Saint John's Volunteer Fire Department

Fire Department

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Saint John's Campus Fire Department

St. John's Fire Department is 70 years old this year.

Saint John's Fire Department is a volunteer fire department, under the direction of The Order of St. Benedict, Inc. Many of the monks of St. John's Abbey are involved in the department, either as active members or consultants. Our chief is now a layperson.

At present the department is headed by Fire Chief Stephen Berhow. He is assisted by over twenty volunteers from the monastic community, students and near-by residents. Training sessions are held twice a month.

The Saint John's Volunteer Fire Department now protects more than fifty buildings and sites spread over the 2,400 acre campus. It also responds to mutual aid calls from the towns of Avon, St. Joseph and Cold Spring. Through the efforts of Bro. John Anderl and subsequent chiefs, Saint John’s Fire Department has been brought up to date. The fire department has been behind the installation of fire alarms, sprinkling systems, hydrants and basic fire fighting equipment in all the campus buildings.

St. John's Fire Department currently has two pumpers, one snorkel truck which reaches 90 feet in the air, one personnel carrier and two grass rigs. Slide show on current aparatus.