Protecting Wayzata with Pride and Dedication

The Wayzata Fire Department, a vital pillar of our community since its founding in 1893, has been keeping our city safe for over a century. Situated on Rice Street, in downtown Wayzata, the department’s bright red fire trucks are a familiar sight, but it’s the dedicated men and women behind the wheel who are the true heart of this organization.
Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich is pictured. Submitted photo.
Unlike larger city departments, Wayzata’s fire service is made up almost entirely of volunteer firefighters—local residents who respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. These brave volunteers protect our homes and businesses from fire, respond to medical calls, and handle a wide variety of emergency situations, from hazardous material incidents to rescues on Lake Minnetonka.

Serving as a volunteer firefighter in Wayzata is no small task, but the department is always looking for dedicated, community-minded individuals to join its ranks. If you’ve ever felt the call to serve, now is the time. The department offers extensive training and certification, ensuring that volunteers are well-prepared to handle the challenges of firefighting and emergency response. No previous experience is necessary—just a commitment to keeping Wayzata safe and a willingness to respond when the call comes in.
The Wayzata Fire Department hosts regular recruitment events and informational meetings, where potential volunteers can learn about the responsibilities and rewards of joining the force. As a volunteer, you’ll gain invaluable skills, camaraderie, and the opportunity to give back to the community in a way few other roles allow. Not only will you become a vital part of a well-respected organization, but you’ll also build lifelong connections with fellow firefighters and community members.

In addition to firefighting, the department is also active in local events and education, offering fire safety presentations at schools, leading the annual Fire Department Open House during James J. Hill Days, and hosting the popular pancake breakfasts to raise funds for the Wayzata Fire Relief Association.
For those interested in learning more about volunteering, the Wayzata Fire Department encourages you to stop by the fire station, attend a recruitment event, or visit their website for application details. Becoming a volunteer firefighter is a rewarding way to serve the community and carry on the department’s proud tradition of service.
Join the team that keeps Wayzata safe—because when fire strikes, our town relies on neighbors helping neighbors.
600 Rice Street
Wayzata, MN 55391
952-404-5337
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Wayzata Fire Department Pancake Breakfast Set for Sept. 20
The Wayzata Fire Department will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 20, at Wayzata City Hall, 600 Rice St. E. Firefighters will serve pancakes, French toast and sausage, along with coffee and juice. The morning will also include a raffle and an opportunity for visitors to see fire trucks…
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Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation at Wayzata West Middle School
Students and staff were evacuated from Wayzata West Middle School Thursday morning after an electrical fire broke out in a first-floor bathroom. No students or staff members were injured in the Sept. 17 fire at the school, 149 Barry Ave. N. Two adults were evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation and released by…
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Wayzata Fire Department Welcomes New 110-Foot Ladder Truck
The Wayzata Fire Department has placed a new 2026 Pierce Ascendant 110-foot ladder truck into service, replacing a ladder truck that had served the department for approximately 30 years. The new apparatus brings greater reach, increased water capacity and improved maneuverability for firefighters responding throughout Wayzata. Despite having a longer ladder, the Pierce has a…
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Wayzata Swears In Kevin Klapprich as First Full-Time Fire Chief, Presents Lifesaving Award
The Wayzata City Council marked a milestone in the city’s public-safety history Tuesday, Aug. 5, formally swearing in Kevin Klapprich as Wayzata’s first full-time fire chief and recognizing him with a Lifesaving Award. Klapprich officially began serving in the full-time position June 29, following 47 years with the Wayzata Fire Department and approximately 20 years…
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Wayzata Neighborhoods Gather Tonight for Night to Unite
WAYZATA, MN — Neighbors across Wayzata will gather for block parties, cookouts and community activities tonight as the city celebrates its annual Night to Unite tradition. The event runs from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at registered neighborhood gatherings throughout Wayzata and Long Lake. The community has participated in Night to Unite for more than…
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Kevin Klapprich Named Wayzata’s First Full-Time Fire Chief
The City of Wayzata and the Wayzata Fire Department have announced the appointment of Kevin Klapprich as Wayzata’s first full-time fire chief, effective June 29, 2026. Klapprich has served with the Wayzata Fire Department since 1978 and has been fire chief since 2006. His move into the newly created full-time position marks a significant milestone…
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Wayzata City Council Advances Financing for New Fire Department Ladder Truck
The Wayzata City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 855 and adopted Resolution No. 03-2026, advancing the financing plan for the city’s next fire department ladder truck—a major public safety investment nearly four years in the making. The actions authorize the issuance and sale of General Obligation Equipment Certificates, Series 2026A, to fund the…
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Hundreds Turn Out for Wayzata’s Annual City Showcase
WAYZATA — Hundreds of residents gathered outside Wayzata City Hall on Monday evening for the annual City of Wayzata Showcase, a lively community event celebrating the city’s departments, public safety teams, and local services. Held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 600 Lake Street East, the event transformed the City Hall and public works campus into a…
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Three New Firefighters Sworn In, Bringing Wayzata Fire Department to 27 Members
The Wayzata Fire Department welcomed three new firefighters — James Botham, Mickey Leius, and Cooper Rasmus — during a swearing-in ceremony at the October 7, 2025, City Council meeting. Their appointments bring the department’s active roster to 27 of 30 authorized positions. Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich introduced each recruit as Interim City Manager Mike Kelly…
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Scene in Wayzata: 9/11 Tribute on Broadway Avenue Bridge
These photos, taken this morning, show the Wayzata Fire Department carrying out its 23rd annual 9/11 remembrance. Since 2002, firefighters have raised the American flag from the ladder truck on the Broadway Avenue bridge over Highway 12, honoring the lives lost and the heroism shown on September 11.











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