News : RELIEF FUND STARTED FOR GARRISON EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Garrison Fire Station following the storm on Monday

The US Bank in Vinton has established a relief fund for the Garrison Fire Department and Garrison First Responders. In the early morning hours of July 11 the Garrison Emergency Services building was destroyed by straight line winds. The National Weather Service estimates the winds were up to 138 miles per hour for nearly 30 minutes.

Garrison Fire Chief Steve Meyer reports that there was severe damage clear across the Garrison Fire District in a swath at least 10 miles wide. “The loss of our building was devastating. Our firefighters and first responders had a lot of sweat equity in it. We raised the money to build it and then built it with our own hands,” said Chief Meyer, who notes that the department is 100% volunteer.

Fire and EMS apparatus of the department was damaged by the building collapse and a lot of firefighting gear and equipment was damaged or even blown away. Within 24 hours of their loss at 5 am on July 12 the Garrison Fire Department was called to a major house fire in Garrison and was able to mount an attack that knocked the fire down and kept it at bay until mutual aid arrived from neighboring fire departments. There were also several EMS calls in the days immediately after loss of the station that were handled by the first responders. “We’re not 100% the way we were, but we are operational,” Chief Meyer reports. Fire trucks and the first responder truck are temporarily housed in a building a mile out of town. Garrison firefighters have their gear with them.

The Garrison Emergency Services building, firefighting and EMS equipment are all insured. The process of rebuilding and repairing is underway but Chief Meyer says there are certain to be many unexpected expenses along the way. Anyone wishing to assist can send a contribution the Garrison Emergency Services Foundation Relief Fund, C/O U.S. Bank, 110 W 4th St., Vinton, IA 52349.