Featured Member of the Month

Firefighter Kent Altena joined the department back on August, 21st 2007. Soon after joining Kent got his first taste of what it takes to become a firefighter. The PCFD was hosting the Advanced Breathing Apparatus Trailer from the FSTB. Since it was not a “hazardous environment” Kent was allowed to don an SCBA, black out his face piece and venture through the maze of what is called the ABAT Simulator. The trailer is designed to simulate what a firefighter goes through while searching through a smoke filled environment. After the class Kent was hooked!

Kent entered into the Polk County Regional Firefighter Recruit Academy in January 2008 and he is patiently waiting for the US Postal Service to delivery his Firefighter I certification. He is currently half done with his Firefighter II classes and hopes to start with the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic classes in August.

Kent is originally from Sioux Center, Iowa but has lived in Polk City for the past four years. He is a Network Engineer with FBL Financial and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a M.A. in History. Kent has been married to his wife Laura for 18 years and they have four kids and a dog. Tasha is 14, Brett is 11 and twins Brooke & Amanda are 9. While not attending the academy or responding to emergencies, Kent enjoys running. He participates in half and full marathons. He also can’t get enough of computers at work.

Without hearing his story or seeing past photos you would have never known Kent once weighted 429 pounds! With help from the Atkins Diet and lots of determination he has lost 211 pounds. Since losing the weight over 4 years ago he rejoined the National Guard after a 7 year absence. He took up running as a way to help with the weight loss and it has now become his addiction. Great job and keep up the running!

Kent participated in the 801 Power Climb in February and turn in the fastest time among his fellow Polk City firefighters! He enjoyed the experience so much he joined the ALA Power Climb Leadership team to help organize next year’s Power Climb, specifically the Firefighter’s Challenge. To learn even more about Firefighter Altena you can visit his personnel website by clicking here,or you can email him at Kent.Altena@polkcityfd.com.

Kent, sometime soon you will look like this!

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