December 20 – Chisholm firefighters battled an early morning garage fire in Chisholm.  The call came in around 4:45 in the 300 block of 10th Street N.W.  Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to another nearby garage.  The garage and vehicle inside were destroyed.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

December 15 – Firefighters from seven Iron Range fire departments worked through the night to battle a large house fire near Giant’s Ridge in rural Biwabik.  The fire was initially reported around 8:30 p.m. as an attached garage fire in the Woodlands development area.  Fire crews from: Biwabik, Biwabik Township, Palo, Lakeland, Aurora, Gilbert and Fayal Township battled the blaze in sub-zero temperatures.  The garage, house and sauna were a total loss.  No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Two local businesses, Poor Gary’s Pizza and Dave’s Alpine, rallied behind the firefighters by providing them with food and refreshments.

December 14 – A morning fire in Effie has left two people homeless.  The fire was reported around 8:15 a.m.  Arriving Bigfork firefighters found the mobile home on County Road 5 engulfed in flames.  According to the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department, the fire started when the homeowner tried to thaw out a frozen water pipe with a heat gun.  The home was considered to be a total loss.

The next meeting of the East Range Fire Department Coalition is set for Wednesday, December 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Aurora Fire Department.  The East Range Fire Department Coalition is made up of over a dozen Iron Range fire departments.  For more information, contact ERFDC President Peter Makowski at 218-749-7600.

Rice Lake Township Fire Chief Matt Frantz, 42, passed away unexpectedly while at work on Monday, December 9 in Duluth.  His passing is being considered a Line of Duty Death (LODD) since Chief Frantz responded to a chimney fire within 24 hours of his untimely death.  Chief Frantz joined the Rice Lake Fire Department in 2000 and was named fire chief in 2009.  Services were held Saturday, December 14, at St. John’s Church in Duluth.  A procession of fire apparatus took place on Friday, December 13, from the Dougherty Funeral Home to the church.

Rice Lake Fire Chief Matt Frantz

Aerial apparatus from the Hermantown and Duluth fire departments display the American flag outside of St. John’s Church in Duluth.  Services for Chief Frantz were held today at the church.  Photo courtesy of the Duluth Fire Department.

Special Notice: A fund has been established for the family of Chief Frantz.  The fund will be used for immediate family needs and the future educational needs of the chief’s two daughters.  Please make checks payable to: Fire Chief Matt Frantz Memorial Fund, C/O North Shore Bank of Commerce, 17 East Calvary Road, Duluth, MN 55803

December 10 – Firefighters from several Iron Range communities were called to a house fire in rural Gilbert.  The blaze was reported around 5:00 p.m. in the 4700 block of French Avenue, just off of Highway 37.  Arriving crews found flames coming through the front windows of the two story residence.  The fire was quickly knocked down.  Firefighters from Gilbert, Eveleth, Fayal Township, Biwabik Township were called in for mutual aid, while the Mountain Iron Fire Department provided a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).  The cause of the fire is under investigation with the assistance of the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.  No injuries were reported.

International Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen received quite an award on October 18 during the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Convention in Rochester.  Jensen was named Fire Officer of the Year for cities with populations less than 10,000.  In addition to the award, the International Falls Fire Department received $1,000 to be used for training.  Jensen’s selection came from nominations by his peers.  Chief Jensen’s career in the fire service began on November 26, 1982.  Ironically, it was the day that his son was born.  “Jerry Jensen has dedicated his heart and soul to emergency services,” said Bob Brown, President of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association.  “He is truly deserving of this award.”

Jensen, who is now 59, says he won’t retire for a few more years.  He told the International Falls Journal, “I still am very passionate about my job.  I have never gone to work when I didn’t want to go to work.”

I-Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen  Photo: International Falls Journal

Editor’s Note:  Jerry Jensen is the ultimate professional when it comes to the EMS and fire services.  He is one of the most dedicated fire officials I have ever met.  Congratulations, Jerry.  You are indeed truly deserving of this award!

October 29 – Virginia and Mountain Iron firefighters were dispatched this afternoon to a house fire in the 800 block of 4th Street South in Virginia.  The fire was contained to the basement of the two story structure, although the rest of the house had heat and smoke damage.  The lone occupant and his pets were able to get out safely.  The Eveleth Fire Department provided a Rapid Intervention Team.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photo: Mike Zadra-The Northland Fire Wire

October 28 – Duluth firefighters were dispatched to a duplex fire early this afternoon.  The fire was reported just before 12:30 p.m. at 519 East 6th Street.  Arriving crews found significant smoke coming from the first floor of the structure.  The fire was contained to the basement and first floor.  No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  The duplex was vacant at the time.

For four decades, Minnesota State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl has dedicated himself to the fire service.  He started his fire service career in Woodbury in 1974 and for 10 years, he has served as our State Fire Marshal.  In December, Rosendahl will retire.  “I have really enjoyed the thousands of miles I’ve driven to every corner of this state to meet with firefighters and local officials,” said Rosendahl in a news release.  “Talking fire prevention, firefighter safety and fire department is a dream come true.”  Rosendahl was a frequent visitor to northeastern Minnesota and he was always available when fire department officials had an issue or a question.  In short, Rosendahl will be missed.

Bruce West, who also has a great track record in the fire service, will succeed Rosendahl on December 4.  “I look forward to continuing to work with all the Minnesota fire service organizations and firefighters,” said West.

Editor’s note: The Northland Fire Wire wishes to thank Jerry for all of his hard work and dedication.  Through your efforts, you have increased the visibility of the fire service profession.  Your concern for public fire safety education is paramount and basically, we know your work and the work of your team has resulted in lives being saved.  Bruce, you have some big shoes to fill, but we are confident you will do an equally great job.  Thank you, Jerry!  Congratulations, Bruce!

Minnesota State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl