Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Dept

03/13/2026

Winter Storm Advisory – Community Safety Message

The Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department would like to make residents and visitors aware of a significant winter storm expected to impact our area beginning late Saturday night early Sunday morning. Current forecasts indicate the potential for over 24 inches of heavy wet snow accompanied by strong winds, which may create extremely hazardous travel conditions, drifting snow, and severely reduced visibility.

Due to the combination of heavy snow and strong winds, power outages are very likely. Residents are encouraged to prepare now by ensuring they have adequate supplies, including food, water, medications, batteries, and safe sources of heat.

During extended outages, please be mindful of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly.

Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or propane heaters inside homes, garages, or enclosed spaces.
Do not operate vehicles inside garages, even if the garage door is open.
Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
As a precaution, the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department will be staffing the station throughout the storm to ensure we can respond as quickly as possible. However, residents should be aware that heavy snowfall, drifting, downed trees, and power lines may significantly delay or even prevent emergency responders from reaching certain areas during the height of the storm.

Residents who live on outlying or difficult-to-access roads should consider making arrangements ahead of the storm. If you have serious medical conditions, rely on electrical medical equipment, or may not be able to stay warm safely during an extended power outage, you may want to consider temporarily relocating before the storm arrives.

To assist community members who may need a warm place or assistance, the fire station on Mill Road will be open to the public Sunday through Monday and longer if needed.

Your safety is our priority. We encourage everyone to monitor updates and statements from Door County Emergency Management for the latest information regarding this storm.

Please take this storm seriously, prepare early, and check on neighbors—especially those who may need extra assistance. If you know people that live on dead end or single access roads please talk to them about this situation.



Stay safe and if you can, please share this post

Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department

02/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Structure Fire, Liberty Grove, Door County

Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department
Authored by Fire Chief Mike Goldstone
February 9, 2026

At approximately 12:58 a.m. on February 9, 2026, the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 10685 County Road ZZ in the Town of Liberty Grove.

Initial reports indicated a workshop that was fully involved in fire, with flames spreading to surrounding trees. Upon arrival, first-in units confirmed that a 20-foot by 50-foot, single-story private workshop was fully involved, with no walls or roof structure remaining. Fire suppression efforts were further complicated by large stacks of cordwood located around the exterior of the building, which had also ignited.

Firefighters deployed an aerial fire apparatus to gain rapid control of the fire, which was brought under control within approximately 15 minutes. Crews then completed a thorough overhaul operation using handlines to ensure all remaining hot spots were extinguished. All units were back in service by 4:30 a.m.

The Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department was assisted by neighboring agencies through the MABAS system, including the Ephraim, Baileys Harbor, Gibraltar, Egg Harbor, and Jacksonport Fire Departments. Additional support was provided by Door County Emergency Medical Services and the Door County Sheriff’s Department.

Due to the extensive damage sustained by the structure, the cause of the fire could not be determined.

While no injuries were reported, the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department recognizes the significant loss of property involved in this incident. We extend our sincere sympathy to the property owner. Losses like this are never easy, and our thoughts are with those affected as they begin the process of recovery. The department remains grateful for the cooperation of our partner agencies and the continued support of the community we are proud to serve.

For additional information, please contact the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department.

01/31/2026

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the entire community for your love, support, and caring to the Hecht Family and large family of Public Safety in Door County and beyond over the past 2 weeks. Chief Hecht was truly a blessing to the entire community. His absence will be felt forever, reaching farther than we could ever imagine. Words could never suffice to explain how special Chief Hecht was to so many people.

We would like to acknowledge and thank several Agencies, organizations, and local businesses for their assistance, going above and beyond. We had Public Safety Agencies showing up to show their support and mourn with us, Honor Guard organizations helping us coordinate how we would pay our tributes, Law Enforcement assisting with traffic during the procession, Fire Departments coming from out of the County to provide coverage during the service, and Local Restaurants providing food for a gathering at our station after the service, and so much more. It took a community.

Sturgeon Bay Fire and Police Honor Guard
Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Honor Guard
Door County Fire Chiefs
Washington Island Fire & Rescue INC.
Ephraim Firefighters Association
Gibraltar Fire - Rescue Association Inc.
Baileys Harbor Fire and Rescue
Egg Harbor Fire Department
Jacksonport Fire Dept
Sturgeon Bay Fire Department
Nasewaupee Fire Department
Southern Door Fire Department
B.U.G. Fire Department
Door County EMS
Door County Sheriff's Office
Sturgeon Bay Police Department
Gibraltar Police Department
Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC
New Franken Fire Department
Wrightstown Fire Department
Ledgeview Fire Department
Algoma Fire and Rescue
Casco Fire Department
MABAS Division 112
MABAS Division 138
Door County Communications Center
Door County Incident Support Team
Door County Highway Department
Town of Liberty Grove
Liberty Grove Historical Society
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church
Uniform Shoppe of Green Bay
Country Acres Services
Kristi Appel and Anne Alberts
Mink River Basin
Bea's Ho-Made Products
Al Johnson's
Klauds Kitchen
Thyme Restaurant and Catering
Alexanders Restaurant
Door County Piggly Wiggly

The best thing we can do as we carry forward is to live in a way that Chris Hecht would be proud of and what he knew we are very capable of doing: Door County doing what Door County does best.

