2025 Shakopee Fire Department Year in Review
YEAR IN REVIEW SHAKOPEE FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025
Shakopee Fire Department CONTACT US FIRE CHIEF JoeSimon......................................... jsimon@ShakopeeMN.gov DEPUTY CHIEF DaveGiddings.................................. dgiddings@ShakopeeMN.gov JustenRiley.......................................... jriley@ShakopeeMN.gov FIRE MARSHAL TomPitschneider............................ tpitschneider@ShakopeeMN.gov FIRE INSPECTOR TaylorDzierzak................................... tdzierzak@ShakopeeMN.gov ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AmberCunningham........................ acunningham@ShakopeeMN.gov CAPTAIN RobIndrebo..................................... rindrebo@ShakopeeMN.gov CoreyMurray..................................... cmurray@ShakopeeMN.gov TimNordstrom................................. tnordstrom@ShakopeeMN.gov FIRE DEPARTMENT Phone..................................................... 952-233-9570 Fax........................................................ 952-233-3857 Email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . firesafety@ShakopeeMN.gov Website........................................... ShakopeeMN.gov/fire FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @ShakopeeFD Fire Station 1: 2700 Vierling Dr. E., Shakopee, MN 55379 Fire Station 2: 1001 Vierling Dr. W., Shakopee, MN 55379
TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Fire Chief.. . . . . 3 Mission/Values................... 4 Fire Department Organization................... 5–6 Fire Department Divisions.. . . . . 7–8 Emergency Incidents.. . . . . . . . 9–14 Permits, Plan Reviews, andInspections................. 15 Training........................ 16 Specialized Teams.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Community Outreach.. . . . . . . . . . 18 Firefighter Safety.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Maintenance Activity. . . . . . . . . . . 20 Strengthening Our Community.................... 21 Vehicles and Equipment.. . . . 22–23 Growing with Shakopee.. . . . . . . . 24 Cover Photo: Fire officers Justen Riley and Dave Giddings collaborate on tactical strategies at the MN
Renaissance Festival fire. Design/Layout: Deb Noble, Communications Specialist
2 | Shakopee Fire Department
A MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF
As we close out 2025, I am proud to reflect on a year of growth, resilience, and service for the Shakopee Fire Department. This year marked a historic achievement: we were awarded a federal SAFER grant that will allow us to add 12 full-time firefighters to our team. This investment in our department is not only a recognition of our commitment to public safety, but also a promise to the Shakopee community that we will continue to meet its needs with strength and professionalism. The impact of increased on-duty staffing has already been evident. With more firefighters available on scene, we are consistently containing fires to the room of origin. This means homes are not being destroyed, families are spared the devastation of losing their entire residence, and countless valuables and memories are being saved. Just as importantly, by arriving more quickly to medical incidents, we are providing a higher level of service to the community and saving lives when seconds truly matter. Beyond emergency response, 2025 was a year of continued focus on training, community outreach, and culture building within the department. We strengthened partnerships with other city departments, city officials, and neighboring agencies, ensuring that Shakopee remains prepared for any challenge. We also honored our history by engaging with retired firefighters, reminding us that our future is built on the foundation they laid. Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to welcome new members into our ranks, continue modernizing our operations, and deepen our commitment to Shakopee. The SAFER grant is more than funding; it is an opportunity to shape the next chapter of our department’s story. To our firefighters, city staff, council members, and community: thank you for your trust, support, and partnership. Together, we are making Shakopee safer, stronger, and more resilient.
Sincerely, Joe Simon Joe Simon Shakopee Fire Chief
2025 Year in Review | 3
Mission Statement The mission of the Shakopee Fire Department is to provide effective, efficient, and innovative fire and rescue protection services. We are committed to the safety of the community through the delivery of public education, code enforcement, fire suppression, and rescue services. Vision The vision of the Shakopee Fire Department is to be a progressive organization that leads the community
in public safety using a professional, reliable, predictable, and sustainable staffing model. Core Values PRIDE Respect our traditions, preserve our history, recognize achievements, and embrace innovation HONOR Exhibit strength in character and personal integrity at all times INTEGRITY Maintain the highest ethical standards and honesty SERVICE Act in the best interest of the safety of our community
QUICK FACTS:
Total number of incidents in 2025: 2,012 Percent increase of incidents since 2024: 4% Total number of call-backs: 107 Number of simultaneous incidents: 182 (8%)
Jurisdiction size: 51.5 sq. miles Jurisdiction Population (Shakopee, Louisville Township, and Jackson Township) : 55,000 Number of visitors to area attractions in 2025: 11,000,000
Did You Know? Shakopee’s first fire department was created in 1883
after fires in the 1870s destroyed many homes and businesses.
