Sigourney Fire Department Delivers

SIGOURNEY – For the second year, lights flashed, and sirens wailed on Christmas Eve in Sigourney as members of Sigourney Fire and Rescue, including Santa Claus, delivered several gifts to families around town.  

Last year, 2019, was the first year Sigourney Fire and Rescue brought gifts to local families on Christmas Eve. This year ten firefighters drove three fire department trucks with their lights flashing and sirens on beginning at about 5:45 pm using three fire department trucks. “Many members of the fire and rescue team donated their personal funds while the department matched those donations”, stated Chief Bill Halleran. “We also had some donations from area businesses”.  

One addition to this year’s deliveries was to take a brand-new bike to a surprised Wells Clark whose bike was stolen from his family’s front porch two days earlier. The bike was purchased and donated by Bill and Amy Halleran. The Clark family was humbled by and grateful for the generosity of the Hallerans. Santa Claus (Jerry Smithart) expressed “This is what it’s all about, isn’t it?”

As the firefighters and fire trucks were making their gift delivery rounds, they also answered three Fire and Rescue calls, including a medical call and a house fire in What Cheer.  They responded to the calls with Santa Claus on board, which must have been quite a surprise as they arrived on site. Answering the calls delayed some of the deliveries with the last one completed at about 9 p.m. 

Sigourney Fire and Rescue looks to continue this new Christmas Eve tradition. They will work throughout the coming year to refine and plan the event and iron out some of the snags. “We will need to change it up a bit”, stated Chief Halleran. He went on to explain that Oskaloosa does something similar, using a “giving tree” to raise funds for their event. As the department organizes their plans for next year, information will be provided to the public and businesses on how they can donate or help during the event in future years.