116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Newly minted airport officers will bring different goals to the Eastern Iowa Airport
CEDAR RAPIDS - Kyle Miller and Scott McCambridge have different career goals that merge as the newest safety officers at The Eastern Iowa Airport.
Miller and McCambridge graduated July 31 from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy after 14 weeks of training. In March, they completed aircraft rescue and firefighting training in Lexington, Ky. Public safety officers also function as firefighters and emergency medical technicians at the airport.
'I was looking for a career in law enforcement,” said Miller, who as a paramedic for about 11 years has a strong background in healthcare.
'I would like to educate,” he added. 'Education is something that's been a firm background of mine with prior careers.
'To educate you have to be proficient, so you obviously have to gain needed skills and the experience to do so. I also would like to be promoted as I really enjoy the investigative side of law enforcement.”
McCambridge wanted to pursue a career in emergency services.
'The fire department was always my thing before,” he said. 'I applied to be a firefighter at the airport and that also gets me into law enforcement and emergency medical technician training.”
Ken Washburn, commander and director of the airport's safety office, said Miller and McCambridge bring the department's strength to 13 officers. Washburn said the number of officers will be reduced to the normal 12 when an officer retires this fall.
Miller and McCambridge were sworn in Aug. 24 by Mayor Ron Cobett at the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission's monthly meeting. Washburn said they will be training with senior officers before being assigned to a permanent shift in January.
Miller was elected president of his class at the law enforcement academy, serving as a liason between the class and academy faculty.
He also received the McCartney Award as the most conscientious member of the class and the John P. Stark Award for being the top shooter.
McCambridge received the 300 Point Club Award for physical fitness. Officers need to run 1.5 miles in less than nine minutes and perform 20 or more pull-ups and 80 or more sit-ups in two minutes or less to receive the award.
Public Safety Officer Kyle Miller practices controlling a fire hose at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Miller and Scott McCambridge graduated in July from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Miller and McCambridge received awards from the academy. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Andy Abeyta photos/The Gazette ABOVE: Public Safety Officer Scott McCambridge opens a fire hydrant to fill the water truck Sept. 2 at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. McCambridge and Kyle Miller graduated last month from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and joined the airport earlier this month.
The fire hose mounted on the front of the crew's newest truck mixes a fire suppressive foam in with water before being sprayed at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Two new public safety officers at the airport graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, both received honors from the academy. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Public Safety Officer Scott McCambridge drives through an obstacle course for training at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. McCambridge and Kyle Miller joined the airport this month after graduating in July from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
BELOW: Public Safety Officer Kyle Miller attaches a hose to a fire hydrant to fill the truck after training Sept. 2 at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.
Public Safety Officer Theresa Halvik drives through an obstacle course as a regular part of training at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Two new public safety officers at the airport graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, both received honors from the academy. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Aqueous film-forming foam sits on the concrete after a tank is cleared while officers prepare the truck for use at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Public Safety Officer Theresa Halvik fills the truck with a fire suppressive chemical powder at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Each of the officers is also trained to operate and maintain the pump system which powers the truck at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Two new public safety officers at the airport graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, both received honors from the academy. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Daily Newsletters