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Ambulance 8:  Lawrence "Harv" Koehn.

Lawrence "Harv" Koehn, or Harv as he was known among friends, honorably served the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District No 1 from April 1953 (then known as the Bloomingdale Fire Department) until May of 1985 and retired as the Chief of the department.  It was his dream that created the career department we passionately serve today.  Chief Koehn was the first full-time (career/paid) member and was also serving as the "Volunteer chief," becoming the first "career" chief in 1968.  Prior to 911 or dispatch centers, Chief Koehn’s home phone served as the sole access to the fire department, he would then go over to the fire house and push the button that would sound the siren that alerted the other members of the department and instruct them when they arrived at the fire house.

Ambulance 9:  September 11, 2001

Dedicated to the memory of the tragic and painful events of September 11, 2001.  To the 2974 people that lost their lives that morning, the 24 people that were never found, and especially the 343 firefighters that gave the ultimate sacrifice in saving the lives of over 25,000 people in what is the largest evacuation in the history of the fire service.  American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, which flew into the World Trade Center North and South Towers.  American Airlines Flight 77, which flew into the Pentagon, and United Airlines flight 93, whose ultimate target was the U.S.. Capitol Building, but crashed in Pennsylvania.  Let us never forget.

Ambulance 10:  John L. Fernald

John Fernald began his career as a Paid on Call member in October of 1969 and served honorably until 1990 when he was forced to retire due to health issues, of which he finally succumbed to on April 20, 1992.  A "Jake" if there ever was one, Lt. Fernald "Father of Bloomingdale EMS" was the driving force in developing and implementing EMS in Bloomingdale.  Well known for his quips and sayings, not to mention his 0700 wake-up songs.  He was also quite handy; developing the "Fernald Lock Pick" which is now featured on www.vententersearch.com, the department’s first mapbook and head immobilizers (handsewed sandbags), handsewed intubation pouches, and the "wooden jumpbag."  Lt. Fernald, along with A/C William Wolff, Steve Jakubic, and Lt. Shivla, were the first members of the department to go through the paramedic program, on their own, without compensation from the District.

Engine 1:  A/C William Wolff

William Wolff (known as "Slick Willy" because you could often hear him saying "Hey… I got a deal for you") began his career as a Paid on Call member in September 1972 serving faithfully until September 2004, retiring as Assistant Chief.  A/C Wolff exemplified the word "brother" by making everyone he knows family.  He knows everybody and everybody’s family, by both name and face, and is genuinely concerned about their wellbeing.  When asked he would say "what makes me a good paramedic is my bedside manner, I care about them and they know that by the way I treat and talk to them."  Summed up in one word: compassion.  A/C Wolff, along with Lt. John Fernald, Steve Jakubic, and Lt. Al Shivla, were the first members of the department to go through the paramedic program, on their own, without compensation from the District.  A/C Wolff and Lt. Al Shivla were the first two members to deliver a baby in the field, which made for a touching reunion at A/C Wolff’s retirement party.

Engine 5: Donald E. Petges

Donald E. Petges, continuing his family’s tradition (the Petges name has always been a constant in Bloomingdale), began his career as a volunteer in April 1957, serving until April 1995.  Always a dedicated member of the Paid on Call program, he was a professional pipe fitter, he was a Firefighter, an Engineer, a Lieutenant, a Captain, but most of all he was a fireman’s fireman.  Always standing up for the rank and file, whether it was raises vs. cost of living, or some other issue, he is fondly remembered by all for helping pave the way to the Bloomingdale we know now.  He helped create driver qualifications, a necessity when we remember the time he and two other members showed up at the firehouse for an activated fire alarm, and had to walk to the location because none of them were qualified to drive.  His infamous saying: "I don’t know where we are going, but we’re making good time" is a gentle reminder that knowing how to drive is only half of the requirement.

Tower 14:  Richard E. Randecker

Richard E. Randecker faithfully served as a member from November 1961 until his retirement as Chief of the department in June 1997.  Chief Randecker was the second full time career member as well as the second career Fire Chief, appointed in 1985.  Chief Randecker saw it as the responsibility of the fire service to provide the highest quality of service without impacting the taxpayer’s wallet, stating that we are here to help them, not make money off of them.  Always making sure policy was followed as we can see here when we remember with a chuckle the time retired Deputy Chief Nels Olson, then a firefighter, was driving Tanker 8 and made the following call to the station:

D/C Olson:  "Chief, I’m in front of Kammes with Tanker 8, the brakes went out"

Chief Randecker:  "What are you doing out of district?!"

D/C Olson:  "Chief, the brakes went out!  I couldn’t stop!"

Chief Randecker:  "Get back in district, we’ll talk when you get back."