Orchard Fire & Rescue

Plan ahead, stay safe, and have a Merry Christmas!

Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14. This year's theme is "Cooking Safety Starts With YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention"

This year we want to show the students at Summerland a grease fire and hazards with a microwave, so we are asking for donations. If anyone has an old stove (does not have to be working) and an old microwave (needs to function) please message the department or talk to any member.

We want to thank everyone for a successful 6th annual Orchard Fire & Rescue Golf Tournament!! Special Thanks to the following donors:

Summerland Golf Course
Wilbur-Ellis - Orchard
Northeast Nebraska Heating and Cooling
CVA - Royal
Dusty's
Mitchell Equipment - Atkinson
H&T Seed
Shaffer Home Improvement
Plains Cover Crop
Anson Electric
Aaron Kruger Construction - Clearwater
Excalibur Detailing - Neligh
Stelling Farms

Antelope County is in a tornado watch until 10pm.

We were able to have a safety tour with pumper training last night at the Royal CVA. Thank you to Jeff Krebs and CVA for giving us a tour and allowing us to train. Central Valley Ag

Tickets for the Annual Raffle are being sold. Only 300 tickets are available. Get yours before it's too late!!! Leave a message, comment, or contact any member of the department.

Ticket includes a boneless wing meal.

**NO BURN NOTICE**
With the extreme fire conditions, Orchard Rural Fire District including the Villages of Orchard and Royal, is implementing a burn ban on burn barrels, fire pits or rings, and camp fires along with the state open burn ban.

NO BURN PERMITS will be issued until further notice. The Departments of Orchard and Royal want everyone to be aware that if you intentionally start a fire and it gets away, you will be fined and you will be responsible for any damages to property or costs to put out the fire. This could come from civil suits and/or fire department charges.

The Departments of Orchard and Royal want everyone to be safe, keep an eye out for any fire or smoke, and report it right away.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let one of the following know:
Fire Chief (Orchard) Pat Bergman (402) 340-6056
Fire Chief (Royal) Gary Ober (402) 340-0170

Thunderstorms are likely across much of the area Friday afternoon and evening, with a chance at a few stronger to severe storms.

Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats.

Make sure to pay attention to the weather, especially if you plan on being outdoors on Friday.

Another hot, dry, and breezy day is on tap today and will lead to extreme fire danger.

Let's help our first responders and avoid activities that could start a fire.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of eastern Nebraska Friday afternoon. Temperatures will rise to the upper 60s with winds gusting up to 30mph. This combined with very dry conditions will allow fires to become uncontrollable very quickly!

Please contact Pat Bergman 402-340-6056 or Gary Ober 402-340-0170 for any questions or concerns about burn permits.

Reminder there will be a test of the tornado siren this morning at 10.

March 27th - 31st is Severe Weather Awareness Week. Are you prepared?

Tomorrow Wednesday, March 29th there will be a state wide Tornado Drill at 10 A.M. Unless there is severe weather in the area.

(CORRECTION)513 AVE. should be open North of Orchard Tuesday afternoon (March 28th).

Thank you Scott Horstmann for 5 years of service!!

From the Nebraska Department of Transportation: All Highways in the area are impassable. Advise no travel. Deep drifted snow. Please give our crews time to get them opened up before you try to get out.
Thank you for your patience and stay safe. Check 511 for updates.

Plan ahead and be cautious.

Good hands on training

Orchard Volunteer Fire & Rescue 2023 Election of Officers:

Fire Chief: Pat Bergman
Assistant Fire Chief: Ryan Bergman
Quartermaster: Lucas Nelson
Rescue Chief: Colton Hahn
Assistant Rescue Chief: Marissa Nelson
President: Josh Stelling
Vice President: Kirk Cleveland
Secretary: Scott Horstmann
Treasuerer: Kathy Belik
Training Officer: Colton Hahn
Certificate Administrator: Colton Hahn
Medical Director: Dr. Dawson

Hold onto your hats! 🌬️🧢
It is going to be a windy day across the area today with gusts up to 45 to near 50 mph possible. These strong southwesterly winds may lead to areas of patchy blowing dust. Be prepared for gusty conditions if you are out and about this afternoon.

The combination of unseasonable warmth, strong southwest winds, and dry air will result in critical fire weather conditions today for much of western and north central Nebraska. A strong cold front will then switch winds to northwest, rapidly drop temperatures, and increase precipitation chances this evening and tonight.

Come on out, eat a great meal and support the Clearwater Fire Department!

Less than two weeks away!! Get your teams registered today.

Only one more week before the Annual Raffle and Wing Feed!!! We still have some tickets, but they are going fast. Get yours today to be eligible for the $1500 Raffle!!

Tickets for the Annual Raffle are being sold. Only 300 tickets are available. Get yours before it's too late!!! Leave a message, comment, or contact any member of the department.

Remember with the dry weather we've had in the area to be mindful of where you light fireworks.

The Orchard Rural Fire District would like to remind everyone to have a safe 4th of July weekend

The Orchard Rural Fire District is accepting sealed bids for their 1992 Ford E-350 Ambulance.

1992 Ford E-350 Wide Body Ambulance
7.3 Diesel
101,000 miles
6 good Michelin tires

Lots of room for a service truck or camper!!

Any questions or to bid please call Robert Johnston 402-750-1637.

Thank you to St John’s Men’s Club

SPECIAL THANKS! The St. John’s Men’s Club presented $500 to seven fire departments - Orchard, Ewing, Neligh, Clearwater, Elgin, Bartlett and Chambers. That’s awesome!
Neligh Vol. Fire Dept., Ewing Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Orchard Fire & Rescue

Today, we remember all those fallen to the absolute worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. It may be 18 years later, but the emotions are still there. All of the EMTs/paramedics, fireman, and civilians may he lost but are never forgotten ❤️ May they rest in eternal peace as we remember this tragic day and honor the fallen.

Never forget 🚒💙🚑

(We do not own rights to these photos)

Orchard Fire & Rescue

Two of our fireman, Josh Stelling and Colton Hahn, participated in the Hazmat class in Neligh today 🚒👏🏻