Adams County Fire District

05/26/2026

The Memorial Day weekend proved to be a busy one for emergency responders across Adams County. Departments were dispatched to multiple fires, recreational vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies requiring helicopter transport for patients needing definitive care.
The holiday weekend concluded last night with the Adams County Fire District being dispatched to a working still alarm in the 2100 Block of 11th Avenue in the Township of Adams, for multiple structures on fire with exposures threatened. While mutual aid resources acknowledged the page, Friendship Dispatch confirmed the mobile homes involved were unoccupied. Additional reports indicated the fire was rapidly spreading to nearby structures, prompting the request for a MABAS Box Alarm for tenders only as the first engine company responded from Station 1 in the City of Adams.
Upon arrival, the first-due engine company encountered three mobile homes fully involved, several vehicles burning, and heavy fire conditions rapidly extending throughout the property. Crews immediately deployed a 2½-inch attack line, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to additional structures.
As the MABAS Box Alarm was filled, a second attack line was placed into operation and a continuous water supply established. Command prioritized containment efforts, escalating the incident to a second alarm to ensure sufficient resources remained available on scene.
Once the bulk of the fire was brought under control, crews faced an extensive overhaul operation. Due to the significant amount of debris an excavator was requested to assist firefighters in locating and extinguishing remaining hot spots.
The Adams County Fire District is grateful for the strong relationships we share with our mutual aid partners and their unwavering commitment to public safety. Once again, the efficiency of the MABAS system and the cooperation among emergency services throughout the region proved critical to the successful outcome of this incident.
We would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and support:
New Chester Fire
Quincy Fire
Town of Rome Fire
Kilbourn Fire
Oxford Fire
Westfield Fire
Lyndon Station Fire
WI DNR
Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputies
Adams County Sheriff's Office Dispatch
LIFESTAR Ambulance
Marquette County EMS
Adams County Highway Department
City of Adams Public Works
Union Pacific Railroad
Fenner's Excavating

05/25/2026

“When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

John Maxwell Edmonds

05/22/2026

🚨Come out & show your support for the ACFD🚨
🔥All proceeds raised go toward new & updated life saving equipment for our community🔥

05/12/2026

This past weekend, members of the Adams County Fire District were once again deployed to the front lines of the Adams County Duck Derby for the annual and highly dangerous “Operation Quack Retrieval.”

ACFD duck wranglers suited up in full cold-water rescue gear and bravely entered the frigid waters to round up the tiny yellow fugitives attempting to make a break for freedom.

Despite several intense standoffs with particularly uncooperative ducks, we are happy to report that no waterfowl, firefighters, or egos were seriously injured during this year’s wrangling efforts.

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

Post #5 of 6, station Delta, Advanced Vehicle Extrication

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of preventable death for individuals ages 5–22 and the second leading cause for those ages 23–67. In 2024, 42,789 traffic fatalities were reported in the United States. Auto extrication is arguably one of the most critical rescue disciplines within the fire service, as responders often have a direct impact on patient survivability and outcomes. Vehicle extrication is the process of safely removing occupants from vehicles involved in collisions. Modern extrication philosophy emphasizes the principle: “Remove the car from the patient, not the patient from the car.” This approach prioritizes creating space around the victim while minimizing unnecessary movement that could worsen traumatic injuries.

Upon arrival, safety is the first priority for emergency personnel, victims, and the public. Effective scene protection begins with strategic apparatus placement to shield the incident area from traffic. Responders must rapidly identify hazards such as downed power lines, unstable debris, leaking fluids, or compromised vehicle components. A complete scene size-up and 360-degree assessment are essential, including searching for potential ejected occupants. Once hazards are identified, an incident action plan is developed in coordination with EMS personnel to ensure patient care priorities align with rescue operations. Fire risks must also be evaluated, particularly when electric vehicles are involved, requiring management of high-voltage systems and battery hazards.

Before any cutting or spreading operations begin, the vehicle must be properly stabilized using cribbing, wedges, or stabilization struts to prevent unintended movement. Glass management follows, with responders removing tempered or laminated glass in a controlled manner to protect both rescuers and patients. Common access techniques include door removals and roof removals to improve patient access and facilitate extrication. More advanced evolutions may involve a third-door conversion, which creates access to rear-seat occupants, or a fifth-door conversion, where an entire side of the vehicle is removed. In cases involving lower-extremity entrapment, rescuers may perform a dash roll or dash lift operation using hydraulic spreaders or rams to displace the dashboard and free trapped patients.

