Although there have been no fires in the last month, the Tofte Volunteer Fire Department has been very busy with training, equipment swaps, clock tower questions—and fire truck shopping.
At the Thursday, February 11, 2010 town board meeting, Fire Chief Rich Nelson officially informed supervisors of the Tofte Fire Department’s receipt of a Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters grant of $156,988 to purchase a new tanker truck. Supervisor D.C. Olsen asked if Tofte had budgeted for a match for this grant. Nelson said that the township’s required matching funds—$8,000— had already been taken out of the grant, which was actually $164,988.
Nelson shared a glossy brochure depicting the type of truck the fire department intends to purchase. He said he had been contacted by 12 manufacturers to date, so he was confident the department would get a good deal. If the price of the truck is lower than the grant, the truck can be outfittedwith an additional hose or other gear. The best thing, said Nelson, is that trucks are in stock, so the fire department will not have to wait while a truck is built.
Nelson also reported that since the Tofte fire department was able to replace its turnout gear, airpacks and PASS devices (alarms attached to fire fighter turnout gear that sound if a firefighter is immobile) through grants, it was decided to donate the old equipment to other departments. He said airpacks and PASS devices were donated to the town of Paylo, MN, which had only three airpacks for its entire department. Nelson said turnout gear was donated to the Beaver Bay Fire Department. “They were running with duct tape on some of their gear,” said Nelson.
As if in return for its good deed, the Tofte Fire Department was the recipient of 15 emergency radios from a fire department in southern MN that had converted to the 800mz radio system. The radios no longer work for that department but are compatible with those used by departments on the North Shore. Nelson said Grand Marais, Schroeder, and Beaver Bay also received radios. Nelson noted that there is a push for all emergency services to convert to the 800MHz system. “I hope we don’t have to. Each radio costs $1,500 and each truck radio costs $8,000. I don’t know how we could afford to do that,” he said.
Supervisor Paul James said the township would have to seek a grant if they were forced to convert. He said other departments would be in the same situation and a multi-agency grant would probably be looked at favorably.
Nelson asked the board if he should get cost estimates for signage on the town clock, which is mounted on the outside of the fire hall hose-drying tower. Supervisor D.C. Olsen said he would like to have a price to share with citizens at the township annual meeting on March 9, 2010, since he has heard numerous requests for this. Nelson agreed, “We’ve had people standing right in front of the building ask, ‘where is the fire hall?'”
The board asked Nelson to get estimates on the cost to add “Tofte Fire Hall” and “Tofte Town Hall” lettering around the clock.
Nelson reported that firefighter Cliff Cook had retired and will be missed. The fire department now has 14 firefighters. Many are taking part in firefighter training at this time.
EMS Chief Louise Trachta reported that it had been quiet in the last month. She said First Responders have joined the firefighters at training, learning about scene safety and rehabilitating firefighters at fire scenes.
Supervisor James noted that there was no response to Schroeder regarding the contract for EMS services. He said it would be discussed at the Schroeder annual meeting. Nelson asked if Schroeder had asked for an EMS representative at their meeting. Clerk Barb Gervais said there has been no such request. Trachta said she sends Schroeder a report each year.
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