Careers & Education

Strawberry Point, IA, Fire Department Remains Out of Service

July 19, 2024

All 24 firefighters who decided not to respond could now be expelled by Strawberry Point officials.

Strawberry Point firefighters will not be responding to emergencies for the new future.

The 24 firefighters who turned in their pagers on July 11 had hoped Fire Chief Nick Stelken would have been reinstated by the city council this week. But that didn't happen.

After hearing from frustrated community members, the city council voted 4-1 vote not to re-appoint Stelken, KCRG reported.

During the meeting, City administrator Deno Andrews said that if the vote failed, he would have to expel all current members of the volunteer department, because their choice to go out of service violated code.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.