(Guthrie Center) Co-workers, area EMA Coordinators, Law Enforcement, and family and friends gathered at the Guthrie Center Activities Center on Thursday afternoon to honor Bob Kempf’s long-time Adair/Guthrie County EMA Coordinator. Bob retired after 19 years at the helm.
Dallas County EMA Coordinator A.J. Seely, President of the Emergency Management Association, was one of many EMA Coordinators who attended the open house. During the presentation portion of the event, Seely presented Bob with a plaque.
Jeremy Cooper, the current Adair/Guthre County EMA Coordinator, has worked under Bob Kempf for the past five years. Cooper also served with Bob as a firefighter for nearly 24 years.
Bob Kempf started in a part-time position as the Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator and Adair County until 2017, when the two agencies officially joined together, elevating Kempf to a full-time position. He credited his mother and father in attendance for teaching him what it meant to be a volunteer.
Kempf pointed out that it is a busy time for Emergency Management Coordinators. He says 45 out of 99 counties in Iowa are under some emergency declaration. The declarations range from federal, public, individual, or state assistance.
Kempf also recognized the EMA Coordinators who were in attendance. He says many showed up almost immediately after the tornado struck Greenfield.
Bob Kempf ended his speech with a “big thank you” to his wife, who has supported him, his duties as an EMA coordinator, and his work as a firefighter over the past many years. Best of luck to Bob Kempf in his retirement.
