Last year, the Dassel Volunteer Fire Department reached its 125th milestone of serving the City of Dassel and its surrounding area.

The department’s response area consists of approximately 125 miles covering the cities of Dassel, Darwin, and Kingston, along with the surrounding townships of Collinwood, Dassel, Ellsworth, Darwin and Kingston.

It responds to approximately 200 calls per year.

Dassel’s fire department is one of the 50 out of 80 in the state that is truly all-volunteer. It was established in 1881. Since that time, it has added other responsibilities, such as rescue and hazardous leaks response.

Membership consists of both males and females. Applicants must complete and pass the following to be an active member of the department: an interview, written and physical tests, and an entrance physical.

Members also must live within a four-minute drive time of the fire hall at 426 Second Street, Dassel, or live with in an eight-minute drive time of the fire hall, but work within the four-minute drive time. The member who works within the four-minute drive time must work an eight-hour shift between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The current fire chief is Dale Grochow with Dave Johnson as assistant chief. Officers are appointed at the end of even years and take over the following year for a two-year term.

The fire station phone number is (320) 275-3260, but in an emergency, call 911.

The mailing address for the fire hall is PO Box 56, Dassel, MN, 55325.

In 2006, the fire department celebrated its 125th anniversary with a parade and several special events. Dean Gayner of Dassel, a 27-year member of the fire department, wrote a book, “Dassel Fire Department: 125th Year Anniversary.”

In the dedication of the book, Gayner wrote, “With the understanding that these members receive no pay for these disruptions makes their commitment outstanding. Therefore, we as firefighters, past and present, truly salute them all.”

The Dassel Fire Department roster

Phil Anderson

Doug Bollman

Kevin Carlen

Keith Day

Justin Eggert

Mike Enerson

Brian Gillman

Dale Grochow

Dave Grochow

James Hughes

David Johnson

Linda Lalim

Patrick Lorentz

Brian Massingham

Kurt Mortenson

Chuck Nelson

Greg Nelson

DJ Ohm

Jeff Putnam

Mitch Rawlins

Jim Rorah

Chad Terpstra

Erin Tormanen

Jon Trotter

Justin Yaeger