Longtime Creighton firefighter Dwayne Wenger is still getting used to being called ‘chief’.
Wenger, who has served with the department for 19 years, was named as chief of the Creighton Volunteer Fire Department in August, replacing outgoing stalwart Rob Larocque.
“When I first started, I was a firefighter. It was about five or six years afterward when I became a captain. I’d been a captain ever since, until this summer,” he said.
Wenger can still recall how he got involved with the department.
“I had a few friends who were on here. They talked me into it. I like to help too,” he said.
The 20-member department has changed a bit since Wenger first donned turn-out gear. The department has grown in scope over the years, becoming involved with community groups and events.
“We help out with the community quite a bit,” said Wenger, adding, “It’s just a good group of guys here. They’re good to be around.”
At the same time, the department’s own emergency duties have changed. Instead of solely focusing on fires or community emergency calls, fire department members have taken on an expanded role with vehicle extrications, being called to help in situations down Highways 106 and 167.
“We just started doing vehicle extrications maybe eight, nine years ago. We don’t get a lot of calls for those, but when you do, they’re not good,” said Wenger.
When asked if the department would undergo any major changes with him at the head, Wenger said things would continue on as before. He said his goals for the department are to update the department’s maintenance records and continue training members.
“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing and moving along. I’m not looking at making any huge changes. I’ve got a good group of guys working underneath me and we’ll just try to make them better,”
he said.
