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Chief Rowell was born in Texas and later came to Nebraska to work at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant. He joined the Fire Department in March of 1973 and has served as a Lieutenant, a Captain, and in 1992 he became Fire Chief. He received his Associates Degree in Fire Technology from Lincoln Southeast Community College in 1988. Chief Rowell received his Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Leadership from Bellevue University.

Chief Rowell also serves as Chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and President of the Nebraska Municipal Fire Chiefs Association. The sustaining force in Chief Rowell’s life is his wife Carol. His family includes two children Ken and Kim and four grandchildren Chris, Candice, Zach and Rachael.

The Department works to achieve that objective through three basic areas: fire suppression, fire prevention, and public education. While fire suppression is the actual extinguishing of fires, fire prevention is accomplished through public education and the enforcement of the International Fire Code and other related codes. Inspections of commercial property are to identify and eliminate fire hazards. Fire education is carried out by providing speakers and classes on fire prevention, extinguisher use and rescue techniques. The classes are designed to fit the needs of the group and are targeted to the hazards the group may encounter.

The diverse nature of the fire department responses requires that personnel maintain a high level of readiness. This task requires continuous training and a physical fitness program for personnel, and regular maintenance of equipment. The Fire Department also responds to vehicle rescue, hazardous material emergencies, rescue of trapped or injured citizens, natural disaster, emergency medical calls, radiological emergencies and other life threatening situations. Occasionally we rescue a cat stuck in a tree.