Amanda Pollei, Omro High School student and junior firefighter, practices dressing a man in a cold water rescue suit. Joe Sienkiewicz/of The Northwestern

By Doug Zellmer
of The Northwestern

OMRO — Amanda Pollei has a jump start on a possible career as a firefighter. Pollei is a member of the Omro-Rushford Fire Department Junior Firefighters program. "I joined because I wanted to help out the community more and I've always wanted to be a firefighter," said Pollei, a junior at Omro High School. "It gives me something to do in my spare time and it's educational." Among the things she's experienced since she joined in November is learning about firefighting equipment and the trucks used by firefighters. Pollei said her experience in the junior firefighting program could someday lead to a job as a firefighter or a first responder. Brian Wilson, assistant chief of the Omro-Rushford Fire Department, who is in charge of the junior firefighters program, said three students are currently in the program. It's open to those ages 16 to 18. The department has offered the junior firefighters program since 2003. Wilson said said other fire departments in the state have similar programs. "Goals of the program are to get the kids familiar with the firefighting and emergency medical services field," he said. "Hopefully, this will keep them interested in firefighting." He said those in the junior firefighters program prepare equipment for fires, assist in testing equipment and help with cleanup after fires. "I think the junior firefighter program is really beneficial," Wilson said. "It's giving the participants a new experience in life." Pollei said she's also had the opportunity to bond with some of the Omro-Rushford Fire Department firefighters. The department currently has 52 firefighters. "I'm getting to know them and they've been teaching me about the different equipment and trucks," she said. Jay Treleven, chief of the Omro-Rushford Fire Department, said the junior firefighters program gives high school aged students a taste of what it's like to volunteer and to serve the community in a hands on basis. "They can see the opportunities that are out there when they graduate from high school," Treleven said. He said Wilson is doing a "super job" with students enrolled in the junior firefighters program. "Brian goes above and beyond to give them opportunities," Treleven said. One of those opportunities, Treleven said, was a trip to the dispatch center at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. "They observed how calls come in and how they are dispatched out," he said. "They also had the chance to see how people we work with interact with us." Doug Zellmer: (920) 426-6667 or dzellmer@thenorthwestern.com.

OMRO – Burning dryer lint was blamed for a fire call that resulted in the evacuation of residents of an apartment building on Wintergreen Drive in Omro Saturday morning. Police received a call of smoke in the hallways at 9:30 a.m. and assisted in evacuating the residents. No fire damage was reported and no one was injured, according to a police report. Police assisted the Omro-Rushford Fire Department with another call on Sunday morning when someone reported a strong odor of natural gas on McKinley Avenue around 7 a.m. They called Alliant Energy personnel to investigate but no problem was found, said Police Chief James Reed.

By Jeff Bollier
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

Oshkosh emergency response crews rescued two men who fell through the ice on Lake Winnebago on Thursday morning. The Oshkosh Fire Department and Omro-Rushford Fire Department sent boats out onto the lake after another person on the ice called 911 to report seeing the two men on all-terrain vehicles go through the thin ice near the mouth of the Fox River at about 11:40 a.m., Oshkosh Fire Department spokesman John Holland said. Holland said it appears one man fell through the ice on his ATV more than 200 yards east of the Fugelberg Park boat launch on Oshkosh's south side. The other man fell in as he tried to rescue his friend, Holland said. He said the ice was about two inches thick near the mouth of the river and very dangerous to drive or walk on. "Two inches of ice is not a good place to fish," Holland said. "They were out on some shaky ice." Batallion Chief Mark Boettcher said one of the two men, who were ice fishing on the lake, was in the water for at least 17 minutes. A witness, Don Roeder, said he saw the men riding four-wheel ATVs north, toward thin ice that extends out from the mouth of the Fox River, when they broke through the ice. "I couldn't figure out why they were going that way," Roeder said. "I just hope they're all right. That's the main thing now." Jeff Bollier writes for the Oshkosh Northwestern.