4 | Shakopee Fire Department
FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION
FIREFIGHTERS Macauley Bartells Danny Bouavichith Kylee Breeggemann Tom Breeggemann Jacob Coughlin Peter Czech Eric Dircks
JOE SIMON Fire Chief
JUSTEN RILEY Deputy Chief
DAVE GIDDINGS Deputy Chief
Darren Giese Danielle Heier Keith Heinzen Zak Hoffman
Brad Horsmann Keith Jellinger Dann Kasallis Sarah Keller Tim Mahoney Desirae Munsinger Corey Murray Todd Nellermoe Brad Purrington Mason Runyan Dominick Schleper Adam Schmitz Sam Schwaesdall Zach Schwaesdall Jay Sims Austin Palmer Sam Peterson
TOM PITSCHNEIDER Fire Marshal
AMBER CUNNINGHAM Admin. Assistant
KENT ANGLIN Lieutenant
KEVIN PASS Lieutenant
TAYLOR DZIERZAK Fire Inspector
Part-Time Firefighters
ROB INDREBO Captain
COREY MURRAY Captain
TIM NORDSTROM Captain
Andy Toczek Tony Truong
Full-Time Firefighters
Full-Time Firefighters
Full-Time Firefighters
2025 Year in Review | 5
FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION
Firefighters work together to organize equipment and manage hoses at the scene of an incident.
STAFFING: BY THE NUMBERS The Shakopee Fire Department is a combination
TOTAL STAFFING Fire Chief
1
department with 15 full-time and 25 part-time staff. The administrative team, including the Fire Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and Administrative Assistant, work a standard 40-hour week, with additional coverage responsibilities during nights and weekends. Response operations are maintained by three rotating full-time shifts working 24-hour cycles, each led by a Captain and two Firefighters. These crews are further supplemented by part time personnel during both day and night hours to ensure consistent coverage. Daily staffing at Station 1 typically ranges from a minimum of three personnel to a maximum of four, allowing the department to operate either a single Engine or both an Engine and a Rescue unit. In contrast, Station 2 is currently unstaffed and relies entirely on emergency call-backs to respond to incidents. This call-back system is essential for managing high call volumes or complex emergencies. In 2025, the department initiated 107 emergency call-backs, with an average of eight firefighters responding per call-back.
Deputy Chief
2
Fire Marshal
1
Fire Inspector
1
Administrative Assistant
1
Captain
3
Full-time Firefighter
6
Part-time Firefighter
25
Total:
40
DAILY STAFFING Admin Staff (M–F, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
6
Maximum Daily Line Staff (24-hour)
4
Minimum Daily Line Staff (24-hour)
3
Percent of Time at Minimum Staffing
34%
Average Emergency Call-Back Response
8
6 | Shakopee Fire Department
FIRE DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS
Fire department operations encompass a wide range of activities aimed at preventing and mitigating fires and other emergencies.
ADMINISTRATION The Administration Division of the Shakopee Fire
Department, led by the Fire Chief, is responsible for the strategic oversight of the department. This division ensures compliance with state and federal regulations while overseeing critical functions such as recruitment, retention, personnel management, and scheduling. Additionally, it handles payroll, maintains departmental policies, and is responsible for developing and managing the annual budget, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently to meet the needs of the department and the community it serves. OPERATIONS The Operations Division, led by Deputy Chief Justen Riley, is essentially the heart of the department’s emergency response capabilities. It’s responsible for the “boots on the ground” actions that directly protect the community. Here’s a breakdown of their key responsibilities: ■ Fire Suppression: This is the core function, involving extinguishing fires in structures, vehicles, and wildland areas. Firefighters use various techniques, including water application, foam application, and ventilation. ■ Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Firefighters provide emergency medical care to the public: – Basic life support (BLS): Providing medical care such as CPR and first aid. – Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): All Shakopee firefighters are trained to this level, providing critical medical assistance to people in need. ■ Rescue Operations: Firefighters are trained to rescue people from a variety of hazardous situations, such as vehicle extrication, water rescues, and confined space rescues. ■ Hazardous Materials Response: Firefighters are equipped to handle incidents involving hazardous materials, such as chemical spills and leaks. ■ Equipment and Technology: A wide range of specialized equipment is utilized and maintained, including fire engines, ladders, rescue tools, breathing apparatus, and much more. ■ Incident Command System (ICS): A standardized system for managing emergency incidents, ensuring effective communication and coordination among responders. Shakopee firefighters are trained and operate using the Blue Card Incident Command Training and Certification Program designed to train and certify firefighters to serve as Incident Commanders (ICs) for local events.
