(Sioux Rapids)– A member of the Sioux Rapids Fire Department has been named the state’s 2023 Firefighter Of The Year by the Iowa Firefighters Association. Dennis Williams was recognized during the department’s business meeting Wednesday night…
“Overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting it to be that large of an event. I was just thinking it was just going to be our Sioux Rapids Fire Department, but much appreciated and thankful for everyone that did show up.”
Iowa Firefighters Association President Chuck Raska presented the award to Williams, who has been a Sioux Rapids firefighter for the last 35 years…
“There was a couple of members on the fire department many years ago that said they were looking for somebody to fill a spot and they thought I would be a candidate and I thought to myself, well I’ll give it five years. If it doesn’t work out in five years I guess it’s not meant to be. But five years is long passed now.”
Williams says being a volunteer firefighter means a lot to him…
“It’s a sense of involvement and accomplishment. Not everybody wants to do this so I guess it’s just the chosen people that want to hang in there and do it. A lot of bad things have happened but there’s way too many good things that overshadow it. Just being involved with a group that are just trying to keep the community safer and helping out other communities. Just personal satisfaction on you’re doing something for your fellow man.”
Firefighters from several neighboring departments were on hand for the presentation along with representatives of the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and emergency management officials.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
