Le Mars Department Photographer
By PEGGY SENZARINO, Le Mars Sentinel
Brian Nitzschke may not be involved in actually fighting a fire with the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department. But his contribution as the department’s designated photographer at fire scenes is still important to the history, training and advancement of the department.
“It started out when a friend of mine in Waterloo sold me two cameras. He does fire photography in Waterloo, so I got two cameras, and I got started doing that,” Nitzschke said.
“So, I asked Dave (Schipper) if I could come to calls and take photographs and that was just to be a hobby. It wasn’t going to be anything more than that. It kind of evolved from there on.”
Nitzschke was made a member of the department as a photographer in late 2018.
“I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said.
Nitzschke said photography is important because it is part of our history.
“We can look back and see what we did years ago. It is also important for training. They can look back and see what they can do differently.”
He has a firefighting background having served with the Alton, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department.
“I enjoy being able to be a part of the department. Since I can’t do the physical firefighting thing anymore, it still gives me the chance to be a part of the department.” Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Schipper praised Nitzschke’s work.
“Brian has been an asset at scenes documenting history for us at calls. He has also archived all of our historic photos and information. We have a Smugmug page now with several photos. He also assists us with our Facebook page which frees up other members from having to maintain both of these things,” said Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Schipper. “Lastly, through his photos we are able to sometimes do critiques of scene set-ups, truck locations, etc. and learn what worked and what didn’t for other situations that we have in the future.”
When asked to name his favorite photograph, Nitzschke recalls photos he snapped of a house explosion on July 13, 2022, at 327 Third St. S.W. in Le Mars.
“I made the front page of the Iowa Firefighter newspaper for one of these photos,” he explained. “It takes a lot to get the front page of the firefighter paper.”
Three people were injured and two other homes also sustained damage as a result of the explosion. “You have to enjoy what you are doing. You have to love what you are taking photos of. This was all new to me. I didn’t have a lick of photography experience at all.”