Fire Department

Darin Nelson
Fire Chief

Mission Statement

The Fire Department in Winner is a 100% volunteer organization that is reached by dialing 911 to the Law enforcement center and is dispatched thru a voice pager system. It is the mission of the Winner / Tripp County Rural Fire Department to protect life and property from the adverse effects of fires, emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions through fire suppuration, rescue, disaster preparedness, fire prevention and community education.

Fire Suppression

The methods of the Winner Fire Department of extinguishment have been refined over the years through education in fire sciences.  Although the best method of extinguishment is still a quick interior attack if possible.  This is made possible with the improved personal safety equipment used by today’s firefighters, such as Turnout gear and Breathing apparatus witch help us get closer to the fire for short periods of time.  Also with the use of a fire cam, which enables us to see through smoke, we will be able to find victims in structure fires more rapidly.

Public Fire Education

We provide Fire station tours to any school or community group serviced by the Winner Fire Department. Fire safety programs for school children include fire crews visiting the schools every year in October, the use of a Kid’s fire Safety Trailer. Several firefighters also attend annul state fire schools. These all allow us teach the importance of fire safety, and safety awareness to community members of all ages. If you would like to schedule a tour or are in need of Fire Safety information please contact the fire chief Darin Nelson at 842-0359, Or any other member of the Winner Fire Department.

History

The Winner Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1912. And became organized on JANUARY 28TH 1913 with a crew of twenty Firefighters and became the Winner City Fire Dept. Currently the Dept. is known as the Winner / Tripp County Rural Volunteer Fire Dept. And has a crew of 30 Firefighters who are dedicated to serving their community.  These are volunteers who put their lives on hold and on the line at the sound of a tone on their pager to help others in the Community. They leave their families and whatever else they are doing to make sure that our community and the people in it are provided with the best emergency service possible. These volunteers also meet twice a month for training and a business meeting to make sure that they are ready when they are needed.  The Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. serves approximately 1700 square miles of Tripp County, South Dakota including approx. 6400 residents.  The Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. is dispatched from the Winner City Police Dept. Each firefighter has a voice pager.

The Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. has an operating budget financed by Tripp County, City of Winner & dance donations.  The Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. responds to an average of 60-70 calls per year and also responds to an average of 15 vehicle accidents with injuries per year.

Events

The Winner VFD has an annual dance in the spring with donations used to purchase equipment. They have an open house each year during Fire Prevention week.  Throughout the year different members give classes at the local grade school and give tours of the fire hall.  We purchased a fire camera with other donations received from the community. This fire camera is used to find & rescue fire victims.  It is also used to find hot spots during mop up procedures. The Department moved into a new facility in Oct. 2003.

Please feel free to join us at our annual open house during Fire Prevention week each October, and our annual Dance in the spring.