(Bridgewater, IA) – The Bridgewater Firefighters Association, Incorporated is beginning fundraising efforts to pay for a side by side, UTV (Utility Terrain Unit) grass/brush fire fighting unit. In recent years, the number of grass, brush, and field fires that the Bridgewater Fire Department has responded to, has significantly increased. In 2025, 21 of our 36 calls (nearly 60%) were grass/brush/field fires.
UTV fire fighting units offer superior accessibility to remote, narrow, steep and soft terrain that conventional fire trucks cannot reach, and they significantly enhance the initial attack capabilities, and fire suppression speed. They provide a cost-effective, maneuverable, and highly customizable solution in fighting wildland, grass, brush, and field fires.
Grass/field/brush fires can be difficult to access, control, and suppress due to their remote locations in inaccessible areas for our 4×4 pickup units and larger fire trucks. Firefighters are sometimes tasked with carrying backpack sprayers or leaf blowers to remote fire lines. The UTV firefighting unit would provide increased water capacity while providing greater accessibility to timber ground, remote and rough field areas.
Members have done extensive research and comparisons on available UTV’s and UTV fire fighting skid units. A government bid, turnkey option that we first researched, was more than 40% higher in cost than the unit the Bridgewater Firefighters have decided upon. The 2025 Honda Rancher 1000 UTV has necessary options of half doors, front and rear windshields, winch and is equipped with a UTV65 WaterMule fire skid unit. The department hopes to raise approximately $28,000 for this project. The Honda UTV and the firefighting skid unit along with a trailer will be funded by this campaign. While not being over-the-top, we feel that this is a practical option for the department.
It has been 19 years, (2007) since the Bridgewater Firefighters have fundraised for the department. We have been blessed with ongoing, regular contributions and funding to maintain the department with our five fire responding units.
The department is dedicated to purchasing the best unit available within the financial means of the department, always keeping members safety foremost in mind. Training on this new unit will be necessary before the unit is put into service.
The Bridgewater Fire Department currently has 20 active volunteer members on the department. They include: Daryl Christensen, chief; Carl Ford, first assistant chief; Chad Herr, second assistant chief; Dean Stormer, secretary; Douglas Miller, treasurer/communications; Connor Blazek, Corey Christensen, Warren Evans, Roger Frese, Stan Frese, Luke Meisenheimer, Jesse Smith, Michael Stender, Jeff Thompson, Kyle Thompson, Chuck Williams, Derek Williams, Devin Williams, Robert J. Wyllie, and Jade Zimmerline.
These volunteer members are unpaid and uncompensated. We are grateful for their dedication and service.
The department is asking for donations at this time. The Bridgewater Firefighters Association, Incorporated is a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. Donations are appreciated and may be mailed to:
Bridgewater Firefighters Association, Incorporated
P.O. Box 130
Bridgewater, Iowa 50837
Donations may also be given to any Bridgewater Firefighter, or, dropped off at any of the following locations:
- Bridgewater Tires and More
- Bridgewater Café
- KC’s Tavern
- Union State Bank locations in Bridgewater , Greenfield, Corning, or Adair
- FNB Bank locations in Fontanelle, Greenfield, Massena, or Anita
The department has historically received tremendous past support and we are grateful for this. Every contribution, big or small, helps contribute to our fundraising efforts. Thank you for any support you may provide.
