Fire
Our people
Programs and divisions
Mission and goals
This is the largest of the three programs in the Fire Department. Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Service and Technical Rescue describes the increased demand for services by cross-trained personnel who perform multiple functions in a growing range of services. This program is integral to what the Fire Department does on a day-to-day operational basis. All residents of the city benefit from the services provided in this program through response to fires and other emergency incidents.
Services provided
Services provided include creating potential career opportunities through our EMS Academy/Pathways program, the high school Fire Explorers program and other internal and external collaborations. We also continue to work towards an alternative hiring process. Metrics used to evaluate this program include number of EMS Academy graduates now employed by the department (currently 35) and measurement of the diversity of the department as a whole and by rank.
Race equity impacts
The Fire Department will continue to focus recruitment efforts on diversifying the membership and advancing with a department that looks like the community we serve. We will continue the EMS Academy work to create a pathway into a firefighter position as well as other positions in the field of EMS. The Fire Department will also continue to advance the development of programs to assist female and BIPOC candidates in understanding, preparing for and meeting physical agility pre-employment testing. We have an ongoing commitment to diversity in outreach to our community and schools.
Mission and goals
The Training & Recruitment program is fundamental in building and maintaining a firefighter’s skills. A key part of this program is the recruitment and development of a high-performing, diverse workforce where personal strengths are recognized and individual differences are respected.
Services provided
Services provided include creating potential career opportunities through our EMS Academy/Pathways program, the high school Fire Explorers program and other internal and external collaborations. We also continue to work towards an alternative hiring process. Metrics used to evaluate this program include number of EMS Academy graduates now employed by the department (currently 35) and measurement of the diversity of the department as a whole and by rank.
Race equity impacts
The Fire Department will continue to focus recruitment efforts on diversifying the membership and advancing with a department that looks like the community we serve. We will continue the EMS Academy work to create a pathway into a firefighter position as well as other positions in the field of EMS. The Fire Department will also continue to advance the development of programs to assist female and BIPOC candidates in understanding, preparing for and meeting physical agility pre-employment testing. We have an ongoing commitment to diversity in outreach to our community and schools.
Mission and goals
The Community Risk Reduction & Outreach program promotes prevention through community education (CERT – Community Emergency Response Teams), coaching organizations and focusing on school age children for early interventions. Residents of the city with a focus on the highest need/highest risk populations benefit from this program in the way of fire education, community risk reduction education and the distribution of fire safety materials such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Services provided
Services provided include CERT development and expansion, fire safety education, community risk reduction education, juvenile firesetter interventions and providing warning equipment to residents and serving the highest need populations, such as juveniles, non-English speaking residents, low income and aging populations. Metrics used to evaluate this program include tracking community outreach by type, such as formal interactions with school age children, adults & families, and businesses.
MFD was awarded a $1.2 million, 3-year grant from the Department of Justice to implement the Safe Station Program. This is a self-referral program with active outreach to serve people in high risk communities in Minneapolis, where Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder occur at a higher rate than surrounding areas. This project will be led my MFD in collaboration with Hennepin County EMS and a coalition of community organizations. The goal of this project is to engage Peer Recovery Coaches and outreach experts to reduce the unmet needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) with substance use disorders.
Race equity impacts
The Fire Department will continue to focus recruitment efforts on diversifying the membership and advancing with a department that looks like the community we serve. We will continue the EMS Academy work to create a pathway into a firefighter position as well as other positions in the field of EMS. The Fire Department will continue to develop programs to assist female and BIPOC candidates in understanding, preparing for and meeting physical agility pre-employment testing. We have an ongoing commitment to diversity in outreach to our community and schools.
2023-24 Council Adopted change items
Fire - Fire Technology
Program: Fire Suppression, Emergency Response, and Technical Rescue
Fund: General Fund
FTE: 0
Proposal detail and background
The Council approves $245,000 in one-time funding and $200,000 in ongoing funding for the ability to update obsolete and unsupported software. This purchase will bring the department up to speed and start moving it away from unsupported software that no longer meets the technology needs of the City.
Description of the change
The Fire Department is looking to replace outdated and unsupported software with the purchase of Image Trend. This purchase is critical to managing our business and performing the service required by the City of Minneapolis. Image Trend replace the functions of the outdated and unsupported FireHouse and Workforce Director platforms. It will bring us in alignment with the MN State Fire Marshal’s NFIRS system and maintain our state mandated reporting requirement ultimately to the FEMA: US Fire Administration.
Equity impacts and results
This recommendation will not impact racial disparities.
Improved technology will provide better service to everyone who calls Minneapolis home and to the many visitors who enjoy the City on a daily basis.