Local News

Sowle is Webster City Firefighter of the Year

WEBSTER CITY -- Passion and grit.

Capt. Andy Sowle, Webster City Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year, is a monument to those attributes, to hear his boss Chief Chuck Stansfield tell it.

Sowle was named Firefighter of the Year Saturday at Webster City Fire Department's annual dinner in the Van Diest Building on the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.

Before he was handed his award, Sowle had to endure a virtual shower of compliments.

"Our Firefighter of the Year has passion," Stansfield said. "When you buy into what this job has you do, it is about impossible to not become passionate about it. You literally have your friends' and communities' lives at stake."

Sowle, a full-time Webster City Fire member since 2008, was a long-time volunteer before then.

"He is all-in for Webster City," Stansfield told his audience. "How do I know this?

"Our Firefighter of the Year has been a fan of our sports teams for years. Two years ago, he became one of the coaches of our high school varsity football team. Last year he took a greater role there in defense and continues to take on more responsibility as one of the most respected and admired football coaches on the Lynx field. He has volunteered so many hours to the program prior to getting hired," the chief said. "But when he is not on the field, helping to make our Lynx football program be the best it can be, you will see him working hard in two of the other priorities in his life.

"Priority one is his family. When you see him with his son, three girls and wife, his priority is obvious. He is a great dad and husband to his family."

Stansfield continued, "When he is not taking care of them, or coaching our high school athletes, he is working to make our community safer at the fire station. This firefighter is gritty, aggressive, and hard-working. That is how he approaches his leadership in the fire service and fires that he works."

Sowle, his boss said, is an all-around full-timer, staging drills, tracking attendance and call sheets, and training new members. He runs the annual golf tournament that raises money for equipment.

"On scene he might be in command, running a fire attack team, or safety, but it's also the behind the scene things he does that benefits our department too. There is a lot of administration that goes into running a full-time fire department and he helps with a lot of this.

"Our Firefighter of the Year is a student of the craft. Just the other day I heard him say, 'Well I better stay after and learn how to put that piece of equipment back together.' Always wanting to learn more."

Stansfield went on. "Another great attribute of our Firefighter of the Year is grit. This job is really not for everyone. The saying it takes hard men and women to do hard things is very true in this profession.

"Our firefighter of the year embodies strong, aggressive qualities. I know when he says it's not going well I need to change directions, because he does not scare easily. I have watched him work at several fires and scenes over the years and he just has the grit and determination to succeed. He will not fail.

"For these and so many other reasons I am excited to announce our 2023 Firefighter of the Year Capt. Andy Sowle."