Herren leaves legacy as Hannum steps in

FORT MADISON – If Joey Herren had his way Wednesday, he would have gone out the back door of the Fort Madison fire station, got into a personal vehicle with his wife, and went home.
Any other day, that would seem like a relatively normal occurrence, but on Wednesday it was after Herren received a ceremonial call out from LeeComm signifying the end of his final shift after 27 years fighting fires in Lee County, the last 18 as fire chief in Fort Madison.
As Herren envisioned going out the back door to head home, newly sworn-in fire chief Chad Hannum would exit the front door and climb into the city’s fire command vehicle.
Herren was celebrated Wednesday at the fire station with photos, cards, handshakes, and warm wishes for a peaceful retirement…and cake. Although he said the pomp and circumstance were overblown, the retirement is coming at the right time.
“It’s time,” he said. “I’m good.”
His legacy was solidified by not only the 15 full-time firefighters who stood behind in him in multiple photographs Wednesday, but also by the mandate from Fort Madison voters to build a new fire station. A project that’s been in the works for more than 20 years.
“That’s the legacy. That tells me they respect the work we do and the fire department we are,” Herren said. “We got 70% approval on that and you just don’t get that. It tells me we’ve done a good job. It’s a stamp of sorts.”
The outgoing chief started his career with the Wever Fire Department as a volunteer and then came to Fort Madison as a firefighter where he worked his way up through the ranks. He said battling budget issues and property tax issues, while trying to provide top-level service to the people of Fort Madison and surrounding areas has been his priority the last decade and a half as chief.
But he said at 62, he’s not close to being done.
“I’m going to do something else,” he said. “I’m only 62. I covered for my son coaching a t-ball team while he was away a couple weeks ago and, boy, I really got the bug.”
Herren has been visible on sidelines and in dugouts for decades and said coaching, or possibly even officiating, may be in his future.
With Herren stepping aside, as quietly as he could, Hannum comes into the position with a new fire station on the horizon and some fairly large shoes to fill.

Hannum was sworn in earlier Wednesday with a crowded house, including his family, at Fort Madison’s City Hall. The entire FMFD staff was in attendance as well as representatives from the Fort Madison Police Department, city officials, and friends.
Hannum said he has about 14 years left per mandated retirement formulas and he envisions at least 10 as the city’s fire chief.
He said leadership roles have been part of just about every organization he’s been a part of and the fire department he joined in 2003 is no different.
“I went into an interview with a panel for the lieutenant’s position and I had a cover sheet with Joey’s month and year of retirement. I told them my goal was to be lieutenant and then to replace Joey as fire chief when he retired,” Hannum said.
“I think that took them back a little, but I’ve always gravitated toward leadership positions.”
One of his top priorities will be to identify resources the department needs and to make sure firefighters have everything they need on a daily basis. He also wants to maintain the level of character already in place.
“That's a credit to the guys that are working the line every day, And obviously for the last 18 years, that's a big part of Chief Herren's legacy,” Hannum said.
“With that being said, you know the old saying if it's not broke, don't fix it.”
Hannum said he’s off and running with staff meetings and looking at different areas of fire operations.
“We’re going to do a review and, if things are going well, we aren’t going to change it and we’ll keep going. The question I will ask of each area is what are we doing well and what, if anything, can we do better,” he said.
Redundance in leadership is also something he wants to continue to build on so there are always people in the wings who can do the job if someone has to step away from whatever reason.
The new fire station will create a more modern sense of firefighting preparedness and Hannum is looking forward to walking into that new facility when it’s complete. He said the facility has been built multiple times on the tabletop over the past 25 years, but is finally coming to fruition.
“I absolutely love the fire service. I am a Fort Madison guy through and through, and  I view Fort Madison as my town to protect. No different than the other 15 guys that are down at the firehouse. I think they all can echo that same sentiment.”