The Atalissa Fire Department is determined to build a better fleet of vehicles for their first responders.
The 19-person department bought a used 1992 Smeal Fire Engine Truck from Olwein in December for $20,000 and are now looking to upgrade the department’s only ambulance and possibly add a third fire engine.
“As always, we’re trying to play catch up,” said first year fire chief Mike Smock, noting his department has the equipment to handle just about any kind of fire, but says they’re still a truck short, noting they could really use a tanker unit that could carry about 2.000 gallons of water.
The department, which covers 42 square miles surrounding Atalissa, including about 1,200 residents of homes and farms in Iowa, Pike, Moscow and Goshen townships, the chief saying they’re simply trying to update old equipment with better equipment, replacing two engines that were built in 1982 and 1986 with the newer truck.
Not having a huge budget that typically rounds out to about $50,000 annually, Atalissa’s Fire Department accomplished a number of upgrades through donations and grants, including getting over $1,000 from Alliant Energy to buy eight sections of 50-foot hose to replace worn equipment on their trucks, including four hoses that were ruined in actual fires.
A total of 13 of those fires have taken place already this year in what Smock says may make 2021 a record breaking year for fighting fires, about half of those structure fires. Many of those fires may be aiding neighboring departments like West Liberty, Tipton, West Branch, Nichols or Wilton.
Smock said the new vehicle seats six and will hold 1,000 gallons of water while holding just about everything the department might need in an emergency situation, about half their calls concerning Interstate 80 accidents north of the community.
The truck is dwarfed by the department’s yellow 2007 Freightliner ladder engine truck, which the department purchased new 14 years ago with federal funding aid distributed following the 9-11 crisis in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
Smock says part of the problem for the department is the fact they haven’t been able to host fundraisers because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, including their biggest fundraiser – Atalissa Days – where the department has annually raised $10,000 plus.
The department does get tax revenue and funding from local communities and townships, but Smock says it takes a lot of money to keep up with safety regulations and equipment updates.
Smock says he has a dedicated team of first responders, but only about five or six who are available during the daytime hours. He’s pleased to be able to report the department has added three newcomers in the past few months, all getting trained in Fire Fighter One classes.
Although the department doesn’t have paramedics, five first responders are certified emergency medical technicians including Joe Blick, Tammy Wigim, Candace Rada, Jen Davis and Smock.
Car show set in May
But Smock is happy to report those fundraisers are back this year, starting with a free car show on Sunday, May 9, on the grounds surrounding the department.
Organizer Hunter Stoll of Wilton expects to attract 100 hot rods, antique, classic and unique cars as well as a few classic motorcycles at the event that is open to anyone from 2-5 p.m. that afternoon.
The fire department will benefit from selling refreshments and food that afternoon. Smock says it is the second straight year the car show is taking place and, although it may not be a big fundraiser, it does give a lot of exposure to the public safety projects the department is working on, including providing a new area emergency heating and cooling station where the department home could be used as a shelter for homeless, an electrical charging station and more, including providing restrooms and showers, which are now under construction.
The department is still accepting donations toward that project, brought on by the fact Atalissa and area rural residents were without electricity for nearly a week following the August derecho wind storm that disrupted area life.
Atalissa Days fundraiser
The main event, however, is Atalissa Days, usually an annual event that didn’t happen in 2020 because of the pandemic, where hundreds of people are expected to flock to the small community on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26.
It all starts at 7 p.m. on June 25 with a silent auction where dozens of items will be donated to help raise money while a local disc jockey – DJ Derek– plays popular tunes and requests. Derek Telsrow is one of the firemen on the squad.
The high will subside with a spectacular fireworks show on the grounds, with a dance to follow provided by a live band, Tongue-n-Groove, which hails from Blue Grass.
The June 26 events open at 8 a.m. with the silent auction continuing through 5 p.m. that evening, enhanced by a car show from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. where anyone is welcome to show off their classic machine. An awards ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. for the best and most popular cars in the show.
A Next Generation Shows carnival begins at 10 a.m. with a variety of rides and a bags tournament begins at 11 a.m. that day.
The afternoon is highlighted by a community parade, with line-up beginning at 2 p.m. at the Nutrient plant on Oak Street, the parade running through the city beginning at 3 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., the West Liberty Lions Club will host their popular kid’s pedal tractor pull.
A barbeque cook off will also be held that day beginning in the early morning, with judging and awards taking place by 4 p.m. The event is limited to the first 10 registrants by contacting Angie Dickey at 563-299-9763 and meat will be provided.
There will also be a community dinner featuring the meat prepared in the cook-off beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a live auction beginning at 6 p.m. and a dance beginning at 8 p.m. with live music from Fair Warning of Davenport. Anyone is welcome to attend,
Want to donate?
Anyone interested in making a donation toward the live or silent auction should contact any fire department member including Smock at 319-321-7101.
They include Scott Skubal, Kyle Beinke, Joe Blick, Rick VanDusen, Cody VanDusen, Cory Alexander, Travis Parry, Trent Telsrow, Dave Spilger, Alex Pace, Derek Telsrow, Ashley Blick, Tammy Wigim, Candace Rada, Jen Davis, Austin VanAmerongen, Matt Wigim and Mark Evans.