This is National Fire Prevention Week, a time for all residents to consider how to stay safe in case of a fire. Pella Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom says this is a time for all residents to check on fire and carbon monoxide detectors in a home–not only to check on batteries, but to make sure they aren’t past the manufacturer’s expiration date. Van Gorkom says carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have a limited shelf-life depending on the brand, and they are too critical of a safety feature to leave unchecked.

The Pella Fire Department is not holding their annual breakfast this week due to COVID-19 precautions, however, donations made at last year’s event and from other community organizations and functions has allowed them to add a UTV to assist Pella Rural Fire with brush and grass calls.