The family that fights fire together

ST. HENRY - An area family's history of service with local fire departments is a still-growing legacy centered on caring for and giving back to the community.

Isaac Wendel, a 19-year-old mechanical engineering student at Purdue University-Fort Wayne, is among the third generation of firefighters in his family. The St. Henry native decided to follow in his father's footsteps when he joined the Junior Fire Fighter program at the St. Henry Fire Department in 2018.

"I didn't feel like I was expected to, but it was all I knew," he said.

Joe Wendel, 42, joined the St. Henry Fire Department when son Isaac was just two months old. He had returned to the area after graduating college when he decided to join. Originally from Fort Recovery and now living in St. Henry, Joe Wendel knew joining the force would be a good way to meet new people, and his brother, Dan, and father, Alvin, also were firefighters.

Dan Wendel, 52, said he joined because that's how he grew up. Patriarch Alvin Wendel was fire chief for the Southwest Mercer Fire District and in total served 25 years with the district.

Isaac Wendel's cousin Derek Wendel, 18, joined the Junior Fire Fighting program with the Southwest Mercer Fire District in January 2018 and received his certification in July 2020.

"You're so comfortable with it, and it's just something you want to do," Derek Wendel said. "It's a family thing, I guess. It's something you can do to help the community."

Although Alvin Wendel, 81, Fort Recovery, was resting during the family's interview, his wife, Martha, said he loved his time with the fire department. He even came out of retirement a couple of times in the mid- to late-1970s and again in 1985 because he could't stay away.

Sons Joe and Dan Wendel said their father's heart for service and hard work certainly affected their decisions to join.

"It's a family affair," Joe Wendel said.

The Wendels have responded to everything from barn fires to plane crashes. Joe Wendel recalled one memorable run when he was young where Dan Wendel, another brother and his father responded to a chicken coop fire on Christmas Eve.

It was minus 60 degrees with wind chill factored in, Dan Wendel said, and the first responders were more worried about frostbite than they were about much else.

Martha Wendel said her husband was fire chief at the time, and he made sure to keep a watchful eye on his men for hypothermia or frostbite.

"That's what your dad said he had to watch for more than anything," she said. "Watching his fellow men for frostbite. If their ears were turning red, if their noses were turning red, it was time to get in because the frostbite was coming on so fast."

Dan Wendel said some more memorable scenarios he has responded to includes three plane crashes, water and silo rescues and barn fires where he's had to corral animals who have escaped.

Joe Wendel recalled one of the first big fires he responded to was an explosive fire at Hemmelgarn & Son's egg processing plant in Philothea in 2003.

The fire caused $1.5 million in damages to the plant, and the blaze was so severe Joe Wendel said he was sure they would lose several crew mates. However, no one was injured.

Isaac Wendel said his training as a junior fire fighter included responding to the aftermath of the 2019 Memorial Day tornado in Celina. It was hectic and difficult to navigate because of road closures in the area, he said.

After finally arriving at the Bruns edition, Isaac Wendel said he was surprised to see a row of apartments where half went untouched while the other half had its roof completely ripped off and cars flipped over.

"It kind of reminded me I'm not as strong as I think I am," he admitted.

Dad Joe Wendel said it's in those kinds of situations that they're reminded why they volunteer.

"You're doing your best to find people," he said. "Overall it's about trying to help people, and helping someone on their worst day."

Dan Wendel said he's been with the Southwest Mercer Fire District for more than 38 years and hasn't looked back. The camaraderie and bonds that are formed are irreplaceable, he said, adding that the force is more like a big family rather than just a group of people.

The fire fighting lifestyle can be hard on spouses and families, he continued. Constantly being on-call, having to leave during the middle of the night or missing a holiday to respond to a call can be difficult. However, he said it also can exemplify the strength of the mini-community of a fire department.

Being the spouse of a fire fighter can be difficult, so it's good to be able to lean on other spouses and friends. Martha Wendel agreed, noting she always enjoyed the fire department families getting together for events or cook-outs.

"The fire fighters who go out and do this is one thing, especially in the volunteer service like this," Joe Wendel said. "It takes the whole family. The rest of your family has to be able to put up with what goes on, and then it becomes a family with the department itself, too."

As Isaac Wendel continues his training in the junior fire fighter program, his father said he's proud of his son and his involvement.

"It's one of those things where you don't expect it, but to see your son go through the same thing that you did, it makes you feel good," Joe Wendel said.

"It does make you feel good that you've taught them well," said Dan Wendel, who also has a son who's a fire fighter. "Or they want to follow in your footsteps, knowing that they can help the community, as well."

All told, the firefighting family has close to a combined 186 years of firefighting service. The family got together in the closing months of 2020 with patriarch Alvin Wendel to celebrate the legacy that's gone on strong for three generations.

"It does bring us together," Derek Wendel said of fire fighting. "And we create one big family."

The Wendels said they're able to do what they love thanks to the support they receive not only from their own family, but also from the community.

"The community has to be supportive, and they are. They're very behind (the fire department), and that's always been important," said Martha Wendel.