Cloquet Area Fire District

2011 Annual Report

Cloquet Area Fire District

2801 Dewey Avenue, Scanlon, mn. 55720

Phone: (218) 499-4274 : Fax: (218) 499-4289

March 2012

CAFD Board Member Communities Citizens of the Cloquet Area Fire District

The mission of the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD) is to “…enhance the safety and quality of

life within the communities we serve.” Our commitment to that mission has remained strong

throughout 2011 and been affirmed through independent review and third party recognition

highlighting a higher level of service provision to our citizens.

The 2011 annual report is a continued reflection of our commitment to the communities that we

service and our efforts towards transparency and public information. This report is filled with

information and statistics that spotlight our efforts to successfully meet our mission.

The success of the CAFD is due to the dedication of the members, both past and present, of the

CAFD and the support we receive from our member communities. With the retirement of Chief

Langenbrunner and the passing of Stan DeMenge, the CAFD lost two visionary members

whose hard work and determination to provide the best services to their communities will be

sorely missed.

All officers and administrative staff have contributed to this report. I am grateful for their

assistance and continued dedication. I hope you find this report to be of interest and

informative.

Sincerely,

Kevin Schroeder, District Fire Chief

Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Training & Safety 508 Cloquet Avenue 2779 Big Lake Road 2801 Dewey Avenue 2801 Dewey Avenue Cloquet, Mn 55720 Cloquet, Mn 55720 Scanlon, Mn 55720 Scanlon, Mn 55720 (218) 879-6514 (218) 879-5605 (218) 499-4258 (218) 499-4273

Mission Statement

The mission of the Cloquet Area Fire District is to

provide unified fire protection, rescue, and

emergency medical services to enhance the safety

and improve the quality of life within the

communities we serve.

Engine 22 (Station 2), Engine 2 (Station 1), and Engine 31 (Station 3)

conduct unified operations at a structure fire on Big Lake Road

Organizational Values

The values of the Cloquet Area Fire District are:

Professionalism –

Completing each task with a superior level of competence gained through

effective training and continuous quality improvement

Dedication –

Having pride in self and the organization and working with enthusiasm and

responsibility to customers, each other, and the organization

Compassion –

Providing services with understanding and respect to patients, customers, and

each other

Cooperation –

Providing services through teamwork within the organization and with external

partners

Integrity –

Adhering to strict moral and ethical principles with sound character, honesty and

trust

Organizational Structure

Cloquet Area Fire District

Organizational Structure

Fire District Board

Operating Committee

District Fire Chief

Medical Director

Training

Division Chief

Training/Safety

Administration

Division Chief

Paid on call

Operations

Battalion Chief

Station 1 Station 2 Station 3

FEO

Lt - POC

Captain Captain

FF / Medic

Lieutenant Lieutenant

FF / FR FF / FR

Community Members Community Members

Captain

2011 Firefighters

Station 1 Station 2

Captain Chad Vermeersch Lieutenant Quinten Anderson Captain Scott Castleman Lieutenant Brian Ninneman Captain Jesse Buhs Matt Hecht Act. Capt. Steve Hills Todd Saaristo FEO Pat Marciniak Derek Hills FEO Brian Roth Clare Rainey FEO John Hecht Tony Stoddard Sean Saddler Tim Larson Jim Bjorklund Tom Despenes Jeremy Hutchison Nick Olson Stuart Waters Dan Olson Jason Maki Wayne Modrow Mike Garberg Brandon Rautell Pete Erickson Cody DeBondt Chris White Dan Cyson Justin Jahr Mike Nelson

Administration Station 3

District Fire Chief Kevin Schroeder Captain Darren Guentzel Division Chief Ken Klatt Lieutenant Thor Trone Division Chief Steve Olson Lieutenant Sarah Buhs Battalion Chief Steve Kolodge Lieutenant Ross Zegan Battalion Chief Gordy Meagher Tim Pederson Training Officer Craig Boedigheimer Travis Gustafson

Mike Hatinen Luke Sanda

Jennifer Falk Chris Bergeron Eric Johnson Justin LeBlanc Jason Eckenberg Danny Nelson Ed Stahlbusch Matt Falk Jeremy Johnson

Administration

District Fire Chief Kevin Schroeder….

As the Chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD), I am proud to present

you with this summary of activities for the year 2011. 2011 was once again a

year of immense change for the Cloquet Area Fire District and brought the final

merger of the Scanlon Fire Department into the District, the passing of one of

our founding board members, and the retirement of long time Fire Chief Jim

Langenbrunner. Administrative offices also moved from the Cloquet station to

a new location at the Scanlon station.

The District continues to set the standard for unified fire and EMS delivery in our

region and throughout the State of Minnesota. This commitment was recognized

repeatedly through third-party review in 2011. In late 2010, the Governor’s Task

Force on Fire and Rescue Share Services highlighted the District as a model for the

future delivery of fire and EMS services; this led into March 2011 where the District

received a Local Government Innovation Award from the Humphrey School of Public

Affairs.

