Wood Volunteer Fire Department

04/24/2026

The Grass Mountain fire, “FB 17”, 4-23-2026. Video by Chuck Kierstead.

04/24/2026

Non stop the past couple of days. 🔥
Wednesday, 5:30 pm mutual aid was requested to Upper Cut Meat by Rosebud. We were turned around just to get a call at 7 pm for the Bauman fire in Jackson County.
Some of the crew didn’t roll back in until 2 am. 😴

Thursday morning, 9 am, right back out the door! Rosebud BIA asked for mutual aid at the Grass Mountain fire. Along with sending our tanker back to the Bauman fire…

Little sleep, long hours, no questions asked…
This is the kind of crew that shows up every single time, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their dedication to helping communities. ❤️

04/02/2026

It’s me again!! I decided I wanted to advance my scope of practice, so I took an Advanced EMT course.

This certification expands the scope of practice from EMT to include skills such as starting IVs, IO access, and administering additional medications in the field.

After completing the required coursework, testing, and ride time with Rosebud Ambulance… I took the National Registry qualifying exam yesterday and
passed.

I look forward to helping the community with these skills! I also want to thank the guys at the fire department who are the ones that nudged me into starting my EMS career.

Next step… Paramedic? 👀🚑

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

Thursday evening, we sent a truck to assist with this fire as mutual aid. Please keep all firefighters involved in your thoughts and prayers as they try to get a hold on this fire.

Friday evening update: “Looking much better, but we don’t know what tomorrow could bring,” said Valentine Fire Chief Terry Engles Friday evening, describing the wildfire burning south of Kilgore and Valentine.
Authorities now estimate the fire has burned between 5,500 and 5,600 acres. Crews are expected to work through the night again as they continue efforts to contain the fire. An airplane has also been brought in to help.
Friday morning update: A plane is on the way to help battle the fire south of Kilgore/Valentine. Authorities estimate the fire has burned 4,000 to 5,000 acres.
Area homeowners tell us that one house has been lost in the Amish community, and another nearby house is damaged.
According to Nebraska 511, Highway 97 is now reopened after the fire forced its closure.
Thursday night: The fast-moving fire south of Kilgore is now headed towards the area of The Prairie Club and CapRock Ranch. Cherry County's emergency manager says evacuations are underway.
Crews from around 18 different departments are helping fight the fire. How can you help? Those crews need food and drinks, especially breakfast tomorrow morning. You can drop those off at the Valentine or Kilgore Fire Departments, but please call ahead to coordinate.
According to Nebraska 511, Highway 97 is closed between mile marker 104 and 127 (15 to 33 miles south of the Valentine area).

02/25/2026

We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our fire department at our fundraiser! It means a lot to us to know we have such an amazing community supporting us.

🥩 Beef raffle winners were, Matt Hight, Jr Husman, Duane Mednansky, and Stevie Nickels.
🔫 Gun Raffle winners were, Race Roberts, Forrest Lewis, Jerry Schwarting, Justin Mednansky, and Bryce Bohnet.
💆‍♀️ Spa raffle winners were, Ali Kingsburry for the spa package, and Jennie Harter for the massage by Lexy Colombe.
🎣 For the fishing trip, Dominic Harmon was the lucky winner!
And to Top it off, for our first responder raffle, with the engraved Henry Golden Boy, was Calvin Hight!

02/20/2026

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow night! Come warm up, fill your plate, and help support the Wood Fire Department at our benefit fundraiser. Don’t forget all first responders can throw their name in the hat for a drawing on an engraved Henry Golden Boy!

02/12/2026

🎟️ FIRST RESPONDER RAFFLE! 🎟️
Any first responder that comes to our fundraiser, Saturday February 21st, gets an automatic entry into a raffle for a Henry Golden Boy 22.
Raffle is limited to first responders only, 1 entry per person. Must be present to get an entry!
👮‍♀️👨‍🚒👨‍⚕️🚒🚑🚓

12/24/2025

Wishing our community a safe and Merry Christmas from the Wood Volunteer Fire Department! 🎄🚒
🔥 Fire safety reminder: Keep candles attended, space heaters clear, and unplug holiday lights when not in use.
And don’t forget the reindeer treats! 🍪🎅🏼🥕

12/21/2025

Here are our other raffles that the Wood Volunteer Fire Department is doing this year!
Huge thank you to Lisa Harter for her creativity in making these flyers!
Get ahold of a fire department member, or message the page to get in on these raffles. 👍🏼