Fire Chief Joe Simon’s badging ceremony on September 4, 2025.
Shakopee Fire Department has successfully onboarded early to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), a modernized, cloud-based replacement for the 50-year-old National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). As part of a nationwide shift occurring throughout 2025, NERIS introduces significant improvements to fire service reporting: ■ Near Real-Time Analytics: Unlike the legacy system, which often had long data lags, NERIS provides immediate situational awareness and predictive tools for all-hazard preparedness. ■ Modernized Interface: The system moves away from complex numeric codes to a more intuitive, “plain language” interface designed specifically for first responders on mobile devices and tablets. ■ Enhanced Data Integration: NERIS connects directly with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems (RMS) to reduce manual entry and administrative burdens. ■ Targeted Reporting: It is specifically designed to track emerging 21st-century risks, such as lithium-ion battery fires and wildland-urban interface incidents.
Firefighter Dann Kasallis maintains critical focus on pump operations to ensure consistent water flow during a garage fire response.
2025 Year in Review | 7
FIRE DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS
TRAINING The Training Division, led by Deputy Chief Dave Giddings, plays a crucial role in ensuring that firefighters are well-prepared to handle a wide range of emergencies. It’s responsible for maintaining the competency and readiness of the fire
department’s personnel, ensuring that they are prepared to protect the community and their duties encompass:
■ Providing Initial and Ongoing Training ■ Ensuring Compliance with Standards ■ Developing and Updating Training Programs ■ Promoting Safety ■ Specialized Training
Shakopee Fire personnel engage in a high-fidelity EMS training simulation to practice the critical skills and specialized care required for emergency field deliveries.
Shakopee Fire and SandVenture lifeguards perform joint training for water emergencies.
FIRE PREVENTION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
Under the direction of Fire Marshal Tom Pitschneider, the Fire Prevention and Public Education Division focuses on proactively reducing the occurrence and impact of fires and other emergencies. This division aims to prevent fires and other emergencies from happening in the first place and educate the public on how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. By combining proactive prevention measures with public education, we can significantly reduce the number of fires and injuries in the community. Here’s a breakdown of the division’s key functions: Fire Prevention: ■ Inspections: – Conducting inspections of commercial and residential buildings to identify and correct fire hazards. – Enforcing fire codes and regulations. ■ Plan Review: – Reviewing building plans to ensure they meet fire safety standards. ■ Hazard Assessment: – Identifying and mitigating potential fire hazards within the community. Public Education: ■ Community Outreach: – Providing educational programs to schools, businesses, and community groups on fire safety topics. – Distributing fire safety information and materials. ■ Fire Safety Training: – Teaching people how to prevent fires, how to react in case of a fire, and how to use fire extinguishers. – Promoting the importance of smoke detectors and escape plans. ■ Risk Reduction:
– Working to reduce the community’s risk of many hazards, not just fire, but also things like falls, and other home safety.
8 | Shakopee Fire Department
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
INCIDENT ANALYSIS The total number of incidents for 2025 was 2,012, an increase of 74 incidents from the prior year. The Fire Department responds to a variety of incidents, which the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) classifies into nine incident types.
2025 INCIDENT TYPE BREAKDOWN Incident Type Jan. Feb. Mar.
Apr.
May Jun.
Jul.
Aug. Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
103
Fire
10 5
9 13 10 6 12 9
6 3
5 5
8 10
29
Explosion/Overheat
6
0
3
1
2
1
4
1
3
0
55 83 75 73 79 86 76 72 63 87 90 122 961
Rescue/EMS
104 213 286 313
Hazardous Conditions 11 9
7
6 10141313 7
5
8
1
Public Service
9 2123182215201618201615
Good Intent
22 13 17 26 19 17 23 25 37 39 37 11 33 31 20 22 22 26 17 25 28 29 23 37
Alarm Activations
3 0
Weather/Disasters
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
3 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
Special Incident
Monthly Total
146 162 154 159 164 168 165 161 162 190 185 196 2,012
Change from 2024
-1 -10 -1 +30 +21 -20 -28 -12 -7 +6 +37 +59 +74
FIRE
103 INCIDENTS (5%)
Of the 2,012 emergency incidents in 2025, 103 (5%) of them were classified under the NFIRS as fires.
