Fire Service Day at the Capitol

The Arrowhead Region shows up in force and with a special message!

   Nearly 60 firefighters from across the Arrowhead Region converged on the Minnesota State Capitol on March 6 as part of the annual Fire Service Day at the Capitol event.  The firefighters met throughout the day with area lawmakers, telling them of their concerns and the issues facing the state’s fire service.  One of the highlights was when Governor Tim Pawlenty addressed the entire state group of firefighters in the reception area near the governor’s office.  The governor commended the firefighters for their work and dedication to their communities, but then said the state has to make some very tough choices because of the huge state budget deficit.  State Public Safety Commissioner Rick Stanek also spoke to the group and stressed the need for the firefighters to tell local units of government that they should not be making deep cuts in public safety services because they are essential. 

   The Arrowhead delegation took a special message to St. Paul by wearing buttons which had a picture of Esko Fire Captain Kim Granholm, who was killed last summer on I-35 near Esko during a car fire.  Kim’s widow, Aliina Granholm, pinned one of the buttons on Commissioner Stanek.  “Our message with the buttons was very clear,” said Esko Fire Chief Jeff Juntunen.  “We wanted to show our lawmakers that we need tougher laws that protect us when we’re working in traffic.  We can never have another Kim Granholm accident.  Deaths like his are preventable!”

   The Arrowhead group is the largest delegation of firefighters which travels to St. Paul for the lobbying effort.  “I am very proud of our representation,” said Juntunen, who is also Vice President of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Association.  “The Arrowhead is a force to be reckoned with.  We are not afraid to tell our elected officials how we feel.” 

State Representative Tony Sertich of Chisholm listens to Iron Range firefighters during Fire Service Day at the Capitol	State Representative Tom Rukavina of Virginia studies the issues during Fire Service Day at the Capitol
Aliina Granholm, the widow of Esko Fire Captain Kim Granholm, pins a button with her husband's picture on State Public Safety Commissioner Rick Stanek