The State Fire Marshal Division has closed the books on the 2012 fire reporting with the highest-ever level of participation by Minnesota fire department.  The steadily-improving performance in Minnesota has almost reached that perfect 100.

Minnesota was one of 13 states selected by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in 1977 to participate in their National Fire Incident Reporting System.  The paperwork-heavy “hard copy” system gave way to a faster, easier, electronic reporting process, and USFA stopped supporting the paper reports.  After acquiring funding for software development in 2008, Minnesota led the nation into the age of on-line reporting with a fast, free on-line system available to every fire department in the state.

The Image Trend software does more for fire officials than submit facts.  It’s an entire suite that can be used for fire reporting, personnel data, training reports, equipment inventory and maintenance records, activity tracking, scheduling, inspections, pre-fire planning and investigations.

With 785 departments in the state, 776 of them reported in 2012; that’s 99 percent–arguably the second highest rate in the country.  Number one is North Carolina, where state aid to fire department depends in part on participation in fire data reporting.  In Minnesota, reporting is voluntary.  The participation rate is a source of pride, but it’s much more than that.  The annual report, “Fire in Minnesota,” guides public education efforts and helps us provide current data to the media.

Your data is also used in code development.  The Image trend system makes it easier to extract data, compare numbers and spot patterns–and those can help justify fire and building codes.  Data is also used to track arson activity and establish performance measures for fire departments, as well.  The more accurate and consistent your reporting, the more reliable our numbers are, and the more effective we become.  We’re shooting for 100 percent reporting in 2013, and we’re confident that you’ll help us reach that goal.

Story provided by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office

I am constantly amazed at this person’s level of energy.  As I follow this individual across Facebook and through the fire service, I am astounded at his participation level in fire training activities in northeastern Minnesota.  And, in addition to his numerous training sessions, he still manages to run a fire department, which in many instances has “set the bar” for public safety organizations.  I don’t know how Steve Flaherty does it, but he is like the famous Energizer Bunny, he keeps going and going and going.

As the Fire Program Manager with the Northeast Higher Education District and its new Advanced Project(customized training), you will find Steve Flaherty wearing a number of hats.  He is scheduling classes, organizing classes and instructing classes.  In addition, you will find him highly involved in various regional fire department undertakings from shared services studies to regional and statewide fire investigation programs.  His hard work and dedication have moved the fire training program at Advanced to new and exciting levels.  The program is providing the basics of firefighting, along with advanced courses and instruction.  The entire region has gained through Steve’s leadership, along with his team of dedicated instructors and support staff at Advanced.

As the Fire Chief of the Grand Rapids Fire Department, Steve is involved in those countless management and operations decisions which come with running a progressive organization.  On numerous occasions, I have had to rely on Steve for needed information related to policies and procedures.  He is a wealth of knowledge, which he freely shares with fellow fire service professionals.  The Grand Rapids Fire Department is one of those “shining star” departments in Minnesota.  From fire prevention to fire suppression to Haz Mat, this department is really out front on the challenges facing our profession.  It is not an easy task to always be on the forefront of something, but Steve Flaherty and his fellow fire department members seem to be there time after time.

There is no question that Steve Flaherty loves the fire service.  His countless hours of instruction, leadership and “just being there” have made huge impacts in the region.  He may not realize what he has done, but many of us do!  Thank you, Steve for your work on behalf of our region’s fire service, Minnesota’s fire service, and for that matter, our nation’s fire service.  It is a great honor to name you the May Firefighter of the Month.

April 6 – The Biwabik Township Fire Department hosted a “live fire” training session featuring the burn trailer from the Cloquet Fire District.  The training was in cooperation with Mesabi Range College as part of the Firefighter I and II certification.  Over 28 students from across the Iron Range participated in the training session.  The Fayal Fire Department provided the use of its Rehab/Air Trailer.  Organizers considered the training to be a great success and more training sessions are planned.

Photos: Biwabik Township Fire Department

On Sunday, April 14, at 10:30 p.m., the Minnesota State Patrol  closed its last remaining outstate dispatch center.  The Virginia center had been in operation for 60 years. Actually, the final announcement that the center was closing came at around 10:40 p.m. when Radio Communications Supervisor Tom Ralidak came on the air and said that “After 60 years of service, the Virginia Dispatch Center is now 10-7”.  Operations were consolidated with a dispatch center in the Twin Cities.  On Thursday, April 11, the State Patrol hosted an Open House to mark the closing of the Virginia center.  The guests included former dispatchers(Radio Communications Operators), former state troopers and even a few local community and public safety officials.  The closing of the Virginia Center also marked the retirement of Ralidak, the State Patrol’s longest serving RCO.  Ralidak has served 43 years with the State Patrol and has seen the Virginia Center move to several locations.  Originally, the center was located in a two story building on 9th Street North, across from the Greenwood Cemetery.  It later moved to the MN/DOT building on Hoover Road and then to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board building south of Eveleth on Highway 53.  The center’s final move was back to the MN/DOT building.  The Virginia Dispatch Center closed with a long and proud history of serving northeastern Minnesota.  The only remaining structure of the Virginia operation will be the 300 foot tower, located in the Midway area of Virginia.

