Minnesota State Fire and Rescue Training

General Overview:

In 1957, the Minnesota State Fire Chief's Association asked that there be a state level training program established to administer and deliver training to Minnesota's fire service.

The Minnesota Department of Education, Division of Vocational Programs, Adult Program Unit was given the responsibility for this request. Ward Willford was the first full time employee and started the program.  The fire and rescue unit had three rescue instructors and six fire instructors.  The Adult Vocational Education unit had several other field instructors covering areas such as Waste Water (John Thom), Water Treatment (Bruce Shorter), Municipal Electrical (Clearance Greeno, Gary Christopherson), Rural Electric Associations (Gene Dunn, Forest Bandal, Leo Murphy), Steam Engineering (Lloyd Macedanz), Home Study Program and others. 

Its mission was to serve as an education unit; to provide technical education; and to develop educational programs to meet the needs and objectives of the fire and rescue service.

Representatives of fire service associations were named to serve on the program's Advisory Committee by the State Fire/Rescue Training Program, and met semi-annually for this purpose. The past and present FIRE/EMS Center staff are responsible for the implementation and growth of this entire system at this point.


With the exception of Bruce Roed and Jan Lee Jorgenson, the above State Fire Instructors [now known as Coordinators with the Fire/EMS/Safety Center] were interviewed and hired by a panel of 12 Minnesota Fire Chiefs from the MSFCA. Warren was the last traveling State Fire Instructor hired by this panel.

These instructors would travel the state presenting training on requested topics to local fire departments on scheduled dates.  The field instructors provided advanced level training that the local training officers  were unable to provide. In 1998, when Don McKay retired, the state was divided into three districts. Warren was assigned the Southern District, Bruce the Northern District, and Jan Lee the Central District.  Due to the continuing impact of funding issues, the Central District was eliminated and the state was then divided into a Northern and Southern District. In 2003 more funding cuts eliminated the districts and the Northern District position was eliminated. One year later, 2005, do to pressure from constituents Bruce was reassigned to the Northern District. Starting in January of 2007 the office will reestablish the Central District and hire another Specialist. 

Historic Timeline and Events

• In 1919 the State Fire Marshal's Office hosted the first “Minnesota Fire College,” which was a week long event and was held at the St Paul City Armory at the corner of 6^th and Exchange Street. September 22 through 26.  There were 163 firefighters in attendance. Note: More information, photos and articles will be forthcoming.

• Prior to 1957 there was no formal educational delivery for firefighter education.  Training was accomplished by local fire departments with in-house training officers.

• In 1957, the Minnesota State Fire Chief's Association asked that there be a state level training program established to administer and deliver training to Minnesota's fire service.  The Minnesota Department of Education was given the responsibility for this request. 

 
 
 

• 1957   David (Dave) N. McCullough received the newly created fire and rescue training unit under his area in the MN Department of Education.

• 1957   Ward Willford is hired to administer and design the fire and rescue training delivery system.
  

•  Studies in the 1960’s to coordinate the delivery of fire training in Minnesota formed the genesis of the organization now known as the Fire/EMS/Safety Center.
  

• 1962  Earl Alumbaugh hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• 1963  Roy Robert Makowski hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• By 1964 the needs were recognized and the development and coordinated delivery of college level fire protection courses in Minnesota was started. Governor Karl Rolvaag supported a recommendation by the Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association that an entity within the University of Minnesota be created to meet these needs.

• 1965  Emmett Phifer hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• 1966  Phil Richards hired as a Field Instructor in the rescue unit.

• 1967  Cleo Keiper hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• 1967  Karen Fett hired as a Administrative Support Staff for the entire field unit.
  

• In 1967, representatives from a variety of groups with an interest in fire protection formed a committee and drafted a bill submitted to the 1967 Legislature proposing a study of training for careers in fire prevention and protection. The University of Minnesota was given a ten thousand dollar appropriation to fund an advisory committee and conduct the study. 

• June 1968, The advisory committee, comprised of members from educational entities, fire organizations, state agencies, municipalities and related industries, analyzed fire service educational needs in Minnesota and made a comparison to fire service educational programs in other states. Specific recommendations were detailed in “Report of University Advisory Study Committee on Fire Protection and Fire Prevention Education” (University of Minnesota, June 1968).

• 1968  Bob Smith hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• 1969 Clayton Johnson hired as a Field Instructor in the rescue unit.

• 1969 Alwyn (Al) F. Albright hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• Submitted to the 1969 Legislature were several key items among the recommendations: 

• Examine the objectives and needs of the fire service and develop programs to meet those needs.
• Conduct research necessary to develop a systematic body of knowledge prerequisite to the establishment of fire technology as an academic discipline. 
• Serve as an information center and a center for technical advice and assistance to the state’s fire service and its educational institutions. 

• In 1969, Legislation was enacted and approved this report, thus establishing a State Advisory Council on Fire Service Education and Research. Concurrently, the University of Minnesota acquired funding to establish the F.I.R.E. (Fire Information Research and Education) Center, which opened August 15, 1969. Frank Oberg, Tony Richardson and John Rukavina were all employed to work at the center. 
  

The F.I.R.E. Center supported the State Advisory Council and acted as “an information-gathering, research, and data evaluation agency,….a focal point for collection and distribution of information related to state fire service needs” (State Advisory Council on Fire Service Education and Research, Report No. 1, 1971). The F.I.R.E. Center staff started to build a national reputation for delivering well-researched information on fire prevention, protection, and suppression. In gathering resources, the Center began the core of what is today’s Fire/EMS/Safety Library. 

