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Fire Chief Zach Reed present ed his annual report. The all-volunteer fire department started 2024 with 19 members, six short of full staffing of 25 firefighters. Jeff Hofmeister retired in April 2024. Reed said that for now staffing continues to be adequate with six to eight members responding to daytime calls, supplemented by mutual aid from nearby departments. Reed warned that ongoing struggles with retention and recruitment mean the department faces possible implementation of a paid structure in the future. 

Training is a high priority. Volunteers logged more than 1,500 hours of training in 2024. Firefighters must continually upgrade their skills with hazardous materials, self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, ice rescue, electric vehicle lithium ion batteries, and numerous other constantly evolving issues. The department also supports a water rescue team consisting of four certified water rescue divers who work at the request of the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department when water rescue is needed. Team members currently pay for their own personal diving equipment with donations from charitable gambling funds. Going forward Reed would like to add a budget line for upgraded water rescue equipment.  

Last year the department responded to 12 fires, 19 hazardous fire conditions, 20 rescue/water calls, 12 false alarms and 22 calls with “good intent.” They contributed 2,680 hours. Firefighters volunteered 265 hours at public events throughout the community including a youth safety camp held a Ojiketa Regional Park each July. The department will again host a free pancake breakfast in April.

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