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History

The establishment of the Clinton Fire Department dates back to 1882 when the village fathers recognized the necessity of fire protection for its 931 residents. Albert Tuttle, appointed Fire Warden, advocated for the formation of a hook and ladder company, pledging 2 percent of his insurance company's earnings toward the cause.

A year later, a committee circulated a petition to raise funds through taxation for equipping the fire company, with 60 signatories advocating for the purchase of a fire engine not exceeding $3,000. Trustee J.C. Church negotiated with the Preston Fire Engine Co. for a hook and ladder outfit with 1,000 ft. of hose.

Despite a special election for issuing bonds, the contract with Preston Fire Engine Co. was canceled, leading to ambiguity in records. However, five years later, a fire engine was acquired, drawing water from available cisterns. The village board allocated $1.00 monthly for engine maintenance.

In 1893, the village board decided to discontinue the Fire Company, but by 1895, 35 men sought to re-establish it, appointing P.A. Robinson as fire marshal and procuring a hose cart with 500 ft. of hose. New equipment, including extension ladders and ropes, was acquired in 1896, timely for the village's fire crises that year.

In response to the urgent need for better protection, the Fire Department was reorganized in 1897, setting rules and electing officers. Water supply was enhanced with well drilling and tank installation.

Friction between separate hose and hook-and-ladder companies in 1908 led to the formation of a unified department under F.A. Bird as fire chief. The village hall, built in 1913, housed the fire equipment, with Al Richards serving as chief until 1949. In 1979, the Clinton Fire Department began its Emergency Medical Services with one ambulance. 

Since then, various individuals have served as chiefs, including John Reader, Tom Cosgrove, P.J. Schmalz John Rindfleisch, Gene Wright, and presently Chief Mark Ruosch. 

Despite changes in the years, the Clinton Fire Department continues its proud tradition of service, ensuring the safety of the district's residents.

Group of uniformed men with a hose reel, likely firefighters, in front of a brick building. Vintage tone, historical photo.
Clinton Fire Department 1913- The wagon seen in the picture carried hose lines to fire scenes and was pulled by horses. 
Group of firefighters lined up in front of fire department with firetruck, in an old black and white photo.
Clinton Fire Department in May of 1960-  Left to Right, Robert Kurdis, Darl DuCharme, Byrne Buzzell, Ray Nelson, George Febry, James Johnson, Clarence Tiffany, Howard Dudley, Douglas Wenman, Chief Tom Cosgrove, Clifford Draeger, Wm. Ball, Fred Howland, LaVerne Alwes, Jennes Westerburg, Harry Strom, David Ahlert, Eddie Olson, Rodney Nitz, Ted Ruston, Lester Sonnenberg, Herbert Reffue
May contain: people, person, accessories, formal wear, tie, clothing, footwear, shoe, glove, machine, wheel, transportation, vehicle, fire truck, and truck
Clinton Fire Department circa 1985- Left to Right, BACK ROW: Chief P.J Schmalz, Greg Repaal, Paul Henning, Terry Strom, Herb Draves, Dan Thompson, Leo Mullooly, Rick Peterson, Jeff DuCharme, Mark Manthei, and Jim Korth, FRONT ROW: J.F Rindfleisch, Dennis Conant, D. Nielson, Jeff London, Warren Beckes, Greg Gammeter, Bill Punzel, Bill Johns and  Chuck Statton
A group of firefighters posing in front of a firetruck and their station.
FRONT ROW; Rick Peterson, Dan Thompson, Jim Korth, John Rindfleisch, Larry London, Jeff London, 2nd ROW, Ron Austin, Nick Nielson, Bill Punzel, Roger Johnson,  Bill Johns, Tim Updike, Dan Huisheere, Mike Goodwin
Firefighters standing beside a fire truck outside the Clinton Fire Protection District station.
FRONT ROW, Roger Johnson, Bill Punzel, Jeff London, John Rindfleisch, Tim Updike, BACK ROW, Rick Peterson, Jim Korth, Terry Strom, P.J Schmalz, Jeff DuCharme
Group photo of Clinton EMS team, celebrating their 25th anniversary (1979-2004), with an ambulance in the background.
FRONT ROW; John Rindfleisch, Bruce Rom, Sarah Dangerfield, Tracy Slavin, Shelby Silser, Christa Johnson, Terry Decker, Tim Updike, MIDDLE ROW; Jim Grenawalt, Jackie Klein, Susan Bakka, Mirjane Melin, Kathy Nielson, Patricia Updike, Brenda Behl, BACK ROW, Kevin Grenawalt, Leo Mullooly, Brad Farrell, Karen Shorts, Matt Ball, Brian Beals, Colin Cleland, Stephen Burrhands, Bob Sackmann.
A group of firefighters in uniform posing with two fire trucks; text indicates "Clinton Fire Department 2009."
Clinton Fire Department 2009, Left to Right, BACK ROW; Mike Mullooly, Leo Mullooly, J. R Schmidt, Jason Dygart, Alan Sackmann, Dan Borchardt, Tim Leedle, Brent Kadlec, Matt Ball, Adam Miller, Mike Seach, MIDDLE ROW; Michelle Hudson, Alex Franseen, Andrew Callas, Andrew Benson, Josh Morrison, Justin Grenawalt, Mike Enniseti, Terry Decker, Shannon Davis, Scott Gretschmann, Brian Beals, FRONT ROW, Bob Sackmann, Jeff London, John Rindfleisch, Larry London and Roger Johnson. 
A group of EMS personnel in uniform posing in front of an ambulance, with "Clinton EMS 2009" written at the bottom.
Clinton EMS Personnel 2009, Left to Right, BACK ROW, Jackie Klein, Amanda Scogun, Leo Mullooly, Brian Beals, Matt Ball, Justin Grenawalt, Jim Grenawalt, John Rindfleisch, MIDDLE ROW,  Tanya Miller, Lori Gustafson, Brenda Behl, Debbie Mccmillan , FRONT ROW; Corin Nugent, Alex Franseen, Michelle Hudson, Terry Decker, Tracy Slavin

CLINTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT THROUGH THE YEARS

Firefighters in gear next to a building with a smiling woman standing by a garage door.
Firefighters inspecting equipment near a building, with a bystander watching.
Firefighters using equipment on a car at an emergency scene.
Firefighters working by an overturned vehicle at night, possibly during a rescue operation.
Firefighters entering a smoke-filled building at night, surrounded by snow.
May contain: helmet, clothing, hardhat, glove, person, footwear, shoe, and lamp
Two firefighters in gear watching a house fiercely engulfed in flames at night.
Emergency responders at a car accident, preparing rescue equipment.
Firefighters ascending stairs, likely during a drill or an emergency response.
Three firefighters with hoses near a house, possible emergency response.
Firefighters in gear with reflective stripes at night, possibly at a fire scene.
Three firefighters aiming a hose at night.
A firefighter climbing out of a temporary water tank with a fire truck in the background.
Firefighters fill a yellow portable water tank; one is in water, another stands by, with a fire truck in the background.
A fire truck parked on a sunny street beside vintage buildings, with a yellow hose running across the road.
Burnt-out vehicle and part of a person with a reflective vest, likely an emergency responder.
Fire trucks at night with emergency lights on and a firefighter standing beside one. Snow on the ground.
Firefighters and bystanders near two cars after an incident.
May contain: grass, plant, car, transportation, vehicle, fire truck, truck, person, and lawn
May contain: car, transportation, and vehicle
A firefighter standing next to a charred pickup truck, post-extinguishment.
Emergency responders near an overturned vehicle at night, possibly attending to an accident scene.
A house is engulfed in flames while firefighters work to extinguish the fire.
Two firefighters in gear by a burnt structure with a hose.
Firefighters attending to an overturned car in the snow.
Ambulance, emergency responders, and vehicles in a road accident scene.
Firefighters in reflective gear walking on a snowy surface at night near a building and a car.
Firefighters with hose at night by a building; snowy ground, a Coke machine visible.
Night scene with a firetruck, rescue personnel, onlookers, flashing lights, and a vehicle.
A firefighter inspects damaged electrical cables post-fire.
Firefighters in gear near a building door at night.
Firefighters inspect an overturned car in a snowy ditch.
Firefighters with hoses extinguishing smoldering debris. Smoke fills the area.
Two firefighters extinguishing a fire outdoors, smoke visible, wearing full gear and helmets.
Firefighters at night, possibly at an accident scene. Visible is part of a vehicle and reflective safety stripes on their gear.
Firefighters by an overturned car on snowy ground at night.
Firefighters with a red truck in a field.
Large fire engulfing structures with smoke, next to a silo.
A large fire engulfs a farm structure, with thick smoke rising and silos standing adjacent.
A firefighter with a hose observes a massive blaze engulfing two structures amidst trees.
Emergency personnel at an incident site with a stretcher, ambulance, and rescue equipment visible.
Firefighters working at a vehicle rollover accident scene.
Firefighters training with a hose, red fire truck behind them.
Firefighters battle a blaze at a farm with silos and a burning building.
Firefighters in gear having a conversation beside a pool and hoses.
Firefighters watching a blazing structure with a silo nearby.
A man flexing his muscle near a temporary water pool with a submerged person, firetruck in background, onlookers nearby.
Firefighters training in a water-filled container with an audience watching, a fire truck in the background.
Firefighters training with a fire truck and a water-filled container in a field.
May contain: person, helmet, clothing, glove, footwear, shoe, car, transportation, and vehicle
Firefighters and a fire truck, working together near a temporary water tank under a tree.
Firefighters with reflective gear at a night scene.
Firefighters with a rescue truck beside a tree with uprooted soil.
A group of firefighters in gear, laughing and carrying a colleague who's playfully posing in a horizontal position.
Firefighters in gear outside a garage with a person standing by the door.
