Hibbing and Virginia firefighters take survival skills training

May 28-29 Firefighters from Hibbing and Virginia had an opportunity to work on their skills. These skills could very well save their lives in the event that they have to quickly exit from a burning structure. The training ranged from window escapes to dealing with dangling wires that could trap a firefighter. Equipment from the Cloquet Area Fire District was used for the training exercises.
Hibbing FD-Ladder Training
Hibbing firefighters practice exiting out a window during survival training at the Hibbing Fire Department headquarters building.
Hibbing Ladder Training 1
Hibbing Battalion Chief Chris Petrack instructs fellow Hibbing firefighters on the techniques of quickly exiting a burning structure.

Fire Talk-Wood Stove Safety needs to be year round! By Hibbing Fire Marshal Bryan Fagerstrom

Let’s face it! We live in Minnesota and the weather can change in a moments notice! It can been sunny and warm one day and cloudy and cold the next. With this in mind, we have to make sure that all of our heating appliances are well maintained and operating properly. Many people in our region use wood burning stoves as either a primary or secondary heat source. It is important for those who have wood stoves to follow these simple tips:
1. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use and maintenance
2. Maintain clearances around stoves, flue pipes, and floors according to manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Inspect all connections on a regular basis.
4. Make sure smoke detectors are installed and working.
By following these simple recommendations, you can make sure that your home or business is Fire Safe.

Recognition with a Challenge By David Schliek, Chairman of the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board

Fire Training and Education are changing in the Northland. Over the past couple of years, the training efforts of Advanced Minnesota in Virginia and Lake Superior College in Duluth have seen hundreds of firefighters trained and certified at basic, as well as advanced levels of firefighting. While the education is provided by training vendors, the efforts of those completing the courses also deserve recognition. Recognition of many of these efforts have been formally acknowledged through the certification process. Completion of the educational process with third party testing has insured that not only have instructors covered required materials, but students have demonstrated competency in the course objectives. With many of these courses based on industry standards, consistency becomes the norm. Often, many of these courses have seen mutual aid fire departments train together. This training has begun the process of building organizational, as well as personal relationships that translate into improved and safer working conditions when presented with multiple company/departmental operations. The entire Arrowhead Region should give itself a huge pat on the back! You’re developing the culture of a safer, more effective fire service.

The challenge for you now is to continue down that road of training and education. Does learning conclude after Firefighter I and II is complete? I believe your answer would be NO! What is next? What direction is your career going? Even though you serve in a paid on-call status, you certainly are developing a career in the fire service. Do you look forward at the Fire Equipment Operator skills, Fire Instructor/Officer aspirations? How about Public Fire and Life Safety education, rescue skills and training? Are fire prevention and inspection services needed in your community? These and many other topics of fire training present themselves. Where do you fit into the future of your organization? The collective efforts of individuals will help to develop organizational accomplishments.

Funding sources meant to supplement local fire department training budgets for those advanced levels of training have been enhanced with Minnesota Board of Fire Fighter Training and Education reimbursement dollars. FEMA, through grant funding also provides opportunities for training funding. Creative grant writing has also been successful in securing training dollars for mutual aid partners. The training and educational opportunities are out there. You have already demonstrated your dedication and passion for the fire service. Take the next step. Not only will your department benefit, but so will the citizens of the communities you so proudly serve. Good luck!

Hibbing Fire responds to gas leak at Irongate Mall

April 26 – The Hibbing Fire Department was dispatched this morning to a report of a gas smell at the Irongate Mall in Hibbing. The department was paged at 9:39 a.m. and upon arriving at the scene, conducted a thorough search of the mall complex. Those inside the mall were evacuated. Crews discovered that a gas valve inside one of the businesses had inadvertently been left open. The department cleared the mall around 11:00 a.m.
Irongate Mall-Gas Leak

Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association to meet in Virginia

The Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association will meet on Thursday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Virginia firehall. Training, which will begin at 5:00 p.m., will cover Rapid Intervention Teams. The cost of registration, which includes the meal, is $8.00. To register, call Virginia Fire Chief Dan L’Allier at 651-248-6021. Information about the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association can be obtained through association President Bob Brown, 218-969-1913.

Red Cross and Virginia FD plan EMS Week and Disaster Preparedness event

The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Virginia Fire Department will be hosting an EMS and Disaster Preparedness event on Saturday, May 17 at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia. Plans call for the event to run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Area fire departments, EMS organizations and other public safety groups are invited to participate. For more information, contact: Chris Clark-Virginia Fire-218-410-1214 or cclark@virginiamn.us Christina Hujanen-Red Cross-218-780-4645 or Rangecities@yahoo.com Debi Holkko-Red Cross-218-290-4872 or debi.holkko@redcross.org.

Iammatteo named Chief Investigator at SFM

April 1 – Jim Iammatteo of Keewatin has been named Chief Investigator at the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Iammatteo has been active in fire investigations throughout the Arrowhead Region. He also served as Hibbing Fire Marshal.

Rural Hibbing house fire

March 27 – A house in rural Hibbing was destroyed by fire early this morning.  The fire was reported just before 3:00 a.m. at 10894 County Highway 92. Arriving firefighters found flames already coming from the one and a half story house.  The house was unoccupied at the time. Fire crews from Chisholm, Cherry, and Mountain Iron assisted Hibbing firefighters at the scene while the Virginia EMS and Fire Department provided emergency medical coverage.  No injuries were reported.  The house is being termed a total loss with damages estimated around $65,000.  The cause of the fire remains under  investigation.

Hibbing Fire

Photo: Hibbing Fire Department

Virginia house fire

March 26 – Several Iron Range fire departments were dispatched to a report of a house fire in the south side area of Virginia.  The fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. in the 200 block of 4th Street South.  Virginia firefighters quickly knocked down the fire  and ventilated the large house.  The cause of the fire is under investigation

230 4th Street South

Former Staver Foundry in Virginia destroyed

March 17 – The former Staver Foundry, which stood vacant for a number years, was extensively damaged by fire yesterday afternoon.  The call came in at 2:40 p.m. The building is located along 1st Avenue West and 10th Street South.  At the height of the fire, eight area fire departments were called in while the Eveleth and Hibbing ambulance services assisted with EMS calls. A backhoe was also brought in to assist in the firefighting effort.   Investigators from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Virginia Fire Department went through the remains of the building today in an effort to determine a cause.  There were no reports of any injuries.  The building was considered a total loss.

Staver Foundry 1

Staver Foundry 4