(Waupun) The Waupun Fire Department recently held an open house to celebrate its 150th Anniversary. Fire Chief B.J. DeMaa says they got their own chance to learn about the history of the department by working with the city’s Historical Society. He says it had been a fascinating look back in to their department’s past.
“I think the biggest thing for me and for the members of the committee has been the how the equipment has changed through the years,” says DeMaa. “The trucks are obviously bigger….we talked earlier that it’s not just a fire department anymore it’s kind of a multi-hazard department in terms of the things that we respond to…so, vehicles are bigger…there’s more equipment on there…to see how technology changes.”
DeMaa adds that they had some pictures of the equipment that was used back then, which gave them a chance to compare to what they have today. He says there is a big difference from 1874 when firefighters used horse-drawn hook and ladder trucks and the fire engines they use today, which can cost in the neighborhood of $1-million-dollars for a new truck.
The 150th Anniversary celebration also took place during National Fire Prevention Week.
