Our local fire department can trace its history to the original incorporation of the Village of Stoddard in 1904. With the acquisition of the first piece of fire hose, it wasn’t until 1943 that the organization known as the Stoddard Fire Department first came into existence, with the donation of a truck from a local lumber company to haul hose, ladders, and equipment.  The Department's primary goal was to provide fire protection for the local residences and businesses. 

The Department has changed and grown since then as the community's needs have grown.  In 1978, the Village of Stoddard and the Town of Bergen entered into an agreement to provide fire protection and fire inspection services for the approximately 54 square miles of the Town of Bergen, including the Village of Stoddard and part of the Mississippi River, thus creating the Stoddard-Bergen Volunteer Fire Department.  In 1981, the Department was granted licensure by the State of Wisconsin to start the Stoddard-Bergen First Responders as an entity of the Department.  In 1989, a new station was built and is still in use today.

The Department has seen many individuals volunteer their services and has an active roster of 25 members.  The Department is currently a member of the Vernon County Fire Mutual Aid Association, Vernon County EMS Association, Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois Fire Rescue Association, LaCrosse County MABAS 134, Vernon County MABAS 157, and The Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.  Our primary goal is preserving and protecting life and property for the Village of Stoddard and Township of Bergen, providing EMS services, providing Technical Rescue services, fire prevention, and education toward same, firefighting and suppression, and assisting adjoining Fire Departments where mutual aid agreements exist. 

Fire Fighters believe in God and that he created man to serve his purpose: service to others in his name.
We believe caring for the less fortunate, especially children who suffer from burns and medical emergencies, is our institutional calling.
We are patriots, each willing to serve his country with fidelity and courage. We cherish independence under the law and freedom with responsibility.
We honor family. We respect our parents and family. We instill in our children the tenets of this creed and the heritage from which it emanates.
As individuals, we pledge to integrity, virtue, and nobility of character. Our intentions will be honorable, our relations will be trustworthy, and our spirits will be forgiving of each other.
As brothers and sisters, we offer each other fraternal affection and respect. Together we will support each other in adherence to this creed so that our community and we will be a better place because of our fraternity and its principles.

As Fire Fighters, we look beyond ourselves to serve the needs of others, especially children who cannot help themselves. We believe service to others is the world's greatest philanthropy, and we covenant with each other to support its mission with spirit, time, talent, and means.