Fire Chief Willie Allbaugh of Quimby was named 2019’s “Fire Chief of the Year” by the Department of Iowa American Legion.
In 2019 an article appeared in the Iowa Legionnaire, the Legion’s newspaper for legion posts in Iowa to submit names for Fireman of the Year. The Lyle W. Barnes Post 398 of Quimby secured an application and filled it out, later discovering that Allbaugh had been selected.
He was scheduled to receive this honor at a State Convention in July, but due to COVID-19, the convention was cancelled. Now rescheduled, this honor will be presented on Sunday, October 25th.
Albaugh has served 51 years on Quimby Fire and Rescue and has served 44 years as Fire Chief. He joined in the fall of 1968 where his leadership has brought the organization into the 21st century. Under his command, the Quimby fire department has expanded with first aid classes, certifications in emergency rescue and first responder training, and far more.