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The Lindstrom Fire Department celebrated new members and displayed a new lighter-duty rescue truck as the party moved from the fire station to Lindstrom city hall last week.  

The city council and audience applauded as four new firefighters and department leaders; Asst Chief Todd Bjorkman, Capt. Brian Dreckman and Lt. Ian Jorgenson took their oaths to serve the community.

Chief Scott Sellman said Chris Colucci, Brandon Hoyt, Wardell Haywood and David Peck-- have completed their level one and two training, are certified, and have finished a one year conditional service period.  (See photos.)

Sellman added that the new rescue truck is a terrific addition to the fleet.  The cab seats four, and will be more cost effective and useful in responding to crash scenes and nuisance fires, where large rigs are overkill.

Chief Sellman and Lakes Area Chief of Police Bill Schlumbohm also advised council that there continues to be discussion about a set of new radio fees adopted by county commissioners.  The county used its authority to revise a radio user agreement and has also bought about $2 million in new equipment for emergency communications used in public safety networks here.  

The discussion since the fee structure revisions has been that maybe radios can be stored and dispensed, and paid for, only as individual departments request them.  Financial impact of being assessed for total replacement, also fees to subscribe and other surcharges is perceived as unacceptable by all the area departments, Chief Schlumbohm noted.

Sellman said there may be other methods identified by fire chiefs to spread the radio costs out. “We have no answer yet,” he said.  

Police Chief Schlumbohm assured council that  County Commissioners McMahon and Greene have promised that the actions previously taken on the 2019 fees will be revisited.




 

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