In 1948 a group of pioneers began what we know of today as the Newfolden Fire Department. Those individuals saw a need to develop a department for the protection of life and property within Newfolden and for our rural neighbors. There were eighteen founding members, including Ben Johnson, Mike Anderson, Noris Aune, Vernon Aune, Andy Bakke, Bertil Bakke, Floyd Bakke, Ray Elseth, Gordon Elseth, Oscar Hanson, Orris Hartstad, Alden Johnson, Wallace Johnson, Ernie Nelson, Carl Roseland, Evonne Olson, William Strand and Stuart Sethre.
The first fire engine was placed into service in 1949. It was a 1949 Studebaker built by Forstner Brothers in Madelia, Minnesota. That engine remained in service for 31 years until it was replaced in 1980. Our original fire engine remains with the department and will be on display during Newfest.
Following the inception of the NFD an official ordinance from the Village of Newfolden declared that the Newfolden Fire Department was established “for the protection of lives and property of the citizens of the Village of Newfolden”. Since then, the department’s area of responsibility has grown to include the City of Newfolden and the townships of New Maine, West Valley, Marsh Grove, Newfolden, and Foldahl.
Newfolden’s fire district today includes 186 square miles or 119,040 acres with over 500 residential dwellings, and many more agricultural-based buildings that form the heart and soul of our region’s economy and social structure. NFD also provides crucial mutual aid response to neighboring fire departments with those neighboring departments providing the same service to our department.
Newfolden Fire Department has greatly expanded over the past 75 years, from our original 1949 Studebaker Engine, to a professional fleet of vehicles that we are proud of. Our 1983 Mack Water Tender carries 4000 gallons of water, our 2010 Chevrolet 2500 crew cab is our utility and rescue vehicle that also transports our Polaris Ranger 6x6 that is outfitted with wildfire capabilities. The 2015 Chevrolet 3500 crew cab is our main stay with any wild land fire event. Our most recent upgrade is our 2023 Freightliner Engine that was placed into service just this year. This engine is the foundation of our fleet, providing water and equipment for every call. Placing this truck into service also allowed us to move our previous main engine, a 2000 International E One, into a backup truck role. This provides our community, along with our neighbors, an exceptional layer of protection with a quality back up engine for major events or multiple events at one time. We could not have this exceptional equipment without the support from the community leadership of the City of Newfolden and the townships and that we serve and, most importantly, the undeniable financial support of our community members and businesses.
Throughout our 75 years, the equipment and technology to provide this service has changed, but the vision and mission has and always will remain the same. On the sides of all our trucks is our crest. There is a mission statement within that crest that is the standard to answer the call and be part of this membership, “The desire to serve. The courage to act. The ability to perform”.
Not only do the active members of this service answer the call, but our families also do and they deserve a special thank you. Being called to this service creates numerous unknowns and inconveniences to our families when we are answering a call. There are numerous responsibilities left undone and time lost when having to leave at any moment.
Throughout the 75 years of service provided by Newfolden Fire, there have been 169 individuals that have called themselves a firefighter for Newfolden. We have a current active membership of 15 firefighters.
We are proud to celebrate Newfolden Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary during this year’s Newfest activities. Alongside that celebration, we will also honor NFD’s longest active firefighter, who started in September 1981 and is currently serving as our Assistant Fire Chief, Jim Pederson, with 42 years of active service.
To the past, present, and future members of this honorable department, thank you for your service.
