January 3 – A true advocate for fire departments in Minnesota has retired. Todd Vogelgesang, better known as “Tin Shed Todd” was able to get virtually millions of dollars in excess property to departments, especially those serving the small rural communities. From hose to nozzles to turn-out gear to apparatus, Todd was the “go to” person who seemed to be always there to help. The walls in his Grand Rapids office contained dozens of pictures of surplus engines and water tenders which went to fire departments. The “tin shed” contained all kinds of surplus equipment including those infamous green army blankets. Minnesota DNR officials have high praised for Todd. “He changed the world for local fire departments one piece of re-purposed excess federal property at a time,” said an official DNR statement. “He has built a long-standing and incredible career (over 40 years) extending generosity, support, and dependability to those who deserve it most, Minnesota’s rural fire department.
Short in stature, but tall in the minds of the state’s fire service, Todd started out his Minnesota DNR career in the early 1980’s as a fire planner. In this position, Todd and his team quickly recognized that the small, rural fire departments struggled to prevent and control wildfires because they lacked basic tools and fire suppression equipment. One of Todd’s team members discovered that federal agencies and the military had collected a so called “plethora” of idle equipment ranging from trucks to even medical supplies. This equipment would greatly benefit the rural fire programs and departments. Todd was promoted to Excess Property Fire Specialist in 1982. The rest, as most of us know, is history. Todd’s hard work resulted in the Minnesota DNR’s current Rural Fire Program.
One of Todd’s greatest attributes included his ability to reach out across the state to let the rural fire programs and firefighters know about the Federal Excess Property Program. Whether it was a regional fire school or the Minnesota State Fair, Todd and the team were there spreading the word. Upon his retirement, Todd recognizes that much more work needs to be done as small towns, especially those with fewer than 10,000, need even more assistance. Todd and his incredible team built the program from the ground up. While Todd has now transitioned to retired life, he departments knowing the program he helped to build is left in the hands of his incredible Minnesota DNR Team. Thank you, Todd! Please know that what you have done to help Minnesota’s fire department is beyond words.
