The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department 2675 Hwy L
Tomahawk, WI 54487 Serving the Town of Nokomis in Oneida County Wisconsin
The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department currently has 28 members; including Firefighters, Emergency Medical First Responders, Secretary, Junior Firefighters and Support Personnel. We average 100 emergency calls a year with 60% of the calls being emergency medical calls. Twenty of the members are trained in firefighting and rescue skills, and 18 of the members are trained as Emergency Medical First Responders. All Responders are equipped with a pager and a portable radio, and the Emergency Medical First Responders have a medical bag and oxygen equipment. With the volunteers living all around our community, this helps us provide a quick response in an emergency. We also receive and provide automatic mutual aid with our neighboring fire departments to ensure an adequate response in an emergency.
Our main protection area is the Town of Nokomis in Oneida County; we are a rural Northwood's community of 36 square miles with a population of approximately 1,500 full time residents. Our community has a mixture of families, retirees and seasonal residents, the population more than doubles on weekends during the summer months. Many of the seasonal homes are becoming year around homes and new homes are popping up throughout the community as people move up north from the cities. Our area is heavily forested with large pine and hardwoods and with the many homes we are a considerable wild land / urban interface area for wild land fire threats
Our department is based upon volunteer personnel with a deep commitment to the community in which we live and raise our families. We have a great group of volunteers in the department willing to respond at a moments notice to an emergency in our community. Of course emergency calls hardly ever come when it's convenient, there have been many sleepless nights, missed dinners, and interrupted family activities. Being a member also requires time to keep the fire department running smoothly, such as attend meetings, trainings, maintenance, work sessions, fire prevention, public education, and fundraising. We take a lot of pride in our department and the equipment we have been able to put together for our community. The work can be hard and dangerous, but also rewarding and enjoyable. We joined because we have a deep belief that helping people in their time of need is the compassionate thing to do, and that life over everything else must be held in the highest regard.
As our community continues to grow so has the fire department. What started with a single Jeep fire vehicle, parked at the local gas station, the department has grown to a state of the art fire station built in 2002, and a roster of specialized vehicles including:
Engine 1: 2006 Freightliner/Central States 1500 GPM Pumper/Tanker
Engine 2: 1990 GMC/Darley 1000 GPM Pumper/Tanker
Engine 3: 1980 Ford/Pierce 1000 GPM Pumper
Tanker 1: 1999 GMC/JB 2000 gallon Tanker
Rescue 1: 1991 Chevy/Darley Emergency Medical First Responder Rescue Truck
Rescue 2: 1988 Ford/EVF Medium Duty Rescue Truck
Brush 1: 2008 Chevy 3500 4X4 with Wildland Unit
ATV: 1995 Polaris Sportsman 500 and Ambu Ski Rescue Sled
Our equipment and tools are also specialized to the fire and rescue service including:
Firefighting:
Personal Protective Suits, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, Hose and Nozzles, Foams, Hand Tools and Saws, Ladders, Pumps, Thermal Imaging Cameras, and Special Tools. Rescue:
Jaws of Life Spreaders and Cutters, Air Bags and Jacks, Ice Rescue Suits and Ropes, Rapid Deployment Craft Inflatable Boat, Off Road Rescue Equipment First Responder:
Emergency Medical Bags, Oxygen Supply Equipment, Defibrillators, and Patient Stabilization Equipment
Training is provided to new members by the fire department through Nicolet Area Tech College Protective Services Division. The Entry Level Firefighter training is 60 hrs. and the Emergency Medical First Responder basic class is 45 hrs. There are many training opportunities including Firefighter Certification at Level 1 and 2, Incident Management Training, Emergency Medical Training and many additional related subjects. Training is a career long process with continuing education and department monthly training. The department spends many hours training not only in firefighting, but in all of the rescue operations that the department is responsible for.
