Anderson said another major change is the method of notifying the firemen of a fire call. Back in the early years the "fire whistle blew" and the firemen used to have a "calling tree" service they would use to call each fireman to notify them where the fire was. Then the department had 10 men who had fire phones. Now, all 25 of the firemen on the Clarks Grove Fire Department have pagers through the Freeborn County Radio Matrix for Emergency Response.
Anderson said, "Back when the old fire whistle blew or now when the fire pager goes off it has been my opportunity to serve and protect my community. When the pagers go off, even in the middle of the night, the firemen quickly respond to help their neighbors in need. I am amazed at all the fellow fire fighters and their willingness to help in times of need."
Anderson added, "When fires, tragedies and accidents occur you feel for the people and their loss."
When asked about major events for the fire department over the years, Anderson was quick to explain the department had responded to a number of major calls. The Watonwan Farm Service Elevator exploded from a lightning strike in July of 2007. The local department offered assistance following the tornado in June of 2010 and the ice storm in 1991. The firemen slept at the fire station for five straight days during the ice storm. The last big fire the men responded to was at Peterson Excavating/I 90 Recycling on July 10, 2011. Eleven departments came to douse the pallets with water. The Petersons also had a building that earlier burned in May of 2010; nine departments helped battle that fire.
Anderson also said, "People don't understand all that the volunteer firemen do and how much time it takes out of their lives and away from jobs and their families."
If you think it is tough being a firefighter, try being a firemen’s wife. Anderson said his wife has said Carl has been married to the fire department for more years than he has been married to her.
Anderson said serving on the fire department has made a better person out of him. He also said his family has been very supportive of him being a volunteer firemen.
Anderson graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1970 and is currently 59. Nancy is the daughter of Eddie and Arlene Miller. Nancy has operated a day care center out of their home for 27 years.
The Andersons are the parents of two children. Their daughter, Nyla, is 27, and lives in Clarks Grove and is the mother of a little girl, Camae. Nyla is a school teacher in Albert Lea. Their son Kyle is 25 and works at the Garden Diva Landscape Center.
Anderson plans to retire as chief on January 2, 2012. Dan Smith, a member of the Clarks Grove Fire Department for the past two years, will become the new chief. Smith is also a First Responder. Dale Leeman, who currently serves as assistant chief, will remain in the position.
What does Anderson plan to do with his free time? He hopes to be able to spend more time at the family cabin on Beaver Lake. He will not miss the early morning fire calls, especially during in freezing cold. Anderson worked for Frontier Communications for the last 12 years and plans to continue to serve as a zone technician.
The firemen invite the auxiliary and the city council to their first meeting of the new year, something they have been doing for years, to reminisce a little and say thank you and tell them how much they appreciate what they do. They all enjoy some oyster stew together and play a little dice and cards. This year the firemen are going to hold a Thank You Party for Anderson, prior to the meeting on Monday, January 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Clarks Grove Fire Hall.
