Erv's Sparta Area Fire District

🌽 Did somebody say co****le?? 🌽

Register a team for our 3rd annual co****le tournament and enjoy the fun! We will be playing shaded from the sun by Old Glory and all of her might in the street. 💪🇺🇸

Registered teams will be entered for a door prize at the end of the match! You can register via Facebook messenger or email [email protected]. Walk-in registration always welcome.

Food and beverages will be served throughout the tournament 🍔🥤🍻

Join the fun on October 5th at our block party with live music by SHOCK Pocket at 5PM!

We had a great time at National Night Out in Sparta! The public got to see our equipment and how it works in live action.

Thank you to our Explorer Post and families that helped serve food to everyone at the event. Our Explorer program is a great way to get involved in the fire service at a young age.

Stop in to Memorial Park for national night out! Free food, refreshments and prizes!

Make sure you stay hydrated with Hillsboro Brewing Company rescue water, delivered by S&S Distributing, INC. 🚓🚒🚑

🚨 MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION🚨

Introducing the 3rd Erv's SAFD block party! New this year is the Red Light Rush 5k, along with the bags tournament and kid-friendly events as years past.

We are stoked to partner with local band SHOCK Pocket for this event.

Join us for the fun on October 5!

Fireworks were a day late, but they were just as spectacular! Thank you everyone for being accommodating with the weather changes.

Never forget the true meaning behind this great holiday: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

These photos were sent to us by an attendee at the fireworks show tonight

🇺🇸🇺🇸

Fireworks Postponed!

We were hopeful that the storm would pass but it keeps holding on. We will try and shoot them off Friday, July 5th at 9:30!

UPDATE: Fireworks postponed for tomorrow July 5
Start time: 9:30PM

Hoping for good weather 🤞🏻

Here is an interesting read from the latest Wisconsin Fire Journal. Lots of state and national data. Don't let these facts scare you from lighting off some fireworks and celebrating our independance, but just a reminder to be safe!

For firework safety and tips, visit https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

🇺🇸 Wishing everyone a happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

June training for the SAFD consisted of setting sail on Perch Lake for water rescue training presented by Captain Amy Anderson. She has a diverse background in not only water rescue, but also ice rescue and doing ski patrol amongst many others. We went through different scenarios utilizing Boat 1 and water rescue equipment.

While we are fortunate that our water rescue equipment isn't used often, it's essential we inspect, use and verify equipment operation should we ever need it. We had a lot of fun with this one! Thank you Amy for getting us refreshed in water rescue!

On June 13th, the VFW of Wisconsin hosted their annual state convention at the Tundra Lodge in Green Bay. At the event they not only distribute awards to their members for community involvment and recruiting, but also to nominees of the Public Servant Award.

Each year, 1 dispatcher, police officer, firefighter and EMS personnel is chosen to receive the Public Servant Award. Assistant Chief Robert Arnold was nominated by Sparta VFW Post 2112 and was the recipient of the award. He was honored for his continued community involvement as well as working part time at the VFW bartending and serving.

Congratulations Robert, and thank you for your distinguished service!

Every year, Oakdale Electric Co-op donates to emergency services in their coverage area for their Round Up program. Recently the SAFD accepted a $500 donation from them as a part of this program.

Thank you Oakdale Electric Cooperative for your donation!

Check it out, we’re on the Tribune!

Water fights are this Saturday June 8. Kids welcome.

Registration starts at 1030 for kids. Noon for adults. Or just show up at your leisure to participate/watch!

COMING UP: Parades, fairs and festivals in the La Crosse region Your weekly roundup of upcoming parades, fairs and festivals.

Today we honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice, protecting our freedoms and our rights as American citizens.

We often get asked why we don’t use horns and sirens during the Memorial Day parade. We consider it a matter of respect to keep our portion of the parade silent as we pass through with our trucks decorated in the nations colors 🇺🇸

This morning we set up our 26x40 flag at Blyton Park as a back drop for the firing squad. We enjoy supporting those who support us

VFW Post 2112 on Perch Lake in Sparta, WI
📸Jenna Severson

Saturday May 4th, the Calvary Baptist Church in Sparta held their annual first responder appreciation event at their church. We enjoyed a great meal hosted by the pastor and his membership along with some competitive games of hammerschlagen!

They gave every responder a gift card to a local business when we arrived. We appreciate them as much as they appreciate us.

Saturday was also international firefighter day, and we are thankful for all the strong men, women and families behind our organization. It was a great day!

Sparta Police Department
Monroe County Sheriff's Office- Wisconsin
Calvary Baptist Church Sparta

Saturday May 4th at 06:47 AM, we were dispatched to 6121 State Highway 27 for a semi trailer on fire. Initial reports were audible snapping/crackling coming from the trailer along with heavy smoke. Using hand tools to access the trailer from the roof, crews were able to extinguish the fire and limit the damage of contents inside. The likely cause was from a battery located within an Amish buggy. The Amish family, who were relocating south, lost some personal items and equipment. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. SAFD was on scene for approximately 1.5 hours

Make sure to plan your commute accordingly! Town roads, state highways and and interstate are windy and snow/slush covered.

