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, and forty-two 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 air supply trailer, 1 trench rescue trailer, 1 hazmat/command trailer, 1 light trailer, and 1 pump trailer.
Roster
Yankton Fire Department Active Firefighters
Fire Chief Tim Linke, 2022
Deputy Chief Daniel Prendable, 2013
1st Assistant Brian Frick
2nd Assistant Chief Brad Moser, 1996
Department Chaplain Jerry Webber, 2018
Chad Miller, 2010
Mike Villanueva, 2011
Brooke Woehl, 2018
Tom Frick, 1989
Terry Nickels, 2011
Sam Harris, 2017
Safety Officer Jody Johnson, 1998
Pat Nolz, 1989
Mike Fitzgerald, 2006
Mark Kuehler, 2010
Captain Kasey Hofer, 2014
Captain John Kraft, 2001
Jay Walsh, 1991
Gary Kozak, 2001
Fire Prevention Officer Mark Nickles, 2005
Captain Cole Blom, 2017
Captain Tim Binder, 2006
Captain Adam Frick, 2006
Brad Binde, 2002
Adam King, 2017
Dave Kuehler, 1999
Captain Tyler Frick, 2021
Rich Hladky, 1999
Cody Steiner, 2021
Josh Wagner, 2019
Chris Eilers, 2021
Tyler Buckman, 2020
Brennan Novak, 2020
Tom Holmstrom, 2005
Brandon Kneifl, 2019
Austin Reining, 2021
Emily Johnson, 2023
Dustin Gusso, 2023
Jon Moser, 2023
Charlie Stephenson, 2024
Marshall Whitney, 2025
Active
Retired
Deputy Chief Pickup
This 2016 Chevy Silverado is driven by the Deputy Chief and is used to respond to calls, and used for traffic and support.
Engine 1
Engine 1 is a 2005 Smeal Class “A” pumper on a Spartan chassis that is housed at Station #1. Engine 1 carried 500 gallons of water and has a 1250 gallon per minute pump. It also has an Onan Hydraulic 8000 Pump that powers the generator, and has an Akron 3400 Deckmaster Remote Control Monitor. The enclosed top mount control design allows for protection of the pump operator and allows a spot for the firefighters to rehab during a fire.
Engine 2
Engine 2 is a 2014 Smeal Midship Pumper with 1000 gallons of water and a 1500 gallon per minute pump. Engine 2 also has an Foam Pro System, and Onan Hydraulic Generator. This is the first truck that was purchased jointly by the City of Yankton and the Yankton Rural Fire District. Engine 2 is housed at Station #1
Engine 3
Engine 3 is a 2012 Smeal/Spartan Class “A” Pumper with 500 gallons of water and a single stage 1500 gallon per minute Waterous pump. It also has an Onan Hydraulic 8000 generator, with Fire Research 110 volt LED lighting, and a Foam Pro Class A foam system. The enclosed top mount control design allows for protection of the pump operator and allows a spot for the firefighters to rehab during a fire. Engine 3 is housed at Station #2.
Engine 4
Engine 4 is a 1992 Smeal 1000 gallon per minute crossmount pumper with 1200 gallons of water. Engine 4 is built on a Chevy Kodiak chassis. It also has two 1500 watt 110 volt lights that are powered by a 5000 watt gas generator. Engine 4 is housed at the Lake Station.
Ladder 1
Ladder 1 is a 2016 Smeal/Spartan Aerial. Ladder 1 has a 2000 gallon per minute pump with 500 gallons of water. Ladder 1 is housed at Station 1.
Tanker 1
Tanker 1 is a 2007 International/Danko built 4×4 tanker that carries 1600 gallons of water and has a hydraulic driven 500 gallon per minute pump that allows capability to pump and roll. Tanker 1 also has a bumper mounted turret with remote control inside to cab to assist in extinguishing fire. This truck is housed at Station 2.