In June of 2009 Oneida County placed a Paramedic Ambulance at the Nokomis Fire Station to provide 24 hour a day service for southwestern Oneida County as well as backup for other areas of the county. The crews work 12 hour shifts at the station utilizing a portion of the office and apparatus area. The ambulance and our Emergency Medical First Responders work well together to provide great service to the residents of Nokomis.
Medic 4 crew working and training with the Emergency Medical First Responders
Fire Prevention and Public Education are also important functions of our fire department including Fire Prevention Inspections at the local businesses and Fire Prevention Education programs at the fire station and the schools. As part of the Tomahawk Area Fire Prevention Committee we are very active at the schools during Fire Prevention Week and other programs throughout the year.
The department is paged to emergencies by Oneida County 911 Center and responds in a moments notice to help those in need. We respond according to established Standard Operating Procedures with the equipment for the type of emergency. Depending on the type of call, automatic aid from our neighboring departments may also be paged, and we may be called to assist our neighbors as well. Being a volunteer fire department we bring a lot of experience to the scene of an emergency, not only the experience of the professionally trained volunteers, but also the experience's from their career jobs as well. When someone needs help, fires, rescues, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or any thing, we get the call.
Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department operating at emergency scenes
Membership applications are available by contacting a member of the department or stopping at the fire station Monday evenings between 7:00 and 9:00 PM. When the application is returned it is reviewed by the chief and personnel committee, the background check is completed, and an interview is scheduled. Upon acceptance to the department the member must first serve a minimum of 6 month probation period and complete the basic training
Pride, excitement, challenge. Volunteering for fire and rescue service offers committed individuals the opportunity to experience one of the most diverse and challenging professions today. The emergency services provided by the volunteer fire service include providing prompt medical care, fire suppression, vehicle extrication ("jaws of life"), water rescues and other types of specialty rescues, and responding to other 911 dispatched calls. It's exciting, exhilarating and rewarding!
The personal rewards and satisfaction each of us receives from volunteer service are often beyond description. The sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, the joy and elation when a child is born, the compassion for accident victims, the fulfillment of teaching fire safety and prevention-the list goes on.
This is what volunteers say about "Answering the Call" and being part of a team:
I didn't realize how rewarding it would be. And the more I get involved, the more rewarding it seems. And I guess I wasn't sure I would be any good at it.
I had no idea it would take as much time as it has. I also did not know how much I would enjoy it and how many people I would meet and friends I would make. My only regret is that I did not start volunteering sooner because of how rewarding it is for me.
It has been eye opening. I did not know what these people did or the responsibility they have on their shoulders. I am humbled by their efforts on my behalf as a citizen. And the opportunity to serve has given me a purpose in retirement and kept me active.
It's been an amazing ride. Being a volunteer Fire Fighter/EMT has made me a much better person and taught me some very important lessons in life.
It has demanded more of my time than I ever imagined. Being an officer is a big responsibility that I do not take lightly. I don't want to let down my station or my community. However I have a passion for what I'm doing, and have always wanted to be a firefighter since I was a small boy.
Exciting, and rewarding, I've been doing this for a long time (25 years.) When I moved here I knew the County was busy and very progressive and I was surprised how well the fire departments in the County are trained and equipped.
When I started volunteering a few months ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was my first time getting involved with the fire & EMS community. There was some self-doubt; I wasn't sure that I could actually contribute much of anything meaningful. All of that has changed. I've passed CPR and EVOC. I'm now taking HAZMAT and will be starting EMT-B shortly. I've grown in ways that I would never have expected when I joined. I've befriended folks who now feel more like extended family than anything. I'm more self-confident and self-assured. It is safe to say that my experience with volunteering has exceeded any expectations I had when I joined. My experiences have changed my life for the better, and will only continue to do so as my involvement increases.
It is what I was expecting. Work hard, play hard and go home feeling good that you made a difference, or at least tried to.
