Sculpture Unveiled Sunday at West Des Moines Fire Station No. 18 Honors City's Firefighters

WEST DES MOINES, IA -- The West Des Moines Fire Department unveiled a new sculpture Sunday that serves as a companion piece to its existing firefighters' memorial wall outside Fire Station No. 18 at 5025 Grand Ave. The unveiling was part of the department's annual memorial ceremony and was a kickoff event for Fire Prevention Week activities.

The $40,000 sculpture, "The Last Alarm," was purchased by the West Des Moines Firefighters Association, which has held fundraisers, sold bricks and accepted donations in recent years to be able to expand the memorial wall that includes names of all members of the department who have died. The memorial was redesigned somewhat to incorporate the statue, fire department PIO Mike Whitsell said.

The resulting area is "a very nice place to go sit and reflect," Whitsell said, adding that Sunday's attendance was the largest the department has seen for its memorial ceremonies.

"There were about 60 people at the memorial, not including firefighters, but a lot of family of past firefighters were there this year," Whitsell told Patch. "To think that somebody that served maybe 50 years ago, and their family came back to see this, it's a great honor. We are very thankful for their service. They always have been and will always be West Des Moines firefighters."

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Each year at the memorial ceremony, the department pays tribute to those members listed on the wall with the placing of a wreath. This year one name was added to the wall. Richard Rogers, a 17-year volunteer firefighter with the department, died Feb. 20 at the age of 77.

The memorial ceremony also included a musical presentation by the Young Patriots Club and a reception and refreshments following the program.

Whitsell said that while official Fire Prevention Week activities in West Des Moines conclude with an open house and pancake breakfast on Saturday, the department began holding fire prevention programs at schools, childcare centers and church groups in late September and will continue through mid-November.

"In this community it's more like a fire prevention month," he said. "We will visit every kindergarten class and every first-grade class that encompasses West Des Moines." That includes not only schools in the West Des Moines district, but also in Waukee and the area parochial schools.

"We will make thousands of contacts with kids teaching them about fire safety and fire prevention," Whitsell said. "Our community has always been tremendous at asking us to come out and teach them."

Pancake Breakfast on Saturday

The fire department will end Fire Prevention Week activities with a pancake breakfast and fire station tour from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 14, at Fire Station No. 17, 1401 Railroad Ave. The breakfast is a fundraiser for the fire department, with proceeds going toward training, new equipment and fire prevention materials.

Children's activities are planned and they will be able to check out the firetrucks and Mercy One helicopter, which will make a guest landing.

Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 3 and older.

Visit Fire Department Museum

West Des Moines Fire Department also has a historical museum that features memorabilia from the department's history and heritage. The museum is a way to bring awareness to how firefighting saves lives and property. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Main photos: The sculpture "The Last Alarm" was unveiled at the West Des Moines Firefighters Memorial; members of the Young Patriots Club performed during the ceremony; and Firefighter Michael Dunkin, in full gear and carrying an ax, represents the department's firefighters at the event./Photos courtesy of Young Patriots Club