NDN-SS-10-14-22

A special kind of HERO

County’s rural fire/EMS departments

community-focused

Brock Hansen was al ways told by his father, a past school board member, to find a way to give back to his com munity. The longtime Baxter resident took that advice to heart and has volunteered for the local fire department for more than 20 years, the past five of which he has served as fire chief.

“One of my close friends that was a former chief of the department, him and his dad approached me about joining the department,” Hansen said, noting he did not have inter est in joining school board. “So I joined that to see where it went. We were the young pups on the crew at that time, and now we’re the old guys.”

Baxter Rural Fire Depart ment has 22 members on staff, and every single person has their own role and duties to perform during emergencies. There are times Hansen is the driver while his wife, who is also on the volunteer squad, rides shotgun until she’s on

scene to provide medical treatment.

Entirely consisting of vol unteers, the Baxter Rural Fire Department has been pro viding selfless service to their community for about 100 years. Many members are like Hansen and have deep roots in Baxter. But Hansen said the

department is really no differ ent from any other volunteer department within the coun ty.

Whether the department is located in Baxter, Kellogg, Lynnville or any other real town in the county, the sense of camaraderie between team members is strong. There is

a strong level of trust they place in each other, and they all have the same passion of wanting to help and be there for their community.

“You got your wide vari ety of guys who specialize or work better at certain jobs or tasks, and that’s what they do and handle,” Hansen said.

“Each crew member has their niche at what they’re good at. There are lots of times where we do things we don’t like to do but we have to do them.”

Whether it is responding to a fire or a medical emergency, the volunteers are more than willing to help their fellow community members. Even if there wasn’t a fire department established in Baxter, Han sen is convinced someone or a group of people would still step up to assist their neigh bors in times of need.

Hansen said there is a lot more to the job than just showing up on calls. These days the department is fo cusing on its EMS services. The State of Iowa passed some essential services funds that Baxter is trying to apply for. To keep the department afloat, volunteers have to hold fundraisers.

“We have one major fund raiser we do a year. It used to

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be called the Fireman’s Ball, and I think we still call it the Fireman’s Ball. We’re about 28 years in with that,” Han sen said. “We just celebrated 100 years of the Baxter fire department this past June, and that was a big to-do for us.”

During the Fireman’s Ball, the crew organizes a hog roast and accepts free-will donations. The communi ty often shows up for to-go meals and a donation. The department also hosts small fundraisers like a pancake feed every year and Hallow een candy handouts.

With as many years the fire department has been in place, it is clear the Bax ter community supports its first responders. Hansen said he and his crews are there to help. Many of the people Baxter Rural Fire Depart ment are responding to are close friends or family mem bers or a neighbor.

It’s a small town and when the people they care about are in need, Baxter volun teers will always try to be there as quick as they can.

“Some of the calls are dif ficult if you know the person. If you can’t make the call and you know the person it’s al most just as difficult,” Han sen said, adding some folks may be out in the middle of a field in a tractor and have no way to respond. “That’s why you have several differ ent members of the depart ment.”

Hansen reminds himself he is doing what his father preached to him: giving back.

“That’s what it’s really all about,” he said.

— Christopher Braunschweig

Q&A with Colfax Fire Chief JD Smith

How do the fire and EMS depart ments stay involved in the commu nity?

We stage at community events such as, county fair events, Beck’s Seed Days, Colfax-Mingo football games, county events aiding other departments.

Through fundraising, what has been added to the departments that will benefit the citizens?

We have upgraded: gear, equip ment, for smaller things that are needed after a new piece of appara tus is purchased. Fundraising and donations have bought many items for our department, including the Polaris Ranger and trailer to haul it on, an enclosed trailer with all of our water rescue equipment and hazmat supplies.

What is your favorite part of be ing a volunteer firefighter?

Helping people who are in the

lowest of times possibly in their life time and making things better for them.

What are some of the hardest parts of volunteering for the diffi cult work?

