Kari Mechtel and Chad Koren are local fire fighters for Clear Lake Fire Department. Kari Mechtel joined Clear Lake Fire Department in 2001. Kari was instrumental in implementing the Clear Lake Fire Department annual open houses that continue to this day. 

Mechtel shared: “I enjoy helping people and being there for those who need help.” 

Her most challenging experiences with the fire department include being the only female for the first few years and dealing with any responding to fire calls that involved children. 

Chad Koren joined the Clear Lake Fire Department in 2009. Chad Koren’s father, Ron, is currently the fire chief, 

Chad was inspired to be a fire fighter as he grew up watching his father rush out of the house to respond to fires and help those in need.

Chad knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a fire fighter. 

Chad says his greatest experiences as a fire fighter include being promoted to Lieutenant and then promoted to Captain. Chad enjoys helping others. Chad says some of his most challenging times as a fire fighter include responding to emergencies where he ended up knowing the individuals since he grew up in Clear Lake.

Kari and Chad chose 9/11/21 as their wedding day because the date marked the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. Kari and Chad felt, as firefighters, that 9/11 would be a fitting date for their nuptials. The date should also be one neither the bride or groom will ever forget. 

As fire fighters, the bride and groom thought it would be special to have a fire truck on hand for their wedding. 

Since fire departments have a rule that no trucks can leave the protection area for personal reasons, the couple decided to get creative to make their wedding day extra special. 

“We really wanted to have a fire truck at our wedding and decided to reach out to Palmer residents Dennis and Rita Lietha. We knew the Liethas purchased the retired fire truck from Clear Lake Fire Dept. in 2013 when a new engine was purchased. 

Lietha’s retired Clear Lake Fire Dept. truck is a 1984 and was purchased by the city of Clear Lake in 1985. Originally it was yellow and it was decided to paint it red and was officially numbered Engine 25.  

Engine 25 was the “main” engine until 2001, which happens to be the year Kari Mechtel (the bride) joined th Clear Lake Fire Department. Engine 25 served as a back up until Engine 29 was purchased in 2013.

The wedding was held at Molitor’s restaurant in rural Sauk Rapids. 

Owner Tammy Molitor was very helpful and made sure the fire truck was parked in an ideal spot. Molitor also asked the Leithas to sound the sirens when the ceremony was over. 

Kari shared: “Chad and I didn’t realize the Liethas were going to sound the siren at the end of the ceremony, and it sent chills down our spines and brought smiles to our faces!”

A wonderful time was had by all! The addition of the fire truck made the event even more special.