The Wandering Firefighter

06/02/2024

Join us for our 2nd annual St. Patricks Day party in downtown Des Moines! 🤞 Mother Nature cooperates this year!

Pancakes will start flipping at 7am! Be the first to catch ‘em!

05/02/2024

To my veteran and first responder friends. The Folds of Honor scholarship process is open. Please have your family members apply. You earned this for them.

We ensure that families who’ve sacrificed so much for our country and communities receive the education and opportunities they deserve. Whether it’s K-12th grade or higher education, we believe the cost of pursuing their academic dreams should not be an additional burden.

25/01/2024

https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-firefighters-union-calls-for-better-cancer-coverage-iowa-legislature/46537764

Thanks KCCI and Amanda Vizcarra!

More than 200 types of cancer exist, but the state only covers 14 types for Iowa firefighters. The Des Moines Firefighters Union is trying to change that.

25/01/2024

KCCI will be running a story on the Iowa Firefighter Presumptive Cancer Bill today at noon. Thank you, KCCI :)

14/01/2024

Man, it is -20 degrees with snow everywhere in Iowa right now. I sure wish we were in Punta Cana where it is sunny and 84 degrees...

The condo is booked through the end of Feb (with the exception of being available Feb 3-10), but still available for March and April! Use the link in the comments to book direct and avoid those airbnb fees, etc. (although it IS one of airbnb's "guest favorites").

Let me know if you have any questions!

12/01/2024

Just a video reminder from a couple years ago.

I know we are all unique and have our preferences, blah blah blah, but the only way to put this is, if you like this time of year and all the snow in Iowa, there is something wrong with you and I’m worried about you.

11/01/2024

Received a cool surprise in the mail today 🙂 Had no idea this was coming but what a cool surprise and nice tribute to all the efforts put in by all the awesome Folds of Honor sponsors, businesses, and individuals in Iowa who were able to make 2023 a successful year in our goal of bringing a chapter of Folds of Honor to our state. We are moving in the right direction! Super cool. Thank you for helping us help others, everybody!

ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy

Folds of Honor Coco & Nini's Restaurant, lounge & Catering Matt & Shawna Sample-REALTORS The Shop DSM ChaCha's Hiland Bakery Doll Distributing - Des Moines Anheuser-Busch Peoples Bank Stephany Goodhue, Realtor Central Iowa Sports Des Moines Skydivers Neva Alden Music

11/01/2024

Here is sort of a funny video of me waking up from my first ever colonoscopy...lol

It is a lighthearted video, but comes with sort of a heavier message. I have several coworkers and friends battling different cancers. They have provided me with somewhat of a wake-up call when it comes to my health and getting screened early and often. The thing is, some of their cancers are considered "on-the-job" and some of them are not. The same duties, the same exposures to carcinogens, just different manifestations of cancer. They deserve better than that.

Hopefully the video makes you laugh, but if you get the chance, please use the link in the comments to send a message to our legislators urging them to make ALL cancers "on-the-job" for firefighters in Iowa, not just 5% of cancers. It'll take about 30 seconds :)

Thank you for the support!

31/12/2023

Matt & Shawna Sample-REALTORS made a pledge to donate to a local organization and they chose Iowa Patriots for Folds of Honor 🙂 Super humbled and super appreciative of their generous donation. 2023 was the first year for brining a chapter of Folds of Honor to Iowa and people/businesses like Matt Sample and Shawna Sample are who will make 2024 an even better year for serving the veterans and first responders of Iowa. Thank you Matt and Shawna! You guys are the best.

Matt and I made a promise to give back $100 for each transaction we closed .... This year we chose Iowa Patriots for Folds of Honor which helps families of military and first responders, a cause we are very passionate about

13/11/2023

Here is the link for photos for the first ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy!
Thank you to Mad Photos for being with us and capturing some of our moments together...much appreciated!
https://madphotosphotography.pixieset.com/adultprom/

You can download the photos by using Download Code: 3940

Thanks again!

Photo collection by Mad Photos Photography

13/11/2023

12/11/2023

A lot of people to thank and some eventual pictures to share, but in the meantime, here is a video shown at the first ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy highlighting Hung C Ung and scholarship recipient, Hope Ung! Be sure to check out and we'll have more info for next year's event soon! Also head over and subscribe to The Wandering Firefighter on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for more highlights of events throughout the year!

12/11/2023

A lot of people to thank and some eventual pictures to share, but in the meantime, here is a video shown at the first ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy highlighting how the Iowa Hero Academy impacted them and their future plans! Be sure to check out and we'll have more info for next year's event soon! Also head over and subscribe to The Wandering Firefighter on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for more highlights of events throughout the year!

Two graduates of the 2023 Iowa Hero Academy talk about their experience for a video shared at the 2023 Adult Prom benefitting Folds of Honor, the Des Moines ...