Seeing the things we see and still keeping things together and come back to it call after call. PTS is an issue in our field and we sometimes have to get professional help for us to cope with it all.

What kind of camaraderie comes with being on the department?

We have to trust one another at some very dangerous times and re specting all who are involved and give up there time for learning and training.

We are always looking for people who want to volunteer to be firefight ers and EMTs so if anyone who reads this is thinking about one of these fields come and talk to us.

Colfax Fire Department: Dave Burdess, Dennis Lester, Marve Rorabaugh, Reg VanDusseldorp, Scott Beason, Joes Robson, Eric Harrmisson, JD Smith, Terry Alfree, Craig Pirce, Steve Mur phy, Brandon Bruxvoort, Jeff Pierce, Cathy Freestone, Wendy Hopkins, Troy Thompson, Rick Beals, Austin Beason, Matt Sny der, Mark Donahue, Jamie Jeter, Ron Waldo, Tony Thompson, Justin Smith, Dustin Gean, Marcus Tomlonovic, Keagan Smith, Nate Smith, Jessica Cox, Andrew Boender, Matt Forshler, Chet Williams, Lantry Cameron, Zachry Rinehart

Members of the Kellogg fire Department: Calvin Dhondt, Chelsi

Toeun, David Eilander, Christy Lester, Mike Lester, Kenny Caves, Reece Caves, Macey Caves, Denny Stevenson, Brenton Sielaff, Al Esqueda, Earl Kimmel, Matt Perry, Mike Sieler, Keith Braden, Dennis Witte, Mike McDonald, Floyd Campbell, Korie Campbel

Q&A with Kellogg Fire Chief Calvin Dhondt

How do the fire and EMS departments stay involved in the community?

Kellogg Fire does fund raisers and activities to stay involved with the communi ty throughout the year.

Through fundraising, what has been added to the departments that will benefit the citizens?

Through fundraisers the department has been able to update outdated gear and equipment to better the com munity and areas served.

Why did you want to be come a firefighter?

I wanted to become a vol unteer firefighter because I love to help anyone that needs help no matter if its good or bad. I’ve lived in Kellogg my whole life and

I couldn’t ask for a better community and township to serve for than with Kellogg Fire Department.

What are some of the hardest parts of volunteer ing for the difficult work?

The hardest part of be ing a volunteer is you never know when someone needs help. Being a small commu nity is tough on us to see citizens going through what could be a tough time when we are with them.

What kind of camarade rie comes with being on the department?

The camaraderie that comes with this is knowing that we all did our best and know we made a difference being able to help others out.

Q&A with Mingo Fire Chief Logan Derry

How do the fire and EMS de partments stay involved in the community?

The Mingo Fire Department stays involved in the community by attending community events throughout the year such as Trunk or Treat, block parties, escorting Santa through town and other community events. We also host an annual pancake breakfast.

Through fundraising, what has been added to the departments that will benefit the citizens?

The Mingo Fire Department has used funds raised from the pancake breakfast to purchase items that in clude radios, bunker gear, medical equipment, extrication equipment and hose. We also regularly ap ply for grants to replace outdated equipment.

Why did you want to become a firefighter?

I wanted to become a firefighter

after helping in the floods of 2010 and assisting the Colfax Fire De partment with other events such as fundraisers/benefits for communi ty members as well as hose testing. When I turned 18, I applied and be came a member there. I quickly fig ured out I wanted to make a career out of Fire/EMS and currently am a full-time firefighter paramedic in one of the suburbs of Des Moines.

What are some of the hardest parts of volunteering for the dif ficult work?

The biggest challenge I have faced being a firefighter/paramed ic is finding time to spend with my wife and family between my full -time career and being a volunteer in the community.

What kind of camaraderie comes with being on the depart ment?

Fire/EMS personnel have to have a high level of trust in each

other because we face extreme situ ations and solve problems together as a team. We have to rely on each other to help accomplish our mis sion of preserving life, protecting property, and promoting safety. Firefighters/EMTs are some of the most caring, trustworthy and reli able people on the planet. We aren’t just around to fight fires and help sick people, we help community members solve whatever problems they may have.

