GVFD has record number of responses in 2024

The 2024 year for the Grant Volunteer Fire Department/Perkins County Ambulance was a busy one, according to Chief Donald Softley.

The department had a record number of responses of 348 incidences handled. The previous highest  number of responses was in 2022 with 305 dispatches.

In 2024, the ambulance answered 296 of the requests for aid, completed 72 distance transfers, 34 Flights for Life, and 243 local, medical, cardiac, and trauma responses and 15 responses to vehicle accidents.

Fire related calls involved a total of 49 incidents where 24 were to structure fires, grass fires and vehicle fires within the fire district as well as three hazardous material responses and one rescue operation response. Additionally, the fire department provided mutual aid to 21 situations.

The 2025 officers were recently elected for the department, which are as follows: Chief Donald Softley, Assistant Chief Fred Reichert, Senior Captain Scott Knoles, Ambulance Captain Chasity Knoles, President Rick Dreiling, Vice-President Travis Ogg, Secretary Brandon Lampmann, and Treasurer Matt Deaver.

Elected to serve on the Board of Directors were Casandra Jooste who joins Jason Noyes and Rick Ochsner. Appointed Fire Captains for the 2025 year were Bryan Kroeker and Rick Dreiling, and Fire Lieutenants were Jason Noyes and Travis Ogg. Appointed Ambulance Lieutenants were Travis Ogg and Mathew Deaver.

Current members of the GVFD are: Jacob Newth, Kevin Chavira, Rick Ochsner, Donald Softley, Casandra Jooste, Carol Ann Van Lieu, Brent Deaver, Rick Dreiling, Jason Noyes, Matt Deaver, Dwight Wiebe, Garret Thompson, Chasity Knoles, Bryan Kroeker, Fred Reichert, Scott Knoles, Cedric Unruh, John Van Lieu, Brandon Lampmann, Eric Einspahr, Caleb Ensz, Talmor Von Rensburg, and Travis Ogg.