State Center Fire & EMS

08/05/2026

Today at around 12:30pm, our department was dispatched to the intersection of Highway 30 and Durham Ave for an accident involving a semi vs. car. Units that responded to the scene included Ambulance 129 (medical), Engine 120 (extrication), and Brush 125 & 126 (traffic control).

An on-scene report from Chief 1210 reported that a single car was on its top in the median, a semi was jack-knifed in the east bound lane of Highway 30, and a pickup/trailer was in the south ditch from avoiding the accident. All vehicles involved in the collision blocked both east bound lanes of traffic forcing all traffic to be diverted north to Old Highway 30.

Due to a continued investigation of the accident, we will not be releasing any images or any further information.

Thank you to the following agencies for assisting us during the incident and the following hours after our department was released:

Marshall County Iowa 911
Marshall County Sheriff's Office - IA
State Center Police Department
Marshalltown Fire Department
UnityPoint Health - Marshalltown
Iowa State Patrol
Mustaine's Towing & Recovery
Central Iowa Towing and Recovery

Image generated using AI.

08/05/2026

Monday night our department hosted Professional Rescue Innovations for another training over ventilation.

During this training, we had a classroom portion going over the different methods of ventilation and how they impact, not only us as firefighters, but also victims still inside. A well coordinated ventilation removes heat, smoke, unburned gasses, and improves visibility inside. Secondarily, ventilating allows oxygen to replace the smoke/gasses which in return increases the survivability of any victims inside.

After the classroom portion, we got the chance to get some hands on training with a trailer prop provided by PRI. This trailer allowed our members to train on an incline piched surface while using tools to make a ventilation hole.

Huge thank you to Josh Fevold and Professional Rescue Innovations for putting on this training and providing the prop trailer to get hands on training. We also want to thank the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau for providing the funding for this great training experience and giving departments these opportunities to train with great instructors and props.

07/14/2026

Last night our department held a training on forcible entry and got the opportunity to get some hands on revolutions with some door props.
The night started with an hour-long classroom presentation covering the multiple types of locks and doors, not only on residential houses but also on commercial buildings. We also covered statistics of how the response time, including gaining access with forcible entry, has a direct effect on the survivability of victims inside during an emergency. When every second matters to save a life, it is important for us to be proficient in gaining access to a structure to provide help to those inside.
We spent the last 2 hours of the training out in the heat getting some good practice using the door props provided by PRI. The members utilized different tools and methods to determine what works best for each type of door/lock combination.
Huge thank you goes out to Jacob and Jerry Eslick of Professional Rescue Innovations for coming to town and putting on this forcible entry training for our department. We have had Jerry Eslick at multiple trainings held by PRI and last night we got the chance to meet his son Jacob who is just as great of an instructor and we would highly recommend them and PRI to any department!
Thank you also goes out to the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau for providing the funding for us to host PRI last night and get some high quality training.

04/18/2026

Tonight at around 8:13pm, State Center was dispatched to a structure fire in Lamoille. Dispatch advised that the fire had just started and that there were no people inside the structure.

Albion fire was dual paged to this incident and arrived on scene along with State Center’s Car1210. Chief Pfantz advised all incoming units that there was moderate smoke coming from the eaves and that this would probably be a working attic fire. Albion stretched hose lines and sent in 2 firefighters to the 2nd division.

State Center’s E120 and E121 arrived on scene and sent multiple crews inside. One crew went to the 2nd division and began opening walls to expose the fire and put a knock down on it quickly before the fire spread got worse. The 2nd crew went to the basement to check for extension through the ballon frame structure and cleared the subdivision before heading up to assist with fire attack and overhaul.

After some investigation with the caller on scene, the power company, and some markings on the house; it was presumed to be a lighting strike that caused this fire. As you can see in the last photo, that is a piece of window flashing that has a flared electrical burn close to the ground rod for the residence.

Albion and State Center remained on scene for roughly 90 minutes before deeming the house safe and releasing the residence back to the homeowner. No injuries occurred during this incident and all units are back in service.

Thank you to the following agencies for assisting us during this incident:

Albion Fire Department
Marshall County Iowa 911
Marshall County Sheriff's Office - IA

04/07/2026

This morning at around 0100, State Center was dispatched to a shop fire in the 2000 mile of Canfield Ave. A Marshall County Sheriff deputy was the first one to arrive on scene and advised us the structure was fully involved.

Car 1210 called for a third alarm and paged multiple other agencies for water and some man power. Once our engine arrived on scene we went fully defensive due to the roof collapsing prior to our arrival. Around 50,000 gallons of water was used during the incident to bring the fire under control.

Due to the roof collapse of a tin roof, a backhoe and excavator were brought in to help remove some of the materials to gain access to buried burning materials. State Center was on scene for roughly 9 hours and no injuries occurred during the incident.

Huge thank you to the following departments, agencies, and businesses that provided aid during this incident:

Marshall County Sheriff's Office - IA
Colo Fire and Rescue
Melbourne Iowa Fire Dept
Clemons Fire
Zearing Fire
Mumm Backhoe and Excavating.
Needham Excavating

03/28/2026

03/28/2026

‼️The breakfast is hot and ready to eat‼️

Come to upstairs City Hall and get some delicious biscuits & gravy and some hash browns to start your Saturday off.

03/27/2026

‼️TOMORROW 7-10 AM‼️

Reminder of our Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast tomorrow morning (Saturday) from 7-10AM at City Hall. Please use the east door of City Hall by the grocery store to go up the stairs or there is also an elevator available.

Also make sure to head down to Brian's Collision Clinic LLC after getting breakfast to enjoy their free Easter event!

03/06/2026

Today, State Center Fire was dispatched to an electrical pole on fire and sparking. Upon arrival, we noticed a single pole on fire that was roughly 60% burned through. Due to live wires, there was not much we could do other than make sure the scene stays safe for not only the homeowners/traffic but also for the city crew while they worked.

Huge shout out to the guys with State Center Electric who not only showed up very quick but also got to work right away with their boom truck and fire extinguisher. This prevented the pole from burning further and causing more damage.

It was quite amazing to watch a single fire extinguisher put out a pole burning that hot in a matter of seconds. Just goes to show the importance of keeping a fire extinguisher in your homes incase of a fire. The smallest fire extinguisher can save property and reduce damage with just a simple pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep! (Take a look at the last photo on how to use an extinguisher in an emergency)

03/03/2026

❗️NEW LOCATION❗️

Since construction of our new Fire Department begins prior to the breakfast, we will be serving you from upstairs in City Hall.

Let the Fire Department make breakfast for you! All you can eat biscuits & gravy and smothered hashbrowns! Juice and coffee will also be served.

FREE WILL DONATION
All donations will go towards the purchase of training room tables and chairs!