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Vol. 41 No. 51 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 Thursday, May 13, 2010
Hot News
from the
Norwalk Fire
Department
By Dustin Huston
Fire Chief
I would like to take a minute and thank the members
of the Fellowship Community Church that came out and
performed a public service day at the Public Safety Fa-
cility last weekend. As a token of their appreciation to
the departments; they washed Police cars and waxed
them, put down sod, planted trees and bushes and fed
the members of the departments and their families. Giv-
ing us an extra hand on some things that would have
gotten done at a later date was greatly appreciated and
really shows one of Nolrwalk's main attributes; friendly
people and organizations willing to give back and help
others. Thank you again very much.
I also wanted to take a little bit of time to update
people on a few changes and give a little more back-
ground on how the department operates. First, your Fire
Department is made up of four career staff and 28 paid-
on-call (POC) members; which classifies our department
as a Combination Fire Department. The hours of 6 a.m.-
6 p.m. (Monday-Friday) are covered by the career staff-
ing as on any gi.ven day, only six (on average) of the
POC members could be available during the day to help
in the event of a call as most of the members are work-
ing outside of Norwalk. Given that over the last two
yearsour call volume between the hours of 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
have accounted for 60%-65% of our calls, providing staff-
ing during these hours are critical. We also have assigned
crews for nightly responses from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for a first
out ambulance and a first out fire engine seven days a
week. The other four hours a day are picked up by the
POC staff on an availability basis. We are also working
to guarantee a first out ambulance on the weekends.
We, like most departments are hindered by the lack
of volunteerism and lifestyles of busy families, but our
group of individuals are very dedicated (as are their
families) and I'm very happy with the coverage and ser-
vice level we are providing; especially when compared
with the cost of adding additional full time staffing. As
you can see, we have a good pool of resources to choose
from but even with thirty-two people we can run a little
thin when looking at the work that needs to be done, so
when we have people to help us we really appreciate it.
I would also like to thank everyone who took time to
support the Norwalk Firefighter's Association at the
pancake breakfast again for another record year. I can
honestly tell you that it does mean a lot to the members
and I to see the great support we get from the commu-
nity; even with the long hours we are required to put in
to ensure we are providing you with the best service
possible.
I will be following up next week with some addi-
tional information about your Fire Department. I am
always available by phone or email if you have a ques-
tion or would like some additional information. Stay
safe.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Send $18 check or money order
for a one year subscription to
PC Box 325, Norwalk, IA 50211
KC PANCAKE
BREAKFAST
SUNDAY
Members of Knights of
Columbus will hold a Pan-
cake Breakfast from 8 to 11
a:m. Sunday, May 16, at St.
John the Apostle Catholic
Church, 720 Orchard Hills
Dr. The menu will feature
pancakes, French toast,
eggs, sausage, juice and
coffee.
The cost is a goodwill
donation with proceeds
from the event going to the
Iowa National Guard
Officer's Auxiliary Bear
Hug/Medallion Project.
Kathy Pierce of Norwalk is
the fundraising chairper-
son for the project.
Early Deadline
For Holiday
Noon Wednesday, May
26, is the deadline for the
Thursda June 3rd issue.
Remember, we have
moved and are now lo-
cated at 727 Main St. When
you place items in the drop
box by the door, always
include your name and
daytime telephone num-
ber in the event we have
questions.
The newspaper office
will be closed Monday,
May 31, in observance of
Memorial Day.
Memorial Day Services
The Cumming American Legion Post #562 will con-
duct Memorial Day Services Monday, May 31, at area
cemeteries. Mayor Doug Pierce will be guest speaker at
the Norwalk Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Following is a schedule of services, including times
and locations: Webb Cemetery - 8:15 a.m., Linn Grove
Cemetery - 8:30 a.m., Churchville - 9 a.m., St. Patrick's
Cemetery - 9:30 a.m., St. John's Catholic Cemetery in
Cumming - 10 a.m., Orilla Cemetery - 10:30 a.m. and
Norwalk Cemetery - 11 a.m.
Need Volunteers To Deliver Meals
Meals on Wheels is a community service that deliv-
ers hot meals to homeb'ound indiiduals in the Norwalk
community and the surrounding area.
Meals are prepared at the congregate meal site in
Martensdale. A volunteer from Norwalk takes empty
trays from the previous day to Martensdale and picks
up the hot meals for delivery. The meals for the "town
route" are dropped off at Norwalk Christian Church,
701 Main St., and the volunteer who picked up the meals
continues on with the "country route." As meals are
delivered, empty trays from the previous day are col-
lected and returned with warming bags to City Hall,
705 North Ave.
Currently there is a need for drivers for the "town
route" to pick up meals at Norwalk Christian Church
and deliverthem to approximately 20 homes in the city
of Norwalk. Meals arrive at the church at 11:15 a.m. and
delivery takes approximately one hour.
If you are interested in delivering Meals on Wheels
in Norwalk, call Diana at Norwalk Christian Church,
981-0176. You can drive once a month, once a week, or
more. This is a much appreciated and rewarding vol-
unteer experience and a great opportunity for a family
or individual who wants to serve.
Linn Grove Cook-Out
For Monthly Meal
Members of Linn Grove United Methodist Church,
7483 50th, Prole, will host their "free-will offering" din-
ner Thursday, May 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.
Meals can be dine-in or carry out.
The menu is hamburger, hot dogs and brats cooked
on the grill, along with side dishes, dessert and bever-
age. There is no cost, but a free-will offering will be
accepted.
Kathy Pierce Heads Fundraiser
for Teddy Bears/Medallions
Members of the Iowa National Guard Officer's Aux-
iliary (INGO Aux) have been collecting Teddy Bears
since 2001, after the 9/11 disaster. The custom-made
bears are given to each child, age 12 and under, of de-
ployed Iowa soldiers and airmen. Recently, the Auxil-
iary also has been providing a patriotic medallion for
teens.
Kathy Pierce of Norwalk, who is the fundraising
chairperson for the project, said the purpose is to give
children of deployed parents a tangible object to help
them feel connected to their parent while Dad or Morn
is away on duty serving our country.
Currently, the Auxiliary is in the process of collect-
ing funds for 5,000 bears to be given to children of Iowa
parents who are scheduled to be deployed this sum-
mer. The INGOAux can produce Teddy Bears for six
dollars each. Due to the large potential deployment of
Iowa soldiers and airmen, the organization needs to raise
$30,000 in order to provide Teddy Bears and Medallions
for the Iowa children and teens. Pierce stated that the
Iowa National Guard is preparing for its largest troop
deployment since World War II.
Accompanying each Teddy Bear and Medallion is a
loern, that was written by Nikelle Morris, who was a
Johnston fifth grader at the time the project began in
Concluded p.2
NORWALK. POLICE CHIEF
Ed Kuhl 1
We would like to publicly thank J.B. Silver and the
other members of the congregation from the Fellowship
Community Church. They helped in improving the
landscaping of our Public Safety Building and cleaning
our police vehicles. These are the kinds of actions that
help us appreciate the community we serve and can also
save our community tax dollars.
Volunteerism insures that individuals in the commu-
nity can help to insure the public support and the qual-
ity of the effort. It provides an opportunity for each of
us to be involved and to take pride in what we can cre-
ate in our community. The cruiser wash was a breath of
fresh air for all of our officers and an opportunity to
remember the support we have in our community from
the majority we normally don't get to have contact with.
Thank you for efforts, your kindness and your sup-
port.
