When Did We Start?
South Dakota's Oldest Fire Department
Yankton Fire Department was started in 1874 as South Dakota’s first Bucket Brigade.
On October 25, 1885 the North Side Fire CO. No.3 was organized.
The Yankton Volunteer Fire Department employs two full-time, one part-time employee, and forty volunteer firefighters who are on call and ready to respond 24 hours a day.
Firefighters meet for scheduled trainings on two Monday evenings every month and whenever other opportunities arise.
A department business meeting is held on another Monday evening every month, proving the time and dedication it takes to be a volunteer. Many of the firefighters have been volunteering for 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and longer.
Timeline of Some Events in Our History
1874
South Dakota First Bucket Brigade
1885
Territories First Organized Fire Companies
1887
New Fire House/City Hall 310 Walnut
1890
South Dakota World Hose Race Champs
1899
17 Women Killed By Fire at SD Insane Asylum-Yankton State Hospital
1914
South Dakota’s First Motorized Fire Engine – YFD - $3600.00
1922
The 5 Fire Companies Dissolve To Become One Fire Dept
1925
American La France Pumper Purchased $12,000.00
1934
YFD Moves To New Quarters In City 416 Walnut
1937
Luverne Pumper Purchased $8,475.00
1938
Reorganization To Meet National Underwriters Requirements – Old Fireman Were Retired
1938
YFD First Paid Fire Chief
1943
First Smoke Mask – 2 At $50.00 Each
1949
Rural Citizens Purchase “Diamond T” Firetruck & Donate To YFD
1961
YFD First 75’ Aerial Ladder Truck $165,000
1964
YFD 1925 American Lafrance Pumper Responds To Its Last Fire And Is Retired-Stetson Hotel 3Rd & Broadway
1973
YFD 1937 Luverne Pumper Is Retired
1973
YFD Fire Marshal Position Is Approved
1976
Station #1 At 5Th & Douglas Is Built
1989
Replacement 102’ Aerial Platform Is Purchased $437,000
1989
YFD Purchases New Airpaks At $1,300 Each
1994
YFD First Rescue Truck And “Jaws Of Life” In Service
1998
YFD First Female Firefighter
2002
Rural Fire Dept. Addition To Station #1
2006
Lake Area Fire Station Is Built
2010
City’s Second Fire Station #2 Is Built
2015
Fire Museum Is Built W/Donated Funds
2016
100’ Aerial Platform Replaces 102’ - $965,000
2019
YFD Purchases 46 Air Paks At $7000.00 Each
History
Yankton Fire Department Museum
This one-of-a-kind artifact museum is located on the south end of the public parking lot at Yankton Fire Station #2. It houses a 1937 Luverne fire truck that was purchased brand new by the City of Yankton and has been restored to it’s original condition. A 1930’s LaFrance fire truck is also displayed in it’s current condition. The museum is also home to a piece of steel from one of the towers at the World Trade Center that fell in New York City during the attacks on 9/11/01. Other artifacts, including a 19th century hand pulled hose cart, are shown at the facility. The public is encouraged to visit the museum.
Technology
Yankton Fire Department Apparatus
Yankton Fire Department has and maintains numerous pieces of apparatus for fire extinguishment and support of these duties. These include 4 pumpers, 3 tankers/water tenders, 2 brush trucks, 2 ATV’s, 2 command vehicles, a 100 foot platform aerial, 1 rescue truck, 1 fire safety trailer, 1 air supply trailer, 1 trench rescue trailer, 1 hazmat/command trailer, 1 light trailer, and 1 pump trailer.
Roster
Yankton Fire Department Active Firefighters
Auxiliary Members
Kris Binde
Jackie Binder
Carrie Fitzgerald
Kendra Frick
Linda Frick
Roxy Frick
Susie Frick
Darla Gullikson
Jennifer Hladky
Kelly Holmstrom
Jody Johnson
Sharon Kraft
Jennifer Kuehler
Darcy Kurtenbach
Michelle Miller
Stephanie Moser
Stacey Nickels
Arica Nickles
Carrie Nolz
Denise Taggart
Mary Lee Villanueva
Cheryl Walsh
Kerry Woehl
Past & Current Command
- Ole Baker
1875 to 1885 - Fred Kincel
12/21/1885 to 2/4/1889 - James Kingsbury
2/2/1889 to 10/10/1889 - Milt Brisbance
1/10/1890 to 8/8/1890 - John Balmat
10/17/1890 to 1/8/1892 - Asa Grant
11/2/1891 to 11/21/1892 - Frank Zienert
1/24/1893 to 11/20/1893 - Joe Boone
1/1/1894 to 3/23/1894 - Eaer Johnson
4/16/1894 to 11/19/1894 - Jim Todd
4/10/1894 to 11/16/1896 - James Flanagan
1/13/1897 to 2/11/1897 - John Litchy
2/14/1898 to 7/28/1899 - Fred Donaldson
5/17/1900 to 11/19/1900 - WM. Schlegelmilch
5/7/1900 to 11/1901 - William Pierson
1/22/1902 to 4/4/1903 - Wathan Steinback
11/18/1918 to 11/17/1920 - Peter Hohenthaner
10/19/1922 to 5/27/1938 - WM. Schwenk
5/27/1938 to 7/20/1942 - Cecil Bauers
7/20/1942 to 5/18/1953 - Ed Sampson
8/17/1942 to 10/19/1942 - Howard Frick
Fire Chief
5/1953 to 12/31/1972 - George Schaecher
Interim Fire Chief
12/1972 to 2/1973 - Patrick Smith
Fire Chief
2/1973 to 12/1996 - Jerry Baumgart
Assistant Chief & Fire Marshal
7/1973 to 8/1998 - Steve Haas
Assistant Chief
9/1988 to 11/1989 - Tom Slowey
Assistant Chief & Fire Marshal
12/1989 to 12/1996
Fire Chief
12/1996 to 11/2004 - Larry Nickles
Deputy Chief & Fire Marshal
12/1996 to Present
Interim Fire Chief
11/2004 to 5/2005 - Tom Kurtenbach
5/2005 to 12/14/2022 - Brad Moser
Interim Fire Chief
12/14/2022 to Present - Tim Linke
Fire Chief
6/2022 to Present