Recruitment expos aim to take ERFD from 45 to 60 firefighters

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Jesse Johnson, a 42-year-old Elk River man, has always had an interest in fire service, but an opportunity had never really presented itself.

That was until a flyer showed up in his mailbox at his residence of four years stating the Elk River Fire Department was recruiting firefighters. He signed up to learn more, and — like a lot of newer residents — he turned out June 27 to Orono Park for a glimpse into the profession at an Elk River Fire Department Recruitment Expo.

“I just like helping people,” Johnson said.

The idea for the expo came from a recruitment, hiring and retention committee. The department has been adding firefighters through its fire academy, but between retirements and people moving on for other reasons, the department continues to have about 45 firefighters. The department has added a third fire station and is authorized for up to 60 firefighters.

“Ideally, we would like to have 20 firefighters at each station,” Assistant Fire Chief Joe Libor Jr. said.

The department only has about 10 at Fire Station No. 2 on the west side of town out by Elk River City Hall and Lake Orono.

“Honestly, we need people all over the community, and that includes people who live just outside of Elk River, too,” Libor said. “You have to be within nine minutes of the fire station.”

The department has roughly 15 on the west side of town at Fire Station No. 3 out by Twin Lakes Elementary School and about 20 at Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Elk River off Jackson Avenue on the north side of the railroad tracks.

Some firefighters work in town during the day and work out of Station No. 1 during the day and then at night work out of the station closest to where they live, Libor said.

Firefighter availability during the day is another major need in the department, as fewer firefighters can drop what they’re doing at a day job and come to help fight a fire.

Fire officials hope to change that with continued recruiting efforts as developments pop up and fill in and more people consider the fire service.

“A lot of people are looking to invest in the community, and I think a lot of people look to the fire department as a way to get involved in the community,” Libor said.

Arturo Sparza, of Elk River, is a good example. He moved to Elk River from the state of Washington where he worked desk jobs, including for one job at General Motors. He’s now a stay-at-home dad and wasn’t sure if the fire service would dovetail with his family life.

He looked into it, learned about the requirements and gave it some careful consideration.

“We decided to give it a shot,” He said. “If it works out, it does. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. So far, the first year has been great.”

Sparza completed the fire academy in April and is continuing to train with the department.

“It’s a different environment,” he said. “The sedentary life is not my thing. This is actually a lot better.”

This past Thursday, he was helping potential recruits sign in at the expo.

Judging by the turnout, Libor said the committee came up with a great idea.

“We’re hoping to do one of these next year,” he said. “We’d like to make this an annual thing.”