The new year brings some new changes to the Ventura Fire Department (VFD). The department has acquired a new tanker-tender truck and there is a new lineup of officers, including a new fire chief.
Darryl Heinemann will replace John Quintus as the new fire chief. Quintus, who works at CL Tel, has served as chief since 2009. Quintus joined the department in 1992 and will continue to volunteer.
“I have the utmost respect for John and have learned so much from him. He is a natural leader and I will continue to look up to him and look to him for advice,” said Heinemann “We’re all glad he’s staying and will continue to be a mentor to all of us.”
Heinemann, who works at Woodford Lumber and Home, has been with the department since 1999. As a member of the VFD, he has served as a lieutenant, captain and assistant chief
“I can’t think of a better person to take over as chief,” said Quintus. “Darryl is kind, thoughtful and intelligent. He is also a very calm and level headed person. He will bring great leadership to the department.”
Heinemann said he is glad to help people when they’re having their worst days and that he enjoys being a part of a team of diverse talents and personalities. “Everyone knows what needs to be done and they work well together,” said Heinemann.
Other new leaders to the department include Jake Whitehurst, assistant chief; Robert Black, captain; Matt Schroeder, lieutenant; and Bruce Cook, lieutenant.
The tanker-tender is the third apparatus the department has bought from Toyne, Inc., a fire apparatus manufacturer in Breda, Iowa. The tanker-tender is a stainless steel body mounted on a Freightliner M2 106 two-door chassis. It is powered by a Cummins ISL9 360 HP engine. The new truck replaces a 1984 tanker-truck that held 1,000 gallons of water. The new truck holds 2,400 gallons and fills very quickly.
“Since most of our fires are rural or on the south side of the lake, there are no hydrants, so the tanker-tender is very important,” said Heinemann. “We also assist Clear Lake and other communities when extra water is needed. It’s important to have enough water on hand for any fire.”
The truck also features a monitor and joy stick which allows the driver to drive along a ditch and put out a fire with no other firemen needed.
VFD is also proud of their search and rescue boat. Firemen Jim Sholly and Matt Schroeder designed rigging and a monitor system that is state-of-the-art for body detection in water. The department has been called out to other locations to aid in search and rescue incidents.
“As the new chief I want to build on everything that John has started and improve what I can,” said Heinemann.