RCO Tim Twomey “working the board” at the State Patrol Dispatch Center in Virginia.  The center closed on April 14, after 60 years of service.

March 31- Firefighters from five Iron Range fire departments(Fayal Township, Eveleth, Clinton, Cherry, Biwabik Township) battled a cabin fire in the Half Moon Lake area, just off Highway 53 in Fayal Township.  The fire was reported around 12:50 p.m. and arriving firefighters found the cabin engulfed in flames.  Crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading to two nearby cabins.  The cabin was destroyed.  No injuries were reported.  The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

If your fire department needed help, this person was always there and ready to have his fire department available to help out.  He had a very recognizable voice and his words of caution sort of made him a legend.  “Be careful, it’s extremely slippery out,” he would say on the radio.  He was respected and loved by firefighters, not only those who belonged to the Grand Lake Fire Department, but by members of neighboring departments.  Yes, Dave Fremling was simply that kind of person.  “He was quite a firefighter and a leader,” said former Grand Lake Fire Chief Dewey Johnson.  “I learned a lot from  him and I miss him a lot.”

Dave Fremling spent 28 1/2 years with the Grand Lake Fire Department.  He served as Training Officer, Assistant Chief and finally, Chief.  He retired in May, 2011.  He didn’t want to…he had to.  For several years, Dave battled Mesothelioma, a brutal lung disease.  While Dave lost the battle with Mesothelioma on March 8 of this year, he had gained the respect and admiration of many.  While the Grand Lake Fire Department moves forward, there is a hole in the organization, left by Chief Fremling.

The Grand Lake Fire Department, like many area departments, faced many challenges and opportunities.  Chief Fremling took on the challenges and definitely took advantage of the opportunities.  As an example, the Twig fire station on Highway 53 has grown, just like the department has grown.  Chief Fremling was and still is a part of that growth.  He nurtured and watched over the fire department and its members.  And, as we have mentioned, he also watched over other fire departments and firefighters.

Chief Fremling isn’t really gone.  He’s still there.  His will and determination are reflected in that fire station in Twig, the Grand Lake apparatus and the Grand Lake firefighters and first responders who are answering the calls.  The real challenge is for those who are following in his footsteps.  These people will also have challenges and opportunities and like Chief Fremling they will meet them head on.  Chief Fremling would expect no less from his beloved Grand Lake people.

It is with honor that we dedicate and proudly proclaim Chief Dave Fremling as April Firefighter of the Month.

Photos courtesy of Grand Lake Fire Department

The Advanced Minnesota Fire Training Program is hosting the 13th Annual Wildfire Academy, June 3-7, at the Itasca Community College campus in Grand Rapids.  A wide variety of courses are scheduled.  Information is available through: mesabi.fire.project.edu or by calling 218-749-7770.

It is with great sadness that The Northland Fire Wire announces the passing of former Grand Lake Fire Chief Dave Fremling.  Fremling died yesterday(Friday-March 8) as a result of complications of Mesothelioma.  He had served on the Grand Lake Fire Department for 28 1/2 years. Visitation will be held Monday, March 11, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Bell Brothers Funeral Home, 601 North 56th Avenue West in Duluth.  After the visitation, a celebration of Chief Fremling’s life will be held at The Pit Stop in Proctor.

Photo courtesy of WDIO-TV, Duluth.

   In a small community, you’ll often find a firefighter who wears several “hats.”  This is the case with our March Firefighter of the Month.  This person has a number of responsibilities and belongs to several public safety organizations in his community.  He is dedicated, thoughtful and an all around nice person.

   Matt Tucel serves as Assistant Chief of the Breitung Township Fire Department.  He has been a member of the BFD for some 13 years.  And up until recently, he was a 14 year veteran of the Tower Fire Department, which is just down the road, Highway 169 in fact.  And it doesn’t stop there, Matt has been with the Tower Area Ambulance Service (TAAS) for 11 years.  He currently serves as Director of the TAAS, which in itself is a very time consuming position.

   Yes, you could say that when it comes to Public Safety, Matt is a “jack of all trades.”  He works hard with all of his departments.  He knows the importance of training and how good training keeps firefighters and EMS personnel interested in their particular organization.  I have had the opportunity to work with Matt in a number of situations and have always found him to be professional in nature, touched with a good sense of humor.

   Matt Tucel exemplifies what a volunteer is all about.  Today, across this country and across Minnesota, dedicated volunteers are needed for our fire and EMS organizations.  We all know it is getting tougher and tougher to recruit people who are willing to give their talents and time in serving their cities and townships.  If you’re looking for a “role model” for a volunteer, look at Matt Tucel of the Breitung Fire Department and Tower Area Ambulance Service.  And, it is for these reasons that I have selected Matt as our March Firefighter of the Month!  Thanks, Matt!  You have certainly “set the bar” for volunteers!