Storm Lake, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — The Storm Lake Fire Department (SLFD) has released its first activity report of 2026, revealing a month defined more by preparation and prevention than by smoke and flames.

Chief Terence Sinner, the department responded to a total of 20 calls for service throughout January. The vast majority of those incidents—16 in total—were classified as fire alarms or miscellaneous calls.
Firefighters also responded to three motor vehicle accidents, while only one actual fire was reported during the 31-day period.

Firefighters logged a staggering 224 hours of training in January. This focus on readiness follows a busy 2025 where the department saw significant personnel transitions, including the arrival of Chief Sinner and several new recruits.

The SLFD also stayed active in the community, recording 30 Public Relations and Prevention events. These efforts are part of the department’s ongoing mission to reduce local hazards through education and code enforcement—a strategy that helped the city achieve a 100% compliance rate on fire code violations in the previous year.