Fire Department
Remer Volunteer Fire Department
For Emergencies, Dial 9-1-1
Address: 308 County 4 NE, Remer MN 56672
Phone: 218-566-2600
ISO/PPC Rating: 6/9
The Fire Department covers the City of Remer and contracts services to the following townships: Remer, Thunder Lake, Lima, Slater, Salem, Torrey, Boy River, Smokey Hallow, and Unorganized 25.
Fire Department meetings are held on the 1st (business) and 3rd (training) Wednesday of each month.
For membership opportunities please visit the Remer City Clerk’s office and ask for an employment packet.
The Remer Volunteer Fire Department currently has 18 members.
Each member is trained and state certified to a minimum requirement of Firefighter II.
The Remer Volunteer Fire Department is outfitted with the following equipment and services:
Engine 1: 1,250 GPM pump, 750 gallon water tank
Tender 1: 500 GPM pump, 1,800 gallon water tank
Tender 2: 500 GPM pump, 2,400 gallon water tank
Wildland Rig: 6.5 Hp pump, 250 gallon water tank, wildland attack hand tools
Emergency Response Rig: extrication tools, traffic, general support
Mutual Aid: Longville, Crooked Lake, Hill City, Federal Dam and additional departments as necessary.
Water sources: hydrants within city limits, lakes and rivers for drafting in rural areas.
History
In 1912, Frank Simpson and Charlie Graham were appointed to organize a fire department. The village then purchased two dozen acid and soda charges for $36, two #40 Monarch Engines for $520, twelve pails and two ladders. The Constitution and By-laws of the Remer Volunteer Fire Department were read and approved on June 4th, 1912. To say that the Remer Fire Department has come a long way in the last 105 years would be a big understatement. The one constant has been the number of members, in 1920 there were twenty members and there are currently twenty members. On February 3rd 2018 the Fire Department moved out of a building that was built in 1916 to a brand new building. The cost of the new building was split with the Department paying half and the townships and cities in the service area paying the other halve. The Department used money from charitable gambling fund from the sale of pull tabs. There were also donations from private individuals and some townships, to purchase a new extractor washing machine, tables, chairs, and toolboxes. The department has had four Fire Chiefs since the late 80’s, Leo Renn, Tom Hicks, Paul Swentkofske, Ross Hogate, and current chief Kristian Myers.
Remer Volunteer Fire Department - Job Description
Job Title: Firefighter
Reports To: Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief and Captains
Description of Work:
The Firefighter is responsible for implementing fire prevention, suppression, to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and other emergency situations and other related functions as assigned or apparent.
Typical Duties Performed:
The listed examples may not include all duties performed by this position.
* Responds to fire alarms, emergency rescue calls including ice and water rescue and recovery, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergency calls or controlled fires.
* Assists with fire prevention inspections and pre-fire planning of commercial buildings.
* Maintains fire apparatus and equipment.
* Attends regular and assigned training sessions to maintain and upgrade firefighting skills.
* Performs as driver/operator of fire apparatus.
* Performs physical demands and work environment requirements for this position.
* Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
* Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
* Participates in Professional Staff Development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with agents and departments from other cities and states to learn about and maintain professionalism.
* Performs other related functions as assigned or apparent.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
* Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws, City ordinances, City and departmental policies and procedures, and relevant reference materials.
* Knowledge of Service Area’s geography, business and residential areas.
* Knowledge of modern firefighting methods and techniques.
* Knowledge of operating principles and practices.
* Ability to maintain appropriate level of discretion with confidential information.
* Ability to complete work in a timely manner including during stressful situations and under deadlines.
*Ability to work independently without supervision.
* Ability to remain calm when dealing with difficult people/situations and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful and effective service attitude.
* Ability to effectively communicate ideas, explanations, and recommendations, orally and in writing.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, commissions, elected officials, employees, and the general public.
Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent, Must be 18 years or older at time of employment, must possess a valid Minnesota Driver’s License, must be a U.S. Citizen, must be able to read and write the English Language, must be of good moral character and temperate and industrious habits, must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check and physical examinations, and must comply with organizational and departmental policies. FSAC/Pro Board Certification in the following:
- NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter I (or ability to obtain within one (2) years)
- NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter II (or ability to obtain within one (2) years)
- NFPA 472 Haz-Mat Operations (or ability to obtain within one (2) years)
Due to the need for a timely off-duty response to emergencies, this position is required to live (maintain a principle residence) within Remer Fire Department’s Coverage Area as a condition of employment. Firefighter must establish this principle residence within six (6) months of appointment.
Work Schedule:
This position is on-call 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, 365 days a year.
Tools and Equipment Used:
Specialized firefighting and lifesaving equipment and tools including trucks, pumpers, hovercraft, extrication tools, generators, self-contained breathing apparatus, hose lines, nozzles, axe, chisel, crowbar, saw, power tools, ladders, and radios, and computers.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires the employee to work alone, with others, around others and have contact with the public. This position will work inside, outside, in confined spaces, on uneven ground and underground. This position may be exposed to dust, dirt, fumes, gases, chemicals, noise, excessive noise, vibration, infectious diseases, pressurized equipment, explosive material/equipment, burning material/equipment, moving objects, heat, extreme heat, cold, extreme cold, wetness, humidity, and marked changes in temperature or humidity. Activities that will occur frequently, 4 to 7 hours, are: standing; walking; bending/stooping; squatting; crawling; crouching; pulling; twisting; climbing heights; reaching at, above and below shoulder level with the right shoulder, left shoulder or both shoulders at the same time; using fingers and hands for repetitive, non-repetitive or consistent actions; handling, talking; hearing and seeing with near vision, far vision, depth perception, accommodation, color vision, and field of vision/peripheral vision; smelling; and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds. Activities that occur occasionally, 1 to 3 hours, are: sitting; kneeling; climbing staircases; sense of touch; use of the right foot, left foot and both feet at the same time for repetitive movements; and carrying and lifting over 75 pounds. Activities that occur infrequently, up to 60 minutes, are: fine manipulating. This position will require the ability to drive an automobile, including fire trucks and fire equipment.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.