As we stand at the edge of another year, looking back on everything 2025 brought to Marshall County, I find myself feeling something deeper than simple pride. It’s a mix of gratitude, humility, and the kind of appreciation that only comes from watching a community show up, not only for big moments, but in the quiet, everyday ways that often go unnoticed. As the 911 Director for Marshall County, I’ve always believed that what defines a place isn’t the size of its population or its budget. What defines it is the character of its people. And this year, once again, our community proved its character runs deep.

We’ve weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and continued to build on the values that make Marshall County more than just a place on a map. It’s home. And as we close out 2025 and begin turning our attention to a fresh new year, it feels important to pause and acknowledge just how fortunate we are. Thanksgiving may be behind us, Christmas is right around the corner, and New Year’s Eve inching closer by the day, we practice gratitude; but the spirit of gratitude shouldn’t be boxed into a season. It’s something we live out daily, whether through a kind gesture, a choice to be patient, or simply a willingness to help a neighbor. If this year taught us anything, it’s that being thankful isn’t a feeling; it’s an action.

A community that shows up

One of the greatest blessings of serving in Marshall County is seeing how people rally for one another. I’ve watched residents take care of aging neighbors, support local businesses, donate time, raise their hands to volunteer, and lean into the idea that community isn’t built by any one person, it’s built by all of us. When storms hit, people show up. When a family struggles, others stand behind them. When challenges arise, we face them together. There’s something incredibly special about that, and it deserves to be acknowledged as we close this chapter and look toward the next.

As the 911 Director, I also see another side of our community, one that most people never witness firsthand. I see the everyday courage of our responders and the quiet strength of our residents who call for help in their hardest moments. I see the perseverance, the cooperation, the quick thinking, and the willingness to trust those who serve. And I’m reminded daily that the heart of Marshall County beats in sync because so many people work tirelessly to keep it strong.

The holiday season and its reminder of what matters

Christmas is coming soon, and I know many of you are already planning gatherings, traveling, or preparing to host friends and family. The holidays have a way of bringing out both our joy and our stress. There’s excitement in finding the right gifts, making memories with kids and grandkids, sharing meals, and simply having a moment to slow down and breathe after a long year. But this season can also get chaotic, kitchens buzzing, houses full, weather unpredictable, and schedules full to the brim.

In the middle of all that, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the season isn’t about perfection. It’s not about having the best-looking tree, the ideal decorations, or a flawlessly cooked dinner. It’s about connection. It’s about recognizing the blessings we’ve been given and appreciating the people sitting around our tables. And it’s about remembering that even if the year didn’t unfold exactly as we planned, we made it through, and there is still so much to be grateful for.

That said, holiday celebrations also bring risks, and I would be doing a disservice as a public safety leader if I didn’t talk about them. Fires increase this time of year, dry trees, candles left unattended, overloaded outlets, and kitchen mishaps can escalate quickly. When something does go wrong, the first instinct is often panic. But staying calm, slowing down, and calling 911 allows us to send the right help as quickly as possible. Our 911 Communications Specialists are trained to walk you through those high-stress moments with steady, reassuring guidance. Whether it’s how to extinguish a small fire, keep people safe until responders arrive, or simply help you take a breath so you can think clearly, we’re here 24/7/365.

Preparing for the new year: Safety first, celebration second

As we look toward New Year’s Eve, many of us are already making plans, dinners, gatherings, nights out, or maybe a quiet evening at home after a long year. No matter how you choose to celebrate, safety has to be the priority. Every year across the country, emergency services respond to accidents that were entirely preventable. Alcohol-related crashes, dangerous driving, and impaired decisions lead to injuries, loss, and tragedies that ripple far beyond one night of celebration.

So if you’re planning to drink, plan in advance for how you’ll get home. Line up a designated driver. Save money for a rideshare. Arrange to stay where you are. Whatever it takes, make the choice now, before the night begins, because once the evening is in full swing, decisions get harder. Your life matters. Your family matters. And the safety of our community depends on all of us making responsible choices.

