CLFD welcomes four rookie members

(Above L-R) Chris Wessels, Chris Barragy, Mark Anderson Jr. and Justin Becthold

 Training, safety and tradition.  That’s what firefighters practice and preach.

The Clear Lake Fire Department is proud to have yet another successful Rookie School in the books and they welcome four outstanding ‘rookies’ to the department of dedicated firefighters who strive everyday to practice what they preach.  And practice they did, sharpening their skills and training alongside the rookies through vigorous hands-on training in the classroom and in the field.

“The importance of highly trained and qualified firefighters is crucial for the safety of our community, and our community is in great hands due to the skill level, knowledge, and passion of the 2016-2017 CLFD rookies and veterans,” said Fire Chief Doug Meyers.

The newest members of the department are:

•Chris Wessels: A graduate of Osage High School, North Iowa Area Community College and the University of Northern Iowa.   He is employed as an Investment Officer at NSB Bank since 2001. He has been married to Kelly Wessels for nearly 20 years, and they are the proud parents of Alexander, Jordon and Jacob.   The couple has one grandchild, Kyler.  He said he has dreamed of being on a volunteer fire department ever since he was in grade school living in a town where the fire department had a loud siren to alert the volunteers to an emergency.  So when a few of the CLFD guys from his gym challenged him to apply for a spot, he was thrilled to do so.

•Chris Barragy: Chris was born and raised in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 2008.  He also graduated from NIACC in Photography and Graphic Design. He has been employed by  the Clear Lake Mirror Reporter since 2008 as a photographer.  In addition, he works full time at the Clear Lake Bakery and operates his own business, Lakeview Photography.  Barragy says he first got involved with the CLFD by taking photos for the department and then it became a passion to become a volunteer fireman. He joined the CLFD to be a part of something that was bigger than himself and give back to the community of Clear Lake.

•Mark Anderson Jr.: Born and raised in Kanawha, Iowa, he graduated from West Hancock in 2004, joined the Army and was stationed in Washington D.C., where he served as a Military Police Officer along with security for State and Foreign Diplomates from 2006 - 2009. He medically retired from the Army and soon after completed a Bachelor’s and Masters Degree in Criminal Justice / Forensic Psychology.  He moved back to Iowa in 2014, got married and pursued a career to serve the community. “The fire department is something that allows me to give back to the community again,” he said.

•Justin Becthold: Justin is married to Allison and the couple has two boys.  He joined the fire department to give back and serve the community, as well as show his boys that they have a responsibility to always help others who are in need.