Sigourney Fire and Rescue Earns State Honors

SIGOURNEY – In late 2019 Sigourney Fire and Rescue was selected by the Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA) to receive the Outstanding Department Award for 2019. The award is traditionally presented at the IFA’s mid-year convention however, the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic. Sigourney’s Chief Bill Halleran only recently received the award plaque on behalf of the SFD. 

The annual Outstanding Department Award is presented to the agency chosen to “have been great supporters of the Iowa Firefighters Association and the Fire Service, in at least one of a number of areas such as: fire prevention, legislation, convention, membership, etc.” The IFA has a membership of approximately 15,500 firefighters and 300 fire departments across Iowa.

Sigourney Fire and Rescue’s nomination noted the department’s extensive involvement in the community. Activities involving the city’s youth including outreach to K-4th grade students to teach fire safety during Fire Prevention Week, promotion of EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home), National Night Out participation, and discussing campfire safety during the annual sixth grade campout at Lake Belva Deer were noted along with Lunch at the Elementary several times each year. SFD is on EMS standby at all home football games. Additional community activities include participation in Trick or Treat on the Square and the lighted Christmas parade with Santa Claus on board a fire truck. The July 4th fireworks display for which the SFD is responsible, is the envy of area communities and draws thousands of spectators each year.

Firefighting skill and action are, of course, included in consideration for IFA’s Outstanding Department Award. In October 2019, three of Sigourney’s firefighters were honored by Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Public Safety with the presentation of the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor.  

According to the State of Iowa’s website, “the honor is awarded to peace officers and firefighters who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by the performance of a heroic act in excess of normal demands of police or fire service where the person was fully aware of the threat to his/her personal safety.” 

Sigourney volunteer firefighters Zach Steinhart, Steve White and Josh Myers received the prestigious award for their actions on April 7, 2019 when they entered an active fire scene with heavy smoke to locate and retrieve an unresponsive and not breathing tenant from an apartment fire in Delta. The tenant was revived on scene then hospitalized for several days before making a full recovery. “In my opinion of being in the Fire Service for 30 years, serving the last 15 years as Fire Chief as well as a Fire Service Instructor for the State of Iowa […] the patient would have perished if it wasn’t for the fast actions of the Sigourney firefighters making an immediate entry”, stated Chief Halleran.  He concluded by saying “It was an all-around effort, but the (3) interior Firefighters did an amazing job.”  

Sigourney’s department mission statement reads: “Sigourney Fire and Rescue exists to meet the needs of the residents of Sigourney and surrounding areas that are faced with a wide variety of crisis situations that demand a quick, efficient and professional emergency response. We strive to provide the highest quality of service by using teamwork and local resources that are designed to protect lives and property and limit the degree of human suffering when called to emergencies. It is through our prevention, education and training efforts that we strive to prevent, prepare for, or otherwise limit, the extent of any fire or other emergency.”

Sigourney Fire and Rescue is an all-volunteer department. There are currently 26 members on their roster. “We pride ourselves to be there when someone has a bad day and needs our services. Volunteers are a dying group nationwide […]”, declared Chief Halleran.