“It was my dream since I was a young boy to do this work, and I couldn’t have had a better career,” he said Monday evening.

That 36-year career was honored during Monday’s City Council meeting as a transition in Fire Department leadership was marked.

Hergenreter was saluted in advance of his retirement, which is effective Friday.

Assistant Fire Chief Matt Price was approved by the council to replace Hergenreter.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Retiring Fort Dodge Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter reflects on his 36-year-career during remarks to the Fort Dodge City Council Monday evening.

Mayor Matt Bemrich presented a proclamation of thanks to Hergenreter, noting his dedication to the city and fellow firefighters, leadership in hazardous materials response training and cool-headed command of emergency scenes.

Hergenreter was promoted to captain in 2000 and to chief in June 2017. During his years of service, he responded to major incidents such as the Eilers Hotel fire in 1994. As chief, he managed the transition as the Fire Department assumed full responsibility for ambulance service from UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center.

In remarks to the council Monday, Hergenreter thanked numerous people for their help and advice over the years. One of those people was Fire Department Capt. Steve Teske, who joined the department a few months before he did.

“We were kind of like partners in crime throughout our time in the Fort Dodge Fire Department,” he said.

He gave his most heartfelt thanks to his wife, Tina. He said from the beginning she supported him while he worked 24-hour shifts.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Natalie Price pins the fire chief badge onto the dress uniform jacket of her husband, Matt Price, Monday evening during the Fort Dodge City Council meeting. Matt Price, the assistant fire chief, was promoted by the council to replace Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter, who is retiring.

“She was always there for our family of five children,” he said. “Tina, I can never thank you enough.”

“I feel very strongly about the future of the Fort Dodge Fire Department,” he said. “Matt will continue our culture of service and excellence into the next generation.”

Price will become fire chief on Saturday. His starting pay will be $117,707.

He has been assistant fire chief since October 2022. He came to Fort Dodge from the Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department, where he was a captain and emergency medical service supervisor.

He is certified as a firefighter, paramedic, fire officer and fire instructor. He is also certified in hazardous materials operations.

He has a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Waldorf University in Forest City and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University in Des Moines.

He began his firefighting career as a volunteer firefighter, and eventually, assistant fire chief in Dallas Center.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I’m going to lean on all those people behind me,” Price said, gesturing to the firefighters filling the mezzanine in the council meeting room.