
Who we are
Our department
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Lewis Township Fire and Rescue provides fire protection and emergency medical services to Lewis Township, and a portion of Garner Township, to the south and east of the city limits of Council Bluffs in southwest Iowa.
We provide protection to more than 6,500 residents that live in our district, which covers approximately 35 square miles. We respond to an average of more than 600 calls every year.

We are driven by volunteers
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Our department is a combination department, made up of volunteers supported by paid staff. In the United States, about 70% of firefighters are volunteer and appropriately 85% of departments are all or partially volunteer. Our volunteers take time away from their loved-ones and careers to help their neighbors in times of need.
Meet our team
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The members of Lewis Township Fire and Rescue are individuals of varying backgrounds and experiences who have come together as a family to serve our community.

Jake Hardiman
Fire Chief
Paramedic
Serving Since
2015

Tyler Ettleman
Deputy Chief of EMS
EMT
Serving Since
2016

Nick Ruis
Fire Lieutenant
Serving Since
2013

Phil Robertus
Treasurer
EMT
Serving Since
2005

Craig Gochenour
Firefighter
AEMT
Serving Since
2010

Todd Runge
Firefighter
EMT
Serving Since
2021

Lilly Maddox
Cadet
Serving Since
2022

Rick Bradshaw
Assistant Chief
AEMT
Serving Since
2019

Andy Diller
Fire Captain
EMT
Serving Since
2021

Stephan Erlbacher
EMS Lieutenant
Vice President
EMT
Serving Since
2021

Keenan Diercks
Member at Large
EMT
Serving Since
2020

Mason Strong
Firefighter
Serving Since
2019

Jonah Pomrenke
Firefighter
Serving Since
2022

Jason Andersen
Deputy Chief of Fire
Secretary
EMT
Serving Since
2018

Sam Higginbotham
EMS Captain
EMT
Serving Since
2021

Toni Caputo
President
Officer Admin
Serving Since
2015

Tommy O'Connor
Firefighter
EMT
Serving Since
2003

Trent Hill
Firefighter
EMT
Serving Since
2021

Daniel Ramirez
Probationary Firefighter
Serving Since
2022