The Hawarden Police Department is pleased to announce that Officers Chad Krebs and John Millikan have been state certified as First Responders. With Krebs and Millikan becoming certified, this makes all of the officers of the Hawarden Police Department State Certified as First Responders.

Officers of the Hawarden Police Department respond to as many of the in-town ambulance calls as possible. Often times they are the first person on the scene. Officers who respond to ambulance calls and are first on the scene are able to render whatever aid is needed until the ambulance service arrives. They are also able to help the ambulance crew in whatever capacity they need. The Hawarden Police Department is proud to work with such dedicated personnel as are on the Ambulance Squad and the Fire Department.

First Responder programs were developed to provide trained individuals with the skills necessary to begin assessing and caring for patients at the scene of an injury or illness without having to go through extensive medical classes. In many cases First responders are able to reach patients in minutes from the onset of an emergency. This quick response and the quality care rendered saves thousands of lives each year nation wide. This program allows people to be able to provide initial assessments and life saving treatment. To become a certified First Responder in the State of Iowa, a person has to take a course consisting of 54 hours of classroom time. They then have to take both a state practical and written examination obtaining a minimum score of 70%.

Chief of Police Mike DeBruin is proud of the commitment and dedication that the Officers of the Hawarden Police Department have taken upon themselves to provide quality law enforcement and care to the citizens of Hawarden. The community should be equally as proud that officers of the Hawarden Police Departments are willing to gain the certifications and knowledge over and above what is required of them.