The Cascade Fire Department and First Responders serve the Village of Cascade, Town of Lyndon, and Town of Mitchell in Sheboygan County Wisconsin. In 2015 the membership is comprised of 44 firefighters and 18 EMS personnel providing fire and EMS coverage 24/7. In operation for 98 years, the fire department was founded in 1915. This is their history. Prior to 1915, the Village had no organized fire service. In 1906, an earthquake, measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale, hit San Francisco, California. A deadly fire ensued, wiping out a large area of the city. This incident, which made national headlines, combined with the Great Chicago Peshitgo fired of 35 years prior, increased public awareness about the importance of a fire company. Residents of Cascade, also were aware of the need for a fire service. An article from a May 16, 1906, local paper, gave a progress report on the Village. In addition, the article also made a list of things Cascade needed. A fire company was first on that list.