By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterJeff Backhaus, chief of the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department, sums up 2013 as a positive year. The department added a new rescue truck, helped raise nearly $50,000 for BackStoppers and successfully completed additional training for new and current members.Backhaus said the department averages around 300 emergency calls per year. Nearly 40 volunteer members respond to calls in Marthasville and surrounding southern Warren County.The department added a 2013 Pierce custom heavy rescue truck to its fleet of four pumpers, three brush trucks, one Kubota multi-use vehicle, two tankers and one Ford Expedition.“The new truck adds the capability of having the group masked up and gives us room to expand as far as carrying more equipment,” said Backhaus. “It also eliminates the guys bringing their own vehicles to the scene.”Rescue Capt. Marvin Leesman said the six-passenger vehicle includes a 30-watt generator and a light tower. The new heavy-duty rescue model is the first of its kind built by Pierce.The department recently voted Willy Irwin as its Firefighter of the Year. Irwin has been with the department for five years.“Willy is outgoing and steps up to the plate when something needs to be done,” said Backhaus. “He’s active and he does what he should.”Irwin said he enjoys learning to maintain and use all the equipment and would encourage other young men in the community to consider joining the department.“I enjoy helping people and giving back to the community,” said Irwin.For the fourth year, the Marthasville department will play an instrumental role in raising money for the BackStoppers organization. BackStoppers helps the families of first responders killed in the line of duty by providing an initial $5,000 to the family, then follows with help in several areas, including insurance, mortgages, tuition or other financial needs.Two families in Warren County are currently receiving support from BackStoppers.This year’s dinner dance fund-raiser will be held Saturday, Feb. 15 at the St. Ignatius Community Center in Concord Hill. Tickets are sold out, but contributions can still be made the Warren County BackStoppers by visiting www.backstoppers.org.“Our goal this year is $60,000,” said Backhaus. “The money serves families in 13 counties in Missouri and five in Illinois.”Jamie Faust, the department’s training officer, said nearly 400 hours of training were scheduled in 2013. Two new members completed the Firefighter 1 and 2, a 16-week program encouraged for all active members.Faust said some of the department’s members will complete a state fire instructor course in 2014 and continue to gain additional state certification.The Marthasville department encourages new members by offering a junior program for teens 16 or older. Backhaus said the junior students train alongside regular members and get valuable selective hands-on training.“We have yielded some pretty good firefighters from this program in the last few years,” said Backhaus.One of the challenges for the department has been the current winter season. Faust said in addition to the challenge of driving vehicles on ice and snow, it also can be very dangerous for the firefighters.“It’s very treacherous to be on a roof and many of our tactics and response changes,” said Faust.In addition to reminding people to keep their flues clean, Faust reminds people who burn wood to be extremely cautious about disposing of hot embers, a problem many departments see entirely too often.“Some people put their ashes in a plastic bucket,” said Faust. “It might be two to three days later when the embers melt through the bucket. Use metal containers and don’t store them in your garage.”“Remember to warm your car outside of the garage,” added Backhaus. “Carbon monoxide is a definite concern. Always keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home.”Backhaus said goals for 2014 include upgrading nozzles and purchasing additional small rescue equipment.To learn more about the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department, visit www.marthasvillefire.org.By the numbers• Nearly 300 emergency calls annually• Nearly 40 volunteer members respond to calls• Fleet contains four pumpers, three brush trucks, one Kubota multi-use vehicle, two tankers and one Ford Expedition.

Since 1928, the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department has served Marthasville and surrounding southern Warren County. The department has three stations, Marthasville, Dutzow and Treloar and has a fleet of 11 fire trucks. Officers for 2014 include, front row, from left, Marvin Leesman, rescue captain; Dan Grafrath, second chief; Jeff Backhaus, chief; Jamie Faust, third chief and training officer; Toni Guenther, treasurer; and Bob Korte, president. Back row, from left, Willy Irwin, first lieutenant, station 1; Tim Maune, first lieutenant, station 3; Steve Schwoeppe, captain, station 3; Mike Niemeyer, second lieutenant, station 2; Jack Lovelace, first lieutenant, station 2; Chatty Hellebusch, captain, station 2; Justin Backhaus, first lieutenant, station 1; Jon Struckhoff, second lieutenant, station 1; and Justen Meyer, captain, station 1. Cindy Gladden photo.