•  In 1969 Director Dave McCullough meet with many firefighters at Station #1 in Mankato along with Don McKay who was a full time instructor at Mankato Vocational School teaching electronics, and was also on the Waseca Fire Department as a volunteer. After this meeting the first structured courses of Firemanship I, II and III were developed from the “Red Books” and were delivered through select vocational schools. This program was revamped by the efforts of Don Johnson and Frank Oberg to create a natural follow up to the subjects being offered.
  

•  In the early 1970’s one day Regional Fire Schools were being sponsored and hosted by the State Fire Training Office around the state.

• 1971 Lenny Crandall  hired as a Field Instructor in the rescue unit.

•  In April 1972 the Annual Minnesota Sate Fire School was held at the Pick-Nicollet Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. This was a four day event in class A uniforms with evening sessions on Monday and Tuesday, banquet on Wednesday, and exhibits and demonstrations on Thursday. Black rubber coats and orange Red Ball gloves were everywhere.
  

•  1974 Don McKay In April was brought on board from Mankato Vocational School to continue the development of structured courses of Firemanship I, II, and III.

• 1975  John W. George hired as a Field Instructor in the rescue unit.

•  In 1976 the State Fire School was now a three day event starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. The new location was the St Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, held on May 21 – 23, 1976.

•  In 1977 Sectional Fire Schools were offered in five locations around the state as the concept caught on. St Cloud, Bemidji, Marshall, Rochester and White Bear Lake were the locations.

• 1978  George T. Fett hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit.

• 1978  Woody Walters hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit. Woody replaced Roy Makowski.
  

• In 1978 One Day Seminars were offered in ten locations: Warren, Tofte, Rushford, Slayton, Wheaton, Grand Rapids, Staples, Alexandria, Willmar and North Mankato.

•  In 1978, as part of a U.S. Fire Administration financed study, Minnesota fire service customers and organizations designated the Minnesota State Department of Vocational Education (SBVTE) as the lead state training agency for fire fighter training.  This agency, Dept of Education, was the state agency responsible at the time, for coordinating and delivering fire and rescue training since 1957.

• 1979  Warren Jorgenson hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit. Warren replaced Emmitt Phifer.

• In 1979 The United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy also recognized the FIRE/EMS Center as the State of Minnesota's designated principal point of contact on training issues and program delivery.

• 1979 Larry Newland hired as a Field Instructor in the fire unit. Larry replaced John George.

• 1980  A new logo is establish that represents the college participation in the training system.
  
• 1981 Sharon K. Grossbach appointed to replace Dave McCullough as Directors of State Training

•  In 1981, due to the growth of the training requests from fire departments, the delivery system was changed. The State Field Instructors developed the curriculum and the delivery model for use statewide in the Area Vocational Technical Schools.

• By 1982 structured basic Firefighter I & II courses were available to the 33 Area Vocational Technical Institutes located throughout the state.

• Since 1982, the local campus administration of twenty six (26) campuses offered at least one course. The control of this delivery system was transferred to the local campus administrator and the State Staff assumed an advisory role.

•  Since 1982, the State Task Force Advisory Board for Fire and EMS Training lost its power and control of the delivery system to the local campus administrations. As this delivery system developed, the State Field Staff focused their technical skills on staff development, curriculum revision and consultations.
  

• 1985 Adam D. Piskura hired as the Directors of State Training and replaced Sharon Grossbach.

• 1985 Kathy Weersma hired as an additional Administrative Support Staff for the entire unit.
  

• 1985 William H. Bruen hired as an Assistant Administration/Specialist.
  

• In 1985 the State Legislators created $285,000.00 funding for the Tuition Subsidy Program for firefighters. Laws of Minnesota 1985 1st Special Session", Chapter 11, Sec. 4, Subdiv. 3. Non Instructional Expenditures.  (Second paragraph)  This appropriation authorizes $212,500.00 for the first year and $250,000.00 for the second year for supporting up to 25 percent of  the tuition costs of firefighter training programs.

• 1985 Peter Makowski hired as Public Information Officer

• On July 1, 1986, as a result of the University of Minnesota’s Commitment to Focus, the F.I.R.E. Center resources and functions were transferred to the State Board of Technical Colleges. The State Board of Technical Colleges, which oversaw the delivery of education and training for fire department and emergency medical service personnel in Minnesota, stated its intention that the F.I.R.E. Center materials and resources should also be made available to concerned citizens as well as to members of the fire service community. The State Board's Vocational Firefighter Training Programs unit coordinated at the state office and with training opportunities located at 29 Technical Colleges.

•  In 1986, the State Fire Training System was merged together with the Fire Information, Research, and Education (FIRE/EMS) Center.

• 1988 Elizabeth R Wade hired as Librarian

• 1988 Kirby E. Kiefer hired as Specialist/Instructor - Fire

• 1990 Joe Grafft hired as Specialist/Instructor - EMS

•   In 1990 The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Unit was added to the Fire Information, Research, and Education (F.I.R.E.) Center when the Technical College Administrators and Coordinators made a request to the Fire Information, Research, and Education (F.I.R.E.) Center.  It then became the FIRE/EMS Center.

• 1990 A new logo was introduced to represent the addition of EMS and Safety responsibilities.

•  In 1991, the F.I.R.E. Center Library became a member of the Minnesota State University System’s Project for Automated Library Systems (MSUS/PALS) online catalog, providing access to the F.I.R.E. Center Library’s collection to users throughout the state.
  

• The State Board of Technical Colleges was disbanded as a result of the system-wide merger of state universities and community and technical colleges, which resulted in the creation of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU).

•   In 1995, the FIRE/EMS Center was transferred to the Metropolitan State University (MSU) as a result of the Higher Ed merger and the closing of the State Board of Technical Colleges System Office and the natural connection to the Law Enforcement Training Programs at Metropolitan State University.

• In 1995, the FIRE/EMS Center started the Community Training Center when we moved from the State Board of Technical Colleges to Metro State University in 1995.