City Office

New Germany · Minnesota

952-353-2488·ngcityhall@gmail.com
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City Departments

Fire Department

Since 1901, the New Germany Fire Department has provided service, loyalty and protection to the city of New Germany and the surrounding townships of Camden and Hollywood.

New Germany Fire Department emblem: crossed axes and a fire helmet on a Maltese cross

18 active volunteer members

The volunteer fire department currently has 18 active members. These volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is a huge commitment.

Members, listed by seniority

  1. Eric Roepke
  2. Ryan GoedeChief
  3. Dan Mielke
  4. Craig Kahle
  5. Cole Midthun
  6. Jacob Floer
  7. Nick Erickson2nd Captain
  8. Alex Kurtz1st Captain & Secretary
  9. Dan DeRusha
  10. Dustin O'Brien
  11. Jon Heitz
  12. Devin Lilienthal
  13. Christopher BarlauAssistant Chief
  14. Dane Wagner3rd Captain
  15. Connor Noeldner
  16. Matthew Roepke
  17. Sawyer Kubasch
  18. Dillon Rolf

Join the department

Anyone who can respond from their home to the New Germany Fire Station within 12 minutes is eligible to volunteer for membership. Physical and other requirements must be met. Contact any fire department officer for more information on joining this honorable crew.

Training & equipment

Intense training is an important part of being a firefighter. All members participate in regular ongoing training in a variety of areas. The department conducts one training meeting every month and, in addition, members take part in classes and training events throughout the year.

One of the department’s goals is to make sure firefighters are always prepared for the situations they may encounter. Training is more important than ever because the nature of firefighting has evolved, and so has the equipment. Firefighters must be comfortable with and understand their equipment before they are called upon to use it at a fire scene.

The department continues to update its radio communications, and over the past few years has added an automated external defibrillator (AED), a portable device that checks heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electric shock, and an AutoPulse, designed to perform CPR chest compressions automatically. The list continues to grow every year.

Annual Fire Department Ball Tournament

The annual Fire Department Ball Tournament is always the first weekend in August at the New Germany ball park. Proceeds go to the New Germany Fire Department Relief Association. Anyone who would like to volunteer can contact any member of the fire department.

Past chiefs

New Germany Fire Department past chiefs:

  • Conrad Neustel, 1902
  • JJ Schlecter, 1903–1907
  • Albert Groenke, 1908–1910
  • HD Mielke / Wm. Stender, 1911
  • Wm. Stender / Albert Groenke, 1912–1916
  • Wm. Stender, 1917–1919
  • Fred Hein, 1920
  • Gust Lohrke, 1921–1922
  • Fred Hein, 1923–1924
  • Oscar Trittabaugh, 1925
  • Hy Steinke, 1925
  • Herman Roepke, 1926–1933
  • Herman Briesemeister, 1934
  • Herman Roepke, 1935–1945
  • Albert Lueck, 1946
  • Louis Mielke, 1947
  • Ralph Stahlke, 1948–1965
  • Viron Roepke, 1965–1967
  • Harlan Wolter, 1968–1991
  • Steve Van Lith, 1991–2003
  • Bruce Fillbrandt, 2004
  • Steve Van Lith, 2005–2012
  • Daniel Ruschmeier, 2013–2022