2025 Shakopee Fire Department Year in Review

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.

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