Brad Rowe of Rippey was appointed to serve on the Rippey Fire Department and has recently been elected to serve as the Fire Chief for the City, and the rural area surrounding Rippey. The fire district primarily covers Washington Township but extends circuitously around the town of Rippey for 2-3 miles.
Brad moved to Rippey 16 years ago and is employed by Tyson Meats in Perry. He is replacing former Rippey Chief Peter Johnson, who retired in May of 2022.
There are a limited number of firefighters in the Rippey area, as several have recently moved. Volunteers are being recruited at this time. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older, and there is no restriction as to upper age limits, dependent upon the individual’s physical ability to assist in fighting fires. Brad anticipates having monthly trainings that he will lead, and he reports a fire training school is scheduled in Ames at the end of July. Interested persons who choose to attend, will have their tuition reimbursed. At this time persons must possess a CDL license and once becoming a firefighter will carry a fire notification beeper. Men and women may serve as firefighters.
Brad brings a wealth of experience, having attended the West Des Moines Fire Academy, and carries a national fire fighters’ certification. He served as a firefighter at Bouton and Woodward prior to moving to Rippey. He has received training in fire investigation, as well as learning about building construction, as that knowledge when implemented will aid to reduce structural damage from the flames.
Currently Grand Junction rescue squad covers the emergency needs for the City of Rippey and the surrounding area. There is also a mutual agreement with the Grand Junction firefighters that allows for both community’s fire members will be paged for a structural fire.
Brad has shared with the Washington Township Trustees, an interest in obtaining a tanker truck that will carry water to a rural fire. At this time, the water carrying capacity for Rippey is 1000 gallons, and the fire crew is dependent upon the surrounding towns to bring additional water to fight a rural fire.
The City of Rippey and the Washington Township trustees have a mutual agreement that the City provides insurance for the fire fighters, along with housing for the fire equipment. The township funds aid in purchase of equipment.
Brad is pictured above in front of the recently remodeled former Rippey School Building that houses City Hall and the Fire Department. The remodeling was made possible through funding from Grow Greene County.
-Mary Weaver