HELP WANTED!
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a firefighter? Have you ever wanted to help someone just for the sake of being
available to help someone on possibly one of the worst days of their lives? Did you ever wonder how people get involved in a
fire department and what makes them stay in the fire service? Have you ever thought of all of the things a firefighter might do?
To answer these questions, we must figure out what a firefighter is. So what is a firefighter? After doing some research on the
internet, these are some definitions that were found:
 A person whose job is to extinguish fires. (Well, this is an obvious definition that we already knew.)
 Firefighters control and put out fires, and respond to emergency situations where life, property,
or the environment is at risk. (OK, this one’s a little better, but not quite there yet.)
 There are not many jobs as rewarding as a firefighter – the camaraderie, the helping of others, having
pride in what you do, job security, and just an overall good feeling about yourself.
That’s it!! That’s what firefighting is all about! When you become a firefighter, you become part of a family. The pursuit of
becoming a firefighter can be a successful one – if you truly want it. This is not a career choice that you sort of want, kind of
want – you have to really want it. Think of it this way: If someone is having the most tragic or horrible day of their life, they
usually call the fire department. And regardless of the situation, the firefighters are expected to make things better for that
person or those people. With that being said, there really isn’t a clear definition of the job duties of a firefighter. The obvious is
putting fires out, but we also respond to car accidents, haz mat incidents, trench rescues, water rescues, entrapments and
extrications (vehicle or equipment), confined space rescue, school shootings, assisting an ambulance crew, carbon monoxide
calls, explosions, collapses, weather events and storms, and anything else that might happen. Whoever thought some crazy
people would purposely fly a jet into a skyscraper in New York City – twice, and then the Pentagon, and then some poor farmer
has a jet crash in their field (which, by the way, could happen here!)? Who were the first people called for help? Think of all of
the times you see a fire department (in person, or in the news) – where are they and what are they doing? We as firefighters need
to be prepared for the unthinkable all the time, or as we like to say in training classes, “What if…?”
To answer the call for help at any time requires certain knowledge in order to do the job safely and efficiently. The minimum
requirement to be considered a firefighter in the state of Wisconsin requires 60 hours of training, which gets you to Entry Level
Firefighter. CPR certification is also required, which is 4 hours. To respond to any MABAS call (going to help another
department), a firefighter needs to be State Certified Firefighter 1, which is an additional 36 hours. So basically, it takes 100
hours of training just to be considered a firefighter that can respond to any call in Green Valley, Morgan, and any surrounding
townships. There are many, many more classes available for additional training – some being 3 hours each, and some being 60
hours each. To be involved in any emergency medical response, that requires even more additional training, and we will refer
you to Gillett Ambulance or Oconto Falls Ambulance for that information. The Green Valley – Morgan Fire Company does not
respond to any medical calls unless we are requested by the responding ambulance crew.
We need your help! The Green Valley – Morgan Fire Company is in need of people that are interested in being firefighters.
You don’t need to be a strong, tough guy, or someone that can be around 24 hours a day. You just need to have a desire to be in
the fire service and care about the community where you live. We currently have firefighters of all ages, guys and gals, single
and married, some have small children, some have grown children. There is a time commitment for classes, training, meetings,
and emergency calls, but if you are at all interested, please contact us! We would love to have you join our fire service family.
Our Fire Chief is Leonard Wahl, (920) 373-3308, and you may contact him for further information on how to join us. The other
fire officers are Joel Nischke, Asst Fire Chief; Randy Konkle, Captain; Matt Bohm, Lieutenant; Carmen Wetzel, Safety
Officer/Treasurer; Jeff Engebretsen, Secretary. Please contact any one of these people or any other GV-M firefighter. We’d be
more than happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have. (Oh yeah – we have a lot of fun times together! Ask
any experienced firefighter, and they’ll share at least one hilarious story or memory!)
Even though winter is slow in making its appearance this year, it’s almost a guarantee it will come sooner or later. So as always,
here are just a few reminders to practice fire safety (and just being safe in general) during the winter months:
 If you burn wood, check your chimney(s) periodically throughout the winter months and clean out any creosote buildup
and blockages.
 Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.
 Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Check the batteries
periodically to insure they are working properly. Also, install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of
carbon monoxide poisoning to occupants. Review your home escape plans.
 Be sure to clear snow and ice away from any vents to the outside to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the home.
This includes gas furnaces, gas water heaters, and gas clothes dryers.





Please keep furnishings at least 3 feet away from all inside heating units. Remember that small children and animals
may unintentionally knock things off of a table or shelf and onto a heating unit.
Use candles with extreme caution – these can also be tipped over very easily by small children and animals. Keep
burning candles at least 12 inches away from other flammables. Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to
bed.
Keep matches, lighters, and sharp objects up high and out of children’s reach.
Please try to keep your driveway(s) clear of deep snow and ice. If we should have to come to your location, it is much
easier for us to maneuver with our equipment when driveways are kept clear. It may save precious time when every
second counts!
Be on the lookout for snowmobiles crossing the roads! With the snowfall comes the winter enthusiasts, but blowing
snow, fog, glare from the sunshine, and natural vegetation can make it difficult to see snowmobiles, and for the
snowmobilers to see you!
We would also like to remind you that Daylight Saving Time goes into effect on March 13, 2016 and we’ll get that ‘extra hour of
daylight’ back again. In the fire service, that day to us also means “Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries”! Remember to
make sure all smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and that everyone in your household knows what
it sounds like and what to do when the alarm sounds.
Please feel free to contact any of our firefighters regarding any questions or issues with emergency services, even if it’s not
directly related to Green Valley or Morgan. We keep in contact with all of the neighboring departments through various
meetings, so if there is an issue affecting one department, it could affect us as well!
HAPPY 2016 - STAY WARM and STAY SAFE!