History

MFFD_Patch-Positive-removebg-previewBrowse through our timeline pages to learn about the history of the MFFD.

Please note that terms "fireman" and "firemen" are used throughout these pages to be historically accurate. To be more inclusive and to better reflect today’s fire service, we transitioned to the use of the gender-neutral term “firefighter" many years ago.

  • 1894 to 1929 - Starts with the first meeting of Menomonee Falls Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.
  • 1930 to 1946 - The new Municipal Building that was our home for the next 85 years through the war years.
  • 1947 to 1956 - The post-war years through the last of the Town of Menomonee/Village of Menomonee Falls years.  
  • 1957 to 1971 - 1957 was a transitional year for the Village of Menomonee Falls and the MFFD.
  • 1972 to 1998 - The era of the first full-time Fire Chief.
  • 1999 to 2008
  • 2009 to 2019
  • 2020 to Present

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Learn about specific historical eras using the tabs below:

  1. Past Chiefs
  2. Apparatus History
  3. EMS History
  4. Major Incidents
  5. Honor Roll

The Menomonee Falls Fire Department has had 25 Chiefs throughout its history, with the last five being full-time. As you will notice, some served more than once, as this used to be an elected position.

  • 1894 to 1895 John HuebnerPast Chiefs Filler
  • 1895 to 1897 Frank E. Bast
  • 1898 to 1901 John Huebner
  • 1904 to 1905 F. Koehler
  • 1905 to 1912 Joel Hoos
  • 1912 to 1912 Charles Horn
  • 1912 to 1913 Joel Hoos
  • 1913 to 1914 Al Mittelstaedt
  • 1914 to 1917 Joel Hoos
  • 1917 to 1920 Fred Thomas
  • 1920 to 1922 Charles Schlafer
  • 1922 to 1923 William Riesch
  • 1923 to 1925 Dr. A.M. Haushalter
  • 1925 to 1928 Adelard Girouard
  • 1928 to 1932 Elmer Bast
  • 1933 to 1954 Arnold Droese
  • 1954 to 1954 Robert Johnston
  • 1954 to 1962 Joseph Riehle
  • 1963 to 1969 Alfred Arnold
  • 1970 to 1971 Robert Maas
  • 1972 to 1998 John Fulcher
  • 1998 to 2009 Robert Coon
  • 2009 to 2013 Jeffrey S Hevey
  • 2014 to 2019 James Mollet
  • 2020 to present Gerard Washington