The extrication training station was led by Brian Beals and assisted by Trevor Utzig and Chris Rutledge. Brian has earned an outstanding reputation through decades of field experience and a relentless commitment to advancing technical vehicle rescue knowledge and instruction.

Each student group was assigned two vehicles for a 90-minute practical evolution. The training vehicles were four-door passenger cars, with one positioned upright on its wheels and the second inverted on its roof. Students had access to a variety of hydraulic and battery-powered rescue tools from multiple manufacturers, along with stabilization struts, cribbing, and assorted hand tools.

Training began with a review of proper scene size-up procedures and tactical decision-making. Instructors emphasized the importance of contingency planning during every operation, ensuring crews had alternative strategies ready should the primary tactic fail. Because vehicle extrication is highly dynamic and constantly evolving due to changing vehicle construction, materials, and safety systems, adaptability was stressed throughout the exercise.

The class was divided into two teams. One team operated on the upright vehicle while the second began work on the rollover scenario. On the upright vehicle, students reviewed and executed a fifth-door conversion. After completing glass management, rescuers established a purchase point for hydraulic spreaders. The rear door was forced open, and the B-post was severed at both the top and bottom. The front door hinges were then cut, allowing the entire side of the vehicle to be removed as one piece.

The next evolution involved performing a dash roll. Relief cuts were made in the A-post and structural supports behind the front fender. The A-post was notched between the door hinges to create a placement point for the spreaders. Hydraulic force was then applied until the dashboard displaced upward and away from the patient compartment.

Meanwhile, the second team focused on stabilizing the rollover vehicle. Students were encouraged to evaluate multiple stabilization methods and discuss the advantages of each technique. Once both groups completed their initial assignments, they rotated positions and repeated the evolutions on the alternate vehicle configuration.

At the conclusion of the exercise, both teams combined for a final scenario in which they performed both the fifth-door conversion and dash roll on the inverted vehicle. Executing advanced extrication techniques in multiple vehicle orientations reinforced the importance of adaptability and operational proficiency under realistic conditions.

The instructors’ passion for teaching and commitment to hands-on training provided students with invaluable experience and practical skills that will directly translate to real-world emergency response operations.

05/07/2026

Post #4 of 6, Station Charlie, Search & Rescue

Firefighter search and rescue operations in structure fires are among the most hazardous and time-critical tasks in the fire service. These operations focus on locating, protecting, and removing trapped occupants before conditions become unsurvivable. Searches are conducted in environments characterized by zero visibility, extreme heat, rapidly changing fire conditions, and high levels of smoke, often simultaneously with fire suppression and ventilation efforts.

Search operations begin with a thorough size-up and risk assessment. Firefighters evaluate building construction, fire location, occupancy type, fire conditions, and probable victim locations to determine the safest and most effective entry points and search strategy. The first objective is the primary search; a rapid and aggressive operation conducted early in the incident. Primary searches prioritize areas with the highest probability of victim survivability, including bedrooms, hallways, stairwells, and primary exit routes. Even when a primary search yields negative results, firefighters conduct a secondary search once conditions improve and the fire is controlled. This second search is slower and more methodical, ensuring no victims were overlooked during the initial operation.

Several search techniques are utilized depending on building layout, visibility, and fire conditions, Oriented Search: Commonly used in moderate-to-low visibility conditions. An officer or designated team leader remains oriented near the doorway or hallway while search team members systematically search adjoining spaces, maintaining constant contact and accountability. Anchored/Wall Search: Utilized in zero-visibility environments. Firefighters maintain physical contact with a wall or fixed reference point to navigate rooms systematically and prevent disorientation. Split Search: Used when visibility and conditions permit. Team members simultaneously search adjacent rooms before regrouping, increasing search speed while maintaining crew integrity. VEIS (Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search): An aggressive and highly effective tactic primarily used for rapidly searching bedrooms, especially on upper floors. Firefighters vent a window, enter the room, immediately isolate the space by closing the door, conduct a focused search, and exit through the same window. This tactic can significantly improve survivability for both occupants and firefighters by limiting fire and smoke extension into the search area. Wide Area Search: Employed in large commercial or open-floor-plan structures. Teams often utilize search ropes or tag lines to maintain orientation and systematically cover large areas while reducing the risk of becoming lost.

