The Northland FireWire

If your fire department needed help, this person was always there and ready to have his fire department available to help out.  He had a very recognizable voice and his words of caution sort of made him a legend.  “Be careful, it’s extremely slippery out,” he would say on the radio.  He was respected and loved by firefighters, not only those who belonged to the Grand Lake Fire Department, but by members of neighboring departments.  Yes, Dave Fremling was simply that kind of person.  “He was quite a firefighter and a leader,” said former Grand Lake Fire Chief Dewey Johnson.  “I learned a lot from  him and I miss him a lot.”

Dave Fremling spent 28 1/2 years with the Grand Lake Fire Department.  He served as Training Officer, Assistant Chief and finally, Chief.  He retired in May, 2011.  He didn’t want to…he had to.  For several years, Dave battled Mesothelioma, a brutal lung disease.  While Dave lost the battle with Mesothelioma on March 8 of this year, he had gained the respect and admiration of many.  While the Grand Lake Fire Department moves forward, there is a hole in the organization, left by Chief Fremling.

The Grand Lake Fire Department, like many area departments, faced many challenges and opportunities.  Chief Fremling took on the challenges and definitely took advantage of the opportunities.  As an example, the Twig fire station on Highway 53 has grown, just like the department has grown.  Chief Fremling was and still is a part of that growth.  He nurtured and watched over the fire department and its members.  And, as we have mentioned, he also watched over other fire departments and firefighters.

Chief Fremling isn’t really gone.  He’s still there.  His will and determination are reflected in that fire station in Twig, the Grand Lake apparatus and the Grand Lake firefighters and first responders who are answering the calls.  The real challenge is for those who are following in his footsteps.  These people will also have challenges and opportunities and like Chief Fremling they will meet them head on.  Chief Fremling would expect no less from his beloved Grand Lake people.

It is with honor that we dedicate and proudly proclaim Chief Dave Fremling as April Firefighter of the Month.

Photos courtesy of Grand Lake Fire Department

The Advanced Minnesota Fire Training Program is hosting the 13th Annual Wildfire Academy, June 3-7, at the Itasca Community College campus in Grand Rapids.  A wide variety of courses are scheduled.  Information is available through: mesabi.fire.project.edu or by calling 218-749-7770.

It is with great sadness that The Northland Fire Wire announces the passing of former Grand Lake Fire Chief Dave Fremling.  Fremling died yesterday(Friday-March 8) as a result of complications of Mesothelioma.  He had served on the Grand Lake Fire Department for 28 1/2 years. Visitation will be held Monday, March 11, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Bell Brothers Funeral Home, 601 North 56th Avenue West in Duluth.  After the visitation, a celebration of Chief Fremling’s life will be held at The Pit Stop in Proctor.

Photo courtesy of WDIO-TV, Duluth.

   In a small community, you’ll often find a firefighter who wears several “hats.”  This is the case with our March Firefighter of the Month.  This person has a number of responsibilities and belongs to several public safety organizations in his community.  He is dedicated, thoughtful and an all around nice person.

   Matt Tucel serves as Assistant Chief of the Breitung Township Fire Department.  He has been a member of the BFD for some 13 years.  And up until recently, he was a 14 year veteran of the Tower Fire Department, which is just down the road, Highway 169 in fact.  And it doesn’t stop there, Matt has been with the Tower Area Ambulance Service (TAAS) for 11 years.  He currently serves as Director of the TAAS, which in itself is a very time consuming position.

   Yes, you could say that when it comes to Public Safety, Matt is a “jack of all trades.”  He works hard with all of his departments.  He knows the importance of training and how good training keeps firefighters and EMS personnel interested in their particular organization.  I have had the opportunity to work with Matt in a number of situations and have always found him to be professional in nature, touched with a good sense of humor.

