Past ARFA Articles Seen in the Northland Firewire:

ARFA President Minter to receive congressional award

Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association (ARFA) President Ron Minter is in line to receive an award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI).  Minter’s nomination is through Congressman Jim Oberstar, who received the request on behalf of the Hermantown Fire Department and the ARFA. 

Minter is expected to officially receive the award during the association’s meeting in September in Chisholm.  Minter retired earlier this year as chief of HVFD.

Area lawmakers invited to ARFA meeting in Esko

State lawmakers have been invited to be in Esko for the the February 10th meeting of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association (ARFA). “It’s very important that our elected officials know about the issues that are important to us,” said ARFA President Ron Minter.  “Last year, we invited lawmakers to our meeting in Chisholm and we had a number of them attend.  We got a first hand opportunity to express our concerns and ideas.  We didn’t get everything that we wanted, but it was a very good dialogue and something the lawmakers themselves said was worthwhile.”

The February 10 meeting will be held at the new community center in Esko.  For further information, you can call President Minter at 218-590-1203.

Presidents of MSFDA/MSFCA address Arrowhead Meeting

Dan Winkel of Andover, president of the Minnesota State Fire Department Association paid a visit to the Arrowhead meeting on December 2 in Mountain Iron. Elk River Fire Chief Bruce West, who is president of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Association also stopped in to address the gathering.  Both Winkel and West talked about the legislative goals of their respective organizations and both urged the Arrowhead to participate in the Fire Service Day at the Capitol event in St. Paul, which is set for March 8.  “We really need you in St. Paul,” said both men.  “It is important that we show state lawmakers that we have important issues for them to resolve.”  In past years, the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association sent a busload of firefighters to the event, but opted last year not to fund the effort.  International Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen called for bringing back the bus trip while Esko Fire Chief Jeff Juntunen outlined past concerns about organizing the event.  Arrowhead President Ron Minter of Hermantown encouraged area fire departments and firefighters to make the trip and even offered to drive interested individuals to St. Paul.  In the end, it was decided that area state lawmakers would be invited to the Arrowhead meeting on February 10 in Esko.

   Winkel also spoke about his organization’s proposed telemarketing effort, which is designed to deal with a $40,000 budget deficit and prop up the organization’s finances.  A number of regions, including the Arrowhead, have voiced opposition to the plan and according to Winkel; the issue is likely to be re-visited.  The association’s board of directors voted to approve the telemarketing venture on a narrow vote, but with growing opposition, the decision could be reversed.

   West talked about the 2006 annual MSFCA meeting, which was held in October in Duluth.  “We had the second highest attendance on record and we had to turn vendors away,” said West.  “We are already getting inquiries for next year’s event in Rochester.” 

   After the regular meeting, both men stayed for a while to meet with Arrowhead fire department representatives.  “We’ve been visiting many of the regions,” said both men.  “We do this so we know what is going on with the state’s fire service.”

Hermantown fire chief takes over as Arrowhead President

   The Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association has a new President.  It’s Hermantown Fire Chief Ron Minter, who was elected to the position on September 9.  Minter is no stranger to the association and he shares a deep concern about the organization’s future.  One of his priorities will be dealing with slumping attendance at the regular meetings.

   Chisholm Fire Chief Bob Brown, who had held the top slot for ten years, is now serving as Vice President.  “Ron will do good in this position,” said Brown.  “He has his work cut out for him, but I think that he is up to the challenge.”

Bob Brown steps down as ARFA President
 Would like to continue as VP

May 9, 2006 – Grand Rapids – Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association(ARFA) President Bob Brown announced that he would not be seeking another term.  Brown said that part of his decision was related to his election as Vice President of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Association(MSFCA).  “I am going to be very busy with this new position and I will be spending a lot of time learning and working on issues related to MSFCA.”  Brown, who served as ARFA President for 10 years, noted that many changes have occurred with the organization.  “The meeting time was changed to an earlier time of the day and also the meeting starts with a training session.  The by-laws have been updated several times in order to best serve the Arrowhead Region.  There is still much work to be done with increasing the attendance at the meetings.  Face to face communications are very important for the representatives that serve on state committees that represent our area’s fire departments and their members.  Our society is changing and we have to adapt to meet their needs.

Brown is not completely out of the picture with ARFA.  He says he is willing to serve as Vice President and is willing to work with the new President during the transition period.  “You are still going to see Bob Brown at the Arrowhead meetings,” he said.  “We still have a lot of items out there that need to be addressed.  We need to have coordinated efforts with all of those involved in the fire service.  The fire service is undergoing some major changes and we need to be able to meet those challenges head on.  The costs associated with operating our profession continuing to rise while large cuts have been made to our local units of government.  We are expected to do more for less.  We need to continue to work together.”  Brown noted that at least one fire department in the region has had to close its doors because of a lack of members and several others are operating with low members.  “The very existence of these departments is up in the air. We will continue to make our local, state and federal lawmakers aware of these concerns and ask for their continued help.  If we don’t, even the larger departments will be in jeopardy.”

Brown can be reached by calling his toll free number with the chiefs’ association at 1-877-507-0911.  He can also be reach through the Chisholm Fire Department, 218-254-7921.

Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association Gears Up for Firefighter Day at the Capitol

March 6 is the date for Firefighter Day at the Capitol in St. Paul.  The annual event allows firefighters from across the state to meet with their local lawmakers regarding issues that impact Minnesota’s fire service.  “This is a very important day for us,” said Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association President Bob Brown.  “The Arrowhead sends over 50 people.  The association feels this is a very important activity because we make our voices heard on the topics that concern us the most.”

According to Brown, the Arrowhead association has made some changes in regard paying for the registrations of participants.  “While the association recognizes the importance of Firefighter Day at the Capitol, we also need to be cost conscious,” said Brown.  “For this reason, we will be paying for only two registrations from each fire department.  If a department wants to send more people, it will have to pay for additional registrations.”  Brown and other Arrowhead officials are hoping the change will lead to more participation by more of the region’s fire departments.  As it has in the past, the association will pay for bus transportation to and from St. Paul.

Brown emphasizes that it is important to register early for the bus trip and the t-shirts, which will be provided to participants.  The deadline for submitting registrations is January 6th.  For registration information, contact Bob Brown at (218) 254-7921 or Dale Reno at (218) 727-1093.  

2002 Fire Service Day

The Arrowhead shows up in force!!

February 7, 2002 – Nearly 50 firefighters from the Arrowhead Region traveled to St. Paul to meet with state lawmakers about the issues that concern the Minnesota Fire Service.  “We doubled the number of participants from our region,” said Arrowhead President Bob Brown. “The Arrowhead certainly showed up in force!”  Firefighters spent the day talking one on one with lawmakers on three major issues: Fire/EMS Emergency Preparedness, the Fire Resistive Cigarette and firefighter illnesses.  “We need to restore our state Haz Mat teams to their original status, especially now in wake of September 11th,” stated Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Association Vice President Jeff Juntunen of Esko.  “It is very important that our lawmakers get this message.  We were told last year not to worry about possible cuts in these teams and we eased up on our position.  Then, when all was said and done, these valuable teams were chopped.  We can't afford to wait to have a Haz Mat team coming out of the Twin Cities Metro area. We need to have those regional teams.” 

The Fire Resistive Cigarette issue, which came up during last year’s legislative session, was again emphasized to lawmakers.  “Two years ago, we had a fire death in Chisholm and the cause was a cigarette,” said Bob Brown, as he talked to State Representative Tony Sertich of Chisholm.  “We have lost many others in the state and we need to address this matter.” 

The firefighters also stressed that something has to be done to make sure that workers’ compensation benefits are not withheld from firefighters as they go through the process of seeking benefits, especially when illnesses may or may not be related to their firefighting activities.  “We’ve have people going through this process for years and ending up broke and destitute,” said Erik Jankila, who represents the Hibbing firefighters’ union.  “Those who get involved in the workers’ compensation system have to hire an attorney right away on even the simplest of claims because the insurer denies coverage without providing the documentation required.  It’s just not fair!”

The Arrowhead group also confronted at least one area lawmaker on a recent legislative move to ease up on the laws governing fireworks use.  “The sad part of this whole story is that many of the fireworks injuries involve young children and that’s disheartening,” said Fire Wire Editor Peter Makowski.  “We want to protect children!”  For the time being, the fireworks issue appears to be dead, at least in the Minnesota Senate.  As for the House, a number of lawmakers, including at least one Iron Range legislator, remain determined on changing the law.  The Minnesota Fire Service strongly opposes any move to make personal fireworks use legal.   

Forty Four firefighters from the Arrowhead Region traveled by bus to meet with area lawmakers during Fire Service Day At The Capitol.  They are pictured here on the steps of the State Capitol. State Representative Tony Sertich of Chisholm listens intently as area firefighters tell him of their concerns.  After the meeting, Representative Sertich gave the firefighters a tour of the State Capitol and the House Chamber.
State Representative Tony Sertich of Chisholm poses with members of the Chisholm Fire Department.  The Chisholm department sent one of the largest groups of representatives to the 2002 Fire Service Day At The Capitol event.

Efforts Begin To Restore State Haz Mat Funding

One of the top legislative priorities of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association will be to get state lawmakers to restore funding for the state’s Haz Mat teams. Funding for those teams was slashed during the last session and it sent shock waves throughout the Minnesota fire service. Haz Mat teams in Duluth, Rochester, and Moorhead took the biggest hits and were reduced from Emergency Response Teams (ERT) to Chemical Assessment Teams (CAT). Arrowhead President Bob Brown is one of those in the region leading the offensive to get the funding back. "It is inconceivable that we now have to wait for an ERT from the Twin Cities. It just does not make sense!," said Brown. Brown told The Northland Fire Wire that the Haz Mat issue will definitely come up during Minnesota Fire Service Day at the Capitol on February 7. "It is imperative that we get this funding restored," added Brown.

Read Bob Browns further comments on this issue under Editorials.

The Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association meets four times a year at various locations throughout the area. The association, which has members throughout northeastern Minnesota, has led the way in pushing for state and federal legislation designed to help rural firefighters and ire departments. It was this group that started the Minnesota Sectional Fire Schools. The Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association is always looking for fire departments wanting to become "active members as much more legislative work needs to be done. For more information about the association, contact Arrowhead President Bob Brown at (218) 254-7265.