Friends and colleagues of St. Paul Fire Captain Chris Parsons have vowed to keep his memory and his causes alive. Parsons, who passed away on June 15, was a fierce advocate for firefighter health and safety. For this reason, the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), with permission from the Parsons Family, has established the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research. “Chris was an unwavering champion for firefighter well-being, which will forever be part of his legacy,” said George Esbensen, President of MnFIRE. ”While he cared deeply about Minnesota’s firefighters and all the challenges they face, he was especially focused on championing legislation that banned PFAS.” Esbensen told The Northland Fire Wire that Parsons’ daughters Kaya and Annika asked MnFIRE to help administer the memorial fund for PFAS research as a tribute to their father. ”I can’t think of a better way to continue the work that Chris was so passionate about than to raise funds and awareness about the impact of cancer-causing chemical fire retardants,” added Esbensen.

In a brief conversation with The Northland Fire Wire, Kaya Parsons said she and her sister want to keep their father’s legacy alive. “We want to be involved in some way with what our Dad was doing,” said Kaya. A number of Minnesota Fire Service organizations have contributed to the fund, including MnFIRE, Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters (MPFF), Coon Rapids Fire Local 1935, and St. Paul Fire Local 21. The goal for the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research is $25,000. Currently, nearly $10,500 has been collected. ”There’s not a single Minnesota firefighter or family member who doesn’t owe Chris Parsons a debt of gratitude,” said Esbensen. ”While Chris will be sorely missed, this fund and the research it supports will help continue what he started.”

To make a contribution to the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research, simply go to the MnFIRE website (mnfireinitiative.com) and click on the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund.

July 15 – Firefighters from five Iron Range fire departments (Makinen, Fayal, Central Lakes, Colvin, McDavitt) were dispatched this morning to a small barn fire in the Makinen area. The fire was reported around 7:50 A.M. in the 3400 block of Clyde Road. The structure, which had been a homestead, was engulfed in flames when crews arrived and is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 14 – Firefighters from Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin were dispatched this morning to a fire in a group home in Hibbing. The fire was called in shortly before 8:30 A.M. in the 800 block of Meadow Drive. All of the residents were safely evacuated before crews arrived, although one resident received what appeared to be minor burns and was transported by the Nashwauk Ambulance to the Hibbing hospital. Firefighters contained the fire to a mattress in a bedroom, although the entire building had smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 10 – The Hibbing, Keewatin, Chisholm, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched this morning to a garage fire in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 6:00 A.M. in the 2700 block of 18th Avenue East. Hibbing firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, keeping it from spreading into the nearby residence. The other fire departments were cancelled while enroute to the scene. Damages were contained to the garage, although the residence was also damaged. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 6 – Chisholm firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire in Chisholm this afternoon. The fire was reported around 3:05 P.M. in 600 block of 5th Avenue Southwest in an apartment complex operated by the Chisholm Housing Authority and Redevelopment Authority. Chisholm firefighters quickly contained the fire to the kitchen area in one of the apartments. No injuries were reported. The Hibbing Fire Department was also dispatched, but was cancelled enroute. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Chisholm Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Palo Fire Department recently learned that it is receiving an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant is in the amount of $105,580. A Palo Fire Department official told The Northland Fire Wire that the funding will be used for the purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

June 21 – Firefighters from across Minnesota honored St. Paul Fire Captain Chris Parsons today. Parsons, who served as President of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters (MPFF) and Vice President of the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation, along with other organizations, passed away last week after being stricken the weekend before. Parsons’ passing is considered a Line Of Duty Death (LODD), as he had been on duty and at a fire call 24 hours prior to his medical emergency. Governor Tim Walz ordered flags across the state to be flown at half staff in respect of Parsons’ dedication to the fire service.

June 22 – Virginia firefighters spent Wednesday night and this morning at the site of a gasoline spill in Virginia. The incident was reported around 8:15 P.M. at the Lucky 7 General Store on Hoover Road. An undetermined amount of gasoline was discharged from a tanker truck. Virginia firefighters worked to contain the spill, secured the immediate area, and monitored the situation. Fire crews remained on the scene until about 8:30 this morning. Clean up operations by private contractors will continue for most of the day. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was informed of the spill and is investigating the incident. No injuries were reported.

June 12-13 – Members of Minnesota Task Force 2 spent time in Virginia practicing their skills in Low and High Angle Rope Rescue. The training took place at various locations in the city including the ”Honda Hills” mine dump, Virginia fire station, and the Virginia Public Utilities plant. ”We’re very happy to be training with our partners on the task force,” said Duluth Deputy Fire Chief Rob Morehouse. ”This training helps us to maintain our operational capabilities.” The training was provided by instructors from the Regional Emergency All-Climate Training (REACT) Center at Volk Field at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. Minnesota Task Force 2 is a specialized statewide Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR). It has about 40 members from the Virginia, Duluth, and the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th fire departments. Task Force 2 has responded to a number of incidents in the region ranging from the partial roof collapse at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth to a mine pit rescue in Virginia.

June 14 – An apartment house in Virginia was extensively damaged by fire early this morning. The blaze was reported about 2:30 A.M. in the 200 block of 2nd Street North. Firefighters from Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, and Hibbing battled the blaze. No injuries were reported. The Virginia Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.