quad mutual aid system was implemented to improve regional response.
During this period, the department also secured federal grants to upgrade gear, radios, thermal imaging cameras, and station infrastructure.
Recent Developments (2010s–Present)
2010: A state grant funded reconstruction of the back parking lot and SCBA system improvements.
2014: Two Military HumVees were repurposed for wildland firefighting and off-road patient extraction.
2015: A new ambulance was added to replace older units, ensuring continued advanced emergency medical service for the community.
Today, the Richmond Township Fire Protection District continues to serve the community with a fully equipped, highly trained team, responding to hundreds of calls annually while maintaining a strong tradition of volunteer service and community engagement.
The following Fire Chiefs have proudly served the Richmond Fire Department, providing leadership and service to the community throughout the department’s history.
- 1926–1928: William Sandgren
- 1929–1932: Merle Hobart
- 1933–1936: J. G. Stevens
- 1937–1938: Frank Dammier
- 1939–1940: J. G. Stevens
- 1941–1943: Otto Buchert
- 1944–1945: Frank Buchert
- 1946: Roy Stevens
- 1947: Glen Buchert
- 1948: Roland Jackson
- 1949: Al Gosse
- 1950: Harold Buchert
- 1951: Lyman Buchert
- 1954: Richard Stermer
- 1955: J. Robert Stevens
- 1956: Roland Jackson
- 1958: Clayton Klemstein
- 1959: Earl Hall
- 1960: Harold Pacey
- 1961: Glen Buchert
- 1962: Harold Pacey
- 1963: Roland Jackson
- 1964: Charles Schultz
- 1965–1967: Ross Courtemash
- 1968: Roland Jackson
- 1968–1980: Ron Bergsma
- 1981–1982: Tom Van Daele
- 1983–1984: David Bockelmann
- 1985–1986: William Popenhagen
- 1987–2000: Ron Bergsma
- 2001–2003: Ken Foszcz
- 2004–2005: Dave Rudolph
- 2005–2018: Rick M. Gallas
- 2018–2021: Henry Gruba
- 2021–Present: Jim Prickett