(PHOTOS COURTESY OF WAUSEON FD)
By: Lindsay Phillips
In January of 1862, the Wauseon Fire Department was organized. It started off as the “Private Fire Company.” Fifty dollars of Wauseon Village Funds were appropriated to build a “Fire Engine House” that served 400 citizens.
A year later in 1863, the “Private Fire Company” bought their first engine, and voted to uniform themselves as a fire-fighting unit.
It wasn’t until January of 1874, that the “Private Fire Company” was disbanded and the “Wauseon Volunteer Fire Department was established.
Today the Wauseon Fire Department serves close to 15,000 residents. Wauseon’s Fire Department staff goes above and beyond in more ways than fire-fighting, such as teaching the local Pre-School students about fire safety.
On March 11, 2022, Wauseon Fire Department visited the Wauseon Primary School Preschool students to give them a tour of one of their fire trucks and talk about what firemen do.
Members of the WFD took the time to introduce themselves to the class. Students learned that it’s important to go outside if you see a fire or hear a smoke alarm, to never hide from firefighters and to make a plan with family.
Preschoolers were able to sit in the truck and get their picture taken, see all the gear in each compartment and why it’s important, and see the trucks siren lights. Firefighters came for both the morning and afternoon class.
Wauseon Preschool Teacher Ms. Plageman said, “At first, our preschoolers felt hesitant around the firemen in their uniforms, but after hearing about their jobs and how firefighters are there to help and keep people safe, the preschoolers were very welcoming and eager to learn more.”
Ms. Plageman also stated, “It’s great to know our preschool students have learned about fire safety and what to do in case of an emergency.”
The Preschool class discussed and rehearsed the number to call in an emergency situation.
Students said things during the tour of the truck such as, “I want to be a firefighter and help people too,” and “Do we get to see the fire truck again tomorrow?”
Wauseon Primary School Preschool wanted to say, “Thank you to the Wauseon Fire Department.”
Lindsay can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com