Good Thunder council approves two new volunteer firefighters; department outlines truck plans and grant hopes

The Good Thunder council approved two new volunteer fire department members—James Stemsell and Dylan Doyen—with an effective date listed as 02/17/2026. The decision followed a brief report from a fire department representative who described equipment needs and call activity.

Mitch Froehlich introduced himself to the council and said the department is actively pursuing two vehicles: a rescue truck built on a new chassis with a refurbished ambulance module and a replacement tanker for an aging 1990 unit. Froehlich said the quoted approach—buying a new crew cab chassis and remounting a used ambulance module—appears to fit the town’s budget constraints and should allow the department to stretch local dollars. He said the tanker is a “perfect candidate” for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) should that grant round reopen this fall.

Froehlich reported eight calls for service in February, seven of which were medical calls and one a smoke investigation, and asked the council to confirm new memberships. The council called the motion to approve the two members, the motion was seconded, one opposition was voiced in the record and the motion was recorded as carried; the transcript does not show a complete roll-call tally.

The department’s equipment plan reflects a mix of constrained local budgets and pursuit of outside grants. Froehlich said the townships bearing most of the cost are aware of the department’s short-term plans and that the department will revisit purchases if the grant opportunities do not materialize.

Next steps: the department said it will return with further updates on vehicle quotes and grant outcomes at a future meeting.