Fires in Building
55 (53% of fires)
Grass or Natural Vegetation Fires 18 (17% of fires) Includes fires in grass areas, wildland areas, and farm crop fields. Trash, Rubbish, Dumpster, and Other Outside Fires 17 (17% of fires) Includes trash fires inside buildings that were confined to the container and trash and rubbish or dumpster fires outside.
Includes structure fires, contents or equipment fires, and cooking fires confined to container or that only produced smoke. Vehicle Fires 13 (13% of fires) Includes fires in any type of mobile property including cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.
EXPLOSION/OVERHEATING 29 INCIDENTS (1%) Emergency incidents of explosion/overheating consist of mostly burnt food. Typically, these are received as fire alarms or someone calls 911 because they smell smoke. These types of incidents are considered emergencies because they can quickly escalate to fires.
Firefighters Andy Toczek and Keith Jellinger on the scene of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival fire.
2025 Year in Review | 9
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
RESCUE & EMS 961 INCIDENTS (48%) Rescue & EMS incidents include: Potentially life-threatening medical emergencies, injuries, or persons trapped where they cannot escape without assistance or danger of bodily harm. Medicals 775 (80% of Rescue & EMS) Vehicle Crashes
160 (17% of Rescue & EMS) Along with patient care, medical care, and transportation assistance, firefighters also respond to vehicle crashes to check for injuries and extricate injured and trapped patients from their vehicles. Services provided at such incidents may include spine stabilization, the application of a backboard and C-Collar, gathering patient information and baseline vitals, disassembling the damaged vehicle with power extrication tools, patient removal, traffic control, and clean-up of debris.
Firefighters perform Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) care, assist with patient care, and assist the ambulance crew in route to the hospital. All firefighters are trained to the EMT level and provide advanced life support services 26 (3% Rescue & EMS) Some of the less common but vital rescue services provided include water surface rescue and underwater diving, ice rescue and under ice diving, rope and high-angle rescue, confined space rescue, and missing person searches. during many incidents. Specialized Rescue
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS 104 INCIDENTS (5%) Emergency incidents of hazardous conditions include combustible or flammable liquid spills and leaks; chemical release, reaction, or toxic condition; electrical wiring or equipment problem; biological hazards; and industrial accidents. PUBLIC SERVICE 213 INCIDENTS (11%) Emergency incidents for public service primarily consist of public assists. Some firefighters are certified car seat technicians and car seat installation services count towards public service. Other public services include assisting with persons in distress, smoke problems, water problems, home fire safety checks, and unauthorized burning. GOOD INTENT 286 INCIDENTS (14%) Good intent incidents include calls that are dispatched and subsequently cancelled in route; wrong location or no emergency found; controlled burns; steam or gas mistaken for smoke; and hazardous materials incidents where none were present. ALARM ACTIVATIONS 313 INCIDENTS (16%) When an alarm is activated, there’s always potential for smoke, fire, or other hazardous material conditions to be present on arrival. Some incidents can be attributed to the use of monitored fire alarm systems in commercial and residential structures while others are faulty residential smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide alarms.
Braving the elements to sharpen life saving skills, our firefighters master critical vehicle extrication techniques during a winter training exercise.
10 | Shakopee Fire Department
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
INCIDENTS AND STAFFING BY YEAR
54
54
54
54
54
53
55
2200
50
2000
1,938
2,012
45
1800
1,732)
1,728
39
40
40
1600
1,544
35
1400
Number of Sta
30
1200
1,146
25
1000
957
910
20
800 Number of Incidents
15
600
10
400
5
200
0
0
2021
2024
2025
2018
2020
2022
2023
2019
Incidents
Sta
Firefighters working as a team to extinguish fires at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival fire.
