By Dan Bechtold

Editor

A legacy of 92 years with the Winner Volunteer Fire Department has recently come to an end for one family.

Brothers Tim and Tom Meiners have retired from the Winner Volunteer Fire Department. Tim had been on the department for 31 years joining in 1993 and Tom had been on the department for 29 years. Their father, Darrell, served 32 years on the fire department with six years as fire chief.

In addition, their uncle, Larry Meiners, served on the fire department for many years.

On Jan. 25, Tim and Tom Meiners were honored by the firemen with a dinner at the fire hall.

The twin brothers said they got on the fire department because of their dad. “It was a big part of his life and it has been a big part of our life,” said Tim.

When asked what fires stuck out in their mind, Tim recalled the 10,000 acre fire that started near Russ Fosters.

“I remember coming out of my house and it was a solid orange glow, it was like the sun was coming up,” said Tim.

Another huge grass fire was the O’Kreek fire which burned thousands of acres.

Tim also recalls when the Ideal post office burned down. He said it was blizzard that night and it was almost impossible to get to the fire. He said the fire trucks were going 15 miles an hour due to the terrible blizzard.

A fire that the Winner department battled in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s was when the old grade school burned. The school was located where the city building is now located. This was a large fire and Tim said the building was not structurely sound to go inside.

Tom explained the school fire is what brought the ladder truck to Winner.

Another fire, and this one happened on the night of the firemen’s ball, was an apartment house across the street from the Methodist Church. Tim said the department battled this fire in a blizzard. “It was cold, cold, cold and our trucks kept freezing up as we tried to protect other houses,” said Tim.

Tom added: “If the weather conditions were different that apartment house could have been saved.”

Tim says the fire department has to give their appreciation to the Tripp County ambulance who now rolls with the fire department whenever there is a fire or a Signal One (a motor vehicle  accident with injury).

Tim says the fire department is fortunate to not have any serious injuries. “Kudos to our department for their commitment and the training we receive to keep us safe.”

The fire department is so appreciate of the employers  who have firemen working for them. These employers let the employees go to cover a fire.

Tom said: “We still have an obligation to our employer and no matter if you get home from a fire at 5 a.m. you shower and go to work. That is how we are made,” he explained.

“We owe the community a lot because they have always been supportive of the fire department,” said Tim.

“Growing up watching my dad work in the fire department and the support they received back then we get this same kind of community support. We cannot say enough how the community supports us.”

The fire department is a band of brotherhood and the ties of camaraderie are super strong.

Tom said his fellow firemen are like family.

Tim says when he was 30 and heard the retirement age was 60 he at first thought it was silly but now realizes it is a good thing. “It gets harder to stay up all night fighting a fire and go to work the next day. It takes a lot of physical endurance to battle a bale fire. It is now a young kids game but Tom is quick to add the wisdom comes from the older guys on the department and that is what builds a good department.

Tom recalls when he was that young guy just starting and he was a go getter—he wanted to put out the fire. “All I knew was I wanted to put out a fire,” he said.

Both men are going to miss the fire department. Tim says when you hear that whistle go off it is so ingrained in you to respond. “Now, you are going to wonder where is the fire.”

Tim added: “It has been a good ride. We had a lot of fun, made lots of friends and worked hard.”

“It has been a great ride and it has been a blast,” said Tom.