I would encourage anyone who is reading this article to consider becoming a volunteer firefight er and EMT. Volunteer services in Jasper County and all over the country are hurting for personnel. These services will have to one day close their doors if people don’t step up. Being a firefighter/EMT isn’t always comfortable and can be mentally/physically taxing but it’s extremely rewarding.

Lynnville Roster: Gabe Hoksbergen, Mitchell Bryan, Lyle Martin, Mark Van Wyk*, Brad Van Zante*, Barb Martin*, Izzy Hoksbergen*, Carna De Jong*, Angie Dillion*, Marty Van Wyk, Brenda Terpstra*, Jake McElroy, Jay Martin, Josh DeWitt, Dave Hofer, not pictures Randy Van Wyk, and the other Josh DeWitt

EMS

Q&A with Lynnville Fire Chief Mark Van Wyk

How do the re and EMS departments stay involved in the community?

We help out with city activities. We do controlled burns for local farmers as needed. rough fundraising, what has been added to the departments that will bene t the citizens?

We have upgraded a pumper truck this spring and bunker gear.

Why did you want to become a re ghter?

To be able to help people and the community.

What is your favorite part of being a volunteer re ghter?

Helping people in a time of need.

What are some of the hardest parts of volunteering for the di cult work?

Getting called in the middle of the night and trying to be optimistic in a bad situation.

What kind of camaraderie comes with being on the department?

You know all your comrades have your back and are there for support.

Our community has been our biggest asset and we thank them very much.

A FAMILY CALLING

Not everyone in the Monroe Fire and EMS Department has relation by their sides on calls, but a lot of the volunteers do. Generations of families have served and continue to serve both the fire and EMS sectors, continuing the strong tradition the departments have built.

“If you look at current members, you could trace a family member, most of us,” Sean Wilson said.

A lot of the current members can rattle off grandpas and uncles, broth ers and cousins that have served or still serve on the department. The strong family ties keep consistency and continuity in the department, along with long-serving members who make putting their lives on the line for others a part of their lives.

PCM graduate Sam Munson said he had a lot of family in the depart ment and felt he needed to continue to serve.

“My grandpa was on the depart ment and I kind of felt an obliga tion,” Munson said.

Munson is not the only member who knew he was going to be a part of the organization because of the strong family ties in place.

“A lot of family background. Sam, his uncle, grandpa, cousins, just several members were on the department. The Jenkins family, we have to buy them a minivan to get them here. The other day I had four of them on one call,” Monroe Fire Chief Rob Wilson said. “The Van Ryswyk family, Malone family, Van Baale, my (Wilson) family. My grandfather was on the fire depart ment, my father, brother and more relation.”

While there is a lot of family within the department, it is not a prerequisite to become a member. Wilson said there are plenty of peo

Generations of families volunteer on the Monroe Fire and EMS Departments

ple on the fire and EMS that joined for many other reasons.

“Not that it is a family thing. We’ve got great department mem bers that don’t have any history. But hopefully they can install that his tory and it continues to move on,” Wilson said.

The continued success of the de partment, along with the faithful members, is thanks to the strong community support. Without the town coming together to fill the organization’s needs, it wouldn’t be able to fulfill its duties at the highest standard.

“As far as our success, that is why we are successful because our com munity is so supportive of us. Our community is so supportive of us when we need anything,” Wilson said. “I remember the days when we didn’t have money and we had to do fundraisers to try to earn funds to

buy equipment. Now, the communi ty comes a knocking.”

The departments try to give back, too, through participating in com munity events and being present to citizens.

“We’re pretty involved. Any time there is an event we like to be well represented and do our part. That is the organization part of the de partment where we volunteer our time and people. Going to football games, school events, stay present,” Munson said.