2025 Year in Review | 11
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
BREAK DOWN OF INCIDENTS BY DAY OF WEEK
340 280 300 320 260
311
304
291
284
283
281
258
240
220 200
180
160
100 120 140
0 20 40 60 80
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Friday
INCIDENTS BY HOUR OF DAY
180 130 140 150 160 170 120 110 90 100
144
120 117
116 118
109 109
108
105
96
92
91
90
87
82
79
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
66
Total Incidents
56
48
43
42
36
33
25
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617181920212223 0 Hours of Day
12 | Shakopee Fire Department
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
INCIDENTS BY DISTRICT District
2024
2025
City of Shakopee
1,831
1,918
Jackson Township
41
27
Louisville Township
42
40
Out of District/Mutual Aid
24
27
Total
1,938
2,012
INCIDENT TYPE DETAILS Incident Type
2024
2025
100–Fire
106
103
200–Explosion/Overheat
30
29
300–Rescue/EMS
857
961
400–Hazardous Conditions
122
104
500–Public Service
253
213
600–Good Intent
250
286
700–Alarm Activations
318
313
800 - Weather/Disasters
0
3
900–Special Incident
2
0
Total
1,938
2,012
MUTUAL AID SUMMARY Aid Given or Received
2024
2025
Mutual aid given
24
31
Automatic aid given
4
2
Mutual aid received
18
46
Automatic aid received
24
18
None
1,868
1,915
Total
1,938
2,012
*Automatic Aid—sent by dispatch on initial alarm.
2025 Year in Review | 13
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS
FIRE LOSS Fire loss is attributed to both property loss and contents loss. As part of the fire investigation process, estimated values and loss of property and contents are determined. The overall fire loss is calculated based on these estimates. The total fire loss for 2025 was $1,155,758 and can be broken down as follows:
DOLLAR VALUE SAVED AND LOST Value/Loss
2025
Total Value
$203,597,745
Total Loss
$1,155,758
■ Building Fires: $883,000 ■ Vehicle Fires: $260,733 ■ Other: $12,025
Total Saved $202,441,987 Value saved and loss are determined from estimated property values, web-based vehicle value searches, and insurance records. The total percent of value saved for 2025 was: 99.43%
2025 MAJOR LOSS FIRES—LOSS GREATER THAN $25,000 Date Incident Type
Total Loss
Total Value
$143,000
1/21/2025
Building Fire
$90,000
$1,597,580
1/31/2025
Building Fire
$100,000
$5,879,800
4/17/2025
Building Fire
$150,000
$114,300
5/2/2025
Building Fire
$95,000
$150,000
7/28/2025
Vehicle Fire
$150,000
$45,000
9/11/2025
Vehicle Fire
$45,000
$118,200
9/18/2025
Building Fire
$100,000
$166,700
10/22/2025
Building Fire
$75,000
$299,500
11/9/2025
Building Fire
$95,000
$568,000
11/19/2025
Building Fire
$50,000
Captain Tim Nordstrom and Firefighter Sam Schwaesdall work to suppress hotspots following a fire at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds.
14 | Shakopee Fire Department
PERMITS, PLAN REVIEWS, AND INSPECTIONS
PERMITS The Shakopee Fire Department issues fire permits to enhance public safety and minimize the risk of uncontrolled fires. It’s a vital tool aimed to prevent fires, protect the public, and ensure the safety of the community. In 2025, 187 fire permits with a $2,590,689.58 valuation were issued in the following categories:
Sprinkler Systems: 80 Fire Alarm Systems: 34 Other: 73
PLAN REVIEWS Plan reviews are a crucial part of fire prevention and life safety and a vital step in ensuring that buildings are constructed and renovated in a way that minimizes fire risks and protects the safety of occupants. In 2025, the department completed 361 plan reviews that included fire, building, and planning projects. Planning/Zoning: 22 Building/Fire: 339 INSPECTIONS The department conducts fire inspections as a proactive measure to help prevent fires, protect lives, and ensure the safety of the community. Key motivations are code enforcement, hazard identification, fire prevention, life safety, property protection, public education, risk reduction, and insurance requirements. The department completes inspections for all fire permits issued as well as commercial building permits and liquor and tobacco licenses. In 2025, a total of 627 inspections were completed by the Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and firefighters. Fire Permit Inspections: 416 Building Permit Inspections: 71 Liquor and Tobacco License Inspections: 140 In 2025, the department reached a significant milestone with the hiring of Taylor Dzierzak as its first full-time Fire Inspector. This newly established role marks a proactive shift in community risk reduction, providing a dedicated resource to support the Fire Marshal in comprehensive code enforcement and public education. Taylor’s responsibilities include conducting rigorous building inspections for fire code compliance, reviewing plans, and coordinating projects with city stakeholders to ensure safety across our growing infrastructure. Beyond enforcement, his role is
pivotal in developing and implementing specialized fire prevention programs for local schools and businesses. This addition allows for more consistent oversight and expanded outreach, ensuring a safer environment for all who live and work in the community.