Over the summer, the District worked tirelessly to complete an Insurance

Services Organization (ISO) Public Protection Classification review. This

review took the dedication and commitment of all three stations and each and

every member of the District. This review led to improved Public Protection

Classifications for each of our member communities including a Class 4 for

hydranted areas and a Class 6 for most areas of the District without fire

hydrants. This rating places the CAFD into the top 7% of fire departments in

the State of Minnesota. The dedication and effort of the District staff was

borne out by the comments of ISO reviewer Douglas Sele who stated, “…a class 6 for a nonhydranted

area is rare and everyone should take some pride in that classification since the vast majority of hauled

water areas result in 7’s or 8’s.”

In addition to the external accomplishments, the District has made

vast improvements internally. We completed a multi-day strategic

planning process in March that included representation from every

aspect of the district including organizational divisions, members of

the community, and representatives from all levels of District staff.

This planning process created a comprehensive review of the District

and provided seven prioritized areas of focus to increase our

efficiency and effectiveness. Sub committees spent the rest of 2011

working on the first four of these goals, and are on schedule to complete this process in 2012.

District officers are assimilating to their new roles rapidly, and both emergency and non-emergency

operations are growing more efficient. We also continue to adjust and revise our policies and operating

guidelines as we grow and mature as an organization. A duty crew program was implemented that allows

paid-on-call (POC) staff to work scheduled shifts alongside the district full-time staff. This program

creates opportunities for our POC staff to increase skill development and take advantage of additional

training opportunities and make up missed drills and emergency responses. The District also continues

to partner with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the contract for fire protection

services was renewed for another year for Fond du Lac properties on their reservation lands. Mutual Aid

contracts were signed with the City of Wright and the District has been active in both the Carlton County

Fire Chief’s Association and the Carlton County Emergency Medical Services Council.

Over $400,000 in Federal grant programs were awarded to the District

in the areas of training and operational equipment, including the

delivery of our new Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer. This unit will

completely change the way basic firefighter training is provided not

only in the District but in the entire region. The trailer has been

highlighted in local media, appeared at the Minnesota Fire Educators

Professional Development Conference in St. Cloud, Mn, and will be

featured in the national journal Fire Management Today in early 2012.

The District also saw new additions to its vehicle fleet. We took delivery

of a White/Volvo semi tractor and a mobile lighting and generator trailer

that will be used for training, fire investigation, and extended night-time

operations, through the Federal Excess Property Program. The semi-

tractor has been identified as CAFD Training-1 and is dedicated to pulling

the 53’ Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer. The tractor was furnished by the

U.S. Air Force through the State of Minnesota Department of Natural

Resources, and was provided with new tires, paint, striping, and lighting

by the CAFD for a total acquisition cost of less than $5,000. The District

also replaced a utility vehicle at Station 1, and purchased command and

response vehicles for Training/Safety and Administration under the

Capital Improvement Plan.

We continue to identify and adopt technology to make our operations more

effective and economically efficient. In 2011, we began the purchase and

installation of Mobile Data Computers (MDC’s) in our Medic and Command

vehicles. When complete in early 2012, this system will tie directly to the

upgraded Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in use in both Carlton

and St. Louis Counties. The CAD connection will provide our staff with real

time dispatch information along with GPS enabled mapping for each

vehicle. This vehicle location system will save time and eliminate confusion

when responding to our rural coverage areas and eliminate confusion over duplicate street names in

different townships and cities. Coinciding with the MDC project, is our continued efforts to ensure that we

are ready for the region wide radio conversion from VHF to 800mhz in 2012. This statewide radio system

will allow all emergency responders throughout the state to communicate with each other when

responding to emergencies.

The end of 2011 finds the CAFD to be a healthier, stronger, more efficient emergency services provider

than when we started. The District is in place to continue this improvement into the future, and has

become a familiar name within the fire and EMS providers in Minnesota. We are contacted on a regular

basis for information and guidance from departments throughout the State of Minnesota as the concept of

combined services slowly becomes the model for service delivery in Minnesota’s cities and towns. I

proudly and confidently report to you that the state of the District is good, and that we will strive to

maintain the trust the citizens of the CAFD have bestowed in us, while we continue to pursue excellence

in the services we provide in return.

Operations

Battalion Chief’s Steve Kolodge and Gordy Meagher… The Operations Division is responsible for the day-to-day supervison and operation of the District staff, equipment and emergency responses. The Battalion Chiefs are the on scene Incident Commanders and coordiante all District resources during both emergency and non-emergency operations. 2011 was a “Back to Basics” type of year for the Operations Division of the Cloquet Area Fire District. The previous year saw the City of Scanlon join the District, a signed fire protection contract with the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, which included reservation properties in both St. Louis and Carlton Counties along with the Black Bear Casino, a working relationship with the Bands Water Department, re-structuring of the day-to-day functions of the Battalion Chiefs duties and a complete

overhaul into the Districts SOG’s to integrate all stations into one functioning unit. Because of these functions being completed, Operations was awarded a chance this year to evaluate the District on both its emergency and non-emergency response procedures and initiate subtle changes if needed. The hard work put into 2010 proved dividends this year as operations performed admirably and as anticipated on emergency scenes with crews responding to a total of 266 fire related calls. The integration of a 3 station tiered structured emergency response brought a concerted effort to improve response times, increased staffing levels and safety procedures at scenes and incident appropriate equipment that complies with national standards and best practices. Personnel assigned to these stations remained the same in 2011, with career Firefighter/Paramedics working out of Station 1 and paid-on-call (POC) Firefighter/1

st

Responder/EMT’s responding from Stations 2 & 3. Duty crews were also established in 2011, giving POC personnel the opportunity to sign up for shifts at Station 1, beginning the Districts transitional phase of regularly scheduled POC employees assigned to this particular station in the future.

