By Joel Kercheval
Montezuma Fire Chief
Fire Prevention Week is here again – Oct. 3 through Oct. 9.
Fire Prevention Week is always during the week of Oct. 9 – the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.
OPERATION EDITH – will be on Wednesday, Oct. 6, starting at 6:30 p.m. We encourage young and old to practice the exit drill from your house or apartment. Your family’s well-being may depend on their knowledge of this exercise.
Remember, fire prevention should be practiced all year long, not just during Fire Prevention Week.
SPAGHETTI SUPPER – will be on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the fire station. This year’s supper again will be drive-through only. Donations for the supper will be appreciated!
We encourage you to take time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and fire alarms. The heating season will also be upon us, so once again we remind you to check your wood burners, chimneys and furnaces to see that they are in good repair and are not obstructed.
Finally, be sure your house numbers are in clear view from the road.
The Montezuma Fire Department responded to more than 300 ambulance and fire calls during 2020. In addition, department members spent many hours in training and continuing education classes.
This year was especially difficult because of the challenges of COVID and everything it brought with it.
The department will be continuing to replace our aging turn-out gear (fire coats and trousers). We are scheduled to purchase four new sets this year at a cost of roughly $12,000.
With recent donations, we were also able to purchase a Stokes Basket and supplies to better aid us in difficult rescues and recoveries.
We are also discussing the purchase of a new Thermal Imaging Camera to help us better identify hot spots during fires.
We pride ourselves on providing quality service and we cover not only the city of Montezuma, but also Lake Ponderosa and the surrounding townships with fire and ambulance service.
We operate almost entirely on the donations we receive from those we serve. Our department receives very little tax support.
Together, we can make Montezuma and the surrounding area a safer, better place. Thank you for your support!
We wish you a safe remainder of 2021 and beyond.
(Editor’s note: Donations can be sent to the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. box 314, Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0314.)