Bettendorf’s fire department ‘family’ getting new chief

These are changing times for Steven Knorrek and the Bettendorf Fire Department. Mr. Knorrek, a member of the fire department for 40 years and fire chief for the past five years, is retiring on Friday, Sept. 8. The new chief has already been selected. Assistant Fire Chief Troy Said was unanimously approved as the new […]

These are changing times for Steven Knorrek and the Bettendorf Fire Department. Mr. Knorrek, a member of the fire department for 40 years and fire chief for the past five years, is retiring on Friday, Sept. 8. The new chief has already been selected. Assistant Fire Chief Troy Said was unanimously approved as the new fire chief during a Bettendorf City Council meeting Monday night, Sept. 5. (The resolution to approve Mr. Said’s appointment as chief was voted on as part of a consent agenda item OK’d by the council.)

He is scheduled to be sworn in as the new fire chief during the Bettendorf City Council’s meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. Mr. Said is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and attended the University of Iowa. He started his career with Bettendorf Fire as a volunteer firefighter in 1992 and accepted a full-time professional position with the department in 1994. He served as a firefighter until he was promoted to lieutenant in 2015 and then became assistant fire chief/fire marshal in 2019. “During the past few years, I have gained a greater appreciation of the value of collaboration with external organizations such as healthcare partners, private and public organizations, Scott County organizations, and regional fire and police departments,” said Mr. Said in a news release. “The camaraderie with these organizations and others will only strengthen our ability to serve our community and keep our citizens safe.” “Troy has had a very distinguished career under the tutelage of our last two fire chiefs,” said Decker Ploehn, city administrator. “I’m certain he’ll take Bettendorf Fire to the next level as our city grows and prospers.” During Monday’s council meeting, Chief Knorrek also received praise from council members. “It’s been an honor to work with you. … You are a true firefighter,” said Scott Naumann, second ward council member. Chief Knorrek told the QCBJ on Monday morning that he wishes Mr. Said the best. He offered this advice to the new chief: “To keep in contact with all the guys in the fire department. … Serve  them and the citizens of Bettendorf.” The new chief will take over a fire department that has some 35 paid employees and about eight volunteers. It also has four engine companies, one truck company, one heavy rescue/technical rescue vehicle, one hazardous materials response vehicle, one light rescue/water rescue response vehicle, a tanker, five administrative vehicles, a river rescue boat and two swiftwater boats, according to the city website. All those vehicles and firefighters are kept busy with thousands of calls every year. Last year, the department had 4,804 alarms covering the entire spectrum of fire service responsibilities; including fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials, as well as calls for public assistance, according to the city. The calls have been going up just about every year for decades. In fact, the city recently announced that 2023 is set to outpace those 4,804 calls from last year. Chief Knorrek has seen the load of work steadily go up in his 40 years on the job. The 65-year-old has seen a lot of changes that he had a chance to review during a recent interview with the QCBJ on one of his last days on the job. Perhaps leading those changes has been advances in technology that has led to much better equipment over the years. That includes lighter air supply equipment for firefighters and thermal-cameras that let fire department officials see past the smoke at fires and quickly locate victims. Other positive changes have included the attitude of how firefighters deal with the mental stress of the job. Today, there is much more counseling to help firefighters deal with the tough days and tough situations that often come with the job, the chief said. “Years ago, you had to be a tough guy and just suck it up. … Most people don’t want to see most of the stuff our guys see,” the chief added. Other changes are not as positive. In recent years, there are fewer people filling volunteer jobs with the department. The chief said during these modern and hectic times, many people no longer have time to take on volunteer firefighter duties.  Also, there are fewer people applying for paid fire department jobs. A few years ago, it was not uncommon to have 60 to 70 people apply for a paid firefighter position. Now, that number is down to 50 or so applicants. Today, fire department officials take to social media and even go to area schools in hopes of attracting new recruits. The chief said he tries to get this message out when talking to young people about joining the department: “It’s all about getting a sense of belonging and giving to others. … You won’t get rich at this, but you will make a difference to people.” Even though the job comes with much stress, Chief Knorrek said he is going to miss the people because after all, he added, the fire department is a family. “‘I’ll miss the people. I’ll miss the job…. I won’t miss all the meetings, but they did bring people together,” he added. Chief Knorrek and his wife, Becky, have five children: Nathan, Trista, Brandon, Ross and Hanna. He added that his upcoming retirement will give him more time for family functions, traveling and getting many projects done around his 15-acre home, which is just east of Scott County Park.