Grinnell Fire Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09-11-13 09:28AM

Grinnell Fire Department earns 2012 Life Safety Achievement Award

The Grinnell Fire Department was recently presented with a Life Safety
Achievement Award for its fire prevention accomplishments in 2012 by the National
Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) Fire Research and Education
Foundation in partnership with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. The award
was announced by J. William Degnan, president of the NASFM Fire Research and
Education Foundation.

“When we hear the fire truck coming down the street and see its lights, we know
firefighters are responding to someone in trouble. What we don’t know is that
these unsung heroes are doing a lot of things behind the scenes that save lives,”
said Alan Clark, assistant vice president of Special Investigations at Grinnell
Mutual. “The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their
fire prevention programs that have been proven to save lives year after year.”

Since 1994, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized local fire prevention
efforts that have contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential
fires. Grinnell Fire Department is one of 117 fire departments across the United
States to receive the award this in 2012.  The award was received due to the
department’s documented active and effective fire prevention programs as well as
a clear commitment to reducing the number of house fires in the community.

Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20 percent of all fires, they
result in 80 percent of all fire deaths. The NASFM Fire Research and Education
Foundation is committed to reducing that number.

“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can
significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires,” Degnan said.
“Prevention and education are very cost effective compared to the traditional
approach of relying on fire suppression. The Life Safety Achievement Award
recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts and encourages them
to continually improve upon those efforts.”

About NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation
The NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation is a public interest group whose
mission is to reduce residential fire deaths and injuries.  The Foundation advocates
the use of residential fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and
teaching people fire-safe behavior. The Foundation assists fire departments with
implementing residential sprinkler/smoke alarm programs on a local basis. The
Foundation’s partners include the United States Fire Administration, the National
Association of State Fire Marshals and private industry/associations with an
interest in and commitment to residential fire safety.

About Grinnell Mutual
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, in business since 1909, provides
reinsurance for farm mutual insurance companies and property and casualty
insurance products through more than 1,600 independent agents in 12 Midwestern
states. Grinnell Mutual is the 123rd largest property-casualty insurance company in
the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in
North America.

For more information about the Grinnell Fire Department and their fire prevention
activities please visit them on line at www.grinnellfd.com or on Face Book.

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Narva, Executive Director
NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation
Email: jnarva@narvaassociates.com
NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation website: www.firemarshals.org

-or-

Daniel J. Sicard, Fire Chief
Grinnell Fire Department
1020 Spring St
Grinnell, IA 50112
E-mail: djsicard@grinnellpd.com


The 2012 Life Safety Achievement award has been sponsored by a grant from the
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company





Two People Rescued From House Fire
Grinnell, IA January 14, 2012:
At 0152 Hrs on this date the Grinnell Fire Department responded to a reported
trailer fire, with people trapped, Arbor Trailer Park on Washington Avenue. On
arrival at the scene there was fire coming from the trailer, two people had escaped
the fire (3 and 11 years old) and two more were reported missing. Fire crews then
rescued a 7 month old female and a 22 year old female from inside the structure.
Midwest Ambulance Service transported both patients to Grinnell Regional Medical
Center. Both victims were transported from there by air ambulance to Iowa City in
critical condition. The occupants that escaped reported not hearing any smoke
detectors and the only detector found in the trailer appeared to be unhooked. The
fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall’s Office. Grinnell Fire
Department was also assisted on scene by the Grinnell Police Department and the
Gilman Fire Department.

1-11-12
The Grinnell Fire Department is accepting applications for purpose of establishing
an active Civil Service hiring list for Firefighters. Applications are available at the
Grinnell Fire Dept. 1020 Spring Street Grinnell, Iowa 50112 or contact Chief Dan
Sicard at 641-236-2688 or djsicard@grinnellpd.com. Testing process will take place
the weekend of March 16-18th 2012. Applications shall be received by 2PM on
February 23rd 2012.