Reunion raises fund for ORFD

By Julie Quinn   of The Omro Herald

There was a whole lot of "Remember when...?" going on last November as folks got together for a Benji's Bar reunion at the Kiwanis Pavilion.  They looked over old photos and shared stories as they marked thirty years since Bill "Benji" Benjamin opened the establishment on Main Street.  Benji, his father Lavern "Bud" Benjamin, and the building are now gone, but they are fondly remembered by many.  Benji's mom Ethel, was the honored guest at the celebration, serving up her legendary hot beef sandwiches and Bloody Marys.  While reminiscing was reason enough to get together, the event was also a fundraiser for the Omro Rushford Volunteer Fire Department, the former neighbor of the tavern.  Thursday night, Ethel Benjamin presented a check for $850 to the firefighters, appropriately standing in front of the display case full of decanters she donated to the department when they moved into their new station.  She thanked those who came out to enjoy the reunion, as well as event sponsors Duggan's Piggly Wiggly, Rogge's Foods, Hyler Septic, Russ Dietzen, Tanner's Tap & Grill and JRH Promotions.

Workers break gas line

By Julie Quinn   of The Omro Herald

The Smell of gas was unmistakable downtown Omro Friday morning after construction workers hit a gas line, according to a city hall employee.  Omro City Hall , the post office , Citizens Bank and other buildings were evacuated while members of the Omro Rushford Fire Department and Alliant Energy employees handled the situation.  Several homes in the area were without power for several hours as well.  The Construction workers had been putting in water service for apartments above 100 E. Main St. when they hit the line, the city hall employee said.  The building is undergoing extensive renovation.  Firefighters cleared the scene about 12:30 p.m.

Omro Herald Photo

By Patricia Wolff
of The Northwestern

OMRO – Volunteers packed and delivered packages of food and Christmas goodies for 75 families in Omro this week. Each package contained a turkey and other groceries. Assistant Police Chief Jim Daubert and other staff at the Omro Police Department coordinate the annual event, which is really a communitywide event with help from schools, churches, clubs and individuals, said Chief James Reed. The volunteers gathered Tuesday at the Omro-Rushford Fire station to pack and deliver the boxes. Police department and fire department personnel helped. Marv Matulle and Bill Joch, of the Omro Kiwanis Club, helped out by delivering boxes to 11 families. Matulle said it is interesting to note the reactions of the recipients. He enjoys helping the poor, he said.  Schools and churches let the volunteers know who might appreciate the help. A few refuse it, but most people are appreciative, Matulle said. The event has been part of the Christmas season in Omro for more years than Reed can remember. Firefighters have helped the past four years. Chief Russ Kleinschmidt said it's good for his crew to be involved in the community other than in firefighting and rescue work. "A lot of times people are very emotional and they'll give you a hug," Kleinschmidt said. "Some are so taken aback they don't know what to say. It does make you feel very good."

Patricia Wolff: (920) 426-6689 or pwolff@thenorthwestern.com.

The Northwestern

A wood-burning stove filled a trailer home with smoke Monday night on Brentwood Lane in Omro. Firefighters from the Omro-Rushford Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call from neighbors at 8:21 p.m., Fire Chief Russ Kleinschmidt said.  Kleinschmidt said the home's occupant had shut the dampers completely down on the stove.  Then the smoke backed up and filled the structure with smoke, causing the smoke detectors to sound. "When we arrived, it had the looks of a structure fire,  " Kleinschmidt said.  Firefighters removed combustible material from the stove and ventilated the house, Kleinschmidt said. They cleared the scene at 9:37 p.m.  Kleinschmidt advises that anyone burning wood should be aware of their damper positions and make sure that their stoves can properly ventilate themselves.

The Post-Crescent

OSHKOSH — A 21-year-old De Pere man was rescued Tuesday from icy Lake Butte des Morts after his boat could not make it to shore. Sgt. Gordon LeDioyt of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department said Jereme Jensen had been on the lake duck hunting since 4 a.m., and had been stranded for about four hours before people on shore noticed him and called for help about 2:10 p.m. The Oshkosh Fire Department and firefighters from the Town of Algoma and Omro-Rushford fire departments assisted in getting Jensen to shore. LeDioyt said Jensen was unable to maneuver the boat because ice was forming on the lake. Jensen declined medical treatment. The 16-foot johnboat was left on the lake and Jensen will make arrangements to remove it, LeDioyt said.