The reasons for wanting to become a fire fighter or emergency medical responder are as diverse as our volunteers. For some, it is the realization of a childhood dream; for others it is the desire to give back to our community or to make a difference in the lives of others. Some of us have friends or relatives who have encouraged us to "Answer the Call". Whatever your reason may be, you probably have many questions. We have compiled the following list of the most frequently asked questions of prospective volunteers. Be sure to call Chief Kinnally at 715-453-4867 if you have additional questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Do I always have to be at home or at the station in case there is a call?
No, you are equipped with a pager to notify you of a call. You respond to the station from where ever you are. You make as many calls as you can. Some people work out of the area and are only available at certain times of the day. Others are able to leave work to respond.
Can I join if I do not have any experience?
Yes. The department will send you to the proper training, Firefighter basic training is 60 hours. Emergency Medical First Responder basic training is 45 hours. The department also holds monthly training and special training as needed.
Do you get paid for being a volunteer member?
The members are paid based on the time they put in and it is not a lot of money, but the rewards are great, the feeling of helping your community and someone in need, and the friendships that you will make can last forever. The Town also makes a contribution Length of Service Award program (retirement account)
How often does the department get called out?
We average about 90 to 110 calls a year, approximately 60% of the calls are Emergency Medical calls. Calls run in streaks, you may have two or three calls in one day or go for weeks without a call.
How much time will I be expected to give as a member?
The exact time requirements vary, depending on what level you are participating at, Firefighter, Emergency Medical First Responder, or Fire Ground support. The department meets on Monday evenings for the monthly meeting and various trainings. We also have projects and required maintenance scheduled throughout the month. Expect a minimum of 10 hrs a month, plus calls.
Who provides insurance coverage for my activities as a volunteer?
The Town of Nokomis provides insurance coverage for volunteer members. Coverage includes liability, worker's compensation, and accidental death and disability coverage while involved in fire department activities.
Do I need to live in the Town of Nokomis?
No, you do not need to live in the Town of Nokomis, but you must be within 15 minutes of the fire station. Of course it would be best to live in the town or close to the station.
Is it possible for me to concentrate my participation and specialize in either fire or emergency medical service, or must I participate in both areas?
Yes, you can be either fire or EMS or both. The department provides both fire and EMS service for the community. We currently have members that do specialize in either fire or EMS, and some members are both. Our pagers do have separate alert tones so only the members that need to be paged for the type of emergency receive the page.
Are there age restrictions for volunteers?
Yes, You must be 18 years old to be a firefighter or Emergency Medical First Responder. We have no maximum age for membership. We also have a junior member program for young adults ages 14 to 18 years of age.
Can I be a member if I don't want to go into burning buildings?
Yes, There are many jobs other than entering a building. We have Emergency Medical First Responder positions and support positions including Fire Ground Support positions like pump operators, tanker drivers, and other fire ground activities.
Under the direction of the Chief or Incident Commander, controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property, and maintains the station and equipment of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department. There are no regular hours established for the position. Members are expected to respond to a call out signal as they are available. Call out may occur at all hours of the day or night and shall last for the duration of the incident.
Typical activities of a fire fighter include, but are not limited to:
Controlling and extinguishing fires
Proper use of self contained breathing apparatus
Driving and operating fire apparatus
Maintaining apparatus, buildings and grounds
Participating in meetings, drills, and classes
Fund raising and other committee work
The environmental conditions of the job range from extreme cold and heat, wet and humid, noise and vibration, hazards such as fumes, odors, toxic conditions, and poor ventilation. This position may be assigned any and all other duties by the Chief or Incident Commander.
Emergency Medical First Responder
Under the direction of the Chief, protects life and property, and maintains the station and equipment of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department.
The member may, at times, be the first person at the scene of the incident and therefore will be the Incident Commander, until relieved formally by an officer, or under the direction of the Chief.
There are no regular hours established for the position. Members are expected to respond to a call out signal as they are available. Call out may occur at all hours of the day or night and shall last for the duration of the incident.
