AUDIO: For the past 40 years, Mark Hentges of Le Mars has responded to the call to fight fires, perform rescues, help at vehicle accidents, detect natural gas and propane leaks, investigate a build up of carbon monoxide in homes, act upon and clean up a hazard materials spill, and a whole list of
other duties and responsibilities of being a member of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. On Thursday, January 23rd, Hentges turned in his firefighter helmet and turnout gear as he officially retired as a firefighter. Hentges rose to the rank of captain, and for a time, also as the assistant chief with the department, and worked with three different fire chiefs. He tells what got him interested in becoming a firefighter.