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

A 35-year-old Oshkosh man was killed Monday night when his vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree, said Lt. John Zimmerman of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. The man has been identified as Chad P. Young, 35, of Oshkosh, said Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby. A call came in to the Sheriff's Department shortly after 8 p.m. Monday notifying emergency responders of a car that struck a tree on Sandpit Road in the town of Omro, just north of County Trunk K, Zimmerman said. Young was pronounced dead at the scene. Busby said he died of multiple and severe head and chest injuries. Zimmerman said speed is a probable factor. The accident still is under investigation. The car was traveling southbound on Sandpit Road when it left the roadway and struck the tree, Zimmerman said. A nearby resident heard the crash and notified police. No one else was involved in the accident.

By Doug Zellmer
of The Northwestern

Omro/Rushford firefighters place cribbing under a rolled car to stabilize it before using an inflatable bag that will lift the car during a practice and training session just east of Omro Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

Bill Wright was brought up to give back to his community.That's just what the veteran of the Winneconne-Poygan Fire District has done since he joined the fire department 38 years ago. Although he retired as chief since the end of March, Wright has stayed on the department as a consultant and will help fight fires when needed. "I was raised that we should help our neighbors and do what we could do for our community," Wright said. "I've grown up in this community and I've watched it grow.  "Wright's dedication to the fire department is shared by fellow firefighters of the Winneconne-Poygan Fire District and the neighboring Omro-Rushford Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteer fire departments play a vital role in the communities they serve, said Linda Kutchenriter, administrator for the city of Omro. "Knowing we have such a dedicated group of volunteers, who respond in an instant to a cry for help is a wonderful feeling," she said. "They are very active in our community and we appreciate the hours that they put in without asking for anything in return." Kutchenriter said volunteer firefighters, besides fighting fires also help with emergencies like boarding up broken windows during windstorms and pumping floodwater out of basements. Russ Kleinschmidt, chief of the Omro-Rushford Volunteer Fire Department, grew up on a farm near Omro and has been a firefighter for 23 years. "I had an interest to serve. The fire department struck me as something interesting. It was the trucks and the ability to fight fires," Kleinschmidt said. He said there is a lot of pride in working with the communities as a volunteer firefighter. "It really is a 24-7 volunteer job," Kleinschmidt said. "The support from the communities we serve is really appreciated. That support goes a long ways." He recalled a heartwarming story of helping save a dog from a possible icy death in the Fox River "We received a call of a man and a dog who both fell through the ice," Kleinschmidt said. "The man was able to get out, but the dog was losing ground quickly. We were able to set up our rescue team to get the dog out." He said the owners of the dog, a husband and wife, were happy to get their dog back. "It was a like a child to them and it struck me on how important our work is," Kleinschmidt said. "It was very rewarding and pushes you to do more." Ryan Krings, chief of the Winneconne-Poygan Fire District, said most of the firefighters in his department maintain an attitude of being willing to "drop everything to help out when needed." He said the Winneconne-Poygan Fire District plays an important role in the communities it serves and that turnover of firefighters in his department is very low. "Our firefighters are usually local people who were born and raised here and some who have moved into the community. They fall into a friendship and camaraderie with the department," Krings said. "We have a lot of young guys who join and bring their friends and they stay."  Wayne Krueger, owner of Wayne's Piggly Wiggly in the village of Winneconne, said it's "absolutely wonderful to have the fire department that we have."  "I always told Bill Wright that if I won the lottery I would give the department a million dollars for all of the hard work that they do," he said.  Krueger said the Winneconne-Poygan Fire District comes to his grocery store four times a year to do a fire prevention check at no cost.  "It's a good thing to have for our business because we use it as a tool if they find any problems," Krueger said.

