Fire Chief: Brandon Ehret
Mailing Address: PO Box 444, Lake Park, IA 51347
Physical Address: 21 Avenue A West, Lake Park, IA
Phone: 712-832-3497 or 712-832-3527
EMERGENCY: 9-1-1
Welcome to the Lake Park Fire Department. Since being established on May 18, 1903, the Department has responded to all types of situations including fires, traffic accidents and situations involving hazardous materials. With 26 members, the LPFD protects an area approximately 100 square miles in size bordered by County Road A34 on the south and reaching three miles into Jackson County, Minnesota; and from the Osceola County line to just west of Montgomery. The members of the Department take pride in serving their community.
Training
Firefighters are required to have 24-hours of continuing education each year to stay current with changes to conditions on fire scenes and to maintain basic skills. In the past year the department conducted controlled grass fires around town, utilized a burn trailer which simulates conditions that would be found in a structure fire, ice rescue training in January with dry suits, and several nights of training with the new ladder truck. That training involved accessing roofs, extinguishing fires, and high-angle rescue simulations. Grain bin rescue training was done with the ambulance crew as well.
Equipment Purchases
Firefighter equipment has an expiration date of 10 years from the date of manufacture. Last year, with the help of fundraisers, we were able to purchase several sets of turnout gear (the coats, pants, boots, and gloves and firefighters wear). These purchases continue on a yearly basis as the equipment becomes outdated. We also purchased several sets of grassland gear (shirts and pats). This year we also purchased a specialized chainsaw for cutting holes in roofs for venting smoke and heat from structures to make it safer for firefighters to enter a structure. We purchased two new porta-tanks for water supply at fire scenes which will replace old ones that have deteriorated. Porta-tanks are used to store water that is transported from various water supplies to the fire scene. We also installed an air supply system that will allow us to keep the air brakes on the fire trucks full. This means we don't have to wait for the brakes to air-up before we can leave the station. Previous purchases have included ten sets of SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) which allows firefighters to enter a smoke-filled building.
Ladder Truck
A significant purchase in 2024 was a ladder truck to replace our E-One fire truck. This truck has a 110-foot ladder and is capable of pumping 2,000 gallons per minute and can transport six firefighters. The ladder truck will serve many roles including safer access to roofs and upper levels of structures, another truck to fight fires, and it carries our vehicle extrication equipment and will respond to vehicle accidents and fires. It will also assist with grain bin rescues.
Fire Station
The fire station is located on Avenue A, one block west of main street. This building houses five fire trucks, a John Deere Gator, grain bin rescue trailer, meeting room, and office.
The building was built in 1979 and over the past couple years, members have volunteered their time to improve the exterior of the building. They installed new siding, energy efficient doors and windows, and a new sign. Several area businesses donated materials to the renovation project.
In 2025, the City agreed to begin the process of studying the need for a new fire station.
Fundraising
The Lake Park Fire Department has multiple fundraisers throughout the year including but not limited to an omelet feed in the spring and grilling brats and hamburgers during Farmers Appreciation Days. These fundraisers help the department offset the cost of new equipment and purchases outside of the budget that is set by the City of Lake Park and surrounding townships so we can better serve the members of our community and surrounding communities. We greatly appreciate all those who donate to the department and if you would like to donate to the Lake Park Fire Department, you can mail a check to the Lake Park Fire Department, PO Box 444, Lake Park, Iowa 51347, or drop off your generous donation at Mel's Insurance.
What does it take to be a firefighter?
Simply have a desire and heart to help others in their worst moments and to train for moments you pray will never happen. Beyond that it is as easy as talking to any of our current members or Fire Chief Brandon Ehret. Each member is required to be at least 18 years of age, become certified in CPR and pass the Fire Fighter I certification including hazmat certification. It takes a special individual to risk their lives for complete strangers regardless of what dangers may be before them. If this interests you, we encourage you to contact us today!
Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid is the assistance that is provided to other fire departments when a situation becomes to large for them to handle on their own. In the past years Lake Park Fire Department has been called to assist with structure fires, grass fires, hay bale fires, and an apartment fire, just to name a few.
Community Involvement
As firefighters, we not only live in our community, but we also get involved with different activities within the community. The omelet feed fundraiser not only raises funds for the department but it gives the community a chance to meet the members of the fire department. We also serve up brats and hamburgers on Farmers Appreciation Day, held in Lake Park every August. We participate in the Elementary School High-Five event on the first day of school and we went to the High School to talk to students about grain bin safety. On Halloween, we had the ladder truck out for trunk-or-treat. Members of the fire department also park cars for the high school prom in April.
Neighboring Fire Departments
• Spirit Lake Fire Department
• Milford Fire Department
• May City Fire Department
• Harris Fire Department
• Round Lake (Minnesota) Fire Department
• Lakefield (Minnesota) Fire Department