   Matt Tucel exemplifies what a volunteer is all about.  Today, across this country and across Minnesota, dedicated volunteers are needed for our fire and EMS organizations.  We all know it is getting tougher and tougher to recruit people who are willing to give their talents and time in serving their cities and townships.  If you’re looking for a “role model” for a volunteer, look at Matt Tucel of the Breitung Fire Department and Tower Area Ambulance Service.  And, it is for these reasons that I have selected Matt as our March Firefighter of the Month!  Thanks, Matt!  You have certainly “set the bar” for volunteers!

The Northland Fire Wire is seeking nominations for our Firefighter Of The Month series.  If you know of an outstanding Arrowhead Region firefighter who is deserving of such an honor, please let us know.  Send your nominations to: efdresq535@yahoo.com.  Our next honoree is for March.

February 3 – Six Iron Range fire departments were involved in fighting a fire in the City of McKinley.  The blaze was reported just before 8:30 p.m.  A home and attached garage at 2nd Avenue East and 1st Street North were destroyed.  According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be accidental.  The fire departments involved in fighting the fire in sub-zero temperatures included: McKinley, Gilbert, Biwabik Township, City of Biwabik, Fayal Township and Lakeland.  No one was home when the fire started.  No injuries were reported.

At age 61, Eric Knudson left this world way too soon.  11 years ago, Eric was diagnosed with cancer and from that time on, like a firefighter, he led an aggressive “interior attack” on his disease.  And, like any good Incident Commander, Eric also knew there was a time that perhaps the interior attack was not working and it was time to go “defensive”.  Eric made that decision last fall.  He reviewed his options, his resources and how to manage his “life” incident, just like battling a fire.  He made the decision with dignity, respect and honor. In November, the community came to honor Eric by holding a fundraiser and get together at the Biwabik Community Center.  Eric was there and was astounded by the turn-out and support he and his family received.  He talked about his decision to go “defensive” and while difficult, he knew it was the right thing to do and the best way to use his earthly resources.  On January 19, 2013, Eric’s “incident” ended and “command” was terminated. 

Eric Knudson spent 23 years on the Biwabik Fire Department and Ambulance Service.  He ended his firefighting and EMS career as Fire Chief.  During that time, he worked tirelessly to move the organization into the future and that’s not easy to do.  Like any fire chief, he agonized over difficult decisions that had to be made.  His passion for firefighting and EMS was very evident in the stories he told.  Eric loved what he was doing and felt bad that he couldn’t continue because of his health.

I selected Eric Knudson as Firefighter Of The Month because of how he managed that big incident called “Life”.  As I mentioned earlier, he ran his last 11 years just like an Incident Commander.  He knew when to conduct the “interior attack” and when to go “defensive.”  And by the way, going “defensive” is NOT a sign of defeat.  It is a way of managing your resources and options in a way that gives you the best outcome. I think Eric’s life serves as a great example for all of us, whether we are in the EMS/Fire Service or not.  There is a time to go “defensive” and Eric Knudson showed us the way on how to do it.  Thank you, Eric.  I think you have taught us all a valuable lesson in Incident Command!

Peter Makowski, Editor-The Northland Fire Wire

Hibbing fire officials said that it was a “power strip” which caused last week’s fire in the building which contained the Sportsman’s Cafe in downtown Hibbing. The power strips had been attached to eachother. The blaze was located in the second floor of the building.  Seven Iron Range fire departments were called in to fight the fire.  A number of residents were displaced. The cafe has since reopened while the bar remains closed for repairs.

January 24- Firefighters from Hibbing and several Iron Range communities were called around 10:00 a.m. to a fire in downtown Hibbing.  The fire was in the upper floors of the building, which housed the Sportsman’s Café.  Initial reports said flames and smoke were coming from second story windows.  Two people received medical treatment and media reports say about a dozen people have been displaced.  Firefighters from as far away as Virginia and Mountain Iron were called to the fire.  A total of seven fire departments were involved in the firefighting operation.  Damages were estimated around $500,000.