4-23-11
Full-time Driver Dave Thompson retires from the Grinnell Fire Department as a Paid
Driver.  Join us on Saturday the 23rd to wish Dave well at an open house at the
Grinnell Public Safety Building. 2-4 pm.



7-16-09
Full time Driver Position Opening:
The Grinnell Fire Department has started the process to fill the position of
Driver/Dispatcher.  Please check back soon for a full description and when a test
date will be posted.



11-15-08
The Grinnell Fire Department hosted an open house for Retired-Firefighter Larry
Cox on Saturday evening at the Grinnell Eagles.  Fellow firefighters and family
gathered for a private meal and friends joined an open house and dance
afterwards.  Larry retired in August with 30 years of service.  He was presented a
Custom Painted Leather Fire Helmet as a sign of appreciation from Fire Chief Dan
Sicard on behalf of the Department.  Many firefighters shared memories along with
family members and Larry was honored throughout the evening.



9-8-08
Grinnell Fire Department Receives $16,500 from Monsanto Fund to
Help Fund Training Supplies for the New Public Safety Building

Grinnell, IA September 5th, 2008:  The Grinnell Fire Department  today announced it
has received $16,500 from the Monsanto Fund,  a private foundation and  the
philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to help fund training supplies for the new
Public Safety Building.  This program will provide new state of the art training
software, up to date training manuals and supplies for the Volunteers to construct
a search and rescue maze in the new building.
“The Grinnell Fire Department  is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to
address the needs of our community,” said Daniel Sicard, Grinnell Fire Chief.  “This
grant will allow us to support our Volunteer Firefighters with the best, most up to
date, training available.”
The Grinnell Fire Department  protects approximetly 150 square miles covering the
City of Grinnell and portions of both Poweshiek and Jasper Counties.  The
Department is made up of 5 full-time firefighters and 28 volunteers.  Last year they
responded to 470 calls for service.
“As Monsanto continues to grow and expand its facilities in the Grinnell area, we
are proud to be a part of the continued growth of the City of Grinnell and the
surrounding area.  Safety awareness at home and in the community are as
important to Monsanto’s employees as safety awareness on the job.  I feel a
modern state-of-the-art public safety building is key


to a successful community safety awareness program. ”, said Al Henderson, Plant
Manager of Monsanto.

The Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company.
Incorporated in 1964, the Fund’s primary objective is to improve the lives of people
by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. The Monsanto Fund
is focused on grant-making in four main areas: nutritional well-being through
agriculture; science education, primarily on professional development for teachers;
the environment, which includes conservation, protection of biodiversity, clean
water and restoration of wildlife habitat; and improving the quality of life in
communities where Monsanto employees live and work.

Visit the Monsanto Fund at http://
www.monsantofund.org/asp/welcome.asp or the
Grinnell Fire Department at http://
www.grinnellfd.com.



6-9-08
The Grinnell Fire Department held it's annual election of officers.  The following
are the results for the 2008-2009 year.

Scott Schmidt        Assistant Chief of Operations
Dan Walker             Assistant Chief of Training
Craig Sieck            Captain
Brett Epperly          Lieutenant  
Mike Groves           Lieutenant/Safety Officer

Don Ellis                President
Dave Byers            Vice President
Ken Conner           Sec/Treasurer

12-23-07
The Grinnell Fire Department will be hosting a FF1 class starting January 16,
2008 from 6-10:00 pm.  The class will run for 12 weeks with Saturday 4 hour
class added after class size is finalized.  Anyone interested please contact
Captain Dan Walker @ walker@prirescue.com.  The class will be open to
everyone in the Poweshiek and Jasper county area.  There will also be a FF2
class starting on February 20, 2008.

April 11, 2007
Grinnell Annual Firefighters Ball
Check those mail boxes! The Grinnell Fire Department has sent out it's mailing
for the Annual Firefighters Ball.  This year the fire department is raising money
for a Thermal Imaging Device.  This will help enhance the firefighters ability to
quickly perform a primary search in a house fire.  The initial time saved by
firefighters when they enter the house is the most crucial time in getting the
occupants to safety.  With the ongoing support of the citizens from the Grinnell
Fire Department area the department will be able to call the fund raiser a
success!  Thank you for all your support today and in the future.

