Archive
The Twin Cities Fire Service in the News – June 25
Eagan’s New Safety Center/Fire Station In The News
The new fire safety center/Station 2 received a ton of news coverage this week when it had a grand opening and dedication. The $8.1 million building combined two fire stations into one, has several training features and is features green construction. Find more coverage here: Eagan Patch, Pioneer Press, This Week Newspapers
Final Interview With Richfield Chief Sveum
Richfield Fire Chief Brad Sveum talks with Richfield Patch’s Caitlin Burgess about 38 years in the fire service. Sveum, who retires this month, reflects on 29 year in Richfield and shares his most memorable moments. Read the interview here.
Brooklyn Center Receives Grant for Thermal Imager
The Brooklyn Center Fire Department has a new thermal imaging camera after receiving a $9,800 grant from the Firemen’s Fund Insurance Company. According to the Minnesota Sun Newspapers, the department’s current cameras are 15 and 17 years old. You can read the full story here.
Photographer Documents Live Burn in Lakeville
Lakeville Patch’s Paige Andrews photographed the fire department as they participated in a recent live fire training exercise at the ABLE joint training center in Burnsville. Check out the photos here.
There’s a New Fire Marshal in Town: Mendota Heights
Veteran firefighter Jim Lee was recently appointed fire marshal in Mendota Heights. According to the Mendota Heights Patch, Lee was a firefighter in West St. Paul and is now responsible for enforcing fire codes and conducting building inspections. Read the story here.
Fridley Police Beat Fire in Softball Matchup
The Fridley Police Department defeated the fire department with a 12-5 win in Friday night’s ’49er Days softball game. Fridley Patch reports that this was the first time the teams played each other in more than 20 years. Read the story and see the photos here.
Golden Valley Recruitment Drive
More than 20 people attended the first of three recruitment drives for the Golden Valley Fire Department. Check out Golden Valley Patch’s story and photos here.
St. Louis Park Fire Station Demolished
Construction crews demolished 40-year-old St. Louis Park Fire Station 1 recently. A video from St. Louis Park Patch shows the work underway and the website reports that it’s the first step in the construction of a new $15.5 million fire station.
Boy Scouts Learn About Fire from Stillwater Firefighters
Stillwater Patch covered an event where boy scouts were given a. Click here to see the photos.
See something that we’ve missed? Send an e-mail to TwinCitiesFireWire@yahoo.com and we’ll look into it.
St. Louis Park Fire Reaches 5 Alarms, Firefighter Injured
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
The story as updated Wednesday morning
June 7 – More than a dozen fire departments were called to condominium complex fire in St. Louis Park on Tuesday, just as temperatures broke historic records.
The fire was reported at 4625 Minnetonka Blvd. around 3:30 p.m. and it brought auto aid from Edina and Richfield.
Firefighters found flames showing from the second floor of the three-story Nachez Place condominium complex. The fire extended from the second floor to the top floor before crews contained the fire.
St. Louis Park Spokesman Jamie Zwilling said that two units received extensive damage. One-third of the building had smoke damage.
The fire was under control in 30 minutes.
The fire quickly escalated to five alarms, bring about 15 departments and more than 75 firefighters.
“It reached five alarms because of the excess heat,” said Zwilling. About the time of the fire, the mercury hit reached 102 degrees.
A Golden Valley firefighter was transported to the hospital suffering from heat-related injuries, according to Zwilling.
Hennepin EMS Spokesman Christopher Kummer said they dispatched three ambulances and three supervisors to assist evaluate residents and monitor firefighters.
The following departments responded: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, MAC Fire, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Robbindale and Wayzata.
Minnetonka Condo Damaged by Fire
This story was updated on Thursday morning.
April 13 – Firefighters from the West Metro were called to a condominium apartment fire late Wednesday morning.
Units were dispatched to the three-story condo complex at 3020 St. Albans Mills Rd. in Minnetonka at 10:54 a.m.
Minnetonka Engine 8 and Chief 3 arrived at 10:58 and Chief 3 assumed command.
Fire Chief Joe Wallin said that firefighter found an active fire in the void space between the second and third floors.”Crews opened up the ceilings and caught the fire as it was spreading,” he told Twin Cities Fire Wire.
According to scanner traffic, they were stretched a highrise bundle from the standpipe to the fire.
A second alarm was called because of the number of elderly residents still occupying the structure, Wallin sai
After the fire was knocked down, they performed extensive overhaul.
Mutual aid from Golden Valley, Hopkins and Plymouth responded to the scene.
The unit where the fire broke out was uninhabitable.
Related:
Area Firefighters Participate in Stair Climb
Apple Valley FD Photo
Firefighters from across the metro participated in the 2011 Fight for Air Climb at the Accenture Tower in Minneapolis last Saturday.
Congratulations to the more than 400 participants. The overall goal of all climbers was to bring in $140,000 and they exceeded that by $12,193.61.
Firefighters from the following climbed: Shakopee, Stewartville, Long Lake, Lexington, Apple Valley, Golden Valley, Chanhassen, Brooklyn Park, West Metro, Richmond, Jordan, Kensington, Glencoe, and Pierre.
Following are the results from the firefighter categories:
Fastest Firefighter
- Fastest Male Firefighter – Mark Alberts, Hutchinson Fire Department – 4:48
- Fastest Female Firefighter – Nancy Schmelzle, St. Louis Park – 6:59
Top Fundraising Firefighter Teams
- Overall Top Fundraising Firefighter Team – Golden Valley Fire Department – $9,650
- 2nd Place Fundraising Firefighter Team – Chanhassen Fire Department – $6,170
- 3rd Place Fundraising Firefighter Team – Stewartville Fire – $3,865
Top Fundraising Firefighters
- Top Fundraising Firefighter – Ken Bence, Golden Valley Fire Department – $4,660
- 2nd Place Fundraising Firefighter – Steve Smith, Chanhassen Fire Department – $1,530
- 3rd Place Fundraising Firefighter – John Williams, Chanhassen Fire Department – $1,345
Fastest Firefighter Teams
- Overall Fastest Fire Fighter Team – Hutchinson Fire Department – 27:56
- 2nd Place Fastest Firefighter Team – Long Lake Fire Department – 28:32
- 3rd Place Fastest Firefighter Team – Shakopee Fire – 28:44
In the photo above, the Apple Valley Fire Department Smoke Eaters climbing team. Front row: (left to right) Marisa Holman, Lt. Colleen Elvin and Laura Basballe. Back row: (left to right) Brian Benson, Lt. Pat Gram, Tom Ilg.
Click here for more information on the climb and click here for more photos.
Report: Crack Pipe Caused Golden Valley Fire
The fire that damaged a Golden Valley condominium complex last week was caused by a crack pipe.
KSTP reports that “the pipe set a pillow or bedding on fire in a unit.”
A woman was seen laughing while running out of the building. Amanda Fernandes, 33, was charged with starting the fire out of neglect, according to the story.
The fire, in the 9100 block of Olson Memorial Highway, was brought under control Golden Valley, Plymouth and St. Louis Park firefighters.
Related Articles:
Golden Valley Fire Displaces a Dozen Residents
Fire at a Golden Valley condominium complex displaced more than a dozen residents Thursday night.
Crews from Golden Valley, Plymouth and St. Louis Park were called to the 9100 block of Olson Memorial Highway about 9:30 p.m.
The first unit on scene reported heavy smoke showing from the
They were able to hold the fire to the unit of origin, but firefighter evacuated the building which contained 18 units.
Related Articles:
Twin Cities Fire Wire 