The patrons below helped consume the following amounts of food: nine cases of eggs; 2000 sausage patties; six cases of pancake mix; five gallons of syrup; two cases of butter; 30 gallons of orange juice; five gallons of milk; 20 gallons of coffee! It was another successful firemen’s pancake breakfast on Sunday, May 17, 2015. All donations will be spent towards general equipment for Morrison Fire Department.
The Morrison, IL, Fire Station, 206 W. Main Street, was transformed into a gigantic restaurant, serving the annual spring community meal. From 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., early or late risers enjoyed a freshly-cooked meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, milk, and coffee. The Editor took meals home to share, carrying orange juice in a plastic container. Her three-year-old grandson called it his “firemen’s juice.”
In the northwest corner of the building men worked as a team to feed a large crowd. From left-to-right are Dalbert Wiebenga scrambling dozens of eggs; John Bielema grilling sausage; Boone Brackemyer and Randy Betts (hands shown only) preparing batter; David Benters (foreground) grilling flapjacks.
Servers loaded plates in bucket-brigade fashion. In front left-to-right are Toby King, Kent Shepard, Rob Vegter, and new firefighter Devin Lewis. Peeking between the front line are Wiebenga, Fisk, and Brackemyer.
Three dedicated firefighters recently left the Morrison Fire Department.
Stanley Emmert retired in March 2015, due to a heavy work load. “Life just got too busy. I could not devote enough time to the department. They needed to get someone on there who could make [fire] calls. He signed up on his 22nd birthday, January 2, 1989, 26 years ago. He works for the Illinois Department of Corrections in East Moline, IL. Emmert said it may sound odd, “but there’s a certain rush when you get to go into a burning building. I’m missing it.”
John VanDerLeest left the department due to his approaching birthday. The department has a mandatory retirement age of 66; he is 65. He became a member of MFD April 1985 and retired this April, serving three decades. He felt it was time “to get some new blood” in the department. During a fire, he said, “hopefully the training kicks in, and we can salvage [some of] the 1000’s of things” that are important to a family or business. He suggested making a video of each room to record personal belongings and cautioned, “Don’t store the video in the house!” John VanDerLeest added, “We appreciate the continuing support from our community through the pancake and pork chop sales. I hope [people] continue to support [those] in the future. It’s incredible the support we get!” His parting words were, “It was a good, long haul. [Being a firefighter] gave me a focus in my life. It has been a life-changing experience.”
Mike Lewis became a fireman on September 2, 1998, and was on staff until February 2015. He attended “a few” fire calls. “It was an honor and a privilege to be a member of the MFD. They are a great group of guys. When it came time to respond to, or fight, fires, they were very professional. I enjoyed my time with them.” After nearly 16.5 years, Lewis resigned due to a move to Mount Carroll, IL. Local volunteer firemen there knocked on his door and stated, “We want you!” Lewis is now a Mount Carroll volunteer firefighter.
Three new men have joined the Morrison Fire Department.
Devin Lewis, right, replaced his father. For 1.5 years, Devin had been a Cadet Fireman. In February 2015 he began his Probationary period as a MFD volunteer fireman. His tenure will be short. In spring 2016, Devin plans to attend Paramedic School in Las Vegas, NV. The training will last two years, before he can test for a paid fire department position in southern Nevada or California. He stated he has received “good training” and is “prepared to go. It’s what I like to do.”
Tim West, left, applied for a position and was voted in on May 6, 2015. He came to the department already certified. West was a firefighter in Long Grove, IA, for 2.5 years. He stated, “I just want to serve my community and benefit the people I grew up with.”
The third man did not wish to be interviewed due to his employment. He began his Probationary period in May 2015, but had “thought about” becoming a volunteer fireman “for a long time.”
Morrison and the surrounding area continue to be blessed by well-trained, dedicated firemen.