Brain & Courtlin’s ‘First Responder Friday’ Honors Brad Malatek

Every Friday morning at 6:30 a.m., Brain & Courtlin pay tribute to an Eastern Iowa first responder during their 'First Responder Friday' segment! The weekly honoree receives a $25 gift card to Wild Hogs Saloon and Eatery in Walford and a $25 gift card to Honor and Respect.

Today we're honoring Brad Malatek, who was nominated by Kayla Malatek! The entry reads:

"Brad has proudly served on the Ely Fire Department for 19 years and currently holds the role of Assistant Chief. His dedication runs deep—not just in years, but in heart. Growing up, Brad was inspired by his father and uncles, who also served on the department. He learned from some of the best, and today, he carries that legacy forward with pride.

Brad truly does it all—whether it's mowing the lawn at the station, turning a wrench to keep a truck running, or coordinating and leading our beloved 4th of July pancake breakfast, he's always ready to step up. His commitment to both the department and the Ely community is unwavering.

We are especially proud to say that we hope our son will one day follow in his footsteps. Ely is fortunate to have someone as dedicated, humble, and selfless as Brad. Thank you for all you do!"

We thank Brad for his service, dedication, and commitment to our community!

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Our First Responder Friday winners are selected from nominations submitted by you, and we are in need of more nominations! You can make yours below. When including your photo, please keep in mind that any kids in the picture need to be your own. Please let us know if we have parental permission to post the children, otherwise, their faces will be covered when the photo is published on our sites. Thank you for your submissions!