Ottumwa Fire Department adjusts to fewer firefighters on the crew

VIDEO: The Ottumwa Fire Department is adjusting to its new staffing levels. As of Wednesday, July 1st, the department has five less firefighters. Their positions were eliminated due to budget cuts. The city council voted on those cuts back in mid-March. Fire Chief Tony Miller says even though the decision was out of his hands, but it didn’t make the conversation with those men any easier. “It was hard talking to the guys that I’ve grown to know over the last couple of years and stuff they’ve done and how they’ve supported the fire department and they were shining stars at our department. I mean young guys always look at things a little different and I hate to see them go cause they made our department better while they were with us with their skills. That’s why other fire departments around the state are wanting to hire them.” He says this change will not affect the department’s ability to protect the community.
KYOU-TV Fox 15 Ottumwa

Lake Park manufacturing plant damaged in fire

Fire damaged a manufacturing plant in Lake Park Wednesday, temporarily halting production. The fire at Northern Iowa Die Casting was reported at around 6:30 Wednesday morning. “We had to be particularly careful in this situation because they’ve got a lot of liquid hot metal inside the building and we cannot apply water in there.” That’s Lake Park Fire Chief Brandon Ehret. Heavy smoke was coming out of the roof when fire crews arrived. “The fire was concentrated to the peak of the roof where the big vents are, the big fans,” Ehret says. “Talking with a Diecast employee, he said the fire started in one of the fans, so it was burning up in the ceiling.” No one was injured. Company officials say production will be suspended for the rest of the week. About 100 people work at the plant making a variety of products out of zinc and aluminum.
Radio Iowa

No injuries reported in rural Villisca house fire

Firefighters battled a second-floor house fire near Villisca Wednesday. Around 12:30, Villisca Fire and Rescue was called to the 3000 block of 265th Street west of Villisca. Upon arrival, firefighters found a bed on fire in a second-floor bedroom. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the bed. All of the occupants of the home evacuated safely and no injuries were reported. Officials say the house sustained extensive smoke damage on the second floor. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Red Oak Rescue and Rural Electric Company provided mutual aid in the incident.
KMA AM-960 & FM-99.1

Sioux City Fire Rescue awarded for outstanding work in the community

Sioux City Fire Rescue has been honored for its outstanding work in the community. On Tuesday, at Fire Station 4, the group was presented with the Legacy Award from the Iowa Donor Network. Chief Tom Everett and Lead Medic Liz Ford accepted the honor on behalf of the department for their hard work in consistently reporting out of hospital referrals, and for spreading the word on tissue donation. A partnership between the two groups began in 2018 to promote organ and tissue donation throughout the community. Iowa has 77% of people registered as donors. The national average is 58%.
KTIV-TV NBC/CW+ 4 Sioux City

Davison stepping down as DeWitt volunteer fire chief

Current DeWitt Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Davison said he would not resubmit his name for the position. Davison has served in the role for the past four years. He said he will remain a fire fighter. Beginning July 1, Scott Besst will take over as the department’s chief. Justin Atkinson will serve as first assistant chief, and Bryan Herington as second assistant chief. Davison also reported the department, as of June 10, has responded to 93 calls this year. That total marks a downturn from last fiscal year when the volunteers responded to 136 calls.
De Witt Observer - Metered Site

Sioux City: Arson suspected at Morningside home

Authorities say a fire at a home in Morningside is being investigated for arson. The fire was reported just after 4:30 p.m. on Peters Ave., near the South Lakeport intersection. Firefighters say there was no one in the home at the time of the fire and that's part of what made them suspicious about its nature. "Upon further investigation, it looks like we have an arson fire and we have some investigators on the way," says Dan Cougill, Assistant Fire Chief of Sioux City. "The home is unoccupied and it's for sale. Some minor renovation going on, but there is little damage in the home and the fire appears to be deliberately set." No one was hurt in the fire.
KMEG-TV CBS 14 Sioux City

Cedar Rapids to turn on fire hydrants for play 3 days a week

VIDEO: City officials said on Tuesday that it will be offering additional opportunities for people to play in the water this summer in select locations. The city, in coordination with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, will turn on fire hydrants for one to two hours at its stops for the Rollin’ Recmobile. These events will be if the temperature is above 80 degrees and no adverse weather in the area.
KCRG-TV ABC 9 Cedar Rapids

Mason City man sentenced for burning a garage and stealing from a school

Theft, arson, and burglary convictions add up to 10 years in prison for a North Iowa man. Nathaniel Elmer Pope, 37 of Mason City, was first accused of setting a Mason City garage on fire in September 2018. He was then arrested for burglarizing Newman Catholic school in March 2020. Pope pleaded guilty to 3rd degree arson, 3rd degree burglary, and 1st degree theft. Pope has been sentenced to two years in prison for the arson, five years for the burglary, and 10 years for the theft. He’ll serve those sentence all at the same time. Eric Scott Francis, 50 of Mason City, was accused along with Pope of stealing $17,000 worth of equipment from Newman Catholic school. He has pleaded not guilty to 1st degree theft, 3rd degree burglary, and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony. Francis’ trial is scheduled to begin on September 22.
KIMT-TV CBS 3 Mason City