Tanker 2
Tanker 2 is a 2014 International/Danko built 4×4 tanker that carries 1650 gallons of water and has a hydraulic driven 500 gallon per minute pump that allows capability to pump and roll. Tanker 2 also has a bumper mounted turret with remote control inside to cab to assist in extinguishing fire along with a Foam Pro System and a 3000 gallon drop tank. This truck is housed at Station 1.
Tanker 3
Tanker 3 is a 2004 Danko 2000 gallon tanker with a Waterous E511 pump. Tanker 3 has 3 way dumps valves and a 2100 gallon drop tank. Tanker 3 is housed at Station 2.
Brush 1
Brush 1 is a 2016 Ford F-550 Brush Truck with a Odin Compressed Air Foam System. This truck has 300 gallons of water and 20 gallons on foam. This truck is used to pull Brush 3. Brush 1 is housed at Station 1.
Brush 2
Brush 2 is a Polaris Ranger with a slide unit that can be removed if the unit needs to be used for other assignments. Brush 2 has a Honda CET pump and carries 100 gallons of water and 5 gallons on foam. This unit was purchased by the Sacred Heart Benedictine Sisters. This unit is housed at the Lake Station and is pulled by Truck 1.
Brush 3
Brush 3 is a 2013 Polaris 6×6 that carried 100 gallons of water and 5 gallons of foam and has a Honda CET pump. This unit allows firefighters to go where the trucks can not. This unit is housed at Station 1, and is pulled by Brush 1.
Rescue 2
Rescue 2 is a RVI 6 man rescue. This special operations unit carries equipment for vehicle extrication, confined space, hazmat and grain bin rescues. As well as being able t transport the 35 foot hazmat/command trailer. This truck has a 2500 watt PTO driven generator. This truck is housed at Station 1.
Truck 1
Truck 1 is a 2002 Ford F-550 4×4 Fast Tac. This truck has 300 gallons of water with a Foam Pro System with a Waterous E-511 diesel pump. This truck also has a 5000 watt Honda Generator. Truck 1 also pulls Brush 2 and is housed at the Lake Station.
Air Supply Trailer
Air Supply Trailer that is housed at Station 2. This trailer is pulled to scenes to refill SCBA cylinders on site.
Pump Trailer
The pump trailer is housed at Station 2. The pump trailer is able to be pulled to bodies of water such as Lewis and Clark Lake and draft water from the lake into the trucks for a water supply. This trailer also has a floating pump.
Fire Chief Pickup
This 2015 Chevy Silverado is driven by the Fire Chief and is used to respond to calls, and used for traffic and support.
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Ladder 1
Old Ladder 1 is a 1989 Grumman Aerialcat 102′ platform with a 1500 gallon per minute pump. This truck was replaced in 2016 and this truck was sold to Huron Fire Department where is still remains in service.
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old-engine-2
old-engine-4
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Old Tanker 2
Old Tanker 2 was 1988 GMC/Smeal 4×4 Tanker. It was replaced in 2014 and was sold to the Kennebec Fire Department where is remains in service today.
Tanker 4
Auxiliary Members
Kris Binde
Jackie Binder
Carrie Fitzgerald
Kendra Frick
Morgan Frick
Roxy Frick
Susie Frick
Jenna Gusso
Jennifer Hladky
Kelly Holmstrom
Jody Johnson
Kyler Johnson
Sharon Kraft
Jennifer Kuehler
Tami Linke
Michelle Miller
Kara Moser
Stephanie Moser
Arica Nickles
Stacey Nickels
Carrie Nolz
Angie Prendable
Megan Stephenson
Mary Lee Villanueva
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 1/2024 Interim Fire Chief
11/2004 to 5/2005 - Tom Kurtenbach
Fire Chief 5/2005 to 12/14/2021 - Brad Moser
Interim Fire Chief
12/14/2021 to 6/2025 - Tim Linke
Fire Chief
6/2022 to Present - Daniel Prendable Deputy Chief & Fire Marshal 4/2024 to Present