Firefighter with hose extinguishing burning vehicle near field. Smoke, fire, and clear sky visible.
A fire truck on a road with traffic and greenery, under a clear sky.
Firefighters in gear with helmets, reflective stripes, and a flashlight inside a building.
May contain: clothing, glove, person, and helmet
Firefighter in gear entering a room with a piano, hardwood floor, and white doors.
Firefighters extinguish a burning truck emitting heavy smoke.
Two firefighters in gear inside a building, one kneeling and the other lying prone.
May contain: grass, plant, transportation, truck, vehicle, fire truck, person, and lawn
Firefighters outside a garage, smoke visible, one watching, others entering, nighttime emergency scene.
Firefighter in gear covered in ice, with a fire truck in the background at night.
Two firefighters in full gear covered with foam and soot, post firefighting effort, with reflective stripes visible.
Two firefighters and another individual outdoors near some spherical objects and equipment.
A pickup truck on fire with black smoke rising from the front wheel area.
Firefighters approach a burning truck beside a road.
Firefighters in gear standing near fire trucks at a nighttime winter scene with snow.
An emergency scene with firefighters, police cars, and spectators by a roadside near a field under a clear sky.
Firefighter extinguishing a fire at night, water stream from hose, icy conditions visible.
Two firefighters covered in ice and soot, one with a stream of water spraying behind him at night.
A car accident with emergency responders on the scene.
Emergency responders at a car incident with a stretcher ready.
Firefighters with hoses battling a blaze near a brick structure.
Firefighters with hose extinguishing a burning structure. Smoke and debris visible.
Two firefighter helmets displayed in a frame with a fire department patch and badge.
An old firefighter helmet with "CLINTON FD" inscribed on it.
Vintage fire chief helmet with scuffs on a shelf.
Vintage beacon light with a red cover on a shelf against a red wall.
A black firefighter helmet with the number "03" on a wooden surface.
Yellow firefighter helmet with "LIEUTENANT" badge displayed on a shelf.
A vintage fire hose reel suspended in a fire station garage.
Firefighters in gear next to a building with a smiling woman standing by a garage door.
Firefighters inspecting equipment near a building, with a bystander watching.
Firefighters using equipment on a car at an emergency scene.
Firefighters working by an overturned vehicle at night, possibly during a rescue operation.
Firefighters entering a smoke-filled building at night, surrounded by snow.
May contain: helmet, clothing, hardhat, glove, person, footwear, shoe, and lamp
Two firefighters in gear watching a house fiercely engulfed in flames at night.
Emergency responders at a car accident, preparing rescue equipment.
Firefighters ascending stairs, likely during a drill or an emergency response.
Three firefighters with hoses near a house, possible emergency response.
Firefighters in gear with reflective stripes at night, possibly at a fire scene.
Three firefighters aiming a hose at night.
A firefighter climbing out of a temporary water tank with a fire truck in the background.
Firefighters fill a yellow portable water tank; one is in water, another stands by, with a fire truck in the background.
A fire truck parked on a sunny street beside vintage buildings, with a yellow hose running across the road.
Burnt-out vehicle and part of a person with a reflective vest, likely an emergency responder.
Fire trucks at night with emergency lights on and a firefighter standing beside one. Snow on the ground.
Firefighters and bystanders near two cars after an incident.
May contain: grass, plant, car, transportation, vehicle, fire truck, truck, person, and lawn
May contain: car, transportation, and vehicle
A firefighter standing next to a charred pickup truck, post-extinguishment.
Emergency responders near an overturned vehicle at night, possibly attending to an accident scene.
A house is engulfed in flames while firefighters work to extinguish the fire.
Two firefighters in gear by a burnt structure with a hose.
Firefighters attending to an overturned car in the snow.
Ambulance, emergency responders, and vehicles in a road accident scene.
Firefighters in reflective gear walking on a snowy surface at night near a building and a car.