The Search and Rescue training station was instructed by Matt Zander, whose professionalism, dedication, and passion for the fire service were evident throughout the program. Matt has successfully completed some of the profession’s most demanding training programs, including the six-day Indiana Smoke Divers course and the 24-hour One Bad Tour endurance training program. His instruction emphasized proven tactics designed to improve search speed, efficiency, communication, and victim survivability.

The class started by discussing critical operational concepts such as isolating rooms during searches to limit fire and smoke spread, maintaining disciplined communication by transmitting only pertinent information, and reinforcing the mindset that no structure should ever be considered unoccupied until firefighters have personally searched it. Matt also presented real-world incident data underscoring the importance of searching every potentially survivable space and maintaining commitment to rescue operations under challenging conditions.

Participants then applied these concepts in a realistic hands-on training environment consisting of a simulated hallway, bedroom, and nursery. The prop was furnished with realistic household contents, including carpeting and furniture, to replicate conditions commonly encountered during residential fire incidents. Artificial smoke reduced visibility to near zero, creating a realistic operational environment for search training.

During the practical evolutions, students practiced specialized victim search techniques, including conducting a crib dump. A crib dump is a highly effective method used when searching for infants or small children. Firefighters carefully tip the crib toward themselves, bringing all contents including a potential victim safely to floor level. This allows firefighters to quickly locate and remove a child while keeping the victim in the cleanest and coolest air available near the floor. Skills such as these can make the critical difference between life and death during real-world rescue operations.

The training reinforced the importance of discipline, teamwork, communication, and technical proficiency in search and rescue operations. Through realistic scenarios and hands-on repetition, participants gained valuable experience that will directly enhance their effectiveness and safety on the fireground.

05/06/2026

Post #3 of 6, Station Bravo, Thermal Imaging

A thermal imaging camera (TIC) is a specialized thermographic device widely used in the fire service to convert infrared radiation into a visible image. This capability allows firefighters to see through smoke, identify heat sources, and locate the seat of a fire. TICs are also highly effective in detecting the heat signatures of victims, even when obscured by dense smoke, darkness, or structural barriers. During overhaul operations, they are essential for identifying hidden hotspots or smoldering materials that could lead to rekindle.

Despite their value, TICs are often misunderstood or improperly utilized. Training conducted in low-heat or non-realistic environments can create “training scars,” where firefighters develop incorrect expectations of thermal signatures. For example, a warm body in a cool environment presents a vastly different image than one encountered in a high-heat fire environment. This discrepancy underscores the importance of realistic, scenario-based training to ensure proper interpretation and effective use of TICs in real-world conditions.

Thermal imaging cameras play a critical role during a 360-degree size-up, enabling firefighters to assess heat conditions, identify potential fire locations, and detect victims from the exterior prior to entry. This enhances situational awareness and supports more informed tactical decision-making. During the size-up, TICs can reveal thermal anomalies such as hidden basement fires, elevated roof temperatures indicating potential structural compromise, and heat signatures escaping from concealed void spaces. Additionally, TICs are valuable in search and rescue operations outside of structure fires, such as locating ejected victims at motor vehicle crash scenes or finding missing persons in low-visibility conditions.

The thermal imaging training station was led by David Briggs, a highly respected instructor and leader both within the state and beyond. He was assisted by Mike Rebman, whose contributions ensured the station operated efficiently. Students began with an overview of various TIC models and the quality of images they produce, followed by hands-on instruction in adjusting camera settings and understanding how these adjustments affect image interpretation.

Participants then conducted a walk-around of the training tower, receiving practical guidance on performing an effective 360-degree size-up using a TIC. Interior exercises demonstrated the impact of different nozzle types and fire stream applications, with students observing the results in real time through their cameras. Ventilation scenarios were also incorporated, providing immediate visual feedback and reinforcing the relationship between tactical actions and thermal conditions.