February 20- Duluth firefighters were dispatched around 2:20 this afternoon to a fire at the under construction Essentia Health Vision Northland building in the downtown area. Three propane tanks near the building were involved. Firefighters began spraying water on the three burning tanks while other crews worked to determine if anything else was on fire. The fire did cause some external damage to the outside of the building. No injuries were reported and the Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. The area around the building was closed for a number of hours. No damage estimate is available at this time.

February 17 – An After Action Review (AAR) was held this week (Tuesday-February 15) on the evacuation of the Columbia/Rouchleau apartment complex in Virginia on January 26th. The orderly evacuation was required as a result of a heating emergency (boiler problems) impacting both buildings. With the assistance of multiple agencies, 147 residents and 100 pets were safely moved to the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia and then to temporary housing at local hotels, motels, and family residences. “Tuesday’s AAR was a great opportunity to review a successful, unprecedented evacuation in the City of Virginia,” said Virginia Fire Chief Allen Lewis, who was also the Incident Commander during the evacuation. “Due to the clear communications and partnerships previously established among the multiple agencies, it was a safe and orderly evacuation. The Virginia Fire Department is grateful for the agencies and personnel who worked seamlessly together in order to assure the safety of all of the evacuees. This event clearly demonstrates the importance of cooperative working relationships as none of us can exist in an operational silo. We serve the public better when we all work together,” added Lewis. Some of the agencies assisting in the evacuation included: the Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Arrowhead Transit, St. Louis County Public Health, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Virginia Police Department, American Red Cross, and the AKC Mobile Pet Evacuation Team. The Mountain Iron Fire Department, Biwabik Ambulance Service, Eveleth Ambulance Service, and Tower Ambulance Service were also on standby in case other emergencies occurred in the Virginia area.

February 13-A garage in Virginia’s Southside area was destroyed by fire this morning. The blaze was reported around 10:00 a.m. in the 500 block of 11th Street South. The garage was engulfed in flames when the first crews arrived. The garage is a total loss and a nearby garage had smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation. Fire departments dispatched to the blaze included: Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, and Hibbing.

January 21 – Firefighters from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Virginia, and Mountain Iron were dispatched to a garage fire in Eveleth this afternoon. The fire was reported around 2:45 p.m. in the 700 block of South South. The garage was totally engulfed in flames when the first crews arrived. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.

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.

The Superior Fire Department provided an aerial ladder and a crew to assist the Duluth Fire Department during the recent fire at the former Seaway Hotel in the Lincoln Park area.

January 5 – Ely and Babbitt firefighters battled a house fire late tonight in Ely. The fire was reported around 11:55 p.m. in the 300 block of East Camp Street. An Ely Fire Department official told the Fire Wire that the stubborn fire was contained to the second floor and attic area. There were no injuries. The cause is under investigation. The Ely Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.

January 2 – Chisholm, Hibbing, and French Township firefighters battled a house fire in Chisholm this afternoon. The fire was reported around 12:30 in the 600 block of 2nd Avenue Northwest. The home appeared to have extensive damage. No injuries were reported and one cat in the house escaped without injury. The Chisholm Ambulance Service provided medical standby and rehab services for the firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

January 2 – Two residents from an Eveleth duplex were displaced this morning due to a fire. The fire was reported around 8:40 a.m. in the 500 block of Jackson Street. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the basement area, although smoke filled the entire structure. One occupant was treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported and five cats were located, all unharmed. The fire departments responding to the call included: Eveleth, Virginia, Fayal Township, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross-Northland Chapter is assisting those displaced by the fire.