Firefighters with hose at night by a building; snowy ground, a Coke machine visible.
Night scene with a firetruck, rescue personnel, onlookers, flashing lights, and a vehicle.
A firefighter inspects damaged electrical cables post-fire.
Firefighters in gear near a building door at night.
Firefighters inspect an overturned car in a snowy ditch.
Firefighters with hoses extinguishing smoldering debris. Smoke fills the area.
Two firefighters extinguishing a fire outdoors, smoke visible, wearing full gear and helmets.
Firefighters at night, possibly at an accident scene. Visible is part of a vehicle and reflective safety stripes on their gear.
Firefighters by an overturned car on snowy ground at night.
Firefighters with a red truck in a field.
Large fire engulfing structures with smoke, next to a silo.
A large fire engulfs a farm structure, with thick smoke rising and silos standing adjacent.
A firefighter with a hose observes a massive blaze engulfing two structures amidst trees.
Emergency personnel at an incident site with a stretcher, ambulance, and rescue equipment visible.
Firefighters working at a vehicle rollover accident scene.
Firefighters training with a hose, red fire truck behind them.
Firefighters battle a blaze at a farm with silos and a burning building.
Firefighters in gear having a conversation beside a pool and hoses.
Firefighters watching a blazing structure with a silo nearby.
A man flexing his muscle near a temporary water pool with a submerged person, firetruck in background, onlookers nearby.
Firefighters training in a water-filled container with an audience watching, a fire truck in the background.
Firefighters training with a fire truck and a water-filled container in a field.
May contain: person, helmet, clothing, glove, footwear, shoe, car, transportation, and vehicle
Firefighters and a fire truck, working together near a temporary water tank under a tree.
Firefighters with reflective gear at a night scene.
Firefighters with a rescue truck beside a tree with uprooted soil.
A group of firefighters in gear, laughing and carrying a colleague who's playfully posing in a horizontal position.
Firefighters in gear outside a garage with a person standing by the door.
Firefighter with hose extinguishing burning vehicle near field. Smoke, fire, and clear sky visible.
A fire truck on a road with traffic and greenery, under a clear sky.
Firefighters in gear with helmets, reflective stripes, and a flashlight inside a building.
May contain: clothing, glove, person, and helmet
Firefighter in gear entering a room with a piano, hardwood floor, and white doors.
Firefighters extinguish a burning truck emitting heavy smoke.
Two firefighters in gear inside a building, one kneeling and the other lying prone.
May contain: grass, plant, transportation, truck, vehicle, fire truck, person, and lawn
Firefighters outside a garage, smoke visible, one watching, others entering, nighttime emergency scene.
Firefighter in gear covered in ice, with a fire truck in the background at night.
Two firefighters in full gear covered with foam and soot, post firefighting effort, with reflective stripes visible.
Two firefighters and another individual outdoors near some spherical objects and equipment.
A pickup truck on fire with black smoke rising from the front wheel area.
Firefighters approach a burning truck beside a road.
Firefighters in gear standing near fire trucks at a nighttime winter scene with snow.
An emergency scene with firefighters, police cars, and spectators by a roadside near a field under a clear sky.
Firefighter extinguishing a fire at night, water stream from hose, icy conditions visible.
Two firefighters covered in ice and soot, one with a stream of water spraying behind him at night.
A car accident with emergency responders on the scene.
Emergency responders at a car incident with a stretcher ready.
Firefighters with hoses battling a blaze near a brick structure.
Firefighters with hose extinguishing a burning structure. Smoke and debris visible.
Two firefighter helmets displayed in a frame with a fire department patch and badge.
An old firefighter helmet with "CLINTON FD" inscribed on it.
Vintage fire chief helmet with scuffs on a shelf.
Vintage beacon light with a red cover on a shelf against a red wall.
A black firefighter helmet with the number "03" on a wooden surface.
Yellow firefighter helmet with "LIEUTENANT" badge displayed on a shelf.
A vintage fire hose reel suspended in a fire station garage.