MUSCATINE, Iowa – Family, friends, and coworkers gathered in the City Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall Friday morning as five members of the Muscatine Police Department (MPD) were promoted by Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Kies. Receiving promotions were Jeff Jirak to Captain, John Hesseling to Lieutenant, Jeff DeVrieze to Sergeant, Mitch Griffin to Corporal, and Britt Jameson to Detective.
Chief Kies welcomed everyone to the first promotion ceremony under his watch and then recited the oath of office to each officer. A pinning ceremony followed with their respective new badges pinned onto their uniform by their spouse. A reception followed in the Council Chambers for those in attendance.
Pictured following the promotion ceremony Friday in the Council Chambers are Muscatine City Hall are, left to right: Captain Jeff Jirak, Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Kies, Sergeant Jeff DeVrieze, Detective Britt Jameson, Corporal Mitch Griffin, Lieutenant John Hesseling, and Assistant Police Chief Steve Snyder.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month and the Family Meals Movement, the #WorkingWellMuscatine employer group is offering some tips that support the Healthy Hometown concepts of Eat Well, Move More, Feel Better. Individuals can use these resources in their office, or share them with employees, friends, and neighbors. The goal is to build healthier workplaces and a healthier community.
Eat Well
Did you know that September is Family Meals Month? According to the FMI Foundation, people who eat more meals together eat more fruits and vegetables, and have better diets in general. But did you know that family meals improve family connectedness, communication, expressiveness and problem solving too?
No matter how you define family, visit this website (Stay Strong with Family Meals) to learn more about staying strong with family meals.
September is also Better Breakfast Month – so visit Build A Better Breakfast for ideas to make breakfast better!
Move More
Doing 30 minutes or more of exercise a day for three to five days a week may significantly improve depression or anxiety symptoms. But smaller amounts of physical activity — as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a time — may make a difference. Find something you enjoy and make it a habit! Visit Depression and Anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms for more information.
Feel Better
A National Hotline has been set up to help people considering suicide get immediate help – Call or Text 988 for access to help 24/7.
Information about the National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be found at #BeThe1To
Most companies also have an Employee Assistance Program – check out the benefits that are available from your company and eat more, move more, and feel better
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Nearly everyone knows a firefighter. They are our family, friends, and co-workers. They respond to a stranger’s call for help without hesitation and serve with pride and compassion.
On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the world observes International Firefighters Day, a worldwide day to recognize those men and women of the fire service for their dedication to public service and bravery in keeping us safe.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is inviting communities to celebrate firefighters by lighting their homes in “red” on Wednesday. Lighting up in “red” would be a symbol of support to all of those who are there 24-hours a day, seven-days a week to protect us. You can also share photos and stories on social media with the hashtag #Shine4Firefighters.
“We have all been moved by the images of children, families, and the elderly impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” Donna Clark, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation spokesperson, said. “There have also been images reminding us of the strength and bravery of firefighters and emergency service workers responding to the needs of their communities under the worst of circumstances.”
The day is a chance to pause and say thanks to those who make up the worldwide firefighting ranks, from career firefighters to military, wildland, and volunteer firefighters. Those who volunteer can come from all walks of life. They could be your banker, Little League coach, teacher, mechanic, or neighbor. But all firefighters, regardless of their backgrounds, have at least one thing in common: When the alarm sounds, they answer the call of duty to save lives and protect property.
Though they serve with pride and compassion, their service can be easily overlooked or taken for granted. It’s only in times of emergencies, when we need them, that we deeply appreciate firefighters’ training and responsiveness. And for these men and women who are first responders, this has been a particularly stressful time in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many have been on the front lines, helping patients, and some themselves have succumbed to the virus.
Across the United States there have been 141 firefighter deaths in 2021 with 63 attributed to COVID-19. Nearly 64 percent of calls answered by firefighters are for emergency medical services (EMS).
Muscatine has had only one firefighter death in the line of duty. Michael Kruse was 53-years-old and a 27-year veteran of the Muscatine Fire Department when he lost his life while fighting a house fire on the night of September 14, 2002. He was the only Iowa fire fighter to lose their life while on duty in 2002 and the 131st in the state of Iowa since records began in 1890.
International Firefighters’ Day is a chance to give back to those who give so much to their communities.
This day of recognition is at the very heart of NFFF’s mission of honoring and remembering America’s fallen firefighters, to help their families rebuild their lives and to prevent firefighter line-of-duty injuries and deaths.
International Firefighters’ Day has its roots dating back to 1999, when it was established to honor the lives of five firefighters who died the year before in a wildfire in Victoria, Australia, and to recognize the service and sacrifice of firefighters around the world.
The date for International Firefighters’ Day falls on the feast day of St. Florian, who was the first known commander of a firefighting squad in the Roman Empire and who is the patron saint of all firefighters. May 4 is also known internationally as St. Florian’s Day.
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Pictured following the promotion ceremony Friday in the Council Chambers are Muscatine City Hall are, left to right: Captain Jeff Jirak, Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Kies, Sergeant Jeff DeVrieze, Detective Britt Jameson, Corporal Mitch Griffin, Lieutenant John Hesseling, and Assistant Police Chief Steve Snyder.
Muscatine has had only one firefighter death in the line of duty. Michael Kruse