The Maeystown Rural Fire Protection District will soon be welcoming new leadership, as its fire chief of 28 years steps away from his position – though he’ll still be sticking around to offer his help and knowledge.

Lynden Prange has lived in the rural parts of Monroe and Randolph counties all his life. He was born and raised near Prairie du Rocher and moved north to Fults in 1980.

As he grew up in a farming family, Prange continues that work on his property today, though he’s also worked as a concrete truck driver and even worked part-time for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

One of his biggest passions over the years – ever since he first joined in 1986 – has been Maeystown’s volunteer fire department.

Like many other fire fighters, Prange joined his department after hearing about a need for staffing, though that interest quickly grew and he wound up stepping into his longtime leadership role after becoming one of two members of the team to get thorough training.

“My neighbors were on the fire department, and they asked me to join because they needed firefighters back in 1986 when I got on,” Prange said. “I got on and just developed a love for firefighting. When I went to the firefighter academy, when I graduated, the trustees asked me to be fire chief in 1996, and I agreed. I’ve been chief ever since.”

Though humble, Prange expressed pride at how the department has been able to grow and progress with his help over the years.

Prange recalled the fire office somewhat lacking in equipment in the early days. Today, the fire department is able to keep up-to-date on the tools needed to do their job – getting quality used equipment given their lower revenue compared to other larger fire departments and districts.

Prange also mentioned the department’s training, which has advanced significantly in the nearly three decades he’s served as chief.

While the department in 1986 was only able to send him and another firefighter to the academy, Prange said a vast majority of those in the firehouse are now certified by the academy. Now, two younger individuals on probation with the department are similarly looking to attend in the near future.

Also on the topic of training, Prange noted a training tower completed early last year. The structure – made of two stacked metal cargo containers – has allowed fire department staff to simulate a number of response scenarios.

“I was given a task to be the fire chief back in 1996, and there was a lot of things that we needed to develop at the fire department,” Prange said. “I’m happy to say that we got all those things done.”

Along with the growth of the department, Prange also spoke about the numerous incidents he and his team have had to respond to over the years.

Prange spoke somberly about the many fires he’s seen during his tenure, also recalling a fatal train derailment in Fults in 2019 and an airplane crash in 2015.

“All the structure fires that we had where people lost their belongings and things like that were kind of hard to accept,” Prange said. “Any time you see someone lose their belongings in a fire, it’s a tough thing to do. All the flood fights that we had, helping with sandbagging and evacuation of floods.”

Daniel Mueller, who serves as Maeystown’s first assistant fire chief, spoke fondly of Prange, who he has worked alongside for many years.

Mueller spoke to how the department, particularly the truck fleet, has grown thanks to Prange and the board of trustees.

He also mentioned how impressed he was that Prange managed to find so much time and passion for the department into his life given his other work and his family.

“I got to meet him 35 years ago, and we became friends,” Mueller said. “He’s very committed. We have a lot of things at the firehouse that we would have never had if it wasn’t for him. We’ve come a long way.”

John Valentine, the department’s second assistant chief, also expressed kind words for Prange and his work in the department.

Valentine will be stepping in as the new fire chief when Prange officially leaves the position on May 15.

“He’s done a lot of good for the fire department, and I hope I can continue to do as good a job as he did,” Valentine said. “He’s done a lot, for sure.”

Though he’s hanging up his hat as chief, Prange said he doesn’t plan on completely leaving the district – particularly as the department, like so many others, is struggling to find new recruits.

Prange is, however, looking forward to enjoying more time on the farm and away from all the meetings that are required of a fire chief.

“I just stayed on because I love the job. I love being a firefighter,” Prange said. “I turned 65 last May. I just decided that it’s time to let a younger generation take over.”