Tea Volunteer Fire Department

10/17/2026

Stop by and see us tomorrow at Culver’s in Tea!

10/13/2026

Edit - Operation EDITH was successfully completed! Thank you to everyone who properly participated and practiced your exit drill. We hope to see everyone again next year. Please continue to stay up to date on your family's exit drill!

Original -
Operation EDITH is starting at 6:00 PM tonight! Get with your families and get ready to practice your exit drills! You will know it’s that time when you hear sirens!

10/13/2026

Today is the day!

Please spread the word that Operation EDITH is tonight!

When - Tonight (Tuesday, October 13th, 6:00 PM)
Where - Inside Tea city limits
What - Operation EDITH (Exit Drill In The Home)

Summary - Operation EDITH is a program aimed to educate school aged children (and refresh the memory of everyone else) on the importance of having an exit plan in the home in case of an emergency. When you hear sirens in your neighborhood tonight, practice your exit drill and meet at your family's emergency meeting location.

It has been proven that you have a fraction of the time to escape your home when a fire occurs than you did 50 years ago. For this reason, it is very important that you create and practice an emergency exit plan with your entire family.

10/12/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office and with the family and friends of Deputy Katherine Frank.

Passing of Deputy Katherine Frank -

The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office announces with profound sadness the passing of Deputy Katherine Frank, age 26, earlier today. Deputy Frank was surrounded by her family and loved ones in her final moments. In her final act of service and generosity, she became an organ donor, continuing to help others even in her passing. Katherine worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary from September 2022 until being hired with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in June 2024.

Deputy Frank’s death is a significant loss to our agency and to the broader law enforcement community in and around Sioux Falls. She served the citizens of Minnehaha County with professionalism, humility, and dedication. Her absence will be felt deeply by all who have had the privilege of working alongside her.

A memorial has been established at the Law Enforcement Center located at 320 W. 4th St., Sioux Falls, SD, for those who wish to pay their respects. The Sheriff’s Office will also continue maintaining a presence at the hospital as we support her family during this difficult time.
Further information regarding funeral services, honors, and departmental arrangements will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Deputy Frank served with dignity and heart. Her service made a meaningful difference, and her impact will remain with us always.

10/12/2026

We are very appreciative of our emergency communicators! It makes the job of a first responder a lot easier when they are there!

~NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK~

This week, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office proudly recognizes and salutes our dedicated dispatchers for the vital role they play in keeping our community safe.

They are the voices we hear but the heroes we rarely see. They are the calm voice in the chaos, the reassuring presence in the darkest hours of the night, and the lifeline connecting those in need with the help they deserve.

Behind every emergency response is a dispatcher working tirelessly behind the scenes, often juggling multiple calls, making critical decisions, and providing reassurance when it matters most.

To our dispatchers, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to serving our community. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for everything you do!

10/10/2026

Fire Prevention Week!

We know everyone wants to have a fully charged phone! When devices such as phones, smart watches, or electric modes of transportation are done charging, they should be unplugged and left to cool down before being used! Leaving a device sit on a charger for long periods of time after charging has been completed can increase heat and stress on the battery.

10/09/2026

School visits!!

Our favorite part of Fire Prevention Week is when we get to stop out at our Tea Area Schools and see all of our little friends! We have an amazing time every year educating about fire prevention! We covered all sorts of topics, including sleeping with the door closed, how to identify a fire in a home, and how to safely exit a home! Everyone was sent home with homework to practice their "Family Exit Plan" and how to safely leave the home in an emergency!

Please put the following in your calendar! Operation EDITH is this upcoming Tuesday. Fire trucks will patrol neighborhoods starting shortly after 6:00 PM. If you are spotted in your family's emergency meeting location, you will receive a small prize!

10/08/2026

Fire Prevention Week - OPERATION EDITH!

Operation EDITH stands for "Exit Drill In The Home" The purpose of this is to educate children and families about the importance of having an escape plan in the home. If a fire breaks out in a home you do not have a lot of time to escape, meaning you NEED to have a pre-planned escape route.

How does this affect you as a resident here in Tea? Well, The Tea Fire Department will be driving around neighborhoods on October 13th 2026 starting around 6:00PM. The fire trucks will be driving slowly with sirens activated. This is your cue to run out of the house and find your families emergency meeting location! Families who meet the firemen at their meeting location will get a small (But cool) prize!

Please take the time beforehand to discuss with family members and children the meaning of E.D.I.T.H and what the goal is. Make sure they know how to exit the home and where the family meeting location is at!

*Due to the ever growing size of our community this event is kept within city limits*

10/07/2026

Fire Prevention Week!

Do you have an extension cord that looks like this? How about a phone charger that only works if you bend the cord in a certain way?

Both of those cords have 1 thing in common.

They are dangerous!

Power cords and chargers that have any fraying, pinches, burn marks, or loose connections can shock you, or even worse, start a fire. Take some time this week to go through the power cords and chargers you own. Half an hour of your week checking your power cords and chargers could save your life & property. A properly licensed electrician can inspect your power cords if you are unsure if they are useable!

10/06/2026

Fire Prevention Week

Do you have an E-Bike, Scooter, or Power Tools? This post is for you! The batteries in E-Bikes, Scooters, and all power tools contain a lot of stored energy. When charging these batteries, charge them outside or in a space that does not have flammable material around it. When these batteries fail, it can be catastrophic, and we ourselves in Tea have seen fires caused by these.

Another quick reminder, Please always wear safety gear when riding any recreational vehicle, E-bike, or scooter!