2025 Year in Review | 15
TRAINING
TRAINING The Fire Department spends more time training than any other task or responsibilities. There are many training standards for firefighters, including requirements from the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board (MFSCB), Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE), Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), and the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB). Shakopee firefighters undergo training daily while on shift (company training). They also complete weekly department training
and external training. Topics covered range from fire suppression to leadership. In 2025, the Shakopee Fire Department completed 3,799 personnel hours of training. Training highlights in 2025 included: Incident Command
In 2025, the department certified 4 members in Blue Card Incident Command certification program. This program is designed to train, evaluate, and certify firefighters and officers as incident commanders for NIMS Type 4 and 5 (single and multi-alarm structure fires). Over 60 hours of training is required for each member.
Shakopee firefighters participate in credential training to master the clinical application and protocol of nebulizer treatments.
Firefighters Todd Nellermoe and Peter Czech utilize the department’s new door prop to refine the precision and strength required for rapid forced entry.
Firefighters practicing low-angle rope rescue techniques along the banks of the Minnesota River.
16 | Shakopee Fire Department
SPECIALIZED TEAMS
SPECIALIZED TEAMS The technical rescue team receives additional training in repelling, high-angle rescue, and confined space rescue. Using rescue rope, harnesses, and an assortment of hardware, this team is able to perform specialized rescues from buildings, towers, confined spaces, and wilderness areas. The water/ice dive rescue team receives additional training in open water, ice, and SCUBA dive rescue emergencies. Using specialized water, ice rescue, and SCUBA diving equipment, this team is able to perform all types of water and ice rescue. High-Angle Rescue Training Over the past year, the Shakopee Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team continued to build on its strong foundation through advanced, hands-on training opportunities and regional collaboration. Team members trained alongside multiple fire departments and specialized rescue teams, strengthening both individual skillsets and interagency coordination. Throughout these training events, participants focused on high angle rescue operations, rope systems, and complex scenario based problem solving. Crews applied their knowledge in realistic environments that challenged their adaptability, communication, and technical proficiency. Training scenarios included elevated structures, confined spaces, and dynamic outdoor settings designed to replicate real-world rescue incidents. In addition to enhancing technical capabilities, these trainings reinforced the importance of teamwork and interoperability with partner agencies. By working closely with other departments, Shakopee Fire continues to foster strong relationships and share best practices with regional experts. This ongoing commitment to technical rescue training ensures that our personnel remain prepared to safely and effectively respond to complex rescue situations within our community and beyond.
Members of the Shakopee High-Angle Rescue team practice patient stabilization and complex rope rigging maneuvers.
Firefighters Brad Purrington and Dominick Schleper navigate the currents of the Mississippi River during Rescue Swimmer Certification training hosted by the South Metro and Burnsville Fire Departments.
Firefighters Brad Purrington and Dominick Schleper practice essential water rescue and victim transport maneuvers during their Rescue Swimmer Certification training.
Shakopee firefighters practice complex vertical maneuvers and patient stabilization during high-angle rope rescue training at Rahr Malting.
2025 Year in Review | 17
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PUBLIC EDUCATION Public education is centered around the goal of creating a safer community. The Shakopee Fire Department is involved in a variety of events, classes, and community gatherings throughout the year, which allows the team to bring safety messages to a diverse array of audiences. Throughout the year, firefighters guide various community, youth, and civic groups on tours of the fire stations,
accompanied by fire safety education information. Each October, firefighters support Fire Prevention Week activities. Firefighters also present fire safety programs at several off-site locations throughout the year upon request. This includes meetings with business owners, property managers, special needs residents, schools, and senior living facilities.
Shakopee fire partner with Shakopee Parks and Recreation for the Wing Ding “Little Firefighter” program to teach local youth about essential firefighting gear and safety.
Firefighter Todd Nellermoe provides an fire truck tour for third graders at Sweeney Elementary.
COMMUNITY EVENTS During October, the department hosts its annual Fire Station Open House, providing public education and hands on activities to more than 1,000 residents. In a strong partnership with Shakopee Parks and Recreation, we coordinate fire safety events for preschool aged children. During the summer months we host a series of free pop-up splash pads at parks around the community.
Future firefighters in training at our annual open house.
INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE (ISO) The ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating of a fire department, also known as a Public Protection Classification (PPC), is a crucial metric that reflects a community’s fire protection capabilities. The ISO rating assesses how well the department and its surrounding community are equipped to handle fires. Insurance companies use these ratings to help determine property insurance premiums. Achieving a high ISO rating (1, 2, or 3) requires significant investment in fire department resources, water infrastructure, and emergency communications. In 2020, the Shakopee Fire Department earned a Class 3 ISO rating.