The heart of Marshall County: Our 911 communications center

In all these conversations about safety, preparedness, and community pride, there is a group of people who rarely get the recognition they deserve: the incredible team at the Marshall County Communications Center. I cannot begin to express how proud I am of the men and women who sit behind those consoles every hour of every day, answering calls that truly no one thinks they will ever have to make. They are the calm voices in chaos. They are the lifeline between the caller and the responders. They are the first, first responders, and though the world may not always see them, our community is safer because they exist.

This year, they handled thousands of calls for help, fires, accidents, medical emergencies, disturbances, missing persons, weather events, rescues, and everything in between. They did it with professionalism, compassion, and a steady presence that never falters, even when they face unimaginable situations. They deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our awareness of just how essential they are to the safety of this county.

And here’s something important for the public to remember: When our 911 Communications Specialists ask questions, they are not delaying help. As critical information is gained, responders are being dispatched. The additional questions help paint a clearer picture of what’s happening so firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS arrive prepared with the right equipment, the right mindset, and the right approach. Those questions save time, not waste it. They prevent injuries. They protect responders. And they allow the situation to be handled more efficiently and more safely. So when you’re asked to repeat an address, clarify a detail, or explain what you’re seeing, take a breath and trust the process. Our team is there to guide you every step of the way.

And of course, none of our accomplishments as a community would be possible without the extraordinary work of our responders across Marshall County. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department, State Center Police Department, Marshalltown Fire Department, EMS, and every Volunteer Fire Department and First Responder unit throughout the county continue to embody what service truly means. These men and women show up in the moments that test us, whether it’s a medical emergency, a structure fire, a dangerous situation, or a call that comes in the middle of the night when the rest of the world is asleep. They respond with courage, skill, and a level of dedication that deserves more recognition than they often receive. Their commitment to protecting lives, preserving safety, and standing firm in the face of uncertainty is one of the greatest strengths of Marshall County. We are fortunate, blessed, and deeply grateful for the work they do day after day, year after year.

Keeping perspective as we close out the year

The end of the year always brings a mix of emotions. We reflect on what went right, what went wrong, and what we wish we could have handled differently. We feel hopeful about fresh beginnings and maybe even a little anxious about the unknown. That’s human. That’s normal. But as we stand here, preparing to welcome 2026, I want everyone in Marshall County to know this: you are part of something strong, resilient, and deeply rooted in care.

We’ve learned a lot this year, about adaptability, patience, teamwork, and the importance of leaning on one another. We’ve seen how essential clear communication is, how valuable preparation can be, and how much difference everyday decisions make. We’ve also been reminded that our community is made up of people who genuinely want to do right by one another. That’s not something every county can say, and it’s not something I ever take for granted.

Looking ahead with hope and gratitude

As we move into 2026, I hope we carry forward the spirit of gratitude that has shaped this year. I hope we continue to appreciate our families, our friends, our responders, our teachers, our healthcare workers, our 911 Communications Specialists, our business owners, and the countless individuals who work behind the scenes to keep this county running. I hope we slow down long enough to recognize the blessings woven into our daily routines, the ones we’re often too busy to notice.

And most of all, I hope we continue to give one another grace. None of us are perfect. We make mistakes. We get frustrated. We have long days and heavy seasons. But when we choose patience, understanding, and kindness, our community becomes safer, stronger, and more connected.

Final thoughts

So as we wrap up 2025, I want to say thank you, to every resident, every responder, every 911 Communications Specialist, every volunteer, every family, every business owner, and every person who calls Marshall County home. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring. Thank you for trusting in the people who serve you. And thank you for helping make this county a place worth celebrating, not just during the holidays, but all year long.

May your Christmas be warm and full of joy. May your New Year’s celebrations be safe, thoughtful, and filled with hope. And may 2026 bring growth, healing, opportunity, and continued strength to this beautiful community we all share.

From my heart to yours, happy holidays, stay safe, and thank you for making Marshall County a place we are all proud to call home.

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Rhonda Braudis, RPL/CPE, is the Marshall County 911 Communications director.