Doug Zellmer: (920) 426-6667 or dzellmer@thenorthwestern.com

11/03/07- B. Joss puts away tools used during a Omro/Rushford Volunteer Fire Department practice and training session that focuses on rescues involving crashed vehicles Saturday morning east of Omro. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Brian Henry uses the Jaws of Life to saw off a roof of a sports utility vehicle during a training and pratice session focusing on techniques to rescue people involved with crashed vehicles Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Omro/Rushford firefighters prepare to use an inflatable device that will lift the car off the ground during a practice and training session east of Omro Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Brian Henry uses the Jaws of Life to saw off a roof of a sports utility vehicle during a training and pratice session focusing on techniques to rescue people involved with crashed vehicles Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Fire fighters remove a swivel base after it was used to hold up the vehicle while the Jaws of Life are used to saw off the roof during a training and pratice sessioin for the Omro/Rushford Fire Department Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07-Omro/Rushford firefighters place cribbing under a rolled car to stabilize it before using an inflatable bag that will lift the car during a practice and training session just east of Omro Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Assistant Fire Chief Jay Treleven helps direct a training and practice session focusing on rescues involving crashed vehicles Saturday morning just east of Omro. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Fire Chief. Russ Kleinschmidt, prepares air tanks used for inflatable bags that can help lift a rolled over car during a training and practice session for the Omro/Rushford Fire Department Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Deputy Fire Chief, Chad Pugh helps direct a practice and training session for the Omro/Rushford Fire Department focusing on rescue techniques for victims in crashed vehicles Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Omro/Rushford firefighters carry away the roof of a vehicle that was sawed off with the Jaws of Life during a training and practice session east of Omro Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Omro/Rushford firefighters carry cribbing to help support a rolled over car during a practice and training session involving rescuing people in crashed vehicles Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- Omro/Rushford fire fighters talk about how to attempt a rescue involving a rolled over car during training and practice session Saturday morning. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

11/03/07- A car crushed by a tanker is just one of the many crashed vehicle situations prepared for rescue training and practice for the Omro/Rushford Fire Department. Oshkosh Northwestern photo by Laura May

The Northwestern

An 18-year-old Omro man was taken to the hospital after a three-vehicle accident about 2 p.m. Monday at State Highway 21 eastbound and County Trunk FF.
Police said Judith A. Brockman, 59, of Oshkosh was trying to shoo a bee out of the window of her Ford Explorer while traveling west on Highway 21 when she crossed the centerline and hit an eastbound care diving by Karen L. Lewis, 51, of Omro.Casey W. Clements, 18, who was behind Lewis swerved to avoid the accident, went into a yard and hit a tree, said Sgt. Brad Seymour of the Wisconsin State Patrol in Fond du Lac.
Clements, of Omro, was transported to Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh, Seymour said. Brockman and Lewis had minor injuries.

OMRO – Homes were evacuated on Cherry Street Wednesday, Sept. 12, after a crew from Alliant Energy discovered a large quantity of natural gas coming from the roof of a house.The crew had been checking gas meters in the area when the leak was discovered at 10:17 a.m., according to a police report.The homeowner was not at home at the time. Firefighters from the Omro-Rushford Fire Department responded to the scene and made a forced entry to the home. They turned off the gas and ventilated the house. Later, they found a broken natural gas line in a wall of the home in the attic area, according to the report.Reed said some type of remodeling had been done at the residence prior to the gas leak.

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

A rural Omro man was thrown nearly 40 feet when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on State Highway 116 Wednesday afternoon.Jeffrey J. Leonard, 54, was treated at a local hospital for bruises, a broken ankle and other non-life-threatening injuries from the accident shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 116 near Yost Road, between Omro and Winneconne.
According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Leonard was passing another vehicle when he collided with a northbound vehicle driven by Mark E. Siefert, 48, of Menasha. Siefert was attempting to turn off the highway when the collision occurred. He was not injured.
Chief Russ Kleinschmidt, of the Omro-Rushford Volunteer Fire Department, said Leonard was thrown from the motorcycle and landed in a field.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Omro-Rushford Volunteer Fire Department, and Oshkosh Fire Department responded to the incident.

June 15th, 2007 - Omro- Fireman's Street Dance

By Doug Zellmer
of The Northwestern

Doug Zellmer: (920) 426-6667 or dzellmer@thenorthwestern.com.

Seven injured when accelerant ignites in Omro

The Post-Crescent

TOWN OF RUSHFORD — Two Omro area teens who sustained facial burns Friday when a bottle of accelerant ignited near a fire pit were in good condition Saturday at Madison and Milwaukee burn centers.

