Epilogue

There is much more to being a member of the Fire and Rescue Department than attending meetings and showing up at fire and rescue calls. There are many hours of training and maintenance and other projects that go on behind the scenes. In addition to monthly business meeting and quarterly regional meetings, there are mandatory month training drills, First Responder medical and CPR training and refresher courses, defibrillator training and refresher courses and many other schools and training which are available, including sectionals, regional and state fire schools. As previously mentions, each member is a certified Firefighter, as well as, a certified First-Responder and certified in the administration of CPR.

Each firefighter is teamed with another to take his turn in weekly truck and equipment checks. These checks are usually done on Sunday afternoons. Their members are responsible for overall maintenance of the vehicles. Two members are responsible for maintenance of the self-contained breathing apparatus. Two members are responsible for all the water backpacks used for fighting grass fires. The safety officer is responsible for making sure all personal protective gear is in good shape. The fire prevention officer is responsible for setting up events for Fire Prevention Week including a visit to the St. Stephen Elementary School to give a talk and demonstration on fire prevention and safety and to award prizes to the winners of the annual Fire Prevention Week poster contest which has been held for the children for many, many years. He also promotes fire-prevention to the public by encouraging the purchase and use of smoke alarms, fire drills in the home and making sure their house numbers are visible form the street, so the Fire Department can find their residence, in case of an emergency call.

The Chief, in addition to being responsible for command on the fire grounds and presiding at the monthly business meetings, has many administrative duties including, but not limited to reports, forms, special meetings, many phone calls, monthly City Council meetings, Mutual Aid Association meetings and more. The Assistant Chief, in addition to assisting in command on the fire grounds, also has many responsibilities, including that of training officer, which involves planning, setting up and overseeing all the monthly trainings and make-up trainings which are held for those firefighters who are not able to attend on the regular-scheduled training night. The Captains also assist in command on the fire grounds and in conducting the monthly training sessions.

Prospective member must agree to complete the necessary training for certification as First-Responders and CPR. They are also encouraged to receive the training necessary for certification as Firefighter-One,

There is and has been pride and tradition connected to membership in the St. Stephen Fire and Rescue Department, as can be seen by the names of past and present members of the Department. Several families have had as many as three generations on the Department.

The following are the know past members, living or deceased, except the afore-mentioned original members, in no particular order: Henry Fenlason (dec.), George Peternell (Capt. dec.), son of original member Joe Peternell, Walter Traut (dec.), Walter Schumer (dec.), Ed Rudolph (dec.), Ken Smoley (dec.), Arnold Schuneman (dec.), Mike J. Smoley (dec.), Joe Kosel (dec.), Frank Hlebain (dec.), Firmin Pogatshnik, Rodney Omann, son of original member Victor Omann, Dick Silbernick (Asst. Chief, EMT), Gary Grell, Dan Fitch, Leo Mensinger, son of original member Frank Mensinger, Leo Supan, son of original member Ben Supan, Tom Trobec, Jim Vouk, son of original Secretary-Treasurer, Bill Vouk, Kurt Dullinger, Max Reichen (Capt.), Ben Paggen, Gerald Ross (EMT), Al Then, Gerald Trobec, son of original Chief, Joe Trobec, Larry Smoley, Steve Slivnik, Jerry Legatt, son of original member Claude Legatt, Dennis Omann, son of original member Joe M. Omann, Alex Smoley and his son, Donald Smoley, Clarence Schuneman, Bob Trobec, son of Gerald Trobec and grandson of Joe Trobec, Joe Knettel, Frank Kosel, son of original member, Math Kosel, Duane Kloss, Nick Justin, Royal DeYeager, Donald Supan, Pat Kroll, Dennis Hanson, Larry Trobec, son of Joe Trobec, Lynn Seaton (Capt.), Scott Shottenkirk, Dan Jendro (EMTI, Capt.), Sylvester Majerus,  Ray Vouk, son of original member Bill Vouk, Frank Vouk, son of Jim Vouk and grandson of original Secretary-Treasurer, Bill Vouk, Ron Blenkush (Secretary-Treasurer, dec.), son of original member Wilfred Blenkush, Roger Trobec, (Assistant Chief, EMT), son of original Chief Joe Trobec,Joe Palmersheim, Jeff Trobec (dec.), son of Gerald Trobec and grandson of Joe Trobec and Greg Supan (past Captain), son of original member Ben Supan, Ray Trobec (Chief), son of original Chief Joe Trobec.

The following are the current membership of the St. Stephen Fire and Rescue Department:

Officers: Chief Jeff Drais; Assistant Chief Aaron Rudolph, nephew of Ed Rudolph; Captains: Brian Quaal,  Gene Skaj , and  Jeff Blenkush, son of Ron Blenkush and grandson of Wilfred Blenkush, Secretary-Treasurer & Captain Stephen Trobec,  son of Roger Trobec and grandson of Joe Trobec.

Firefighters: Ralph Barhorst, Rodger Bellinger, Jason Paggen, nephew of Ben Paggen, Jim Schumer, son of original member, John Schumer,   Jeff Supan, David Trobec, son of Ray Trobec and grandson of Joe Trobec, Al Vouk (past Captain), son of original member Bill Vouk, Chuck Verhaagh, Paul Patrick, Keith Patrick, Rich St. Onge, Jeff Jefferson, Jason Trobec, son of Ray Trobec and grandson of Joe Trobec, Chris Hoeschen, John Knettel, Tim Hewett, Joseph Gordon, Eric Larson, Lauren Lohmann and Mike Ringstad.

The citizens of the City of St. Stephen are very proud of their Fire and Rescue Department and we sincerely thank them for over 50 years of outstanding service to the community and heartily congratulate then as they celebrate their golden anniversary