Albert Lea Fire Rescue

01/11/2023

At Albert Lea Fire Rescue, you will find signs similar to this one. Why?

Because we have hot, warm and cold zones in the station.

In our station, the apparatus bay is a hot zone. That means this is the space is where the contaminated gear and equipment are. Even when we clean after a fire, we can't guarantee we have removed all of the carcinogens.

In our station, the SCBA repair room is a warm zone. This is an area where we can work on SCBA repairs, fill our SCBA bottles, wash our helmets and face pieces, wash civilian clothes and grab a bottle of water if we are still contaminated or dressed in bunker gear. The room where we store our gear would also be considered a warm zone. This room also has a venting system that draws carcinogens out of the building.

The cold zones, which include the majority of the station, are for living and working. To reduce the amount of exposure in daily work, no contaminated clothing or equipment may be brought into these areas.

01/09/2023

For those Jason Patton fans - he makes an appearance in this video clip from DetecTogether. DetecTogether promotes if you treat cancer symptoms like an emergency, it might not become one.

There are symptoms that are easily dismissed, but DetecTogether advises that if you have subtle persistent health changes such as exhaustion, a cough or changes in your skin you should follow these three steps of detection:

1. Know your great: aka know what your normal is and use it for comparison
2. Use the two-week rule: if your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, consult with a doctor
3. Share with your doctor: be honest with your healthcare team

DetecTogether has more information at responsetimematters.org

Detect Together produced these videos featuring Jason Patton- Response Time Matters

01/06/2023

This graphic from the Firefighter Cancer Support Network shows where firefighters, even with their protective gear on, absorb the most carcinogens.

01/04/2023

Back in the day, if a firefighter and his gear were dirty, it was a symbol of hard work and pride. Now, we cannot stress enough about keeping our gear, tools and our equipment clean. That "dirt" is full of carcinogens which gets spread to everything and everywhere. This video, while it uses shaving cream, is a great visual of what the naked eye cannot see.

We use shaving cream to show how potentially hazardous contaminants could pollute PPE's, engines and trucks, the apparatus floor and living quarters.

01/03/2023

Freezing rain and snow are forecasted for our area. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:

*Do not heat your home with the oven. Fun tip: if you lose heat, set up a camping tent in your house and cover it with blankets. Being inside of it, the tent will use and conserve your body heat.

*Make sure your CO detectors are in good working order. This means - less than seven years old and a fresh battery.

*Be careful with extension cords! Do use GFI protected cords (ex: power strip with on/off switch). Do not use lamp cord extension cords.

*If you have candles lit, be present and attentive. Better yet - have flashlights on hand.

*If you must use a space heater make sure there is at least a three-feet cleared area all the way around it. Also, if it's electric, make sure it's plugged directly into the wall

*If you must be out - make sure you are dressed for the worst or have extra gear in your vehicle. If you had trouble, responders may have trouble getting to you.

01/02/2023

In order to minimize our continued exposure to carcinogens, as soon as we return to the station, we put on nitrile gloves and wash any and all exposed gear and equipment.

* For our bunker gear that means they get separated into inner and outer layers and put in the extractor for washing. It also means taking out the liners in their helmets and replacing them with laundered ones.

* For our tools, equipment and SCBA packs, that means they get washed with dish soap and water

* For our fire fighters, it means they "shower within the hour" and immediately wash their clothes before leaving the station or returning to other areas of the station

* In addition, our fire fighters are highly encouraged to also use the sauna within 24 hours and shower again to draw more of those carcinogens out of their skin

* Contaminated crew members must stay in the warm and hot zones of the station

01/01/2023

Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched to 503 Edgewood Ave., at 10:26 a.m. Saturday for a fire call.

Upon arrival, the crew found heavy smoke coming from the south-facing garage door and east-facing walk-in door.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, cooled the garage interior and contents and remained on scene for about one hour putting out hot spots.

The resident was reportedly working in the garage at the time of the fire and attempted to extinguish it before calling 911.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a portable heater that ignited gasoline. Damages were estimated at $7,500. No injuries were reported.

Mayo Clinic Ambulance and Albert Lea Police Department also responded to the fire.

01/01/2023

January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

According to the IAFF, as of 2022, 348 out of 469 of the firefighters listed on the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died from occupational cancer.

It is our job to not only practice daily steps for prevention, but also to bring awareness to the community and to fellow fire fighters to reduce their risk of occupational cancer and also to generate greater legislative support.

It was the goal of our fallen brother, Brett Boss, to be that advocate not only for his local brothers and sisters, but for all fire fighters.

Stay tuned to our page for more information.

12/31/2022

Wishing you a safe and happy new year!

12/25/2022

12/24/2022

Comment your finished coloring pages below!

12/24/2022

Don't forget to keep your real Christmas trees watered.

A live Christmas tree burn shows just how quickly a dried-out Christmas tree burns, with flashover occurring in less than one minute, as compared to a well-w...

12/23/2022

See if you can spot the differences between Sparky's snow globe.

12/22/2022

Check out these winter fire statistics:

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries and $13 million in direct property damage.

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires.

Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs. Six percent were started by candles.

Roughly two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.
Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of candle fires in each of these months.

