TRF Council approves fire protection agreement

by April Scheinoha Reporter The Thief River Falls Fire Department will continue to provide fire protection to six area townships through the first quarter of 2029. At its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Thief River Falls City Council approved the five-year contract with Excel, Norden, North, Rocksbury, Silverton and Smiley townships. With the exception of Excel Township, all of the townships are located in Pennington County. Excel Township is located in Marshall County. Valued at $106,900 for 2024-25, the contract features a 3% increase for each year thereafter. The contract is retroactive to April 1, 2024, and remains in effect until March 31, 2029. As part of the contract, the Thief River Falls Fire Department will continue to use a 2005 Sterling pumper tanker, a 1997 Ford pumper fire truck and two grass fire skid units owned by the townships when responding to fires there. The department will provide no fewer than five firefighters to operate the above apparatus and equipment. However, the fire chief or other officer in charge will determine the number required at a particular fire. As part of the contract, the fire department may use the townships’ fire apparatus or equipment at fires within the city limits when it isn’t fighting fires in the townships. The city agreed to pay for any replacement parts or repairs necessitated by such usage in the city limits. Fire Chief Rick Beier said there were no changes in the contract language compared to the prior contract. He added that three of the townships had already approved the agreement as of the council meeting. The council approved a switch in council committee appointments. Council member Anthony Bolduc will now serve on the Public Works Committee while council member Mike Lorenson will now serve on the Administrative Services Committee. The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.