It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share information about Roy Bingham, Deputy Chief of the
Polk City Fire Department. Roy was diagnosed with cancer on Friday, September 18th. Roy has a beautiful family,
including wife Rebecca, and two young daughters, Alex and Addison. He and his family need all the support we can give
them from our Fire and EMS community. Needless to say, this is a huge blow to the Polk City Fire Department as Roy
is a dear friend and integral part of the PCFD family.
A website has been started for his friends and family to keep up with his progress.
You can read entries and leave Roy messages of support by visiting
Caringbridge.org.
Many folks have expressed a desire to help Roy & Rebecca in some way. Your kind words and offers have not gone unnoticed. At this point, their immediate
needs appear to be taken care of, but future gaps are bound to surface. Household chores, errands, getting kids where they need to be, etc. are all likely to pop up.
Dan Gubbins has offered to coordinate these efforts. If you are interested in helping in some way, please email your contact info to
Dan Gubbins, Dan.Gubbins@polkcityfd.com. He will maintain a list of what is needed and contact you as things surface.
Additionally, several folks have expressed a desire to
help defray the financial burden of Roy’s illness. If you are interested in doing so, contributions may be made to the Roy Bingham Fund at any Midwest Heritage Bank,
dropped off at the Polk City Fire Dept. attn: Dan Gubbins, or may be mailed to Midwest Heritage Bank, attn: Roy Bingham Fund, 3580 EP True Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
Roy Bingham Benefit Breakfast
Brotherhood…what does it mean? Before September 18th, I thought I knew what it meant but on that day, the day I was diagnosed with
cancer it has taken on a whole new meaning. It means a group of five guys putting together a benefit breakfast and silent auction
in only five weeks. It means a whole department coming together and representing. It means 19 different agencies showing their
support for a person they have known all their lives or have only heard about them. It means family, friends and co-workers hitting
the pavement asking for donations or driving five hours to eat some pancakes. That’s what brotherhood means to me!
So to go without saying October 31st was a huge success! The organizers of the event had set a goal and let’s just say they shattered
the glass ceiling by doubling want they hoped to bring in.
Approximately 1,100 people were served pancakes, sausage and drinks which came out to 150 pounds of pancake mix. Every member of the
Polk City Fire Department and other volunteers throughout the day busted their tails to pull something of this caliber off. We have
easily pulled off serving 300 maybe 400 people at past pancake feeds but nothing like this amazing event. If you walked away hungry
it would have been only your fault due to they started serving at 6:45 and they were still serving at 11:00 and I know many people
went up for seconds. This was only the pancake portion of the event!
As many of you know the silent action spoke for itself. With almost 200 gift arrangements from one item to multiple items this in
itself was a huge task for a first time set of guys. Items ranged from tickets to athletic events, puzzles, prints to hand-made
tables and benches and not to forget about the miniature Daushound.
Rebecca, Alex, Addison and I would like to deeply thank all of our followers for coming out on the 31st and supporting our family.
If it wasn’t for each and every one of you and your generous hearts we would not be able to take on what the future lies ahead of
us! Everything is very humbling and it is amazing to see a community, fire service families and old friends all come together from
far and near.
To see more amazing pictures of the pancake breakfast and silent action please click here.
Thank You!
It's Courage That Counts!
Deputy Chief - Roy Bingham
TNT Pump Gets New Look
The Polk City Fire Department is proud to announce they are the “1st Fire Department in the nation”
to have in-service an electric start (gas) TNT extrication pump. The pump was purchased from Sandry Fire Supply back in 2002 and
has seen many calls. Over the last few years officers of the PCFD have been looking at new ways to improve the field time for
extrication calls. “In the heat of the moment, we tended to have difficulties starting the pump for one reason
or another which potentially delayed extrication” – stated Chief Jason Morse, “Now with the addition
of the electric starter and some further training, our citizens, neighbors, and visitors will get the service they deserve in their
time of need.”
Earlier this spring while attending a training class, some PCFD officers noticed a neighboring department’s extrication pump with
an electric starter and got to thinking that would be beneficial for the PCFD. After talking with Joe & Lori (Sandry Fire Supply)
it was realized the neighboring department’s pump was diesel and the PCFD’s was gas powered. Further talks brought the PCFD officers
to the realization that either a new pump (diesel) would have to be purchased or the thoughts of adding a starter to the current
pump would have to be dropped. TNT does not manufacture an electric start gas extrication pump…YET!
Joe from Sandry Fire Supply did not like those options. While talking with TNT representatives the idea was brought up again. A
demonstration pump had been built in Texas with exactly what the PCFD was looking for. Joe talked with the builder and the dream
was brought to life!
The Polk City Fire Department would like to thank Sandry Fire Supply, especially Joe Kelly and Lori Soloman and TNT for the joint
efforts of putting the PCFD’s idea into reality. “This is truly one of best equipment improvements we have
made in recent years!” – Chief Morse
PCFD Adds Gator to Response Capabilities
The Polk City Fire Department is happy to announce the addition of a John Deere Gator to its response capabilities. The gator will
be multi-functional and will assist department staff in responding to emergencies along bike trails, state parks, campgrounds, and
other off road areas. It will also be utilized for special event coverage and included as a resource in the City’s disaster plan.
Several different funding sources made the gator possible, including a $10,000 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the
Polk City Firefighters Association, and the City of Polk City. The majority of the body work (including custom seats), was donated
by Custom Paint Specialists of Des Moines. Great American Outdoors of Ankeny also helped secure discounted pricing with a government
purchasing program through John Deere.
The gator is a 2009 John Deere 6X4 Gator. It includes a Medbed which allows transport of a patient on a backboard. The Medbed is
easily removable to allow for department staff to transport hose or other needed materials during a rescue or fire. The unit is
complete with a roll over protection system and includes a roof, light bar, and full radio communications. The gator is stored on a
trailer for easy deployment to emergency scenes.
The Polk City Fire Department covers a large amount of recreation area and the addition of the gator expands our emergency response
ability to areas often unreachable in the past. We would like to thank Great American Outdoors of Ankeny, Prairie Meadows Racetrack
and Casino, and Custom Paint Specialists for their assistance and commitment to this project!
New Recruit Nozzle Time
On one of the nice Saturday’s this spring, someone decided it would be a good idea to reduce the brush pile at the
City of Polk City’s Maintenance Facility. Polk City Fire Department responded and quickly got the pile under
control and in-turn used the opportunity for some new recruits to get some nozzle time.
The Challenge to be Visible
High Visibility = Fluorescent and Retroreflective
Federal Highway Administration regulations and NFPA standards require the use of high visibility garments for
emergency responders operating on or near a roadway.
To meet these requirements emergency responders should use only vests that meet the Class II requirements of
ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 or the requirements of ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 for Public Safety Vests.
Agencies shall comply with the provisions no later than November 24, 2008.
The Polk City Fire Department is dedicated to their community by reaching out to the public. Throughout various
events members of the Polk City Fire Department take time away from their personal life to promote safety and fire
prevention. Recently they have participated in the Four Seasons Festival, United Services Golf Tournament, Hall of
Flame (Iowa State Fair), storm cleanup and various other public awareness events. Look for members of the PCFD at a
North Polk Football game or various sporting events at the lakes.
Please help the Polk City Fire Department with their annual MDA “Fill the Boot” Campaign.
Coming soon to a corner near you!
