On Monday, March 11, 2019 at 11:34 p.m. the Epworth Fire Department was notified by the Dubuque County 911 Center of a working structure fire located at 21728 East Pleasant Grove Road, Epworth. The 911 center received numerous calls from people in the area reporting the fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fully engulfed barn fire. The farm is owned and occupied by Steve McDermott. Mutual aid assistance was provided by the Centralia-Peosta and Farley Fire Departments for water support with tankers. 19 firefighters responded and remained on the scene for over three hours. The 40x60 barn ... (Full Story & Photos)

Epworth Fire members are excited to report the new chassis and pump have arrived and work is soon starting on Vehicle 702.
This is a mini pumper and first responding EMS unit that operates out of Vernon Township area also known as our Station 2 located on Royal Wood Drive off of North Cascade Road.

This new vehicle is a 2019 Ford F550 which will replace an existing Ford 2009 F550 Simon vehicle. The new unit will feature a 1500 gallon per minute pump and all of the essential firefighting equipment and first response EMS equipment. The present vehicle was put in to service in May 2010 and this ... (Full Story & Photos)

On January 12, 2019 at the annual appreciation President's Party, the Epworth Community Fire Department honored long time members for their service to the Rural Board. The ECFD is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that contracts with townships and smaller cities to provide fire and ambulance service to their area. At the annual meeting in November two members announced their retirements. Joe McQuillen served the board for 45 years, with many terms as President of the Board. Bill Beyer also retired after 36 years of service to the Board. They are being replaced on the board by their sons, ... (Full Story & Photos)

On Saturday January 12th, 2019 the Epworth Community Volunteer Fire Department held it's annual appreciation Presidents Party. Active Firefighters, Honorary Members, City Council & Rural Board Members were in attendance for dinner and awards. In 2018 the members of the department responded to 239 calls for service which requires numerous volunteer hours donated by our members. We also thanked the spouses and the families of the members who also sacrifice their time with the members so they can respond to emergencies. In addition to the calls, there are also numerous hours volunteered annually ... (Full Story & Photos)

On Monday night Dec. 17th Epworth Fire Department members attended a Grain Dust Explosion training class held by Instructor Dan Neenan from Northeast Iowa Community College. (NECAS). The training was held at Epworth Fire station.

The members learned various techniques for responding to Grain Dust fires including scene size-up, safety, and fire suppression/water level needs.
In addition to class room training, the members were also shown a simulated dust explosion using the NECAS simulator.

Thanks to Dan and NECAS for providing this training.

... (Full Story)