Pleasant Hill Fire Department Iowa

08/20/2026

The City of Pleasant Hill has for sale a set of Hurst E-Draulics rescue tools. These tools were in service until recently, when they were replaced. They are all in working order and include the following:

1 - SP 300 E Spreader
1 - SC 757 E2 Combi-Tool
1 - S 700 E Cutter
1 - SC 358 E2 Combi-Tool
6 batteries
2 corded battery units
1 Zephyr Combi-Tool mount

Tools are available for inspection at the City of Pleasant Hill Fire Station #43 located at 5151 Maple Drive, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, by appointment. To make arrangements or for any questions, contact Asst. Chief Ryan Hill at 515-262-9360 Ext. 3. Asking price for set is $20,000, and offered As-Is with no warranty expressed or implied.

08/12/2026

Last night, we had the honor of recognizing several members of our community and first responders with Life Saving Awards for their actions during two cardiac arrest calls.

On December 9, 2025, a family member immediately began CPR on a man in cardiac arrest before the arrival of first responders. Jared Dumermuth, Jon VanderEcken, Curtis Thompson, and Ashton Briggs continued resuscitation efforts, delivered a life-saving shock, and restored a pulse. He regained consciousness while being transported to the hospital and was later discharged. Making the recognition even more meaningful, he was present last night along with the family members who initiated CPR and helped give him that second chance.

On January 2, 2026, staff at a local care facility immediately began CPR on a patient in cardiac arrest. Pleasant Hill Police responded with an AED, and Jared Dumermuth, Jon VanderEcken, Cole Kleinwolterink, Cameron Dau, and Jayden Leinen continued resuscitation efforts, ultimately achieving return of spontaneous circulation before transporting the patient to the hospital. That patient was also later discharged from the hospital.

These incidents are powerful reminders of the importance of early CPR, teamwork, and a strong chain of survival.

Congratulations to everyone recognized, and thank you for your dedication to our community.

08/05/2026

Run stats for July 2026. Very busy month for your Pleasant Hill Fire Fighters!

08/03/2026

❗️National Night Out is TOMORROW❗️

🗓️ Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Sam Wise Youth Complex

Get ready! This is our biggest community event of the year, and it’s all for YOU!

⏩️ Altoona, IA National Night Out brings neighbors, local businesses, and law enforcement together to strengthen relationships and build a safer, more connected community.

We’ll have over 7️⃣0️⃣ vendors offering fun handouts, games, prizes, friendly competitions, and all the favorite food!

And the best part? Everything is….
FREE — FREE — FREE!

This event is made possible thanks to our incredible sponsors:

💎 Presenting Sponsors:
Polk County Iowa Board of Supervisors
Rapid Relief Team US

🥇 Gold Sponsors:
Iowa Peace Officers Association
Representative Bill Gustoff
Titan & Goodyear Farm Tires
Adventureland Park
Hy-Vee
Wink

🥈Silver Sponsors:
515 A Team by Libby
Iowa League of Heroes
A King's Throne Portable Restrooms
Becky Nalevanko's Dance & Tumbling Studio
Meta

🥉Bronze Sponsors:
Walmart Altoona - 8th St SW
Fareway Stores Altoona
Target
Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce

We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate our amazing Altoona and Pleasant Hill communities!

Pleasant Hill Police Department
Altoona Fire Department
Pleasant Hill Fire Department Iowa
City of Altoona, Iowa - Government

07/31/2026

Today, we recognize and celebrate the retirement of one of our own, Dave, as he retires from the Iowa National Guard.

Dave has been a valued part-time member of our department, and today marks the end of an incredible 23-year military career dedicated to serving our country.

Throughout his service, Dave served with distinction in the U.S. Army with Bravo Troop, 1-7 CAV, 1st BCT, 1st CD, and later continued his service with the Iowa Army National Guard’s 71st Civil Support Team, retiring as a Sergeant First Class.

Among his many accomplishments, Dave is a Purple Heart recipient (January 3, 2007) and earned 20 military ribbons and awards throughout his career—a testament to his courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

While today marks his retirement from military service, we’re fortunate that this isn’t goodbye. Dave will continue serving our community as a part-time member of our department, and we’re grateful to have him remain part of our team.

Please join us in congratulating Dave on an extraordinary career of service and thanking him for everything he has done for our nation and our community.

Congratulations, Dave, and thank you for your service! 🇺🇸🚒

07/21/2026

The Pleasant Hill Fire Department participated this evening in a coordinated multi-jurisdictional training exercise along the lower portion of the Des Moines River. The accompanying agencies were Carlisle Fire Department, Hartford Volunteer Fire & EMS, and Northern Warren Fire Department

Pleasant Hill primarily covers the stretch of river from Des Moines end to Yellow Banks but also assists neighboring departments all the way down to Red Rock Lake when needed.

During the water training, crews were also dispatched in Engine 432 to a rural structure fire. The incident required additional resources from the Altoona, Bondurant, and Runnells Fire Departments.

Training exercises like this help strengthen communication, coordination, and operational readiness while ensuring crews are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies across multiple jurisdictions.

As a fun fact, the Pleasant Hill Fire Department staffs one certified swift water rescue technician on each shift, and our jet boat is capable of operating in as little as 8 inches of water.

We appreciate the cooperation and professionalism of all agencies involved.

07/02/2026

With the Goodguys Car Show in town this weekend, we thought about entering… but we figured it wouldn’t be fair. 🏆🚒

So instead, here’s our entry:

2022 Seagrave Aerialscope

Performance Package:
• Cummins X12 pushing 500 HP and 1,700 lb-ft of torque
• Rolling on 22.5” blacked-out Alcoa wheels
• Tandem rear axles wrapped in Michelin X Works tires

Custom Features:
• Clean Dark red paint with black accent package
• 2,000 GPM custom water pump
• Hydraulics capable of raising the Aerialscope nearly 95 feet into the air
• Lifting power of up to 5,000 lbs
• Premium custom interior seating
• Federal Q siren
• Root-Ray emergency light
• More warning lights than horsepower… and we’re okay with that.

It may not run the quarter mile, but it’ll definitely clear traffic faster than any muscle car.

We asked Chief if we could race for pink slips… but apparently, “I live my life a quarter mile at a time” isn’t an approved department policy.

06/30/2026

Great information from our neighbors!

Day 1 of the Altoona Fire Department's "5 Days of Fireworks Safety" begins today. We begin our campaign on the safe use of sparklers.

05/27/2026

🔥 TRAINING ALERT 🔥

The Pleasant Hill Fire Department will be conducting a house fire training exercise tomorrow, May 28, at 1355 NE 52 Ct. beginning around 1 p.m.

If you're in the area near Shadyview Blvd & University Ave., you may notice activity and smoke. No need to be alarmed! This is a planned training exercise.

We do NOT anticipate any road or lane closures.

Thank you for your patience as our firefighters hone their skills to keep our community safe!

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible mothers out there, especially Chief Lee, Firefighter/Paramedic Vriezelaar, who is serving our community while on shift today, Administrative Assistant Cathy Rankin, and Medical Director Dr. Lewis.

Today, we also want to recognize the mothers whose children are away from home serving and protecting others. Thank you for the love, support, and sacrifices you make behind the scenes every day.