The Epworth Fire Department honored past Fire Chief Tom Hancock by dedicating and naming the Tom Hancock Meeting Room in his honor at its annual appreciation party on Saturday, January 14th, 2017. Tom was a 45 year firefighter and is the longest serving member of the fire department. He served 16 years as fire chief from 1987-2003. Tom was instrumental in many projects and accomplishments of the fire department. He was one of eight members to complete the paramedic program advancing the ambulance service to the paramedic level in the late 1980's. Tom's service was not just limited to the department, he served on many committees at the county and state level. He was President of the Iowa Firefighters Association and served as chairperson on the Dubuque County 911 Public Safety Committee. His dedication to the people of our area, led him to Des Moines where he served eight years as a State Senator. At the time of his death, he was starting his second year as a Dubuque County Supervisor and was the Chairperson of the Board. The members of the department were joined by their spouses/guests, Coleen, Steve and members of the Hancock and Dardis families, Mayor Sandy Gassman, Epworth Rural Board members and many retired firefighters who served with Tom on the department for the dedication ceremony. We have an area of the room dedicated with memorabilia of Tom's service.

The dedication plaque reads: Dedicated in Honor Of Fire Chief Thomas L. “Tom” Hancock. Tom served as an active member of the Epworth Fire Department for 45 years from 1968 to 2013. For 16 years, from 1987-2003 he also performed the duties of Epworth Fire Chief. He also served as former president of the Iowa Firefighter’s Association and past president of the Dubuque County Emergency Medical Service Association. Tom spent 8 years in office in the Iowa State Senate from 2004-2012. He held the office of Dubuque County Supervisor in 2015-2016. Tom was a progressive fire chief and significantly advanced the department during his tenure both locally and at the state level. He was a great leader, mentor and public servant. Most importantly he was a great friend. Dedicated January 14th, 2017.

We sorely miss Tom each day, but also each day we can see the positive impact he made on our department, the community and the entire state.