Rest Easy, Chief. We'll take it from here.

(Photo credit: Henriksen Fisheries)

01/30/2026

Today, along with the Hecht family and the community, our service begins the process of saying our final goodbyes to a true pillar of the community.
Chris Hecht was a staple of Door County Emergency Services for over 30 years. He was a relentless advocate for all of his patients and their families. His compassion and empathy never wavered, always making his patients know he truly cared for their wellbeing. He never sought recognition, and frankly became a master at avoiding it over the years, he was a quiet professional. The standard that he set will be hard to emulate. Chris continued to build this service as those before him did, leaving it better than he found it.

Chris’ dedication to Emergency Services, Sister Bay Liberty Grove Fire, and the community was unrivalled. Chris was selfless in every sense of the word. More impressive than that was his dedication to his family. He was a very proud husband and father. Somehow, Chris proved it is possible to be dedicated to protecting the community, while still honoring the commitment to his family.

We would fail trying to list all of Chris’ accomplishments, and he wouldn’t appreciate it anyway. Instead, we would like to leave you with the some of the lessons Chris has imparted:

1. Honor, value, cherish your family. Always be present with them.
2. Serve your patients. Be their advocate.
3. Dedication to your department is important, but understand and accept there will be peaks and valleys to this.
4. Serve selflessly.

Losing Chris hurts. To honor him, learn from his lessons, and work to put them in practice in your life.

May Chris rest in peace.

From all of us at Door County Emergency Services

01/28/2026

Parking Plan: Chris Hecht Funeral

Please see the attached parking plan at the Shepherd of the Bay Church for Thursday and Friday's services planned for Chief Chris Hecht.

Civilian attendees: There will be parking available in both the Church parking lot, and across the street at the Liberty Grove Historical Society. Snow removal crews have cleared extra parking space at the Church and have cleared the snow off the grounds at LGHS. There will be parking attendants present to assist you in parking and DCSO will have deputies assisting in traffic flow. We will have shuttle buses running to bring people to the doors of the church being used for visitation entrance, to limit exposure to the cold.

Fire Department Attendees: If you are participating in the procession following the service with fire apparatus, please line up your apparatus on Humbug Road, entering from Highway 42 directly to the North of the Church entrance. There will be a Staging Officer present to check you in and guide you. If Humbug Road becomes full, we will park overflow apparatus on Hanson Dr, across the highway from the Church. Uniformed Personnel may then check in upstairs at the Church in the Honor Guard staging area for information regarding the walk-through. We will not be using the North SBLGFD Station for apparatus staging as originally indicated.

Thank you

01/21/2026

Complete Obituary and Full Service Details for Chief Chris Hecht are now available:

https://www.caspersonfuneralhome.com/obituary/Christopher-Hecht

All services will take place at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, 11836 State Highway 42 Ellison Bay, WI 54210

Visitation

Thursday
January 29, 2026
3:00 PM to 6:45 PM

Friday
January 30, 2026
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Funeral Service

Friday
January 30, 2026
11:00 AM

Uniformed personnel will be participating in a ceremonial walk-through on Thursday, January 29th at 6:45 PM and on Friday, January 30th at 10:30 AM. This walk-through is open to any local and visiting departments.

There will be remote parking available with a shuttle service provided for visiting department apparatus at the Sister Bay Liberty Grove North Fire Station located at 1487 State Highway 42 Ellison Bay, WI.

An Emergency Vehicle procession will take place from the Church to the Funeral Home following the service. This procession will be open to both local and visiting departments.

A gathering for visiting and local departments will take place immediately following the Funeral Service at the Sister Bay Liberty Grove South Station located at 2258 Mill Road Sister Bay, WI. This will provide an opportunity for people to gather and share stories about Chris. Numerous local businesses and restaurants have stepped up to provide food and refreshments to be served at this gathering.

We understand that all details are not yet present in this post. We will be posting parking maps, procession routes, and further details as they become available in the coming days.

We thank you for all your condolences for the family over recent days. Your kind words have meant so much.

View Christopher C. Hecht's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

01/20/2026

It Is with profound sadness that the Sister Bay Liberty Grove Fire Department announces the passing of recently retired Fire Chief Chris Hecht on Monday January 19th, 2026.

Chief Hecht was a member of this department for 33 years, serving as Chief for 24 years until this past September. Chief Hecht lead this department with incredible strength and wisdom. He supported not only every single person on this department but the entire community.

Please join us in expressing our deepest condolences to Chief Hecht's family.

Funeral arrangements have been announced as follows:
-Thursday, January 29 Visitation 3-7 PM
-Friday, January 30 Visitation 9-10:45 AM
-Friday, January 30 Funeral at 11 AM

We will share more details via Facebook for departments who may want to attend to show their respect as soon as that information is available.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time.

https://www.caspersonfuneralhome.com/obituary/Christopher-Hecht

12/05/2025

Congratulations to Fire Chief (Ret.) Christopher Hecht for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from WEMSA

Chris was nominated by multiple persons and we feel that this award was more than deserved. Chris devoted his life and career to helping those in need both in Fire and EMS. Congratulations again for making such a positive difference to so many people throughout your career.

https://www.wisconsinems.com/news/the-wisconsin-ems-association-announces-excellence-in-service-awards-for-2025