Rhinelander Firefighters Local 1028

10/09/2026

10/02/2026

Do you want to support the fighters this October?

One way you can help local breast cancer patients is by purchasing breast cancer awareness merch from Local 1028's Shopify. Proceeds go directly to local families that are in the fight.

Scan the QR code, or click the link below
https://local1028.myshopify.com/

09/21/2026

So far over 110 orders have been placed on our shopify, with 92 of them already delivered.
We're looking to have $2,000 already raised, well beyond our annual minimum donation.

Place your order today to ensure you get it by October!

Link
https://local1028.myshopify.com/collections/all

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is less than a month away. One local fire department is holding its annual shirt fundraiser for breast cancer patients.

09/13/2026

On Friday, Cass, from campfire coffee and creamery, gave a generous donation

Cass heard about the the good cause of the pink shirt drive and immediately reached out, and offered to donate a generous gift of $250 dollars to the cause!
Thank you Cass! Very much appreciated!

Campfire coffee and creamery, which is joined to the Maytag Laundry across the street from Walmart, is always looking for ways to give back, and word of mouth tends to reach them.

09/12/2026

Yesterday was 9/11.

The on duty crew, with Chief Johnson, was present at a memorial service, which remembered the tragic events and lives lost that day.

We gathered with neighboring townships and their volunteer department members to pay tribute to those who were lost, and to remember the impact that the terrorist attacks had on our country.

As firefighters, we take special considerations to honor the 343 firefighters lost that day.

On every call that first responders respond to, we perform a scene size up, and begin to think through all possible obstacles and ways to overcome them. I can only imagine the thoughts that must’ve been going through the minds of the FDNY firefighters as they climbed the stairs of the towers.
How will evacuation occur above the incident?
How will water supply be managed?
How will medical care be rendered to those who can’t self evacuate?

Whether or not they had a plan to overcome all the issues at hand, they still went towards the call with the attitude of adapting and overcoming whatever was to present itself.

That’s the attitude that firefighters across America revere about those who were lost that day.

The attitude that knew action had to happen first, problems will be solved later.

09/09/2026

Forcing Entry.

Many people see firefighters carry two tools together, known as the “Irons”

These tools are a flat head axe, and a Halligan.

Together, firefighters can use them to compliment each other and force open a large variety of secured access points, allowing us quick and easy entry into structures.

This week, Mike Bernard, was able to drop off a forcible door entry prop, giving us a chance to walk our newest members through forcing doors. Thank you, Mike.

S. Hefter
J. Weigle
A. Arndorfer
J. Kottke
D. Schillinger

09/07/2026

PINK SHIRTS!
October is soon approaching, and Rhinelander is getting ready to show our support.

Local 1028 has their annual pink shirt design up and ready. Many people wanted the Hodag on the design, and our union is presenting our own firefighting Hodag.

The Hodag represents our city’s unique mascot and culture. He’s clothed with firefighting gear, representing the PPE we wear in the job we are tasked with. His shield reads “1028” representing our IAFF local number. He snarls and carries his axe, representing the mental and physical readiness that firefighters need for the demands of the job.

The slogan “supporting the fighters” was inspired by Sarah Berghammer, wife of one of our members. It was a part of a bigger slogan that she appreciated during the midst of her own cancer battle.

Most clothing items will take 7 days to reach your doorstep from the day you purchase it. Any other items are expected to have a little longer fulfillment time.

Some items are not available in pink, as some suppliers do not offer that option.

We invite you to join the pink shirt drive this year. Our on-duty crews will be wearing these shirts in October in support of the cause.

https://local1028.myshopify.com

Thank you
Local 1028

09/05/2026

Yesterday, some very nice families showed up to the station for a tour.

The group was composed of homeschool kids who got a walkthrough of the station from our own homeschooled firefighter, Dolan.

They were very polite and left us a very kind gift which was very much enjoyed 🙂

On duty crew
J. Schmitz
T. Perry
C. Place
D. O’malley
J. Savage

09/02/2026

Vehicle Extrication

Today, Red Crew got out to do their annual vehicle extrication training.

Part of our Job, as FF/Paramedics, includes knowing how to safely approach vehicles, secure the scene/vehicles, make patient contact, and being able to assess and treat life threats while our crew works on freeing a patient from the wreckage.

We are able to utilize battery powered hydraulic tools to do various tasks. We use hydraulic cutters, spreaders, and a hydraulic ram. All these tools help use to safely and efficiently remove victims from entrapment.

Red crew also utilized struts to secure the vehicle, and, in a scenario, lift the weight of a tree (pvc) off of a vehicle.

On duty crew
J. Plautz
J. Weigle
S. Hefter
A. Arndorfer
J. Boehm
D. Schillinger