October 8, 2006
Today is the kick off for National Fire Prevention Week.  The Grinnell Fire
Department started the week with a great start serving nearly 1000 people for
it's Annual Fire Prevention Breakfast.  The Fire Department will be doing
numerous tours and fire prevention presentations throughout the month of
October.  Don't forget Operation EDITH (Exit Drill in the Home) Wednesday night
the 11th at 6:00 PM. Please meet at a central place in yard This year we are
very excited about a new project.  We are giving away Smoke Detectors for
FREE.  See get FREE Smoke Detectors for more information.  Always
Remember, Time to change clock, it is time to change your batteries in your
smoke detectors.  Stay safe

July14,2006
The Grinnell Fire Department and Wanda White will be hosting an open house
and dance for Pat White who has just retired from the Grinnell Volunteer Fire
Department with 30 years of service.  The Open house will be at the Eagles Hall
across the street from the Firehouse on August 5, 2006.  Time will be
Tuesday June 13, 2006

The Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department held it's annual elections last night and
elected the following firefighters as their officers.
Asst. Chief    Scott Schmidt
Captain    Dan Walker
Lieutenant    Craig Sieck
Safety Officer    Mike Groves
President    Paula Ingle
Vice President    Ben McFarland
Sec-Treasurer    Ken Conner


Saturday April 22, 2006
The Grinnell Fire Department hosted the 128th annual Firemen Ball tonight.  
Route 66 was the Band for the evening.  This is one of the main fund raisers for
the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department.  It was a huge success and a big Thank
You goes out to all who contributed and came and spent the evenings with the
Firefighters.  As a little appreciation on behalf of the Fire Department, 4 smoke
detectors, 4 fire extinguishers, and 4 GFD hats were given away as door prizes
at the dance.  
The GFD Ladies Aux also had  2  1/2 hog raffle plus $25.00 of processing,  The
two winners were Ellie Renaud and Dan DeMott.  The hog was donated Barney
Bahrenfuse
Thursday November 3, 2005
The Grinnell Volunteer Firefighter's Association announced this week that it
received 20 new self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that will be donated
to the Grinnell Fire department, offering updated equipment that will act as a
life line for anyone stepping through smoke and flames.
Nearly $88,000 was brought in by the association over the past 2 years through
grant writing and fundraising campaigns. The group wants to raise $115,000
total, so it can purchase four more SCBA. Another four were provided for the
local department through a federal Homeland Security grant.
The SCBA that are currently in use are more than 40 years old, so the new
equipment, which all firefighters will learn to use over the next month, will
improve firefighter safety.
It also brings the department into compliance with national firefighting
standards. The units each have a built in alerting system that will sound if a
firefighter is immobilized, an electronic voice box that amplifies what a
firefighter is saying. The equipment is also 15 pounds lighter than what is now
in use, which feels more comfortable because the weight is distributed to the
hips rather than the shoulders.
" It is a shame we had that old equipment as long as we did. Our volunteers are
finally protected to the level they should have been many years ago," said Dan
Walker, Volunteer Training Captain for the Grinnell Fire Department.
One of the candidates running for against an incumbent on the Grinnell City
Council has complained that the bidding process for the firefighters' equipment
has not been open, questioning how funds were used and how the bidding
process worked. But no city funds were used to purchase the equipment, and
the volunteer group bought the Scott Air-Pac breathing apparatus only after
considering using similar units made by two other companies.
The association thanks residents and businesses that made the purchase
possible. Financial support came from the following: Alliant Energy Foundation,
Claude and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company,
Donaldson's Company Inc., Fraternal Order of Eagles, Grinnell College, Grinnell-
Newburg Community School District, Hammond's Hallmark, Jeld-Wen
Foundation, Sully Cooperative Exchange, and Monsanto Corporation.
If you have an upcoming event planned and want it posted, email us at the link
listed below.



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