2011 saw the EMS operations of the District continue to respond on a regular basis with a total of 1859 incidents, including district responses, intercepts, mutual aid requests and transfers from Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital. Implementation of computers in our first due out paramedic units were installed to aid our Paramedics in the electronic filing of EMS ambulance reports and billing sheets. These computer units sped up the time of report writing, reduced the redundancy in filing reports and

decreased the out of service time of our Paramedic Staff. Blue Cross/Blue Shield also began direct payment for insured services provided by the District. This change in payment method greatly increases reimbursement and collection percentages for patients insured through this company. The District’s portable transport ventilators, used for non-breathing patients, were maintained with an additional unit being added to service, and the drug inventory carried on the ambulances was reviewed and updated to meet current treatment and care guidelines Fleet Maintenance saw an unusual number of large scale repairs on District apparatus this year. Tower 1 underwent the replacement of two extension cables on the ladder, spring pack clamps on the rear axle, and four guide plates on the outriggers. Rescue 1 developed an issue with the onboard hydraulic generator that powers the electrical items and hydraulic rescue tools on the vehicle. The generator was repaired and all hydraulic tools were maintained and serviced. Engine 31 underwent extensive pump service in its first year in the District, including valve replacements and a new primer pump. Engine 2 required new fuel injection and fuel primer pumps, and Tanker 21 had a complete engine, transmission, and rear axle service along with new tires. In addition to these specific repairs, all District apparatus received required annual service, maintenance, and pump testing. All District vehicles passed the required testing and

received certification for 2011. Fleet maintenance services are provided through contracts with both the City of Cloquet and Emergency Apparatus Maintenance. Uniforms were issued to Station 3 staff, master stream appliances were installed on the engines at Station 2, and an aged and broken fire hose coupling machine at Station 1 was replaced with a state-of-the-art unit. The coupling machine, allows for in-house repair and the creation of custom length hoses without the need to send them out for repair. The District also took delivery of and placed into service a new fire hose testing machine. Fire hose is required to be pressure tested annually at pressures between 200-300psi. The new testing machine is a portable unit that is powered by a 4-stroke, 10HP, gasoline engine. Prior to 2011 hose was tested using District fire apparatus resulting in additional wear and tear on engines and pumps.

Incident specific operations within our Division also met or exceeded expectations this year. High Angle/Confined Space Rescue, Auto Extrication, Ice/Water Rescue and Fire Investigations all continue to be recognized as important factors that make our Fire District strong. All 2011 fires were investigated per Minnesota Law and followed strict District protocol in cases that were deemed suspicious. Pre-Fire Planning updates were also completed this year by Station 1 staff. This process has been severely overlooked in the past and a concerted effort was put forth this summer to upgrade our files and

to place the information onto a computer program for easy access. The entire downtown district of Cloquet was completed and plans for 2012 include the western part of the City, businesses north of the Hwy 33 Bridge and Hwy 33 east to 14

th Street.

With the retirement of long time Fire Chief, James Langenbrunner, came a reduction in staff to the Battalion Chiefs position with the promotion of Kevin Schroeder to lead our Fire District. This vacancy along with four (4) other staff positions serving our country on military leave left a small void in our operational staffing levels. The Battalion Chiefs divided up the duties and operated under a coordinated system, which was broken up into defined responsibilities, making it easier for District Personnel to identify who was responsible for what. The 4

th FEO position was left unfilled as

that member was promoted to an acting officer position. Just as in 2010, the Battalion Chiefs were once again directly involved with the creation of the 2012 budget process and re-structuring of the Districts Capital Improvement Plan. Budgetary oversight, Holiday Time, Military Leave, Payroll, and Ambulance Billing, Station and Apparatus Maintenance and general oversight on three (3) District Fire stations are examples of the responsibilities accrued by the leaders of the Operational Division

The men and women of the Cloquet Area Fire District confirmed their commitment and pride to service this year when the alarm sounded. While responding to a total of 2195 emergency responses, both EMS and Fire Response data shows that, from time of dispatch, crews arrived on the emergency scene in less than 5 minutes 69% of the time, and in less than ten (10) minutes 20% of the time. Despite the large size and rural nature of much of the District, this correlates to 89% of the time our Fire District is on the scene of an emergency in ten (10) minutes or less. This meets or exceeds CAFD SOG III: Alarm Procedures, which indentifies

District alarm response time goals. This commitment to excellence translates into a superior effort put forth towards our most important supporters, the citizens that we are sworn to protect, that reside both inside and outside of the Fire Districts Boundaries.

Training & Safety

Division Chief Ken Klatt and Training Officer Craig Boedigheimer…

The CAFD Training and Safety Division is responsible for the coordination of all

training within the CAFD. This training is provided to both the District and to outside

businesses and organizations. The Training and Safety Division is also responsible

for the health and safety all of all District staff. Safety activities include the District

Combined Safety Committee, the investigation of all accidents and injuries, ongoing

mitigation of hazardous conditions, and presence of a Safety Officer at emergency

incidents.