Seven youths were injured Friday night at 2788 Lost Lane when the plastic bottle of accelerant ignited. One of the 10 teens gathered was experimenting with lighting accelerant on pavement near the fire pit, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's Lt. John Zimmerman said Saturday that Corey J. Gardner, 18, Town of Omro, still was being treated at the UW-Madison Burn Center, while a 16-year-old Omro girl, whose name was not released, was at St. Mary's Burn Center, Milwaukee. The other five teens, ages 16 to 18, were treated at area hospitals for burns and released. Zimmerman described the accelerant as a blend of nitro methane, methanol and non-petroleum based lubricants, used in radio-controlled cars, boats and airplanes. Zimmerman said an 18-year-old man who was handling the accelerant might face a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of burning materials.

Posted April 26, 2007

2 seriously injured in town of Rushford home explosion

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

TOWN OF RUSHFORD – A possible natural gas explosion destroyed a home in the town of Rushford Wednesday evening, severely injuring a couple who was just arriving home, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department.The explosion took place at 2951 Delhi Road about 7:30 p.m. None of the structure of the 3-bedroom, split level home remains. Pieces of burnt wood and roofing material is scattered around the area.Capt. Steve Verweil of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department said a couple in their 30s were seriously injured in the explosion. He said a witness driving by the house on a bike saw the explosion and called 911.“They are very seriously injured,” Verweil said. “The house is completely destroyed. This is a very surreal event.The woman had to be extricated from the wreckage and suffered blunt force trauma wounds. The man suffered severe burns. Both were initially transported to Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh and later transported to a burn center in Madison.Fred Kasten, 70, who lives about a half-a-mile away, said he came on the scene about 1 minute after the explosion in his pickup truck and saw clouds of dust.“The man was walking around what was the garage area calling his wife,” Kasten said. “His hair was singed. We found her by the he kitchen area and I helped the man lift her out and we laid her on the lawn until paramedics arrived.”He said the woman was semi-conscious and badly bruised.“I’m thankful everyone is alive,” he said.A natural gas leak is suspected as the cause, but it has not been officially confirmed as the source of the explosion. Verweil said a fire investigation team will be on the scene around the clock to determine the cause.“The explosion sounded like an atomic bomb,” said Kassie Schoonover, 19, a neighbor of the home in the rural area.Deanna Bloede, 30, said she could feel the explosion from her home up the road on Morrow Road.“We were eating supper when we felt a big shake and a loud boom,” Bloede said. “Debris fell on our deck.”Courtney Bloede, 10, said it was scary as they rushed to the scene to see what happened.“We saw lots of smoke and we could smell the smoke from our car,” she said.

Town of Rushford home explodes

By Jesse Horne/of The Northwestern

A possible natural gas explosion destroyed a home in the town of Rushford Wednesday evening, severely injuring a couple who was just arriving home, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department

Burned body discovered in rural Omro

By Jesse Horne/of The Northwestern

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a badly burned body found Monday afternoon in front of a residence near Omro as a suspicious death.

Palmer Postl identified as victim, cause of fire still unknown

By Jeff Bollier
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

OMRO — Authorities hope an autopsy will yield clues about how an Omro man died Monday afternoon.

A badly burned body was identified Monday night as Palmer Postl, 84, of Omro, who lived on the property, said Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Gordon Ledioyt. Postl’s badly burned body was found Monday afternoon in front of his residence.
Sheriff’s Department Capt. Steve Verwiel said the body was burned beyond recognition by the fire, which made it difficult to identify Postl, or even to determine whether it was a man or woman.
“A passerby noticed the fire and thought it looked like a person being burned,” Verwiel said. “When someone else looked closer, it was obvious it was a person who was dead.”
First responders from the Omro-Rushford Fire Department and town of Algoma Fire Department and Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the fire in the 5900 block of Springbrook Road at 4:24 p.m. Monday. As of 6 p.m. Monday, Verwiel said details remain sketchy about exactly how the victim caught fire and died.
He said investigators still do not know whether the fire was accidental or if foul play was involved.
“It seems like some yard maintenance was going on at the time,” Verwiel said. “This is an open book at this point. We’re not going to rule out anything and the autopsy will help a lot.”
Ledioyt said Monday night that the cause of death does not appear to be anything suspicious.
"But the investigation is still ongoing to eliminate any possibilities of wrongdoing,” Ledioyt added.
Verwiel said anyone in the vicinity of Springbrook Road on Monday afternoon or anyone with information about the incident may call the Sheriff’s Department at (920) 236-7300.