18 | Shakopee Fire Department
FIREFIGHTER SAFETY
AIR MONITORING
Using air quality monitoring instruments, firefighters can test for hazardous environments such as carbon monoxide, natural gas, propane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, chlorine, and oxygen deficient air. Air monitoring is used to determine carbon monoxide or gas levels when alarms sound or odd smells are reported.
FIREFIGHTER HEALTH Shakopee firefighters receive annual health screenings, including blood testing, vision, hearing, resting electrocardiogram, lung capacity, and proper respirator fit.
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM To assure firefighter safety in every environment, the department continues to utilize a personnel accountability system for which the division officer, operations officer, and incident commander are responsible. The system ensures every firefighter working at an incident scene is accounted for. Also, each firefighter is equipped with a Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) device. The PASS monitors a firefighter’s activity while they are in a building or hazardous area and sounds an alarm should they become trapped, injured, or lost. The alarm assists other firefighters in locating and removing a distressed firefighter. INCIDENT COMMAND The department employs the nationally recognized Blue Card Incident Command Program for emergency operations. Designed to manage smaller National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 4 and 5 incidents, the Blue Card program simplifies the incident command system by establishing best practices, standardized terminology, clear communication processes, and defined expectations for each ICS role. It provides a foundational ICS framework that can seamlessly integrate into more significant and complex NIMS Type 1-3 incidents. The NIMS system allows for the easy integration of external agencies into the overall emergency operation.
2025 Year in Review | 19
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE The Fire Department manages the maintenance for all department vehicles and equipment, with staff performing inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs. Any other maintenance and repairs are completed by the Public Works Department mechanic shop. STATION MAINTENANCE The Fire Department manages the facility maintenance of two fire stations. Firefighters are responsible for preventive maintenance, inspections, planning for repairs as needed, and completing minor repair work. Work requiring time or skills not available within the department is completed by City maintenance staff or local vendors.
Fire Station 1 was constructed in 1998 and is located at 2700 Vierling Dr. E., Shakopee.
Fire Station 2 was constructed in 2012 and is located at 1001 Vierling Dr. W., Shakopee.
20 | Shakopee Fire Department
STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY
STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY: THE IMPACT OF THE SAFER GRANT ON SHAKOPEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
In emergency services, every second counts. Whether it’s a structure fire, a medical emergency, or a hazardous materials incident, quicker response times can mean the difference between life and death, between minor damage and total loss. The SAFER grant ensures that our department is better positioned to meet these challenges head-on. Improving Coverage and Community Safety Staffing Station 2 also enhances overall coverage across Shakopee. With two fully staffed stations, we can more effectively distribute resources, respond to simultaneous incidents, and provide mutual aid to neighboring communities when needed. Beyond emergency response, the additional staffing will allow us to expand our community outreach, fire prevention education, and training programs. These efforts are essential to building a safer, more informed community and reducing the risk of emergencies before they occur. A Commitment to Progress The SAFER grant is more than just a financial boost; it’s a vote of confidence in the Shakopee Fire Department’s mission and our commitment to public safety. As we look ahead, we remain focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and service to our community. Staffing Station 2 will be a milestone achievement, and with the support of our residents, city leadership, and federal partners, we will continue to build a safer Shakopee for all.
In 2025, the Shakopee Fire Department was awarded a highly competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant marks a transformative moment for our department and the Shakopee community, enabling us to expand our staffing and enhance emergency services in critical areas of the city. The SAFER grant provides funding to hire additional full time firefighters, allowing us to staff Fire Station 2 on a 24/7 basis for the first time starting in March 2026. Located in West Shakopee, Station 2 has long served as a strategic asset, but limited staffing meant that response capabilities were constrained. With this new funding, we will now deploy crews from Station 2 around the clock, dramatically improving our ability to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively. Reducing Response Times, Saving Lives One of the most immediate benefits of staffing Station 2 is the reduction in response times for fire and EMS calls in west Shakopee. Previously, units responding from Station 1 in central Shakopee faced longer travel distances and potential delays due to traffic or weather. With Station 2 now fully operational, residents and businesses in the western part of the city will experience faster, more reliable emergency response, often cutting critical minutes off arrival times.
These helmet shields represent the transformative growth of the Shakopee Fire Department following the 2025 FEMA SAFER grant award.