Like most volunteer departments, more members are always welcome. Monroe has been in the position for many years with a strong, stable and experienced staff.

“We are blessed to have people that respond to calls and do what they need to do. We’re fortunate,” Wilson said.

— Jamee A. Pierson

KEEPING TIME

Newton Fire Department strives for lower response times to save lives

Time is of the essence when it comes to fire and rescue services. Every minute, every second counts. For an organization like the Newton Fire Department to give its citizens the best chances of survival when an emergency strikes, it takes dedication, training, a strong will and up-to-date technology.

Prior to becoming the chief of Newton Fire Department, Jarrod Wellik worked at a volunteer organization. While a volunteer organization can provide a very professional service to its citizens, Wellik said there is a time factor involved that can

be challenging to meet. Responding in a timely manner is crucial.

“Every minute that you don’t receive care, 10 percent of your survival chance goes down,” Wel lik said in a recent interview with Newton News. “We talk about a response time of four minutes is kind of the average. If we get there in four min utes, you got a 60 percent chance of survival.”

Whereas, if individuals have to travel to the station from home and then respond, Wellik said that could double the response time. Using his calculations, an eight-minute response time could

mean a person’s chances of survival are at 20 per cent. Which is where having a full-time depart ment sees big benefits.

Newton Fire Department is the only full-time fire/EMS department in the county. All the other departments are run and operated by volunteers.

Which is not to say that volunteer departments are not providing quality care to their citizens. But municipality-backed fire stations do have access to other advantages, such as more secure funding and regular opportunities for technology

Cont. 8 upgrades and advanced train ing.

“We maintain all of our people at a paramedic level, so all of our line staff are at para medic level. Which means that’s the highest level of care you can get in the field,” Wellik said. “And that’s difficult for a volunteer organization just for the hours that are required to maintain that certification. To me that’s a big deal.”

It means better and more consistent timing, which is important to Wellik. When a fire starts, if given enough ox ygen and enough fuel it could double its size every minute, he said. Newton Fire Depart ment tries to get to fires early and quickly. Wellik recalled a recent fire in northeast New ton.

“There was a fire that start ed in a kitchen,” he said. “It took off right away, right out of the gate. We got there and knocked it down, kept the majority of the fire damage in a couple rooms. There was smoke and heat damage, but if you let that fire grow for an other four to six minutes — that makes a big difference.”

Currently, the Newton Fire Department is made up of 27 total staff members. Wellik said 24 are sworn fire staff, which include himself as the fire chief, his assistant fire chief, two shifts of seven fire fighters/paramedics and one shift of eight firefighters/para medics. There are three, nonsworn civilian staff.

Most cities have some form of law enforcement, roads and streets department, public works, et cetera. Historically, fire departments were devel oped to have an agency that responds to all hazards in a community that are not han

dled by another department. Generally, that is what fire de partments are still expected to do today.

Political subdivisions throughout the state are re quired by law to provide fire response services to their citizens. Up until last year, EMS was not considered an essential service for politi cal subdivisions, Wellik said. The governor signed a law in 2021 that allows EMS depart ments to access more funding streams.

When it came to EMS ser vices in the past, it was not always fire departments nor ambulances responding to emergencies.

In the 1960s and 1970s, EMS services were common ly provided by the funeral homes, Wellik said. Back then there was not much field care done back in that time peri od. The basic goal was to pick someone up and give them a ride to the hospital laying on a cot in the back of the ambu lance or hearse.

“That’s kind of where it all started. Then it kind of got to be, hey, if we could provide some sort of care in the field, you may be able to stabilize a patient and save more people,” Wellik said. “It’s always been about providing care as early as possible when someone is injured.”

Eventually some cities would create an EMS division while others added it on to their existing fire departments. It was just another emergency function they could provide. Responding to emergencies takes a lot of skill and hard work from many agencies, not just fire departments or EMS providers. Dispatchers and police play a role, too.

“It’s a system,” Wellik said.