MEDICAL TRAINING

The Minnesota EMSRB and the National Registry of Emergency Medical

Technicians certify all personnel. We currently have 23 medical first

responders, 9 EMT’s, and 24 Paramedics. The district provides training for

re-certification, continuing education credits, CPR, ACLS, PALS, ITLS,

AMLS, and a host of other medical training. Medical first responder re-

certification requires 16 hours over 2 years, EMT requires 48 hours over 2

years, and Paramedic requires 72 hours class room plus practical

evaluations. All of this training is done in house with an on staff licensed instructors and additional

training from outside resources. This year we had 6 personnel trained as first responder, 6 Trained as

EMT, and 12 became EMS Instructors. Total EMS training hours: 1475.5 hours

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

We are very fortunate to continue our partnership with Sappi for the provision of Haz-Mat training to the

District. CAFD staff train side-by-side with members of the Sappi Hazardous Materials Response Team,

and benefit directly from the training, equipment, and expertise provided by Sappi. This training includes

both the 40 hour initial Haz-Mat Operations class and federally required annual refresher training. We

also provide annual Haz-Mat Awareness training classes. Annual Process Safety Management training is

done through Sappi, allowing our staff to operate in the specific hazard areas of the mill. Total Haz-Mat

training hours: 1340.5 hours

FIRE TRAINING

Continuous daily and weekly training is offered to all our personnel. This

training varies from basic firefighting skills to specialized training such as

vehicle extrication and stabilization. Some of the fire training also includes

live fire training. We were able to do a house burn and utilize the structure

for extensive training. This year, we received a Mobile Live Fire Training

Trailer which has been used for several burns. This trailer has numerous

uses and will be available to outside fire departments. We also had huge

success in certifying personnel with the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board. In addition to the staff

currently certified, we had an additional 23 firefighters become certified as Firefighter I, 22 as Firefighter

II, 20 as Fire Instructor, and 1 as a Fire Officer I.

All career firefighters also became licensed by the State of Minnesota effective in July 2011. Starting in

2011, all career firefighters in Minnesota are required to be licensed. This license must be renewed every

three years and requires 72 hours of continuing fire training over the 3 year period. Total Fire training

hours: 3571.5 hours

TECHNICAL RESCUE

Technical Rescue training consists of Confined Space and High Angle rescue.

The CAFD Technical Rescue Team is required to undergo annual training and

skill verification. This training was conducted by First Strike Safety of Duluth.

Additional ongoing training is conducted in house as part of the regular

training schedule. We also conduct annual training with Sappi and USG

emergency response staff. All three CAFD stations also received ice/water

rescue training in 2011. Total Technical Rescue training hours: 786 hours

EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS

Rotation between Fire apparatus and Ambulance is done on a yearly basis. This training consists of 8

hours of classroom and 4 hours behind the wheel. Total Vehicle Operation training hours: 511 hours

SAFETY

A safety committee was formed with meetings held bi-monthly. There have been

several issues addressed and mitigated. Physical fitness has not been

mandatory but personnel are strongly encouraged to workout. Mandatory

stretching is required at the beginning of each shift, and fitness programs are

available from Division Chief Klatt. Yearly medical physicals are required for staff

and were completed. We experienced three reportable injuries in 2011 resulting

in only one day of lost time. All accidents/injuries are investigated and reviewed

with repairs or policy changes being made as a result.

OTHER TRAINING DIVISON ACTIVITIES

Fire extinguisher training was provided to several local businesses at no

charge. School programs have been started and are being worked on with

teachers and the training and safety division. We also worked with the School

district, placed AED’s in all the schools, and trained staff in there usage.

Several public relations appearances were done at locations throughout the

district. Meetings with assisted living facilities were held and safety training for

staff and residents was conducted. Quality Assurance is done on a monthly

basis with our Medical Director, this is a chance for staff to review runs, receive training and discuss

issues with Dr. Ripp. The Training & Safety Division regularly attends meetings of the Carlton County

EMS Association, Arrowhead EMS, Arrowhead Regional Firefighters Association and Mesabi College.

Division Chief Klatt was appointed by the governor to the North East Regional

Trauma Advisory Committee. Meetings with surrounding departments were

held to assist them with training and ideas. Meetings to coordinate training

and resources between Duluth, Virginia and Hibbing Fire Depts. with the

CAFD were undertaken to create a cooperative training environment.

Numerous meetings for firefighter training and certification, EMS standards,

safety, OSHA and others, have also been attended. Public Education

personnel hours: 217.5 hours

Total personnel hours of training: 7902 hours

Recruitment & Retention

Division Chief Steve Olson…

The Paid-on-Call (POC) Division is responsible for the Recruitment and Retention of

POC employees within the District. This includes the recruitment, interview,

evaluation and recommendation of new POC firefighters, along with the development

of policy and procedures related to non-emergency operations of the POC staff. The

POC Division Chief also provides command support during emergency incidents throughout the district.

January 1, 2011 brought a new community into the District doubling the number of Paid-on-Call (POC)

employees in the District. The City of Scanlon joined the District and the Scanlon Fire Department

became CAFD Station 3 with 17 additional POC firefighters. The POC employees now represent nearly

2/3 of the District employees.