The main job functions of a medical first responder are to render medical first aid and provide patient stabilization to required people, conduct medical monitoring of all departmental members at all fire scenes, protect life and property, and maintain the station and equipment of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department.
Typical activities of a medical first responder include, but are not limited to:
Rendering first aid and patient stabilization
Medical monitoring of departmental members at incidents
Driving and operating emergency apparatus
Maintaining apparatus, buildings and grounds
Participating in meetings, drills, and classes
Fund raising and other committee work
The environmental conditions of the job range from extreme cold and heat, wet and humid, noise and vibration, hazards such as fumes, odors, toxic conditions, infectious diseases and blood borne pathogens.
This position may be assigned any and all other duties by the Chief or Incident Commander.
Fire Ground Support
Under the direction of the Chief or Incident Commander, controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property, and maintains the station and equipment of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department.
There are no regular hours established for the position. Members are expected to respond to a call out signal as they are available. Call out may occur at all hours of the day or night and shall last for the duration of the incident.
Typical activities of a fire ground support person include, but are not limited to:
General support functions as needed
Driving and operating fire apparatus
Water supply
Cleaning up at emergency scenes
Communications or command post duties
Maintaining apparatus, buildings and grounds
Participation in meetings, drills, and classes
Fund raising and other committee work
Documentation and record keeping
The environmental conditions of the job range from extreme heat and cold, wet and humid, and noise and vibration.
This position may be assigned any and all other duties by the Chief and incident commander.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY PERSON DESIGNATED AS FIRE GROUND SUPPORT, ENGAGE IN TACTICAL FUNCTIONS WHICH EXPOSE THEMSELVES, OR PROVIDE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPOSURE, TO THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION, OR OTHER HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS.
Junior Firefighter
A person wishing to be a junior member of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department needs to have parental permission and parental involvement. We require that a parent attend at least 3 business meetings during the year. This is so that the parents have some knowledge of departmental activities that their juvenile is involved with and in.
To maintain junior membership status, the junior must remain enrolled in school, and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or greater so that departmental functions will not interfere with scholastic requirements. It shall be the parents responsibility to monitor the scholastic activities of the junior member and inform the Chief or personnel committee of any changes or potential problems.
Junior members are restricted to station activities and limited duties on calls. Their typical job function shall be as a supervised support person. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE ANY DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLES, OR ENGAGE IN ANY TACTICAL FUNCTIONS WHICH EXPOSE THEMSELVES, OR PROVIDE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPOSURE TO, THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION OR OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.
This position may be assigned any and all other duties by the Chief or Incident Commander.
Junior members will be under the direct supervision of the Chief or a designated officer at all times and in all situations.
Junior members are to be at least 14 years old and a resident of the Town of Nokomis.
In June of 2009 Oneida County placed a Paramedic Ambulance at the Nokomis Fire Station to provide 24 hour a day service for southwestern Oneida County as well as backup for other areas of the county. The crews work 12 hour shifts at the station utilizing a portion of the office and apparatus area. The ambulance and our Emergency Medical First Responders work well together to provide great service to the residents of Nokomis. 
Fire Prevention and Public Education are also important functions of our fire department including Fire Prevention Inspections at the local businesses and Fire Prevention Education programs at the fire station and the schools. As part of the Tomahawk Area Fire Prevention Committee we are very active at the schools during Fire Prevention Week and other programs throughout the year.
The department is paged to emergencies by Oneida County 911 Center and responds in a moments notice to help those in need. We respond according to established Standard Operating Procedures with the equipment for the type of emergency. Depending on the type of call, automatic aid from our neighboring departments may also be paged, and we may be called to assist our neighbors as well. Being a volunteer fire department we bring a lot of experience to the scene of an emergency, not only the experience of the professionally trained volunteers, but also the experience's from their career jobs as well. When someone needs help, fires, rescues, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or any thing, we get the call.
