You need people to fight fires, and in some cases, they're in short supply. 

A labor shortage has impacted all sectors of the workforce in recent times, as the plentiful Boomer generation enters retirement. The impact has not been lost on small town emergency response departments, with even some local police departments, like the one in Goodhue, disbanding. So the odds aren't exactly in the favor of small town volunteer fire departments, like the one in Eitzen. 

Eitzen Fire Department Leaders

From left to right, are Eitzen Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief Ryan Gossman, Chief Doug Meyer, and 1st Assistant Chief Mitch Lange. The department includes 25 men and women. (Submitted photo)
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The Eitzen Fire Department uses its utility task vehicle (UTV) to aid in search and rescue efforts, such as locating an occasional fugitive or getting to a hunting accident in a remote area. 
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The Eitzen Fire Department is run completely by volunteers. 
  

Rose Korabek is the associate editor for The Caledonia Argus. Reach her at 507-556-1701.

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