The Epworth Fire Department conducted the final live fire training session on a donated house located at 21150 E Pleasant Grove Road in rural Epworth on Monday, June 16, 2025. We were given access to the building to start the year and trained at the house numerous times over the past 5 months, cumulating with burning down the house at our regular June training. A lot of energy and time is required to burn in an acquired structure. This includes paperwork, DNR permitting and notification, asbestos testing and removal, building preparation making it safe and setting up the live fire evolutions. ... (Full Story & Photos)

On Monday, May 19th, the Epworth Fire Department conducted live fire training during our regular monthly training. Tonight’s focus was on scene size-up, conducting a 360° walkaround, drafting operations, and transitioning from outside fire attack to interior. Here’s a quick explanation: if we see a fire during the walkaround, we’ll make an exterior attack with a quick burst of water to knock down the fire and improve the environment for firefighters entering. Afterward, the fire attack line is moved to an entry point to fully extinguish the fire inside. This technique helps cool the environment ... (Full Story & Photos)

Over the past six months, Epworth Firefighters, Paramedics, EMTs, and EMRs have been committed to an intensive winter training schedule. During this time, training sessions increased from twice a month to every Monday, ensuring our team meets required training hours while taking advantage of the season when weather is less favorable, kids are in school, and some sports are on break.

This dedicated winter schedule allows us to scale back to two Mondays per month for the next six months, giving our members more time for family, summer activities, and community events.

Throughout the training, ... (Full Story & Photos)

The State Fire Marshal enacted a ban on open burning effective immediately. Fire Departments throughout Dubuque County saw an increase in grass, brush and field fires in the past two weeks that prompted the ban. Many of the fires required a multidepartment response to control and threatened nearby structures. The ban states that no person shall engage in open burning in Dubuque County until the ban is lifted by the Dubuque County Fire Chiefs. The ban will remain in place until such time that we receive adequate precipitation and the risk is no longer present.

Exceptions to the burn ban are the ... (Full Story & Photos)

At our regular Epworth Fire Business Meeting on March 3rd, 2025, Todd Kluesner announced his retirement from the Epworth Fire Department. Todd was currently a Lieutenant and EMT and a very active member of the department.

Todd has been with Epworth Fire Department and EMS for 20 years. During that time Todd was a certified EMT and FF1. Todd was instrumental in the construction of the current fire station and served on numerous department committees over the years. Todd was very knowledgeable on anything mechanical and coordinated the maintenance of the apparatus.

The Epworth Fire Department ... (Full Story & Photos)