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Live Fire Training in Hiawatha

The Hiawatha Fire Department hosted live fire training on October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said the house was donated to the fire department for training purposes, providing an opportunity for firefighters to practice putting out a structure fire in a realistic environment. The Monroe Township, Palo, Monticello and Anamosa fire departments joined the fire training.

Elizabeth WoodElizabeth Wood

Oct. 27, 2025 2:57 pm, Updated: Oct. 27, 2025 5:34 pm

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Fairfax Fire Department members Nate Stallman (right), Zach Sankot (center), and Fairfax Fire lieutenant Chris Hagen get ready to go inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said live fire training simulates structure fires and allows rookies a chance to practice in a controlled training area, observing how fire behaves inside a house. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Fairfax Fire Department members Nate Stallman (right), Zach Sankot (center), and Fairfax Fire lieutenant Chris Hagen get ready to go inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said live fire training simulates structure fires and allows rookies a chance to practice in a controlled training area, observing how fire behaves inside a house. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department’s fire inspector Frank Sir-Louis talks to Hiawatha Fire Department’s rookies about what to keep an eye out for during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. One of the things Sir-Louis had rookies look out for was the smoke color, so they could identify when the fire was put out. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department’s fire inspector Frank Sir-Louis talks to Hiawatha Fire Department’s rookies about what to keep an eye out for during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. One of the things Sir-Louis had rookies look out for was the smoke color, so they could identify when the fire was put out. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department firefighters Mason Ayers (right), Chris Liscum and Jacob Schmitz help position the hose for firefighters inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said that experienced fire crews worked on putting out fires upstairs, while rookies and new firefighters used the ground floor. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department firefighters Mason Ayers (right), Chris Liscum and Jacob Schmitz help position the hose for firefighters inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said that experienced fire crews worked on putting out fires upstairs, while rookies and new firefighters used the ground floor. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookies watch firefighters get their gear ready to go inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said live fire training also allows the fire departments to train with mutual aid partners. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookies watch firefighters get their gear ready to go inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said live fire training also allows the fire departments to train with mutual aid partners. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Air tanks lay on the ground during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Air tanks lay on the ground during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
The Hiawatha Fire Department hosted a live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. During the training, Hiawatha invited the Monroe Township, Palo, Monticello and Anamosa fire departments to join. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
The Hiawatha Fire Department hosted a live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. During the training, Hiawatha invited the Monroe Township, Palo, Monticello and Anamosa fire departments to join. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookie Clarke Westall operates the fire hose during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said the live fire training helps rookies in the academy apply what they’ve learned in their classes. “A majority of these people, this is their first chance to see a real fire in the situation the they’re actually inside the building,” Powers said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookie Clarke Westall operates the fire hose during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said the live fire training helps rookies in the academy apply what they’ve learned in their classes. “A majority of these people, this is their first chance to see a real fire in the situation the they’re actually inside the building,” Powers said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department cadet Carleigh Lux, 16, checks the psi and battery packs on the Hiawatha Fire Department’s air tanks during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said their cadet program allows high school students to get real-world experience, so when they turn 18, they’re ready to start training. Throughout the training, the cadets helped with equipment and got the opportunity to spray the water hose.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department cadet Carleigh Lux, 16, checks the psi and battery packs on the Hiawatha Fire Department’s air tanks during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said their cadet program allows high school students to get real-world experience, so when they turn 18, they’re ready to start training. Throughout the training, the cadets helped with equipment and got the opportunity to spray the water hose.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha firefighter Isaac Harthoorn hands a fire hose to firefighters inside the house during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha firefighter Isaac Harthoorn hands a fire hose to firefighters inside the house during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Second-story windows burst from the heat of the fire during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Second-story windows burst from the heat of the fire during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Fairfax Fire Department’s gear lay outside of the house the Hiawatha Fire Department was using for live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Fairfax Fire Department’s gear lay outside of the house the Hiawatha Fire Department was using for live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Anamosa Fire Department firefighters Spencer Norton and Kallie Ruhl exit the house after completing their live fire training upstairs during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said the house was donated to the Hiawatha Fire Department for fire training. He added that because the house didn’t have many windows, it was great for firefighters to practice putting out fires in a low-visibility environment. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Anamosa Fire Department firefighters Spencer Norton and Kallie Ruhl exit the house after completing their live fire training upstairs during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said the house was donated to the Hiawatha Fire Department for fire training. He added that because the house didn’t have many windows, it was great for firefighters to practice putting out fires in a low-visibility environment. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookies Kendra Lux (center) and Jesse Coughlin look through an infrared camera to see the temperature differences inside the house during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Department’s fire inspector Frank Sir-Louis said infrared cameras are helpful in fires because they can help firefighters orient themselves during low visibility inside a house fire. He added that the cameras can also help firefighters locate anyone trapped inside a fire quickly. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Hiawatha Fire Department rookies Kendra Lux (center) and Jesse Coughlin look through an infrared camera to see the temperature differences inside the house during Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Department’s fire inspector Frank Sir-Louis said infrared cameras are helpful in fires because they can help firefighters orient themselves during low visibility inside a house fire. He added that the cameras can also help firefighters locate anyone trapped inside a fire quickly. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Anamosa Fire Department firefighters Ashtin Liebel, Austin Wickham and Justin Siefker watch as other area fire departments participate in the live fire training shortly after they completed their training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Anamosa Fire Department firefighters Ashtin Liebel, Austin Wickham and Justin Siefker watch as other area fire departments participate in the live fire training shortly after they completed their training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Monticello firefighter Drew Haag alerts firefighters on the ground that parts of the ceiling were smoldering during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. After alerting fire crews on the ground, Haag and other firefighters worked on putting out the ceiling before the next controlled fire. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Monticello firefighter Drew Haag alerts firefighters on the ground that parts of the ceiling were smoldering during the Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. After alerting fire crews on the ground, Haag and other firefighters worked on putting out the ceiling before the next controlled fire. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Monroe Township Fire Department firefighters Mitch Eagle (left), Amery Clews, Monroe Fire Captain Kaleb McBurny, Brady Hospodarsky and Wyatt Kissling get the garage ready to be set on fire for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Monroe Township Fire Captain McBurny said the live fire training is great to create realistic conditions and allows firefighters of all experience levels to recognize various conditions. “It’s a great opportunity for new guys and experienced guys as well to get into those realistic conditions and feel what’s normal, so when you do get into a structure fire, you’re not scared of a little heat,” McBurny said. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Monroe Township Fire Department firefighters Mitch Eagle (left), Amery Clews, Monroe Fire Captain Kaleb McBurny, Brady Hospodarsky and Wyatt Kissling get the garage ready to be set on fire for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Monroe Township Fire Captain McBurny said the live fire training is great to create realistic conditions and allows firefighters of all experience levels to recognize various conditions. “It’s a great opportunity for new guys and experienced guys as well to get into those realistic conditions and feel what’s normal, so when you do get into a structure fire, you’re not scared of a little heat,” McBurny said. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

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