The Northland FireWire

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.

The Hibbing Fire Department, in cooperation with the Keewatin and Nashwauk fire departments, recently conducted a 12 hour firefighter rescue series course.  The firefighter rescue training, sometimes referred to as Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training, consisted of a three class program, with each fire department hosting a night training session.  “It is paramount for fire departments and their mutual aid counterparts to learn about and practice firefighter rescue skills,” said Hibbing Training Officer Tom Kriske and Hibbing Fire Captain Chris Petrack.  “Firefighter rescue is an important skill not only reserved for dedicated RIT groups, but for all members of fire departments.  Firefighter rescues can arise for any number of problems encountered on the fireground, and can sometimes arise before a dedicated RIT is set up and operating.”

The successful rescue of a “downed” firefighter is the result of several concurrent actions.  The process is started by firefighters quickly recognizing a dangerous situation and effectively calling a “Mayday.”  The command staff then needs to be able to react to the mayday by gaining accountability of the staff on scene, clearly identify and initiate directives to operational staff and recognizing the logistical needs at the scene.  All of this occurs while fire suppression activities are continuing.   The firefighter rescue effort includes the prompt deployment of tactical rescue priorities; like searching, locating and bringing air to the downed firefighter.  The rescue process ends when firefighters successfully complete rescue tactics and ultimately remove the downed firefighter from the hazard zone.

The Hibbing Fire Department plans to host more firefighter rescue sessions for the other mutual aid departments in the area.

Firefighters participate in RIT training conducted by the Hibbing Fire Department.

Photo submitted by the Hibbing Fire Department.

Several news media operations in northeastern Minnesota are reporting that the Babbitt fire chief has resigned amidst allegations that he is under investigation by “outside sources.”  The Northland’s News Center and the Mesabi Daily News report that Ryan Scharber has stepped down from the fire chief’s position.  City officials have said “no comment” to questions about the matter.  The Northland’s News Center did report that there is an investigation, but officials have offered no further information.

January 7 – Cook and Orr firefighters were called to a huge house fire on County Road 115 just outside of Cook.  The fire was reported around 6:20 p.m.  The first arriving Cook firefighters reported that the house was engulfed in flames.  The Orr Fire Department was called in for mutual aid.  The Cook Ambulance provided EMS stand-by at the scene. The house was destroyed.  No one was home at the time.  The cause is under investigation.

January 7 – Firefighters from Biwabik Township, City of Biwabik, Fayal Township and Lakeland battled a house fire on Lake Esquagama in Biwabik Township.  The fire was reported around 4:00 p.m. at 4888 Palm Drive and arriving crews found the structure to be fully involved.  The house was a total loss with one damage report put at $300,000.  The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

December 29 – Firefighters from seven Iron Range fire departments battled an all day fire in downtown Eveleth.  The fire was reported around 9:00 a.m. at Sleeve’s Sportsmans Bar in the 200 block of Grant Avenue.  Arriving crews found smoke coming from the south wall of the building.  An intense interior fire attack was launched, but the fire spread into the attic and roof section.  A series of interior and exterior attacks were conducted and firefightes kept the fire from spreading to the adjacent Snicker’s Pizza building and Eggy’s Bar building.  The Sleeve’s Sportsman Bar building was extensive damaged, but crews managed to save many of bar’s artifacts.  The Snicker’s Pizza building had slight smoke and water damage, but was able to resume business.  Fire departments involved in fighting blaze included: Eveleth, Fayal, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Biwabik Township and Clinton Township.  No injuries were reported.  The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire.  The owner of Sleeve’s says he does plan to rebuild.

Photos by Mike Zadra, Fire Wire photojournalist 

December 23 – Hibbing firefighters were dispatched early this morning to a report of a house fire at 2522 6th Avenue East in Hibbing.  Initial reports to the St. Louis County Communications Center indicated that a woman was still in the house and was unable to get out.  Hibbing police officers were the first to arrive on the scene and reported that the woman had been rescued by her grandson.  The woman was taken to the Fairview University Medical Center-Mesabi in Hibbing and then airlifted to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Duluth.  Three other occupants in the house were also evaluated at the hospital in Hibbing for smoke inhlation and other fire related injuries..  Hibbing firefighters were assisted by crews from Keewatin and Chisholm.  An Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance from Virginia was on the scene for medical stand-by.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Department. but appears to have started in the attic area.  According to Hibbing fire officials, there were no working smoke detectors in the house.  Damages were put at around $70,000.

The December 19th meeting of the East Range Fire Department Coalition, which was scheduled for Aurora, has been cancelled.  According to ERFDC President Peter Makowski, there were a number of scheduling conflicts involving the officers of the organization, along with other members.  A future meeting date and time have not yet been determined.

Hibbing Fire Captain Chris Petrack has received quite an honor from his department.  On Sunday, November 25, Petrack received the Medal of Valor for his actions back on May 10, 2003.  It was on that day when Petrack entered a north Hibbing home to rescue a man whose house was on fire.  The Northland Fire Wire reported on the fire in it’s August 2003 edition.  The man, who was later charged with arson, alledgely set the large house on fire, went into the basement, and refused to come out.  Firefighter Petrack fought with the person, but was able to get him outside where Hibbing police officers came to help.  For his heroic actions, Hibbing Battalion Chief Lonnie Abate nominated Petrack for the award.  The presentation was held at the Hibbing Fire Department headquarters.

Chris Petrack’s actions were captured by Larry Ryan of the Hibbing Tribune and later published in The Northland Fire Wire-August 2003 edition.

Battalion Chief Lonnie Abate presents Fire Captain Chris Petrack with the Medal of Valor