About the Wahpeton Fire Department
Mission Statement: "To ensure the safety of the Community of Wahpeton by assisting and protecting the citizens and property."
The Wahpeton Fire Department proudly protects about 12,000 people living in an area of approximately 20 square miles. It operates out of two stations that protect a primarily residential area. The department is a public department whose 45 members are on a volunteer status. The department also holds a Class 4 ISO Rating.
The department responds to all types of fires, assist at accident scenes where extrication is needed, and aid area departments with search and rescue and Haz Mat scenes. Wahpeton is located in the Southeast corner of North Dakota about 25 miles north of the North/South Dakota borders and next to the border of Minnesota. We have several main highways that intersect the area, along with several major industrial and agricultural manufacturing businesses.
The Department has an active training program, with fire schools held usually on the second Tuesday of each month.
Department History
A fire department was one of the first organizations formed when the original plat for the town of Wahpeton was filed on February 13, 1877. But few records exist relating to the original organization.
In the early stages of the department, several companies were commanded by one Chief and a Chairman. Each Company had its own Foreman and Assistant Foreman, they acted as Chiefs for each of the Companies.
The three Companies serving the city in 1891 included the Reliance Hose Company, Ger-mania Hose Company, and the Mazzeppa Hook and Ladder Company. Each company had between 20 and 25 members.
Fire department competitions were common in the early days with contests staged in all parts of the state. In addition firemen were required to appear in uniform on all occasions calling for a parade. The “esprit de corps” that produced a company with its own band in 1886 still exists in the Wahpeton Fire Department today.
A 1921 American LaFrance Pumper was Wahpeton’s first motorized fire apparatus. The American La-France which was in service until 1952 was fully restored in 1982 and now serves as a showpiece parade pumper.
The three fire companies were combined into one department called the Fligelmann Fire Company and then became the Wahpeton Volunteer Fire Department in 1944.
The department responds to all types of fires, assist at accident scenes where extrication is needed, and aid area departments with search and rescue and Haz Mat scenes. Wahpeton is located in the Southeast corner of North Dakota about 25 miles north of the North/South Dakota borders and next to the border of Minnesota. We have several main highways that intersect the area, along with several major industrial and agricultural manufacturing businesses.
The Department has an active training program, with fire schools held usually on the second Tuesday of each month.
Department History
A fire department was one of the first organizations formed when the original plat for the town of Wahpeton was filed on February 13, 1877. But few records exist relating to the original organization.
In the early stages of the department, several companies were commanded by one Chief and a Chairman. Each Company had its own Foreman and Assistant Foreman, they acted as Chiefs for each of the Companies.
The three Companies serving the city in 1891 included the Reliance Hose Company, Ger-mania Hose Company, and the Mazzeppa Hook and Ladder Company. Each company had between 20 and 25 members.
Fire department competitions were common in the early days with contests staged in all parts of the state. In addition firemen were required to appear in uniform on all occasions calling for a parade. The “esprit de corps” that produced a company with its own band in 1886 still exists in the Wahpeton Fire Department today.
A 1921 American LaFrance Pumper was Wahpeton’s first motorized fire apparatus. The American La-France which was in service until 1952 was fully restored in 1982 and now serves as a showpiece parade pumper.
The three fire companies were combined into one department called the Fligelmann Fire Company and then became the Wahpeton Volunteer Fire Department in 1944.