| Department History |
Leavenworth County Fire District #1 traces its lineage to the Delaware Township Fire
Department (DTFD), founded on March 30, 1952. Prior to the establishment of the
DTFD, fire protection in the area was provided by the Wadsworth Fire Department, the
Leavenworth Fire Department, and various bucket brigades.
Construction of DTFD's original 2-bay station was completed on November 2, 1952.
The first meeting of the Delaware Township Volunteer Firefighter's Association was
held in the new station on November 16, 1952. At that initial meeting, Mr. Walter Opfer
was elected as president of the association, with Mr. Robert Woodson as vice
president. Mr. Jackson Stewart would serve as secretary and Mr. Russell Bent as
treasurer. The department's first fire apparatus, a pumper from Luverne Fire
Equipment Company, was delivered in November of 1952. DTFD would respond to 25
alarms in its first year of existence.
By the mid-1990's the original station, now 45 years old, was no longer able to meet
the growing needs of the community. Construction of a new station began in
September of 1999. Prison labor from the Lansing Correctional Facility was used
along with over 6,000 hours volunteered by firefighters during construction. The new
7-bay station was dedicated during an open house in June of 2001. The new station
includes offices, a meeting room, and a weight room.
By early 2003 the Delaware Township Fire Department again faced the challenges of
growth and increasing costs. The DTFD became Leavenworth County Fire District #1
on January 1, 2004 with the cooperation of Delaware Township, High Prairie
Township, and the City of Lansing. That same year, the new District #1 responded to
677 calls.
On August 1, 2005 construction of station #2 was completed. Station #2 is located on
187th street.
Department (DTFD), founded on March 30, 1952. Prior to the establishment of the
DTFD, fire protection in the area was provided by the Wadsworth Fire Department, the
Leavenworth Fire Department, and various bucket brigades.
Construction of DTFD's original 2-bay station was completed on November 2, 1952.
The first meeting of the Delaware Township Volunteer Firefighter's Association was
held in the new station on November 16, 1952. At that initial meeting, Mr. Walter Opfer
was elected as president of the association, with Mr. Robert Woodson as vice
president. Mr. Jackson Stewart would serve as secretary and Mr. Russell Bent as
treasurer. The department's first fire apparatus, a pumper from Luverne Fire
Equipment Company, was delivered in November of 1952. DTFD would respond to 25
alarms in its first year of existence.
By the mid-1990's the original station, now 45 years old, was no longer able to meet
the growing needs of the community. Construction of a new station began in
September of 1999. Prison labor from the Lansing Correctional Facility was used
along with over 6,000 hours volunteered by firefighters during construction. The new
7-bay station was dedicated during an open house in June of 2001. The new station
includes offices, a meeting room, and a weight room.
By early 2003 the Delaware Township Fire Department again faced the challenges of
growth and increasing costs. The DTFD became Leavenworth County Fire District #1
on January 1, 2004 with the cooperation of Delaware Township, High Prairie
Township, and the City of Lansing. That same year, the new District #1 responded to
677 calls.
On August 1, 2005 construction of station #2 was completed. Station #2 is located on
187th street.
| Fire Chiefs |
| Francis "Skeet" Bemis Nov. 16, 1952 - Aug. 3, 1955 Walter Stiglmire Aug. 4, 1955 - Jan. 6, 1960 Howard Hinde Jan. 7, 1960 - May 4, 1960 Edward Hamler May 5, 1960 - Mar. 4, 1964 Jack Stewart, Jr. Mar. 5, 1964 - Jan. 6, 1977 Ernest "Pete" Peterson Jan. 7, 1977 - Oct. 3, 1981 George Stull Oct. 4, 1981 - Mar. 7, 1982 Jack Fitch Mar. 8, 1982 - Sep. 8, 1996 Rick Huhn Sep. 9, 1996 - Present |
| Protecting lives and property.... Since 1952 |
| TO SERVE WITH PRIDE AND INTEGRITY |
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