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VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
ENGINES Engine 1 and Engine 2 are sister 2018 Rosenbauer/General Commander pumpers. They have 750-gallon water tanks and 1,500 gpm pump capacity with foam capability. Engine 3 is a 2006 Rosenbauer/General pumper. It’s on a spartan chassis with 750-gallon water tank and 1,500 gpm pump capacity with foam capability.
Engine 1
LADDER Ladder 1 is a 2014 Rosenbauer/General Commander aerial platform truck. It has a 500-gallon water tank, 2,000 gpm pump capacity, a 101-foot cobra aerial platform, and is fully equipped with a six-person cab.
Ladder 1
on a Kenworth commercial chassis with an all-stainless steel body, Tender 2 carries 2,000 gallons of water and 30 gallons of firefighting foam. The apparatus typically responds with a crew of two personnel. Given its primary role as a water tanker, it carries a specialized and focused equipment set. This inventory includes 400’ of 5” supply hose, 400’ of 2 ½” supply/attack hose, and 400’ of 1 ¾” hose. For wildland and brush fire response, the vehicle is equipped with a 150’ booster attack line and a dedicated front bumper attack nozzle. A key feature of Tender 2 is its 750 GPM pump-and-roll capability. This system allows responders to operate the front bumper nozzle to extinguish fires while the vehicle remains mobile, providing an efficient and safe method for managing fast-moving brush fires.
Tender 2 TENDER
Tender 2 is an active member of the fleet, having entered service in April 2025. This apparatus serves as a critical resource for fire suppression in non-hydrant areas, where its main function is to shuttle water to and from the scene. Built
RESCUE Rescue 1 is a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado. This is a new concept for the Shakopee Fire Department—utilizing a pickup truck and two Firefighter/EMT’s to respond to accidents and emergency medical incidents.
Rescue 1
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VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
BRUSH TRUCK Brush 1 is a 2011 Ford 1-ton, 4-wheel drive pickup customized by Foreman Fire with a water tank, pump, and hose reel unit. This vehicle is used for grass and brush fires and for rescue situations in which an off-road vehicle is required.
Brush Truck 1
UTV Kubota is a 2020 Kubota Sidekick 850 UTV. It’s equipped with tracks and a 70-gallon water tank and pump for use on brush/ grass fires in areas not accessible by traditional fire apparatus. The unit is also able to transport patients from remote areas.
Kubota
BOATS Air Boat 1 is a 2015 Midwest Rescue Air Boat used for open water and ice rescue. It can be used as a diving platform for open water diving, search and rescue, and as a large ventilation fan.
Zodiac is a 2020 MK2 Grand Raid Zodiac boat. It’s an inflatable boat with motor and trailer used for open water rescue and can be used for ice rescue with the motor removed.
Air Boat 1
Zodiac
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GROWING WITH SHAKOPEE
A STRATEGIC LOOK AT FIRE AND EMS SERVICES As Shakopee continues to grow, so too must the services that protect and support our community. The Shakopee Fire Department is entering a new era, one defined by strategic planning, expanded coverage, and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our residents. With the upcoming staffing of Fire Station 2 through the SAFER grant, we’re taking a major step forward. Now, we turn our attention to the future.
Staffing for Resilience As we grow, staffing remains a central priority. The SAFER grant will confirm the impact that full-time staffing can have on response times and service reliability. Future planning will continue to prioritize hiring, retention, and professional development to ensure our team is prepared for the challenges ahead. Community-Centered Planning At the heart of our strategic vision is the community we serve. Every decision, from station placement to staffing levels, is guided by our mission to protect lives and property. We are committed to transparency, collaboration, and proactive engagement with residents, businesses, and city leadership. Conclusion: A Department Ready for Tomorrow The Shakopee Fire Department is proud of its progress and excited for what lies ahead. With thoughtful planning, continued investment, and a clear vision for the future, we are building a fire service that will serve Shakopee with excellence for generations to come.
Strategic Growth to Match a Growing City Shakopee’s population and development have surged in recent years, particularly in the eastern and southwestern parts of the city. This growth brings new challenges for emergency services, including increased call volumes, longer travel distances, and the need for more localized response capabilities. To meet these demands, the Fire Department is actively engaged in long-term strategic planning that includes: ■ Evaluating the need for additional fire stations in underserved or high-growth areas. ■ Assessing staffing models to ensure adequate coverage and reduce response times citywide. ■ Exploring innovative deployment strategies , including mobile response units and specialized teams. ■ Investing in training, technology, and equipment to support a modern, adaptable fire service.
Shakopee Fire officially welcomes Tender 2 to Station 2 with a traditional “push-in” ceremony.
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