Ideal Volunteer Fire Department

DIAL 911 TO REPORT A FIRE or other emergency

The department is dispatched by the county dispatcher based upon your 911 address. All members of the department carry pagers thereby allowing the County dispatcher to simultaneously notify all members of the department.

For your convenience, we have posted a fire department specification sheet to assist in determining ratings for home insurance.

If you have a security system please notify the Chief, Mike Clasen 543-6223, or Assistant Chief, Ken Stoltman 543-6851, as to who is the key holder.

The department formed in 1976 as an independent fire department. In 1978 the department petitioned the Town Board to establish the department as the township fire department.

All fire department members must become certified by the State of Minnesota as a Fire Fighter I within 24 months of joining the department. Many members of the department are certified as Fire Fighter II. Members meet twice a month — one meeting is a business meeting, the second is a training meeting. In addition, the members attend State fire fighting school throughout the year. Here is a list of current fire department members.

Fire Station #1 is located adjacent to the town hall at the corner of County Road 16 and Butternut Point Road. Fire Station #2 is located on the north side of Whitefish Lake, at the corner of County Road 1 and Taray Road.

The fire fighters maintain state of the art equipment, including:

  • 3 Pumper trucks, 1 having a 75' ladder & master stream water way
  • 2000 gallon tender truck
  • Rescue equipment van
  • High volume water supply (pump)
  • Two 4 Wheel drive trucks with pump to fight grass and brush fires
  • Mobile cascade system for refilling self contained breathing apparatus
  • Radio system
  • Hurst Rescue Tool (1 located at each station)
  • Cold water & ice rescue equipment
  • 26' Maco fire & rescue boat
  • 4x4 ATV & rescue trailer
  • Thermal imaging camera

The department is trained to assist in water and cold-water rescue. During fire prevention month the department puts on a demonstration for children and adults at the Station 1 Fire Hall.

FIRE STATION #2

In order to more effectively provide fire protection on the north side of the township, a new fire department sub-station has been established. Station #2 is located on Hwy 1 just west of the intersection with County 134. The building is complete, volunteer fire fighters living in the area have been trained & certified, and the station is equipped with:

  • 1 pumper
  • 1 grass rig
  • 4x4 ATV & rescue trailer
  • lighted helicopter landing zone to assist with medical evacuations

IDEAL FIRE DEPARTMENT BEEF FEED

Since 1978 the department has sponsored a fund-raiser known as the Ideal Fire Department Beef Feed. It is always held the second Wednesday in August. The feed consists of boneless baron of beef, all the fresh corn on the cob you can eat, buns, coleslaw and watermelon. The beef and corn are cooked the day of the feed by the firefighters. From its modest beginning the feed has grown to the point that now over 2,000 dinners are served between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 P.M. In 28 years, over 24,000 pounds of beef, 146,000 ears of corn, 1,000 watermelons and 8,000 pounds of coleslaw have been served. Rain or shine, the feed takes place at the Ideal Township Hall.

If you have comments or questions about the Ideal Fire Department, please contact Bill Wortham, the town clerk, or any supervisor.