The history of the Newburg Fire Department assumes great significance not only for those who, at the time, were intimately connected with its founding, but also for their posterity because it brings home most vividly the heroism of those intrepid pioneers who originally were responsible for the founding of the Newburg Fire Department. The history of the department brings home to use the fleeting character of time. The men and women who helped establish the Newburg Fire Department have long ago gone to their eternal rest. Other generations have followed them and each made its contribution in their own way.
The record of the Newburg Fire Department, however, is also the record of achievement in which every member may take just pride. The beautiful firehouse, the up-to-date trucks and equipment, the finest rescue personnel & equipment, the park and events that take place there, the famous firemen’s picnic, the beautiful river cascading through the park and the history connected with them, all speak of the sacrifices of the members. They bring to our memory the chiefs and firefighters now departed who found solace and strength in the department which they helped to build in their hours of joy and sorrow.
Their example should not only command our admiration and gratitude, but prompt us also to follow them and emulate their example so that their work may stand as a lasting monument throughout the time to come.
As more settlers arrived and as Newburg grew, it became apparent that some sort of protection against fire would have to be furnished for the many buildings and homes being built, so the villagers began to make plans for a volunteer fire department.
In 1886, they purchased the first “fire engine”. It was a hand drawn cart made of wood. The water was poured into a wooden tank with buckets and then two men operated a hand pump to force a stream of water on the fire. The hose was carried on a separate reel cart.
It was on October 1, 1887, that the department was actually organized 15 signers met on that day and drew up Articles of Incorporation. The seven pages of the articles were written in long hand with a quill pen and notarized by P. Lochen, Justice of the Peace. The charter was granted to the Newburg Fire Department by the state of Wisconsin on November 21, 1887.
Historical Highlights
*From the Official Minutes of the Newburg Fire Department, dating back to 1877, 10 years before they received charters.
The first Fire Company meeting was called by Dr. Hendrik. At this time, seventeen men joined. Three were appointed to have a cistern made for water and three were appointed to acquire buckets and ladders.
Bought land for $ 75.00 from Robert Schwalbach and agree to build a building on it by the end of the year. It would measure 16X30 feet and be 14 feet high at a cost of $3,000.00
Bought a fire bell to alert firemen that there was a fire, but had to build a tower first. Members built it and were finished by April 1891.
An eight man horse drawn pumper was purchased for $578.52
Profits from the picnic were $179.11. Purchased a 1904 horse drawn gas engine wagon at a cost of $975.00
A new truck was purchased from Schmidt Bros for $5,000.00 down payment. It was built up by the Peter Pirsch Company for $1,330.12
Fred Mey got prices on a new truck. John Lochen had the lowest bid of $736.00 He donated $161.00 so the total price was $575.00. Motion made to buy it and convert the old ford to a hose and ladder truck.
Department purchases a Ford truck c-750 from Lochen's for a tanker.
Department purchases a used IHC Panel truck for $250.00 plus another $55.00 for a new paint job to be the departments first “rescue truck."
Department Okays the purchase of a new Ford pumper.
Beer at the annual Firemen’s Picnic rose to $.20 per bottle.
First aid course started within the Fire Department 38 members attended.
New rescue truck purchased from Rick Chevrolet for $2,453.00
Fire Departments Ladies Aux purchased $1,450 worth of playground equipment.
Total calls for the year 90 rescue and 18 fire calls.
Department purchased a 1975 Dodge ambulance.
Department purchased a new tanker chassis from Lochen’s $16,506.00
Two Scott Air packs purchased for $1,460.00
Hurst “Jaws of Life” to be purchased for $8,500.00
Work begins with new addition to the station.
Replaced the front line engine with a 1500 gpm E-ONE pumper.
Rescue personnel are trained in using a defibrillator.
Purchased a new 3800 gallon tanker.
Purchased a new 3800 gallon tanker.
Department takes delivery of a 1998 Pierce Saber Heavy Duty Rescue truck with a new “Jaws of Life” and various new equipment.
Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) purchased.
Department purchased a new ambulance.
Newburg Fire Department enters a program with the West Bend Fire Dept. in which their EMT-I with advance skills will respond with our EMT's to certain calls.
Department takes delivery of a 2003 Pierce Dash 2000 GPM tanker/pumper.
Membership approves a $1.3 million addition/remodel to the firehouse.
After 20 years as Chief of the department, Peter Waldkirch steps down and David Geidel was voted in as the new Chief.
Department takes delivery of a 2009 Horton Model 553, Type 3, Ford E-450 chassis ambulance.
125th Anniversary Celebration
Department takes delivery of a 2014 Pierce Quantum Pumper.
Department replaces current Hurst Jaws of Life equipment with new Hurst eDraulic extrication tools.
125th Newburg Fire Department Picnic
Department takes delivery of a 2019 Horton Model 623, Ford F-550 4X4 chassis ambulance.
Newburg Fire Department Picnic was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Purchase of new command vehicle, 2022 Ford Explorer.
Department takes delivery of a new Pierce BXT Tender on a Freightliner 114SD chassis with 3,000 gallon tank.
CHIEFS OF THE NEWBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT
In the history of the Newburg Fire Department there have been 15 Fire Chief's.
Pictured are former Chiefs in 2017 (from left to right):
Ed Wilger, Peter Waldkirch, Dave Geidel, Paul Fahey, and Current Chief Mark Chesak
| Charles Thode | (no dates available) |
| Alvin Koenig | 1918-1937 |
| Joe Slavik | 1938-1947 |
| Richard Fischer | 1948-1950 |
| Gilbert Mayer | 1951 |
| Karl Bretschneider | 1952-1956 |
| Charles Westphal | 1957-1958 |
| Milton Wilkens | 1959-1973 |
| Willard Gerner | 1974-1978 |
| Ed Wilger | 1979-1988 |
| Peter Waldkirch | 1989-2008 |
| Dave Geidel | 2009-2012 |
| Paul Fahey | 2013-2014 |
| Mark Chesak
Brad Karnitz |
2015 - 2024
2025 - Present |