12/11/2023

The man :)

11/11/2023

Doors are open!

11/11/2023

Hello! It's not too late to attend the Adult Prom benefitting Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and the Iowa Hero Academy! Tickets can still be purchased until capacity is reached.
There have been several requests for ways to contribute to the event if you're unable to make it,, so you can use the attached QR code if you fall under that category!
Attached is parking info for the event. Basically, there is parking in the parking garage immediately to the East of The Shop - DSM or you can park in the lot immediately to the Southest of The Shop - DSM.
The entrance to the building is on the East side.
Doors open at 5:30pm.
Thanks again for supporting our veterans and first responders!

10/11/2023

Happy Veterans Day to all of my family, friends, and coworkers who have served our country! We are forever in your debt and your service has not been forgetten.

What better way to say thank you to our veterans than by "educating their legacies" by ensuring funds are there for their families through Folds of Honor Scholarships or by inspiring future soldiers to follow in their boots at the Iowa Hero Academy?

Come out the Adult Prom tomorrow...doors open at 5:30pm...link in the comments!

Coco & Nini's Restaurant, lounge & Catering Peoples Bank ChaCha's Hiland Bakery The Shop DSM The Cunningham Apartments Doll Distributing - Des Moines Anheuser-Busch The Wandering Firefighter Central Iowa Sports Stephany Goodhue, Realtor Folds of Honor Des Moines Firefighters

07/11/2023

Thank you to our new sponsors from The Cunningham Apartments in West Des Moines! Be sure and stop by their booth at the ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy for a chance at a prize and to find out more! We appreciate their involvement very much and look forward to helping our veterans and first responders with them!

06/11/2023

Cotapaxi is having a great holiday sale on some items (some up to 60% off). Here is my affiliate link if you are looking for some quality gear from a quality company!

Shop up to 40% off past season favorites, including everything from Fair Trade hats and tees, to RDS-certified parkas and vests.

04/11/2023

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!
Is your date your queen? Make sure she gets the tiara to prove it!
Is your man a king? Get him that crown!

You can vote for your prom king and queen on the night of the prom! $1 per vote, unlimited votes! Proceeds to the three organizations benefiting from the event.

Winners get free tix to next year's event!
Link in the comments!

30/10/2023

It’s with Lieutenant Jeramie Eginoire!

Jeramie has been with DMFD for 17 years & counting.

He chose Des Moines because both his father and cousin were DMFD Firefighters and he grew up in Des Moines. For Jeramie, there was simply no other choice.

Jeramie is crazy active as & a softball coach but when he does get a date night, he’ll choose every time.

Jeramie is hosting the Adult Prom at The Shop on November 11th so be sure and snag your tickets and join him!

L.ink

Comment below to say hi!

17/10/2023

New stickers from The Sticky Brand just came in. Thanks guys…nice product!

13/10/2023

You can check out the Adult Prom on the Catch Des Moines website here:

Join us for a night of fun, dinner, drinks, dancing, and giving back! The Adult Prom is a must-attend event happening at The Shop DSM - Event Center in Des Moines. Get ready to relive your high school prom memories, but this time, it's all for a good cause. We're raising funds for Folds of Honor, De...

12/10/2023

MicDrop Entertainment will be handling the DJ duties for the November 11th, 2023 Adult Prom in DSM!

Do you remember a song that stood out at your prom? Maybe at Coconut Joe’s in West Des Moines! Papa’s Planet? Share your 80s-2000 song requests here or send a private message (if you’re embarrassed with your taste in classic music, that is…) WHAT IS YOUR JAM??

HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/PROMDESMOINES

The Shop DSM Des Moines Firefighters Iowa Hero Academy Members Folds of Honor Coco & Nini's Restaurant, lounge & Catering

11/10/2023

ChaCha's Hiland Bakery has entered the chat!

Our new friends at Cha Cha’s have offered to provide some amazing dessert following our dinner from Coco & Nini's Restaurant, lounge & Catering!

So come eat some great food, enjoy some delicious dessert, and then dance the night away at the ADULT PROM for Folds of Honor, DMFD Welfare Fund, and The Iowa Hero Academy while supporting some great causes!

Link in the comments!

09/10/2023

02/10/2023

The journey started 17 years ago today! Loved drill school and the people I went through it with. I’ve been blessed with some outstanding officers along the way! Sort of a nomad in my current role, but my crews from my first one to my current one have been nothing short of stellar to work and live with for 1/3 of my days. Seen and done a mix of exciting, awesome, sad, and memorable things so far. Here’s to a good and healthy 9 or 10 more 🚒

Happy anniversary, DMFD 89th!

08/09/2023

I’m falling behind in the daily videos but today was a long and physical day and I’m ready for bed…haha! But here is one of my favorite photos I got from the hands-on demos yesterday :)