The Town of Algoma has had an established fire department since 1939.  In the beginning there was a combined fire department known as the A.N.O.U., representing the combined Towns of Algoma, Nekimi, Oshkosh, and Utica.   The fire truck, which was an Oshkosh Truck Corporation built truck, was housed in the early years at the Winnebago County Garage located on Knapp Street in Oshkosh.   That A.N.O.U. relationship continued until the early 1950's.  The fire truck was then relocated to a garage on Omro Road (where Service Oil now stands), and that truck became the only piece of apparatus for the Town of Algoma at that time.  The alarms were sounded by calling on the telephone.  There were calling assignments for others--usually the ladies of the house.  Radios came a little later and then personal pagers, which are used today.

The Town of Algoma Fire Department maintains a roster of 33 volunteer firefighters.  They meet on the second Wednesday of each month for their business meetings, and drills and training sessions are held biweekly at the fire station.    The fire department project for 2003 is raising funds for updating their self-contained breathing apparatuses.  Anyone interested in joining the fire department, contact Bill Heidemann at 235-8665.

The First Responders Unit was organized in 1997.  At the present time there are thirteen members certified as First Responders.   All of the members are equipped with an emergency bag, equipped with a portable defibrillator, and respond through pager notification to 911 calls.  Because of their proximity within the Town of Algoma, they arrive in advance of the ambulance and are trained to give preliminary aid until arrival of the ambulance crews.

The Town of Algoma Fire Department and the First Responders Unit have fund raisers, such as pizza sales and the annual pancake breakfast in the Fall, as well as the annual picnic on the first Saturday in June, to help with the purchase of equipment.  Watch for these events and help as you are able.