Centennial Fire District

Jump To: Public Courses ~ Who We Are ~ People ~ History

Latest News

KEEP UP WITH THE CFD VIA FACEBOOK!

The Centennial Fire District sponsors or participates in many community events, and now you can keep up with us on Facebook! You will also learn about our education offerings (from public CPR training to professional EMT certification), see recruitment announcements, and more. Simply click here or click the menu link (left) to open our Facebook page (you do not have to be a member of Facebook).

FIREFIGHTERS RECOGNIZED AT FIRST ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

On Saturday, March 6 2010, the Centennial Fire District held their first annual Awards Banquet to recognize firefighters for outstanding service during 2009.

Officer Of the Year:
Jeff Amacher

Firefighter Of the Year
Brad Racutt

Rookie of the Year
Kathy Peil

Chief's Award
Mike Schweigert

Circle Pines Mayor Dave Bartholomay and Centerville Mayor Mary Capra spoke to the approximately 100 attendees. After a meal served by the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph's Church in Lino Lakes, Chief Jerry Streich gave an annual report on CFDs 2009 activities and plans for 2010. Chief Striech and Deputy Chief Olson announced and presented all the awards.

The CFD recognized Michelle Lasko, recipient of the Civic Leader Award, for her outstanding contribution as a CERT trainer for Centerville and Circle Pines.

Jeff Amacher was named Officer or the Year, with Brad Racutt earning the Firefighter of the Year award. Kathy Peil was named Rookie of the Year, and Mike Schweigert received the Chief's Award.

Many other certificates, plaques, ribbons and much appreciative applause went to firefighters who earned other awards. Several firefighters completed advanced certifications in 2009 and were recognized for the sacrifice of their time to attend classes and their excellent performance during practical and written examinations.

DOT EMT Trainer: Jim Mesaros, Brad Racutt
Fire Officer I: Dave Bruder, Pat Devaney, Glenn Olson, Mike Schweigert, Mike Tschida
Fire Instructor: Mike Tschida

Outstanding Attendance Awards were calculated based on the time firefighters worked during calls, drills, and station maintenance.

Station1: Josh Ferrence, Dave Hults, Darren Eckart, Steve Ruff
Station2: Brad Racutt, Bob Stafki, Mike Manthey, Tara Bauer
Station3: Joe Bibeau, Tracy Zarembinski, Randy Rolstad, Chelsea Dyck

Public Education Award recipients demonstrated exceptional commitment to the fire prevention and emergency response training CFD provides for children and adults. Darren Eckart, Tara Bauer, Chelsea Dyck, Dave Hults received this award.

Many firefighters came to the CFD from other districts, while some have been with us since the beginning (of their firefighting careers and even the CFD itself). The CFD recognizes Years of Service by giving firefighters special uniform pins for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service. The following firefighters were recognized for providing 20 years or more of their hard work to protect and serve their community.

Randy Lauderbaugh - 30 years
Mike Peterson - 25 years
Glen Olson - 20 years
Randy Rolstad - 20 years
Streich, Jerry - 20 years

Stork Awards go to those firefighters who assisted in a birth during an emergency call. Randy Lauderbaugh, Glen Olson, James Scott and Brad Racutt received their stork ribbons during the ceremony.

A rare and special recognition, the Life Saver Award, was presented to those firefighters involved in a resuscitation where the patient recovered and subsequently left the hospital.

Life saved on 6-17-2009: Mike Peterson, Jim Mesaros, Mike Manthey, Dave Bruder, Kevin Stewert, Jerry Streich.
Life Saved on 7-6-2009: Mike Mooney, Mike Manthey, Brad Racutt, Jerry Streich

North Metro Channel 15 did a fantastic job filming and editing the event. Click here to watch the video (streaming).

Public Courses

The Centennial Fire District offers courses for professional certification. Students will receive the State and/or national certificates upon completion.

Customized schedules can be arranged for large groups.

Please click here to learn more about our professional certification course offerings.

Who We Are

2008 Firefighter of the Year Darren Eckart pulls CFD's
Zodiac during a water rescue drill.

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.

People

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

History

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:

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.

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.