Newton Fire Department

www.NewtonGov.org

Dear Friends, On behalf of the members of the Newton Fire Department I would like to extend a welcome to our website. Established in 1874 as the Newton Hook and Ladder Fire Company, this department has evolved into one of the leading departments in the State of Iowa. Rich in tradition, this group of dedicated Firefighters strives for excellence in customer service in the areas of Fire, EMS, Rescue and Hazardous Materials response to the Citizens of Newton and the surrounding rural townships. Since September 11, 2001 the world and the fire service that we once knew has changed dramatically. Preparedness is the highest priority within the department. During the year many hours are dedicated towards maintaining specialized certifications for emergency response. Training in areas that range from drug therapy for a patient experiencing cardiac complications to rescue techniques required to save a person in a confined space. Our community can rest assured that our citizens will receive a professional, caring level of emergency care. Staffed with 22 Firefighters/Paramedics department personnel responded to 2718 calls for service in FY 08/09. There were 1935 ambulance calls for the year. Calls medical in nature, represent 71% of the call volume of the department. The rescue truck was summoned 488 times to assist ambulance personnel with advance life support calls. There were 381 hospital to hospital transfers. In recent years the department has received much needed equipment from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant. Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the department has received firefighter turnout gear, communication equipment, thermal imager cameras, self contained breathing apparatus and an exhaust removal system for the fire station. The award totaled over $300,000 dollars. It is our goal that this website tells the story of this successful department. It is our desire to keep you informed. In closing, I would like to personally thank the citizens and city officials for their support and to the members of the Newton Fire Department for their sincere dedication and courage to make our department what it is today. Ed Clements Fire Chief Newton Fire Department