The year started with a total of 32 POC employees, and at the end of

2011 there were 30 District POC employees, 16 at Station 3 and 14 at

Station 2. 2011 saw POC personnel changes resulting in a net loss of 2

POC personnel. Two long term POC employees resigned approximately

midyear. A Lieutenant at Station 2 resigned his officer position due to

work constraints and a Lieutenant at Station 3 retired shortly after the

start of 2012.

Station 2 gained a Firefighter/First Responder who had previously been on the Kettle River Fire

Department, and there are currently two POC members on active military deployments. Although the

District is short of its goal of POC employees, the District ended 2011 in the midst of a recruitment drive

that resulted in the largest number of applicants in District history. The District will be adding POC

employees in early 2012 to both Stations 2 and 3.

During 2011 POC employees put in 5026.5 hours in district activities, attended 65 drills and responded to

228 emergency incidents (Fire and EMS). The graph below summarizes the POC hours:

The Recruitment and Retention Division also coordinated and represented the

District at numerous area community events including local career fairs, fire

prevention activities, celebrations, fundraisers, and safety expos.

616.75 722.75

1680.25 2006.75

5026.5

Fire hours Ems hours Work hours Drill hours Total hours

Paid on Call Hours

Station 1

Captains Chad Vermeersch, Jesse Buhs and Steve Hills…

Station 1 started out 2011 with the first phase of a complete building renovation. The

station was divided by floors and a two year project to rejuvenate the building began in

earnest. The upper living level of the station was completely stripped and the walls

were repaired and repainted. New ceiling tiles were installed throughout, and new trim

and finishes were installed in the kitchen and offices. New cabinetry and storage was

installed in the crew office along with the expansion of the office space used by the on-

duty Battalion Chief. The building project will continue with the lower level of the station

in 2012.

Three new Firefighter/Paramedics were appointed and assigned, one to each shift, in

March. Firefighter/Paramedic’s Justin Jahr, Daniel Cyson and Michael Nelson

successfully completed their field training in September and will complete their

probation in March 2012. Station 1 was also short two employees due to military

deployments in 2011. Captain Scott Castleman and Firefighter/Paramedic Pete Erickson deployed in

early 2011 and are proudly serving our country both foreign and domestically.

Beginning in July of 2011, all career firefighters in Minnesota are required to

be licensed by the state. All Station 1 staff and full-time management

members completed this licensure. As part of this project, the staff of

Station 1 also participated with other District members in the Minnesota Fire

Service Certification process with a variety of Station 1 staff completing

written and practical exams for the positions of Firefighter, Fire Apparatus

Operator, Fire Officer and Fire Instructor.

Station 1 staff continued to lead the Districts specialized programs and completed

40 hour training and annual skill verification in Technical Rescue. This year also

brought a number of Paid-on-Call staff onto the Technical Rescue Team working

directly with the members and equipment assigned to Station 1. Required annual

respirator fit testing was conducted for all District staff, and SCBA testing and repair

was completed by the Station 1 repair technicians for all three stations.

Staff began a project to update the District’s pre-fire planning system and

completed planning reviews for most commercial occupancies in downtown

Cloquet. Numerous hours were spent working with the District Management

Team and Governing Board on strategic planning, standard operating

procedure updates, communications, organizational structure, and training

committees.

Medic units from Station 1 responded to 1800 EMS incidents and dealt with a large number of severe

motor vehicle accidents and a very public drowning tragedy. Staff worked with numerous industries and

organizations to provide public safety and technical rescue services and planning and responded, along

with other district resources, to multiple commercial and residential fires in 2011 including the old Hong

Kong Restaurant and the Cloquet Country Club maintenance building.

Station 2

Lieutenants Quinten Anderson and Brian Ninneman…

Station 2 Responses in 2011: 71

2011 saw a number of changes at Station 2 that included building projects being

completed, staff changes occurring, and equipment upgrades and additions.

Station 2 completed a remodel of the office space and meeting room in 2011. New

walls were constructed for the office along with the complete repainting and new

flooring in the meeting room. Cabinetry and countertops were also installed with plans

for new tables and chairs in early 2012. Additional projects were initiated to clean up and redesign the

apparatus floor. New storage and work areas were established and outdated equipment was removed

and disposed of. New floor matting was installed along the locker area creating a cleaner and more

efficient area for changing into turnout gear.

The majority of Station 2 staff completed state fire certification testing for

both Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications, and a several members

completed the Emergency Medical Technician program and were licensed

by the State of Minnesota and national registered as EMT’s. 2011 saw the

resignation of Captain Dave DeLovely in August, and this position was not

replaced resulting in the Lieutenants stepping into the station leadership

role. Firefighter/EMT Bobbikay DeLovely also resigned and Lieutenant John

Peterson stepped down to the position of firefighter due to time constraints

caused by his business.

Major equipment upgrades also took place in 2011. A class A foam

system was installed on Engine 21, a new pump was installed on the slip-

on brush fire unit mounted on Brush 21. Master stream appliances with

both fixed and portable mounts were installed on Engines 21 & 22, and a

Thermal Imaging Camera and new 4-gas air monitor were also placed into

service.