— Christopher Braunschweig

MAN OF MANY HATS

PC Fire Chief Ryan Van Der Kamp leads more than the local department

Prairie City Fire Chief Ryan Van Der Kamp wears more than just a fire helmet. The life-long resident not only leads the local fire department, but he serves as the president of the PCM School Board and owns his own electrical company.

“(I became a firefigher to) give back to the commu nity and help people out,” Van Der Kamp said.

Van Der Kamp has served on the department since 2004 and leading as fire chief for the past 12 years. It is a family passion with his dad Carl Van Der Kamp, brother Erik Van Der Kamp and sister-in-law Jody Van Der Kamp, all a part of the fire and ambulance department.

Looking to educate the next generations, Van Der Kamp’s favorite part of serving is organizing the field trip for the preschool kids to visit the fire department.

“(My favorite part is) teaching the preschool-aged kids about fire safety,” Van Der Kamp said.

He is also active to keep the department growing through fundraisers including the annual car show and past events such as the Valentine’s Day Dinner.

“We recently purchased a new grass truck with 100 percent fundraising money including truck slide in pump light and radio,” Van Der Kamp said.

With two busy daughters, it can be difficult at times for Van Der Kamp and many fire and EMS volunteers to keep wearing all of their hats. Work, home and commitments can fill up a schedule quickly.

“(One of the hardest parts is) making time,” Van

Der Kamp said. “Everyone is busy these days. It’s very hard leaving family or work at times.”

Having the department become like family, or in a few cases, his actual family, helps when he gets called out of his home.

“We all become very good friends,” Van Der Kamp said. “It becomes like a family, we all now each other’s families.”

Like almost every fire chief out there, Van Der Kamp is looking for more volunteers to join the ranks. Whether interested in fighting fires or serving the emergency medical services, new members are always welcome.

— Jamee A. Pierson

Q&A with Sully EMS Captain Tony Van Wyk

What role do you have in the department?

Currently EMS captain and training officer.

How do the fire and EMS de partments stay involved in the community?

Throughout the county, most, if not all, work with local schools during fire prevention, hold breakfast and supper fund raiser, participate in town and county celebratory parades, water fights. We also work with the sheriffs office for training with our local schools.

Through fundraising, what has been added to the depart ments that will benefit the cit izens?

Community fundraising is re ally what makes a lot of depart ments thrive. Most department do receive tax dollars, but many things have to be purchased above and beyond that. One of our latest purchases was a new Zoll cardiac monitor. We were successful at receiving donations to cover the entire purchase price. Other departments use this funding for new apparatus, turn out gear, extrication equip ment and many other things that keep us up to date on tools and technology.

What is your favorite part of being a volunteer firefighter?

Being a part of the communi ty and being able to help when needed. I’ve been on for 16 years and have had the opportunity to help many people and also teach fire safety and CPR within our school.

What are some of the hardest parts of volunteering for the difficult work?

Unfortunately, we get called when people are at a very weak and vulnerable point in their life. It’s never easy to see someone dealing with a medical or fire emergency.

What kind of camaraderie comes with being on the de partment?

It’s an extra family. We spend a lot of time together. We know each other’s lives and families. It’s really a hard thing to de scribe. A lot of us spend time together outside of the depart ment. We train together and plan things together as well. It’s just a very humbling experience.

We need more volunteers. Not necessarily just Sully, but all of the departments as a whole. I would challenge anyone in our area to reach out to their local department and see what it’s all about. Being able to respond means having enough people who can do the work and help others.

Sully Roster:

Derick Allbee, Jason Allbee, Carna De Jong, Blake Dunsbergen, Brandon Dunsburgen, Cale Foster, Dave Foster, Lisa Foster, Samantha Mannatt, Wayne Ritter, Corey Van Kooten, Laura Van Kooten, Jeff Vander Molen, Jeremy Vander Mo len, Josh Vander Molen, Mike Vander Molen, Tony Van Wyk, Loren Vos, Justine Wyma