Thank you to our city & county crews for maintaining the roads for everyone ⭐️👍🏻

A windy Wednesday ahead 🌬❄️

Strong, gusty winds will develop overnight and continue through Wednesday with gusts likely reaching 40 to 50 mph, especially across open, unsheltered areas. Combined with falling snow, travel may be difficult in some areas.

UPDATE: Drawing will be live-streamed. Doors open to public at 530pm if anyone would like to watch

Happy Easter everyone! Today is an important day for everyone, including the drawing of our raffle tonight! Tickets will be drawn at 6PM and winners will be posted.

You can still get a ticket before the drawing! Reach out to your local firefighter to get one 🧑‍🚒

🚦Sparta Butterfest water fights is officially a GO for 2024!🚦

Saturday June 8th
Registration is FREE!
No experience necessary

This weeks features some candid photos from years past. Feel free to share an experience or photos from the annual water fights in the comments below!

Register a team early, the day of, or spectate on your way to the fest grounds for some fun!

Sparta Butterfest

Fire danger considered “moderate” after this weeks precipitation and temperatures.

Up to date information can be found at this site:
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/

As always, reach out to your local fire department, DNR office or dispatch center for questions or concerns

*Post Expired. Crews have cleared the scene, but road conditions are poor in certain areas*

⚠️ MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ⚠️

Proceed with CAUTION near HWY 27 and EAGLE AVE NORTH OF SPARTA

Road conditions are slippery due to sleet and wintery mix precipitation

Minor injuries reported at this time

Fire danger within Monroe and surrounding counties remain “high” until conditions improve

🚫 Outdoor burning is prohibited at this time! 🚫

Please contact your local fire department, DNR office, or dispatch center for any questions

Sunday will bring record heat to some along with strong and gusty winds, upwards of 40 mph. Relative humidities will not be as low as recent days, however the warm temperatures, winds, and drought conditions elevate the fire danger risk. Avoid outdoor burning. Rain chances move in Sunday night into Monday along with cooler, but still above normal temps.

Fire danger is still considered “high” for Monroe county, much like almost all of Wisconsin.

🚫 Please refrain from any burning today! 🚫

Reach out to your local DNR office for any burning or permit questions

On Saturday, February 24th at approximately 8:42PM, we were dispatched to a house fire in the town of Little Falls.

Upon the departments arrival, the two-story farmhouse was fully engulfed along with the grass and trees surrounding the home.

There were no injuries sustained to the home’s occupants or firefighter personnel, however the fire resulted in the death of a dog and two cats. The fire began in the area of a wood stove on the first floor of the home.

The home is deemed a total loss. The family is being assisted by American Red Cross. We ask that everyone keeps the family in their prayers during this difficult time.

Respectfully,
Mike Arnold
District Chief

Our monthly training and meeting night took place on Monday, with this months training focusing on air consumption while performing general tasks.

Our training team set up an obstacle course in station 2, complete with challenging modules and reduced space obstacles. The goal was to complete the course in a timely manner while using breathing exercises to consume as little air as necessary. We also trained on the new MSA “buddy breather” system as well.

Inside of Station 1 was a rapid search and rescue course with limited visibility and hose advancement excercises. Both of these tasks also focused on air consumption.

Thank you to our training staff for always coordinating valuable training exercises, Western Tech College for the use of their equipment and Sparta Area Ambulance Service for documenting vitals for us!

Please see the below press release related to emergency weight restrictions that will be going into effect, beginning Friday. 🚛

This Saturday evening, we hosted our annual Christmas party was held at Sparta VFW Post 2112. Good times and fun were had by all, with an exceptional meal followed by a presentation from Chief Arnold reflecting on 220 total calls, 2nd annual block party, and fire prevention efforts (to name a few). Following the meal, a number of awards given out during the presentation

Attendance Award Recipients:
Assistant Chief Robert Arnold
Captain Dwayne Anderson
Lieutenant Randy Heimke
Safety Officer John Wieman
Firefighter/Training Officer Blake Dieber
Firefighter Rich Laxton
Firefighter Eric Matson
Firefighter Peter Schneider
Firefighter Zach Van Wormer
Firefighter Scott Brooks

Years of Service Pin Recipients:
Firefighter Tim Schmitz - 5 year
Firefighter Zach Van Wormer - 5 year
Firefighter Josh Meyer - 5 year
Lieutenant Randy Heimke - 10 year
Firefighter Steve Brandau - 15 year
Firefighter Steven Arnold - 15 year
Captain Amy Anderson - 20 year
Assistant Chief Robert Arnold - 20 year
Firefighter Rich Laxton - 35 year

A special years of service pin was presented to District Chief Mike Arnold, while receiving a standing ovation for….

🎉 55 YEARS OF SERVICE! 🎉

Honorable mentions and special recognition to:
Secretary Nancy Heimke
Fire board members
Explorer program members
Families of all personnel

In addition, Assistant Chief Robert Arnold was nominated by the VFW for their National Firefighters Public Servant award for not only his efforts on the department, but working and volunteering his time at the VFW in the bar and kitchen.

Thank you for accommodating us VFW Post 2112 on Perch Lake in Sparta, WI!

A few pictures from confined space training this morning. We work hard to ensure, we are ready for any type of call that may come in.