New MFD Ranger honors Richmond Kromminga


Members of the Kromminga family were on hand March 25 at the MFD for the dedication of a ranger in memory of Richmond Kromminga. From left are Deanna Chapman, Kris Riley, Bob Arduser, Sara Larson, Taryn Fellinger, and Christi Kromminga. Back row, Karson Kromminga, Mike Riley, Greg Kromminga, Jon Larson, Kaci Simon, and Tanner Fellinger. At right are Chief Joe Bayne and Assistant Chief Billy Norton. (Photo by Kim Brooks)

A Polaris Ranger was recently donated to the MFD by Greg Kromminga, owner of Kromminga Motors, in memory of his brother, Richmond Kromminga, a former firefighter.
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     “I wanted to help out. This is for Rich’s love for what he did down there. When you volunteer, it’s a good feeling. He had so many friends and comrades over the years.”

   Greg Kromminga, owner of Kromminga Motors, shared those sentimental words about his late brother, Richmond Kromminga.

   Richmond served on the Monticello Fire Department from 1995 to 2005. He sadly lost his life in June 2005 from an ultralight crash.

   Richmond served the Monticello community in many ways: the Monticello Fire Department, Monticello Chamber of Commerse, and the Great Jones County Fair. He was also co-owner of Kromminga Motors with his brother. He worked with his dad, Art, and brother for 22 years.

   On March 25, as the MFD held their retired firefighters’ supper, they invited the family of Richmond Kromminga to attend the dedication of a Polaris Ranger 1,000XP. Kromminga graciously donated the vehicle to the department in memory of his brother.

   The MFD has been in need of a ranger for a couple of years now. Chief Joe Bayne has been actively pursuing grant opportunities to help offset the cost.

   “A lot of departments, the majority have apparatuses like this,” he said, noting such fire departments as Cascade, Epworth, and Farley.

   This ranger will be fitted with a high-pressure system skid unit, with a tank and pump, and a place for a Stokes (patient) basket.

   Bayne said the ranger is needed for brush and timber fires, places where a pickup truck can’t get to.

   “Pickups limit our access,” he said.

   The ranger can sit two firefighters, side-by-side.

   If needed, the MFD can haul a patient if the need arises during a water/ice rescue.

   Bayne said the department was able to find the skid unit locally off a wrecked unit, saving the MFD about $6,000.

   “This is all a good deal for us,” remarked Bayne. “We’re more excited to put it in use. It’ll make things better for the department.”

   Kromminga said the MFD inquired about the cost of a ranger a year ago for use on a grant application. He said knowing his business had a good year, he decided to donate $10,000 to help defray the cost.

   “I gave it toward their purchase,” he said.

   As time went on, Kromminga said no one was hearing about the grant opportunities.

   “It was a waiting game. I didn’t think a grant would take this long.”

   That’s when Kromminga chose to donate the ranger in memory of Richmond.

   “Because of his length of service,” he said. “Those are his comrades in arms. He was very community minded.”

   As luck would have it, Kromminga Motors received a shiny red ranger, perfect for the MFD fleet. Kromminga said now, you couldn’t order a red one if you tried.

   “This will save them time and manpower,” Kromminga said. “It has a lot of power. It’ll go where a truck can’t.”

   Kromminga said he’s happy to donate to such a worthy cause.

   “For Greg to do something like this for the community is huge,” thanked Bayne. “It’ll get used.”

   Many of the firefighters Richmond served with on the department have retired or gone off, Bayne said. Honoring him during the retired firefighters’ dinner was a chance to gather in his memory once more.

   “It’s a way to always remember him,” he said.

   The hood of the ranger bears a Maltese cross with the #30, Richmond’s service number.

   “He had a lot of good friends here…”

 

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