The Waconia Fire Department gathered in front of the old fire hall on First Street for this photo in 1912. Today the building houses Old City Hall Apartments. The crew in this photo gathered for a Memorial Day parade. Patriot file photo

A history of lifesaving sacrifice

Centuries ago the Knights of St. John, from the tiny island of Malta, encountered a group of warriors known as the Saracens.

The knights had pledged their lives toward protecting the Holy Land. But when the Saracens arrived to challenge them, they brought with them a new weapon, to that point never before encountered by the knights--fire bombs. As the knights advanced on the Walls of Jerusalem to oust the Saracens, they were bombarded by jars of fuel and oil. When enough of them had been drenched in the flammable liquids, the Saracens shot flaming arrows at the knights, setting them ablaze. Once the knights realized what was happening, many of them ran to the aid of their fellow brothers, using their capes to douse flames, and risking their own lives to fight the fire. It was the birth place of today’s modern day firefighter.

The hundreds of firefighters who have served in the Waconia Fire Department since its inception in 1883 have never faced flaming arrows, but they have certainly risked their lives saving others, as the knights demonstrated defending the Holy Land centuries ago.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Waconia Fire Department. A community celebration will be held at the fairgrounds Aug. 16, but through the years, there have been numerous accounts of firefighters serving this community and the surrounding area for one simple reason: to save lives.

Over the next three weeks, leading up to the Aug. 16 event, we’ll bring you stories about the Waconia Fire Department and its 125 year history.

Waconia recognized early on the need for an organized fire department as the city grew and house and business fires became more common. In 1866 the hotel/home of Alexander Erb was destroyed by fire. Five days later, although not in Waconia, the Steam Flouring Mill of S.A. Hopper in Belle Plaine was destroyed by fire.

An orange glow could be seen in the southern sky as far away as Waconia. The $20,000 building was a complete loss, as were its contents.

Fires like these took a tremendous toll on small towns and often the owners were not able to rebuild. This is what prompted community members to form the Waconia Fire Department in 1883. Although not formally organized with a constitution and by-laws until 1888, there were organized groups of firefighters prior to that date.

Waconia has endured many fires, including one that devoured a barn owned by August Roether in 1892 and a fire that severely damaged the Waconia Public School in 1893.

Fighting fires was not an easy task in the early years, as buckets of water were not unusual. But the onset of the modern firefighting technique came to Waconia when the department purchased a Waterous steam pumper. The Canadian based company had a large manufacturing plant in St. Paul that allowed Waconia to take delivery on a much shorter time scale than communities elsewhere in the country.

The gas-powered engine was a tremendous leap forward, as the combustion engine was used solely for pumping water. It was drawn by a team of horses, but could also be pulled under human power. When the department took delivery of the 3,500 pound engine in 1912, it was immediately taken down to the lake where it was “given a severe test with one, two and three lines of hose. The tests proved a complete success and were witnessed by a large crowd of interested spectators,” according to a report in The Waconia Patriot.

Its rotary pump had the ability to pump up to 350 gallons of water per minute. Today Waterous manufactures a truck that pumps 2,000 gallons per minute.

With the 1912 pumper, the fire department had the ability to connect a 1,000 foot long hose that would throw a 7/8 inch stream of water 140 feet into the air. The truck cost $1,650, with the department paying $500 and the city covering the remaining expense.

“Hereafter the good residents of Waconia can go to sleep peacefully because their property is now 100 percent more safe. Outlying districts can also rest assured that their property is some safer. A telephone message to town would bring the engine to a farm house in a short time and prevent heavy loss.”

The Waconia Patriot, March 22, 1912.

First fire chief

Waconia’s first fire chief was Henry D. Diessner. It’s not clear the dates that he served as fire chief, but his list of service to the community is quite lengthy. He also served as a city mayor, two terms as coroner, a term in the state legislature as a representative for the county, membership on the village council, city recorder, city postmaster for 10 years and also served as publisher of The Patriot for a short time around 1898.

Moments in history

In 1904 a 300-gallon per minute steam pumper was purchased and drawn with a team of horses. The source of water was cisterns on the owners’ property where a fire occurred.

In 1906 a hook and ladder and special chemical wagon were purchased.

From 1927-29 the department became a member of the Minnesota State Firemen’s Benefit Association which provided protection for firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty.

A second pumper was purchased in 1937. It could pump 500 gallons per minute.

During the years 1946-54 the first rural tank truck was donated by Ray Erhard to provide additional service. The first rescue truck was also purchased, as was a third pumper.

In the years 1955-60 a fourth pumper capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water per minute was purchased, primarily through fund-raising efforts. The Pioneer Telephone Company installed the fire alert call system for each firefighter in his home. Two-way radios were installed in some of the equipment so the fire department could maintain contact with the Sheriff’s Office and other fire departments in the county.

From 1961-62 the old 1923 REO pumper was restored and put back into operating condition. Numerous pieces of equipment have been purchased since that time, including newer pumpers and aerial ladder rig.

Construction of the current fire station was started in 1979. Chief Norval Schmandke invested six years of his life planning for the new station, but died of cancer shortly before its opening. He died March 20, 1980. It opened a month later and was dedicated in Schmandke’s memory.

Randy Sorensen took over as chief in 1980 and has continued in that capacity through today.

The first statewide recognized training known as Firefighter I was introduced in 1984 and three Waconia firefighters participated: Mike Loscheider, Kevin Schmieg and Jeff Poppitz.

The department started selling pull tabs in 1988, primarily as a way to raise funds for various community groups.

A 3,500 gallon tanker was purchased in 1989.

Hans Rowe became the first Waconia firefighter to complete Firefighter III training in 1990. He is now a 23-year veteran of the department.

The first thermal imaging camera was purchased in 2001. It’s used for providing vision in smoky situations.

In 2003 the 1925 REO pumper was restored to original status.

Expansion to existing fire station at Maple and Main was approved in 2005.

The Waconia Fire Department will be celebrating its 125th anniversary Aug. 16 at the Carver County Fairgrounds during a day filled with fun, food and music. It will also share historical photos and stories it has accumulated through the years. This is the first in a series that looks at some of the history that has helped shape the local fire department.

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