Starting last spring, every day they were called upon to help someone suffering from COVID-19 or various symptoms of the disease, such as difficulty breathing.

Then in the summer months, they transported dozens of Fort Dodge Correctional Facility inmates to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as the disease surged through the prison.

They were not immune to the disease that afflicted so many of their patients.

According to Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter, 40 percent of the department’s 47 members had the disease. He said up to five people were out sick at a time.

-Submitted
This artist rendering shows what the newly remodeled Fort Dodge Fire Station will look like.

But there was never any reduction in service to the public, he said.

“Our people have really stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park in terms of patient care,” he said.

While dealing with the surge of calls created by COVID-19, the department moved into an addition on the east side of the building that provides improved living quarters for firefighters. It also moved forward with plans for a second addition on the northwest side, which will triple the square footage of the firehouse built in 1966.

Also in 2020, the department began operating a new specially equipped truck to handle hazardous materials emergencies.

It welcomed three new firefighters , one new emergency medical technician and said farewell to a veteran lieutenant.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A variety of workout equipment is in the exercise room created in the new addition at the Fort Dodge firehouse.

The firehouse

In April 2019, work began on a 40-by-90-foot addition on the building’s east side.

The project had two goals. The first was to replace outdated plumbing. The second was to create better living quarters for a workforce that now includes women. When it was constructed, the firehouse had a wide open bunk room and one bathroom.

The addition holds 12 separate bed rooms, new bathrooms, a new training room and a physical fitness area. All the water and sewer lines were replaced. The old boiler was replaced with three furnaces.

The project cost $1,331, 500. Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, was the general contractor.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
This is one of the individual bedrooms within the new addition at the Fort Dodge firehouse.

“They’re an awesome company to work with,” Hergenreter said. “Jensen did outstanding work and right on schedule.”

The new wing was occupied in April 2020.

“That was a huge step for us in modernizing,” the chief said.

Another addition is expected to be constructed this year. It will be on the northwest side of the building, close to the intersection of Central Avenue and 15th Street.

This new wing will be an administrative area housing a conference room and offices for the fire chief, fire marshal, emergency medical service supervisor and the administrative assistant.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A ceremonial bell, pike pole and axe are displayed inside the Fort Dodge firehouse.

Allers Associates Architects, of Fort Dodge, designed the addition. Construction is expected to begin this summer.

The people

In June, Lt. Mitch Halverson retired after 30 years of service.

Firefighter/Paramedic Jon Schreck was promoted to replace him. Jordan Erie, who was a paramedic, moved into the ranks of firefighter/paramedics to fill Schreck’s former position.

Jamie Campbell joined the department in August as an emergency medical technician.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
This hazardous materials response truck, made by Pierce Manufacturing, of Appleton, Wisconsin, was delivered to Fort Dodge in the spring of 2020. It is owned by the multi-county Region V Hazardous Materials Commission and is operated by Fort Dodge firefighters.

In October, Spencer Barber, Matthew Decker and Chase Straw were hired as firefighters.

The machines

In late March, the department received a highly specialized vehicle. The hazardous materials response truck carries gear needed to handle emergencies that involve chemicals or large amounts of diesel fuel or gasoline.

The truck does not actually belong to the city. It is owned by the Region V Hazardous Materials Commission, which includes representatives of Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster and Wright counties. The response team consists of specially trained Fort Dodge firefighters who respond to calls in all of those counties.

The new truck replaced a 20-year-old rig.

Two new ambulances will be received this year. One will be a new addition to the fleet. It will be smaller than the other ambulances, and will be used only for long distance transfers to hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa City and other places. The other new ambulance, to be used for emergency calls, will replace a 20-year old unit.

The department also hopes to buy a new pickup truck to tow its boats and trailers filled with specialty rescue gear. That truck would replace a 2008 unit now in use.