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CENTENNIAL FIRE DISTRICT SWEARS
IN NEW OFFICERS
Chief Jerry Streich of the Centennial
Fire District led a swearing-in ceremony on Saturday,
January 9 to confirm the appointment of existing and
new CFD officers.
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Battalion Chiefs Peterson, Bruder and Rolstad
taking their oath from Deputy Chief Olson
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As part of ongoing improvements
initiated by Chief Streich, all officer positions
within the department were posted. Candidates
were interviewed by Chief Streich as well as current
CFD leadership and officers from nearby fire districts.
"Our officers represent
the most experienced and capable firefighters
in the department, and they are committed to improving
the professionalism and skills of every Centennial
firefighter," said Chief Streich during the
swearing-in ceremony.
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Although they are responsible for
many important services provided by the CFD, these officers
are still paid-on-call employees.
Several district-wide officers were sworn in, including
Bob Stafki, who holds the vital position of Training
Chief and is responsible for ensuring all CFD firefighters
are provided with ongoing education to improve their
knowledge and skills. New Lieutenant Brad Racutt assists
Chief Stafki and conducts training, particularly Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT) certification courses required
of all CFD firefighters. Lieutenant Tracy Zarembinski
is responsible for providing fire prevention education
to the community, and is the first female officer in
CFD history.
The three CFD fire stations--called "battalions"
by firefighters--now have a Battalion Chief, a Captain,
and a Lieutenant. Battalion chiefs are responsible for
station operations, while captions ensure all aspects
of their station and equipment are in good order. Station
Lieutenants--a new position created by Chief Streich--assist
their captains and serve as a safety officer. Deputy
Chief Glen Olson is "second in command" serving
as support for Chief Streich and managing CFD operations
in his absence.
New station officers sworn in during
the ceremony were:
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Station 1 (Circle Pines)
officers:
Battalion Chief Mike Peterson
Captain Mike Schweigert
Lieutenant Darren Eckart
Station 2 (Lino Lakes) officers:
Battalion Chief Dave Bruder
Captain Mike Mooney
Lieutenant Kent Kogler
Station 3 (Centerville) officers:
Battalion Chief Randy Rolstad
Captain Kevin Stewart
Lieutenant Joe Bibeau
The swearing-in ceremony included
the pinning of rank emblems on each officer's
uniform lapels. Family members present participated
in the pinning.. Each officer repeated oaths to
serve the communities in the Centennial Fire District,
and then received their new helmets. Different
helmet colors help distinguish firefighters on
a working scene. Chiefs wear white helmets, captains
and lieutenants red, firefighters yellow, and
members-in-training are identified by their black
helmets.
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Captains Schweigert, Mooney and Stewart take
their oaths.
Lieutenants Eckart, Bibeau, Racutt and Zarembinski
during the swearing-in.
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"All officers have day-to-day
responsibilities," said Deputy Chief Olson. "During
a working fire or medical emergency, this clear chain
of command is what makes it possible for us to respond
to emergencies correctly, quickly, and safely."
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H1N1 FLU INFO
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The Centennial Fire District is closely
monitoring the H1N1 Pandemic Flu situation. We have
attached the following information for your review.
From the information that we receive on a daily basis,
some of the common recommendations are to wash your
hands on a regular basis, cover your cough, and get
the flu shot when it is offered. Should you get flu-like
symptoms, contact your local clinic via telephone for
instructions.
Infection
Control Recommendations For Influenza-Like Symptoms
PPE
for First Responders
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NEW COURSES
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
The Centennial Fire District is now offering courses
for professional certification. Students will receive
the State and/or national
certificates upon completion.
Customized schedules can be arranged
for large groups.
If you are interested
in attending an EMTB or CPR class, see our Certified
Courses page for more details. You can also contact
Chief Streich directly at chief@centennialfire.org
or call us at 651-784-7472.
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| Who We Are |
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2008 Firefighter
of the Year Darren Eckart pulls CFD's
Zodiac during a water rescue drill.
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The Centennial Fire District (CFD)
serves the communities of Lino Lakes, Circle Pines
and Centerville. The district is located just
north of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.
Interstate 35W and 35E run through our district.
When you call 911, the Anoka County
Central Communications office dispatches police,
fire, and ambulance units by radio and pager.
Centennial firefighters leave their homes for
their fire stations and then drive fire or rescue
trucks to the scene. For medical emergencies,
Centennial firefighters provide first response
care and then assist paramedics, who then transport
patients to the hospital by ambulance, if necessary.
No one is billed for calling on the fire department
for help. A paid-on-call volunteer department
costs our community very little compared to staffing
our stations with full-time, career firefighters.
The Centennial Fire District's funding comes from
property taxes paid in Circle Pines, Lino Lakes,
and Centerville. A state rebate for fire insurance
premiums helps pay for firefighter pensions.
On average, the CFD responds to
1,000 alarms each year. These include first aid
or rescue, reports of fire, gas leaks, carbon
monoxide alarms, and various other emergencies.
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| People |
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The CFD has an administrative staff that
consists of a career Fire Chief, Fire Technician II
(primarily responsible for inspections) and Fire Technicain
I. These three people coordinate and perform daily activities
within the district and file all required reports with
government agencies. Our fire officers are selected
through an interview process and receive a monthly salary
for their additional duties. All firefighters are paid
an hourly wage for each call to which they respond.
Firefighter Tara Bauer
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| History |
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The Centennial Fire District was formed
in 1985 with a joint powers agreement between the cities
of Centerville, Circle Pines and Lino Lakes. The existing
fire departments from Circle Pines and Centerville were
combined into the fire district as a starting point.
Prior to 1985, the area was covered by
three fire departments: the Centerville Fire Department,
which covered Centerville and the eastern portion of
Lino Lakes; the Circle Pines Fire Departme`nt, which
covered Circle Pines; and the Lexington Fire Department,
which covered the western portion of Lino Lakes.
The existing stations in Centerville and
Circle Pines were used as Centennial stations, and in
1987, a Lino Lakes station was opened in an existing
structure.
In 1990, the cities started upgrading
equipment and facilities. A new Lino Lakes fire station
was built in 1991, a Centerville fire station/city hall
was built in 1992 and a new Circle Pines fire station
was built in 1999.
The equipment was also upgraded and took
place as follows:
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| 1990 |
Two new rescue units replace three existing units. |
| 1992 |
Two new tankers replaced 1956, 1962 and 1969 units.
(The chassis for these tankers were purchased with
donations.) |
| 1993 |
Two new light rescues were received.
(One of the light rescues was purchased with donations.) |
| 1994 |
Three new grass units replaced 1953, 1954 and
1974 units. |
| 1996 |
A new pumper replaced a 1975 unit. |
| 1997 |
A new light rescue unit replaced a 1990 heavier
unit. |
| 2000 |
A new pumper with a ladder replaced a 1976 pumper.
A new six wheel ATV replaced a 1965 tracked unit. |
| 2001 |
A pumper replaced a 1983 pumper. |
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In addition to the vehicles list above, the Fire District
has purchased 12 Defibrillators with donated funds and
4 Thermal Imaging cameras, also with donated funds.
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