The Superior Express -

The Nelson Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad's 2023 Appreciation Dinner and Awards Banquet was held on Saturday at the fire hall in Nelson.

Nearly 80 people attended the banquet, including current and honorary members and honored guests. The meal was prepared and served by members of the department.

Following the meal, awards were presented to honored members and several guests were recognized.

Sandra Schendt was recognized for serving 20 years as an EMT. John Hodge and Carrie Miller were recognized for serving 5 years as EMTs. Kevin Bogus was introduced as a new member of the rescue squad.

Fire Chief Chris McClure recognized firefighter, Josh Jacobitz, for his 20 years of service to the fire department. Chad Buresh was introduced as a new member. Nathan Elledge was introduced as a fire cadet in the youth trainee program.

Honored guests were the members of the Nelson Rural Fire Board and Nelson City Council for their continued support that make the operations of the department successful and keep the patrons of the district safe and their property protected. Rural board members are Derrick Drohman, Terre Jacobitz, Bill McCutchan, Barry Melvin and Irvin Schleufer. City council members are Chris Corman, Tammy Frahm, Doug Porter, Chuck Tuttle and Mayor Arlan Drudik.

The department also thanked area farmers, businesses and others that have helped fight the many massive fires that have occurred in the area the past few years!

Current fire department officers are: Chris McClure, fire chief; Ridge Schutte, assistant chief; Greg Stichka, Oak chief; Tammy Frahm, secretary; Darren Myers, treasurer; and safety-training officers, Joe McCutchan and Dakota Thayer; and tax credit record-keeper, John Hodge.

Rescue squad officers are: Carrie Miller, president; Tammy Frahm, vice-president; Jean Stichka, secretary; Sandra Schendt, treasurer; and training officer, Carol Eckles. Carol also does the E-NARSIS reporting.

The department consists of 28 firefighters and 12 EMS personnel. Seven people – Kevin Bogus, Bob Byrkit, Nick Elledge, Tammy Frahm, John Hodge, Jean Stichka and Kevin Stout - are members of both the rescue squad and fire department.

In 2022, the Nelson Rescue Squad responded to 46 ambulance calls (includes two mutual aid responses to Superior) and 11 standby situations (5 Lawrence-Nelson home football games in Lawrence, four county fair and high school rodeos, and two fires).

The fire department responded to 16 events in 2022 (four brush and tree fires, three grass and crop fires, three vehicle fires, two structure and house fires, and one false alarm for electrical issues. They also provided three mutual aid responses where they assisted Guide Rock on March 29, 2022, with the large Burr Oak grass fire; they assisted Superior with a tree and grass fire on March 13, 2022, and the Oct. 23, 2022, Bostwick grass fire.

Events held throughout 2022 included a "Texas Hold'em" fundraiser in February. In June, members organized and raised funding for the July fireworks, then served the evening meal at Nelson's Harbine Park and later presented the Nelson Fun Day - Independence Day fireworks display.

In July the department assisted the Nuckolls County Fair with grounds preparation and ambulance standby at rodeos. In August, they sponsored the 6th annual street dance fundraiser, featuring the band West Wind.

The rescue squad helped with standby at the high school rodeos in September and home football games in Lawrence.

The department also hosted "Trick or Treaters" at the fire hall in October and served the soup luncheon during annual Nelson Winter Bazaar in December.

All of these events and activities were in addition to normal meetings, dozens of hours of training sessions, and responses to emergency situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all for the benefit of the people living in, and passing through, the Nelson and Oak area.

The public's continued support is greatly appreciated, especially those that assisted in any way during the major fire events!