In preparation for their toy distribution on Thursday, December 21, 2017, Morrison Firemen, spouses, parents, and other volunteers gathered to wrap a multitude of donated gifts. The two newest volunteers were part of the wrapping brigade. Travis Van Zuiden, left, age 30, and David Dykstra, 34, are shown holding their helmets. Both men joined the department on Wednesday, September 20.
Since then, Van Zuiden has been on three calls. One, to Open Bible Fellowship, fortunately was a false alarm. Someone was burning leaves nearby, and the smoke was sucked into the building’s ventilation system. This set off the alarm. Van Zuiden and others surveyed the building, which was locked, but found no flames inside. They waited until someone with a key arrived.
Dykstra has been on ten calls. One was a structure fire in Morrison. He checked for hot spots in the house and assisted with security on scene.
The longest serving Morrison Fire Department member–Joe Bielema–has 33 years behind him. Van Zuiden and Dykstra may strive to match that goal of service to Morrison, IL, and its surrounding communities.