Station 2 continued to provide staff and critical equipment at all District

emergencies, and provides the mobile water supply for the entire District

through the use of Engine 22 and Tankers 21 & 22. Station 2 staff also

participated in the District’s Insurance Services Organization, Public Protection

classification review, with emphasis on the rural water movement sections in

June.

Station 3

Captain Darren Guentzel and Lieutenants Thor Trone, Sarah Buhs, Ross Zegan…

Station 3 Responses in 2011: 157

2011 was a year of tremendous change for Station 3. On December 31, 2010 the

Scanlon Fire Department ended service with the City of Scanlon and became Station 3 of

the Cloquet Area Fire District on January 1, 2011. With the transition came changes to

the station officers and command structure. Applications were accepted for the positions

of Captain and Lieutenant, and staff was appointed and assigned new duties. The District

Administrative Offices also moved to the Station 3 location and occupy a large portion of

the Scanlon Community Center Building. The District Training Division is now

headquartered at Station 3 and with this move; Station 3 is the home of the District’s

Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer.

In addition to the staff changes, equipment changes also followed. Station 3 was outfitted

with a new master stream device, 5” large diameter supply hose, a floating strainer,

medical equipment, and hose bed cover for Engine 31. New District graphics and striping

were installed on the station 3 vehicles and District uniforms were issued. SCBA and air

monitoring equipment was changed to meet the current District equipment and

procedures. All apparatus was serviced, tested, and certified by District mechanical

contractors for 2011.

Station 3 firefighters participated in the District efforts to achieve state

certification for firefighters. All active firefighters at Station 3 were

certified as Firefighter I by the Minnesota Fire Service Certification

Board and a majority achieved Firefighter II certification. Staff

members also completed EMS and Fire Instructor classes and achieved

certification as Fire and EMS instructors through both the state

certification board and the American Safety and Health Institute.

Station 3 played a crucial role in the Insurance Services Organization Public Protection Classification

review that the District underwent in 2011. Station 3 staff and Engine 31 were the primary drafting

resources for the rural water supply evaluation of the ISO review. The ability to move water through

drafting and natural water sources is a key component to the Public

Protection Classification ratings. Engine 31 also participated in a large

scale water movement drill at the Sappi facility in September. The drill

was designed to simulate a wood yard storage fire and E31 was one of

the drafting units for the water supply operation that supplied a

sustained volume of 6,500 gallons of water per minute through

combined draft and water shuttle operations.

Station 3 resources were on scene for every significant emergency incident in the District in 2011, and

staff participated in public education and relations projects throughout the year. Station 3 has

successfully merged into the District and is an integral part of the District’s cooperative service model to

improve efficiency and economy.

Apparatus

UNIT MAKE DUTY

Station 1

Medic 9 2010 Ford / Lifeline ALS Ambulance Medic 10 1999 Ford / Lifeline ALS Ambulance Medic 11 1997 Ford / Lifeline ALS Ambulance Medic 12 2003 Ford / Lifeline ALS Ambulance Engine 1 1994 E-One / Freightliner 1250 GPM Pumper Engine 2 2000 E-One / Freightliner 1750 GPM Pumper Tower 1 2001 E-One / Cyclone 2000 GPM 95’ Platform Rescue 1 2008 E-One / Typhoon Heavy Rescue Squad 6 2008 Ford F550 Brush Truck Station 2 Engine 21 2003 Crimson / Freightliner 1250 GPM Pumper Engine 22 2008 Crimson / Freightliner 1500 GPM Pumper/Tanker Tanker 21 1986 GMC 2500 gallon Tanker Tanker 22 1994 Ford 1500 gallon Tanker Brush 21 2006 Chevy Pick-Up Brush Truck ATV John Deere Gator 4X4 Off Road Rescue Station 3 Engine 31 2006 Pierce / International 1250 GPM Pumper Brush 31 1998 Chevy Pick-up Brush Truck Squad 31 2004 Chevy Suburban First Response Vehicle Lighting Unit Magnum MLT5060 Light & Generator Trailer

Admin

Chief 1 2012 Chevy Tahoe Chief’s Command Vehicle Chief 2 2012 Chevy Pick-Up BC Command Vehicle Chief 3 2011 Chevy Suburban Training & Safety Training 1 1993 Volvo Semi Tractor Transport Unit – MLFTS Utility 4 1994 Ford Pick-Up Utility Vehicle

Retirements, Deployments & Losses

The District experienced a number of separations in 2011.

In March, Chief Jim Langenbrunner retired after a 36 year career with

the Cloquet Fire Department and Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD). It

was in part, through Chief Langenbrunner’s vision and tenacity that the

CAFD came into existence. Chief Langenbrunner was used to change

and had guided the department through the Department of Public

Safety to a standalone fire department within the City of Cloquet, and

then finally into the independent CAFD.

In October, the District lost a friend and board member due to the

untimely passing of Stan DeMenge. Stan DeMenge was the Town

Board Chair for Perch Lake Township and Vice Chair of the Cloquet

Area Fire District Board. Stan was one of the founding members of

the CAFD and fought tirelessly to convince people throughout the

region that there was a need to look at unified services in order to

meet the economic reality of the provision of public services both

today and into the future.

