Wapello Fire and Rescue

10/15/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cooley family and Morning Sun Fire and Rescue after the devastating loss of firefighter and former Assistant Chief Mark Cooley. Morning Sun Fire Department is a highly valued mutual aid partner of ours and has been for many years. Not only do we respond to calls together, we train together, attend various meetings together, collaborate during special events and form close personal bonds with one another that can only be understood by people who share the trauma of having responded to emergencies where someone is experiencing the worst day of their life. Mark has been there to share that burden with us countless times over the years along with several of his family members that are part of our fire and EMS family. No words can adequately express the gratitude that we have for the service that Mark has provided to the area over the years nor the sadness that we feel from his passing. Mark brought us joy during some of our most stressful times. He won't be replaced but we will use what he taught us to become better people. Rest in peace Brother.

10/12/2026

🦃🚒 LACE UP YOUR RUNNING SHOES — IT'S TURKEY TROT TIME! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Join Wapello Fire & Rescue on Thanksgiving morning for the 2026 Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and Kids ½ Mile Run/Walk!

Before you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, come out for some fresh air, exercise, and fun while supporting a great cause right here in our community!

📅 Thursday, November 26, 2026
📍 Wapello Fire Station – 101 Firehouse Drive

⏰ RACE DAY SCHEDULE

7:00 AM – Registration Opens

8:00 AM – 5K Run/Walk

9:00 AM – Kids ½ Mile Run/Walk

💲 REGISTRATION – $30

👕 Register by November 15 to guarantee your official 2026 Turkey Trot T-shirt! Registrations received after November 15 will not include a shirt. Race-day registration will also be available!

🏆 Awards will be presented to the overall male and female 5K winners, along with winners in each age division!

🚒 RUN FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

This year's Turkey Trot is a fundraiser to help Wapello Fire & Rescue pave parking areas at our new fire station. Your participation helps support the volunteers who serve and protect our community!

📝 TWO EASY WAYS TO REGISTER!

💻 REGISTER & PAY ONLINE:
Complete your registration and pay online using the link below!

👉 https://forms.gle/eJtbACnetMSyU8eE7

📬 REGISTER BY MAIL:
Prefer a paper registration? Complete the registration form and mail it with your payment to:

Wapello Fire and Rescue – 2026 Turkey Trot
101 Firehouse Drive
Wapello, IA 52653

📞 Questions? Contact Bill Small at 319-759-6533.

🦃 MAKE THE TURKEY TROT PART OF YOUR THANKSGIVING TRADITION!

Whether you're running for a personal best, walking with friends, or bringing the kids out for some holiday fun, we'd love to see you there!

🍁 COME RUN WITH US BEFORE THANKSGIVING DINNER! 🍁

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post and inviting your friends and family!

10/09/2026

Today wrapped up fire prevention week for the Wapello Community Schools with some classroom activities and fire truck rides. Special congratulations to the fire safety poster winners!

10/09/2026

🎉 BINGO AT THE STATION WAS A HIT! 🎉

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out tonight to play, have fun, and support Wapello Fire and Rescue! 🚒❤️ Congrats to all our winners, and a special thanks to the Wapello Community Club for organizing everything and those tasty walking tacos! 🌮😋

We’re grateful for our amazing community! 🙌

10/02/2026

09/23/2026

It’s been a long-time coming, but a well deserved congratulations to these four guys for sticking with it and completing their FF1 class and certifications. Over the course of several months, they attended class twice a week for a few hours each night and even some additional time on the weekends. Their time spent away from their families and dedication to the fire department is what exemplifies the type of members we have. We couldn’t be more proud of them and look forward as they help us continue to serve our community!

Pictured L-R: Jacob Truitt, Jeff Guckert, Ethan Sabelka, Blair Humiston

As we continue to look ahead, just a reminder that we’re always seeking qualified applicants for volunteer firefighter or firefighter/EMT openings on our roster. This position does require a certain time commitment to meet our department minimum training standards. We provide the training at no cost to our members. This opportunity provides valuable training and life skills which are helpful in your personal life or career. If you would like to help your community, are at least 18 years old and live or work full-time within 5 air miles of Wapello (or the Wapello Fire District, whichever is farther), you may be eligible for probationary membership. Please visit our website for more information and an online application tool, or talk to one of our members.

http://www.wapellofireandrescue.com/

09/16/2026

Wapello Fire and Rescue and Wapello Community Ambulance had another busy day on 9/15/26 responding to multiple calls for service. The busy trend continues.

04:40 - Medical Emergency - Roy El Court
06:03 - Advanced Life Support request from Morning Sun Ambulance
07:17 - Natural Gas Line Break - US 61
10:22 - Medical Emergency - 4th Street
12:34 - Accident with Injuries - County Road X-61
14:12 - Accident with Injuries - US 61

Members also spent time at the station in the evening for a scheduled station cleanup.

09/15/2026

Last Day to Order!

🎀🔥 NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE — 2026 LIMITED EDITION 🔥🎀
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Wapello Fire & Rescue is proud to partner with Designs by Heidi for something very special.
We’re offering a Limited Edition “No One Fights Alone” T-Shirt & Sweatshirt, and this one has a purpose far beyond what’s printed on it.
💗 ALL PROCEEDS from this fundraiser will be directed to someone right here in our local area who is currently fighting breast cancer. 💗
When you order, you’re not only getting a one-of-a-kind Wapello Fire & Rescue shirt — you’re helping us stand behind one of our own neighbors during their fight.
🔥 THE DESIGN
The large “No One Fights Alone” Tower 112 design will be featured on the BACK, with the smaller Wapello Fire & Rescue pink logo on the FRONT.
📅 ORDER DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15
📦 LOCAL PICKUP: Pickup information will be announced once the order arrives. Shirts will be available for pickup at the Wapello Fire Station.
🚚 SHIPPING: Shipping is also available for our friends and supporters outside the area!
🛒 ORDER ONLINE:
https://designsbyheidiwapellovfdnoonefightsalone.square.site

📱 Or simply scan the QR Code to place your order!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for the people fighting this disease — and the families standing beside them — the fight doesn't last just one month.
Let's fill our community with PINK this October and show them that in Wapello...
🎀 NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE. 🎀
Please LIKE & SHARE to help us spread the word! 💗🔥

09/11/2026

On September 11, 2001, our nation experienced a tragedy that forever changed us. Twenty-five years later, we remember.

The members of Wapello Fire & Rescue pause today to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the countless families whose lives were forever changed. We especially remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other brave heroes who ran toward danger when others were running away—many making the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

Their courage, selflessness, and dedication represent the very best of the fire and emergency services. Their sacrifice is something we will never forget.

Today, we also remember how our nation came together in the days that followed—as neighbors, communities, first responders, and Americans.

25 years later, we still remember. We still honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

Wapello Fire & Rescue
Service • Sacrifice • Community

🇺🇸🚒