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Year round, more than one-third (35 percent) of home decoration fires were started by candles. This jumped to almost half in December when candles started 45 percent of such fires. Cooking started one-fifth (19%) of decoration fires

12/22/2022

Don't let your guard down!
⚠️ Windchill - 12pm 12/24
⚠️ Blizzard
⚠️ Winter Storm
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=544842994355008&id=100064879354246&mibextid=Nif5oz

Closing at 3 p.m. today and all day Friday: Albert Lea City Hall, Public Library, Recreation Office and City Arena. The police department, fire rescue, and snow removal operations will continue as usual. The city urges emergency travel only. For the latest weather and road conditions, visit the National Weather Service website at https://loom.ly/lUaRzAM and Minnesota Department of Transportation at 511mn.org.

12/22/2022

12/21/2022

Time is of the essence when an emergency happens. If you would, while you're out shoveling, please also clear around the hydrants nearest you. There are more than 1,400 hydrants in the city and it's going to take a village to keep them accessible.

12/21/2022

Are you prepared for a winter storm? There are more home fires in the winter than in any other season. Help us by making sure your household has done their part in fire prevention.

12/20/2022

Make sure if you are using a space heater that you are present during its use and that it is plugged directly into an outlet and not into an extension cord.

12/19/2022

"Put a freeze on winter holiday fires!"

Before this week gets too crazy with holidays and wintry weather, be sure to check over your house for these safety concerns.

12/09/2022

The widow of fallen Albert Lea firefighter said he would be honored to know that a national foundation selected their family to pay off their home mortgage.

12/08/2022

Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched to a garage fire at 614 Krikava Road at 9:11 p.m. last night.

Upon arrival, fire crews found fire extending from a four-stall garage into the garage attic and the attached home.

Glenville and Conger fire departments assisted with hauling water and fighting the fire.

It was reported that the homeowner had been working on a vehicle in the garage when the vehicle started on fire.

The residents had evacuated the home and fire crews rescued a cat from the blaze. One homeowner sustained minor injuries to his face.

Crews were on scene for about four hours extinguishing the fire and looking for hot spots.

Damages were estimated at $220,000. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division is assisting with the investigation.

Mayo Clinic Ambulance and the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

12/07/2022

Green shift crew members were recently recognized with a Life Saving Award following a successful cpr call for a community member in October.

12/06/2022

Thank you to Attorney Michael Vrr for his presentation at our landlord training last night and also to the landlords in attendance. Minimum housing and tenant/landlord rights can be confusing and trainings like this give everyone a better understanding. Any further questions can be directed to the inspection department at 507-377-4340.

12/04/2022

Congratulations to all of our poster contest winners and honorable mentions! This year’s theme was “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape”.

12/02/2022

Amazing! Thank you Tunnel to Towers for taking care of the Boss family.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it has paid, in full, the mortgage on the home of a fallen Albert Lea firefighter as part of its 4th annual, 'Season of Hope.'

12/01/2022

Today firefighter Josh Hall presented Lillian Raleigh with First Place and Grace Haag with Second Place for the fire safety poster contest.
This year's theme was “Fire won’t wait, Plan your escape.”

Way to go girls!❤️

11/30/2022

Today, we think of our brother, Lt. Brett Boss, and his family even more than normal. Brett's mom, Karen, had this cake made. 🙏🏻

11/24/2022

All jokes aside, we hope that you have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Here are some safety reminders:

* If there is a fire inside of your oven or inside of your microwave: leave it shut so the fire is deprived of oxygen and call 911

* Use GFI power strips instead of lamp cord extension cords for all those crockpots

* Do not use water on a grease fire. Turn off the heat and smother the flames with a lid or baking soda

* Remember the PASS pneumonic for fire extinguisher use: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger and use a sweeping motion to extinguish the flames

* Keep flammable items away from heat sources and hot surfaces

* Set a timer while cooking

* Keep children and pets away from potential hazards such as sharp objects, boiling water, choking hazards and open flames

11/22/2022

Congratulations to these winners for their participation in Operation Edith this year!

11/18/2022

Another part of our training this week is rapid removal of gear from a simulated down firefighter. The rapid removal allows for medical interventions or the start of the cool down process for an overheated member. Even when it seems like chaos, there is a method to the madness.

11/17/2022

Calling all landlords! Please join us for a seminar from Attorney Michael Vraa on December 5. This will also be a great time to ask questions on landlord and tenant laws. The event is free, but we ask that you RSVP to Cierra Maras at 507-377-4340 or [email protected] so we can plan accordingly.

11/16/2022

This week’s training is the “Box of Death”. We’re mastering knots and our RIT (rapid intervention team) packs. We need to be able to mitigate any issues that may arise with another firefighter’s air supply while in a compromised environment.

11/11/2022

Thank you is never enough, but it sure is a start.

11/06/2022

It's time to change those smoke detector batteries! While you're at it - make sure the manufacture date on the back is less than 10 years old or less than 7 years old if it's also a carbon monoxide detector.

11/02/2022

Because of the dry vegetation, unusually warm temperatures and high winds that will be in southeastern MN this afternoon, Freeborn County is in a Red Flag Warning. Effective immediately, Freeborn County is under a burning restriction.

No fires are allowed, other than a recreational fire which is 3 foot by 3 foot in size, must have some sort of a fire ring and has to be 25 feet away from combustible material.

10/31/2022

Wishing you a safe and fun Halloween!

10/28/2022

Don't forget to tell your friends, your family and the hardest working people you know! We're still looking for applications for paid-on-call firefighters!!

Please share with your friends and family. We're hiring part-time firefighters again! Will train!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/albertlea/jobs/3756981/paid-on-call-firefighter?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

10/19/2022

We had an ALFR family pumpkin carving and decorating night tonight. Check out all the awesome creations. Is your family prepping pumpkins for Halloween? Post them in the comments so we can see!