Several District members have been serving their country domestically and

around the world in 2011. The District has four employees, representing all

three stations, currently deployed with the military. These individuals include

Scott Castleman, Peter Erickson (pictured on the left while in Kuwait), Luke

Sanda, and Tim Larson.

The District also lost two dedicated and long serving members of Station 2 to other

commitments. Captain David DeLovely and FF/EMT Bobbikay DeLovely both

separated from service with the Cloquet Area Fire District in August, 2011.

Dave has since rejoined the District in December when he was appointed as the

alternate CAFD board member for Perch Lake Township.

2011 CAFD Activity

Incident Type Report (Summary)

Cloquet Area Fire District

From 01/01/11 To 12/31/11

Incident Type Cou

nt

% of

Incidents

Est. Property

Loss

Est. Content

Loss

Total Est.

Loss

% of

Losses

1 Fire

Fire, other (100) 5 0.23% $100.00 $0.00 $100.00 0.02%

Building fire (111) 20 0.91% $314,000.00 $187,500.00 $501,500.00 98.88%

Fires in structure other than in a building

(112) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Cooking fire, confined to container (113) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Chimney or flue fire, confined to chimney

or flue (114) 1 0.05% $3,000.00 $100.00 $3,100.00 0.61%

Passenger vehicle fire (131) 5 0.23% $2,000.00 $0.00 $2,000.00 0.39%

Road freight or transport vehicle fire (132) 1 0.05% $0.00 $500.00 $500.00 0.10%

Off-road vehicle or heavy equipment fire

(138) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Forest, woods or wildland fire (141) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Grass fire (143) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Outside rubbish fire, other (150) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire (151) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Construction or demolition landfill fire

(153) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Special outside fire, other (160) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

44 2.04% $319,100.00 $188,100.00 $507,200.00 100.00%

2 Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat(no fire)

Overpressure rupture of air or gas

pipe/pipeline (221) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Explosion (no fire), other (240) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Excessive heat, scorch burns with no

ignition (251) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

4 0.19% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

3 Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident

Rescue, EMS incident, other (300) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Medical assist, assist EMS crew (311) 8 0.36% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with

injury (321) 1824 83.10% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Motor vehicle accident with injuries (322) 5 0.23% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Search for person on land (341) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Extrication, rescue, other (350) 7 0.32% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Extrication of victim(s) from vehicle (352) 8 0.36% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Extrication of victim(s) from machinery

(357) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Watercraft rescue (365) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Rescue or EMS standby (381) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

1859 84.70% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

4 Hazardous Condition (No Fire)

Hazardous condition, other (400) 4 0.18% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill

(411) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) (412) 5 0.23% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Toxic condition, other (420) 4 0.18% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Carbon monoxide incident (424) 16 0.73% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Electrical wiring/equipment problem, other 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

(440)

Heat from short circuit (wiring),

defective/worn (441) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Overheated motor (442) 3 0.14% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Power line down (444) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Arcing, shorted electrical equipment (445) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Attempted burning, illegal action, other

(480) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

40 1.84% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

5 Service Call

Service Call, other (500) 8 0.36% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Person in distress, other (510) 51 2.32% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Water problem, other (520) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Water or steam leak (522) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Smoke or odor removal (531) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Animal problem (541) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Public service assistance, other (550) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Public service (553) 3 0.14% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Assist invalid (554) 9 0.41% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Unauthorized burning (561) 8 0.36% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

85 3.88% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

6 Good Intent Call

Good intent call, other (600) 20 0.91% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Dispatched and cancelled en route (611) 35 1.59% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Authorized controlled burning (631) 5 0.23% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Prescribed fire (632) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Steam, vapor, fog or dust thought to be

smoke (652) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

HazMat release investigation w/no

HazMat (671) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

63 2.88% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

7 False Alarm & False Call

False alarm or false call, other (700) 43 1.96% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Central station, malicious false alarm

(714) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Local alarm system, malicious false alarm

(715) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

System malfunction, other (730) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Sprinkler activation due to malfunction

(731) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Smoke detector activation due to

malfunction (733) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Alarm system sounded due to malfunction

(735) 26 1.18% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

CO detector activation due to malfunction

(736) 5 0.23% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Unintentional transmission of alarm, other

(740) 3 0.14% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Smoke detector activation, no fire -

unintentional (743) 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Detector activation, no fire - unintentional

(744) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Alarm system activation, no fire -

unintentional (745) 9 0.41% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Carbon monoxide detector activation, no 2 0.09% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

CO (746)

99 4.52% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

9 Special Incident Type

Special type of incident, other (900) 1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

1 0.05% $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

Total Incident Count: 2195 Total Est. Loss: $507,200.00

Alarm Analysis by Districts

Cloquet Area Fire District

Reporting Between: 01/01/2011 - 12/31/2011

Time of Day

Districts Time

Total 12 AM To 4 AM 4 AM To 8 AM 8 AM To 12 PM 12 PM To 4 PM 4 PM To 8 PM 8 PM To 12 AM *NA

