The St. Bonifacius Fire Department was officially organized a short time after the incorporation of the village, but the community had some sort of organized fire fighting force before 1904.

About 25 volunteers made up the fire department in the 1920s and 1930s. Then, its equipment consisted of a 1924 four-cylinder Stroughton fire truck with a Waterus pump and two booster tanks. The department also had a hand-drawn cart that carried 300’ of hose.

A siren near the Catholic Cemetery alerted the volunteers of a fire emergency; the alarm was controlled at the telephone office and at two points in each section of the village.

Seven cisterns of approximately 200 to 500 barrel capacities were adequately distributed throughout the village.

The village of St. Bonifacius contributed some funds toward firefighting equipment, but much of it had to be raised by its members. By 1915, the fire department had built a pavilion near Kraemer Park. Fundraising dances took place throughout the year except during winter months.

The fire department of today still has about 25 members.

Currently, Dale Worm is the fire chief; Ron Gothmann is the assistant chief; Jeff Hilgers is first captain; Lee Vanderlinde is second captain; Steve Schmitz is third captain; Shane Weber is fourth captain and a training officer; Jerry Weinzierl is the fifth captain and safety officer; Jeff Connor is first lieutenant; Dan Menth is second lieutenant; Sara Tesch is third lieutenant; Brett Martinson is fourth lieutenant; and Vanessa Martinson is secretary.

Besides providing fire protection to the City of St. Bonifacius, the fire department serves most of Minnetrista, and parts of Laketown and Watertown townships.

The fire department is also looking for new recruits. For more information on the St. Boni Fire Department, contact Worm at (952) 446-1469, or Weinzierl at (952) 446-1264.