*NA 177 172 326 315 310 278 0 1578

Arrowhead Township 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2

Black Bear Casino 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 4

Brookston 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 6

Carlton 1 2 1 2 3 0 0 9

Cloquet 60 48 89 107 107 73 0 484

Cromwell 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 3

Culver Township 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

East Brevator 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2

FDL Reservation 3 3 3 4 1 2 0 16

Floodwood 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Industrial Township 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Perch Lake 2 4 3 2 3 3 0 17

Sappi 0 2 2 1 1 2 0 8

Scanlon 8 1 14 9 7 5 0 44

Thompson Township 0 1 4 5 2 2 0 14

West Brevator 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 4

Grand Total 255 234 447 454 438 367 0 2195

Day of Week

Districts

Days of Week

Total Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat *NA

*NA 237 203 191 225 244 236 242 0 1578

Arrowhead Township 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Black Bear Casino 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4

Brookston 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 6

Carlton 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 0 9

Cloquet 61 79 79 69 59 81 56 0 484

Cromwell 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3

Culver Township 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

East Brevator 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

FDL Reservation 4 0 3 2 3 2 2 0 16

Floodwood 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Industrial Township 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2

Perch Lake 3 2 2 2 2 2 4 0 17

Sappi 0 2 1 0 1 3 1 0 8

Scanlon 7 14 1 3 6 11 2 0 44

Thompson Township 1 3 0 2 4 3 1 0 14

West Brevator 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 4

Grand Total 322 306 280 305 327 342 313 0 2195

Average Response Times

Districts Total Alarms Average Time (minutes)

*NA 1578 7

Arrowhead Township 2 21

Black Bear Casino 4 5

Brookston 6 14

Carlton 9 5

Cloquet 484 4

Cromwell 3 13

Culver Township 1 18

East Brevator 2 11

FDL Reservation 16 8

Floodwood 1 31

Industrial Township 2 15

Perch Lake 17 10

Sappi 8 5

Scanlon 44 4

Thompson Township 14 7

West Brevator 4 18

Grand Total 2195 12

* NA: District not noted or further detail not specified by computer system resulting

in under reporting incidents in each district.

** Eliminating mutual aid responses outside of the District response area, to

Arrowhead, Cromwell and Floodwood; the CAFD average response time is 9 minutes.

Annual Fire Situation Report

CLOQUET AREA FIRE DISTRICT

From 01/01/2011 To 12/31/2011

General Class

Jan

11

Feb

11

Mar

11

Apr

11

May

11

Jun

11

Jul

11

Aug

11

Sep

11

Oct

11

Nov

11

Dec

11

Total by

Type

Animal problem or

rescue (54) 1 1

Attempted burning,

illegal action (48) 1 1

Chemical release,

reaction, or toxic

condition (42)

5 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 20

Combustible/flamm

able spills & leaks

(41)

1 1 2 2 1 7

Controlled burning

(63) 1 1 2 1 1 6

Dispatched and

cancelled en route

(61)

3 3 1 2 2 4 3 6 2 4 3 2 35

Electrical

wiring/equipment

problem (44)

1 2 1 1 3 8

Emergency

medical service

(EMS) Incident

(32)

186 118 155 170 135 160 187 157 154 147 141 119 1829

Excessive heat,

scorch burns with

no ignition (25)

1 1 2

Explosion (no fire)

(24) 1 1

Extrication, rescue

(35) 4 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 16

False alarm and

false call, other

(70)

1 4 2 3 3 3 5 3 2 2 6 9 43

Fire, other (10) 1 1 1 1 1 5

Flammable gas or

liquid condition,

other (40)

2 2 4

Good intent call,

other (60) 1 2 5 7 2 1 2 20

HazMat release

investigation w/no

HazMat (67)

1 1

Malicious,

mischievous false

alarm (71)

1 1 1 3

Medical assist (31) 1 2 3 2 8

Mobile property

(vehicle) fire (13) 1 2 2 1 1 7

Natural vegetation

fire (14) 2 1 3

Outside rubbish

fire (15) 2 1 1 1 5

Overpressure 1 1

rupture from air or

gas (no fire) (22)

Person in distress

(51) 1 5 3 4 4 4 11 4 3 4 2 6 51

Public service

assistance (55) 4 1 4 2 1 1 13

Rescue or EMS

standby (38) 1 1

Rescue,

emergency

medical call

(EMS), other (30)

1 1 2

Search for lost

person (34) 1 1 2

Service call, other

(50) 1 1 1 1 1 3 8

Smoke, odor

problem (53) 1 1 2

Special outside fire

(16) 1 1

Special type of

incident, other (90) 1 1

Steam, other gas

mistaken for

smoke (65)

1 1

Structure Fire (11) 2 1 5 1 2 3 1 3 5 23

System or detector

malfunction (73) 1 1 6 3 3 5 5 2 6 1 3 36

Unauthorized

burning (56) 1 1 1 2 1 2 8

Unintentional

system/detector

operation (no fire)

(74)

1 1 2 1 2 1 3 4 2 17

Water or ice-

related rescue (36) 1 1

Water problem

(52) 1 1 2

Total 209 142 179 197 164 200 231 195 178 175 163 162 2195

CAFD Incident Types

Emergency Medical Service

Fire

Rescue

Hazardous Condition

Rupture, Explosion

False Alarm

Service Call

Good Intent

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Incidents by Day of Week

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday