148th Air Guard Fire Department

07/31/2023

Last weekend, Firefighter Allen and Firefighter Brzeskiewicz ran the Chief Frantz Red Run hosted by Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighter Sauer brought Crash 64 over to support the event as well! Thank you Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department for putting on this great event, we are already looking forward to attending again next year.

07/18/2023

We would like to thank all the departments and firefighters that assisted with the air show this past weekend. We appreciate having the additional resources and support on the airfield with us. Thank you Duluth Minnesota Fire Department, Fredenberg Volunteer Fire Department, Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Proctor Fire / Rescue, Lakewood Township Fire Department.

07/15/2023

Over the past couple weeks, we have had some special visitors at the fire station. Students from Starbase summer camp have learned about airfield fire trucks, toured the station and participated in a obstacle course where they bandaged Firefighter Nagler and Firefighter Marshall and even got to spray water from a fire hose.

The firefighters also got to visit Starbase and assist with Rocket Launch day and enjoy lunch with the students!

06/09/2023

B-Shift traveled to Volk Field in Wisconsin for live fire training this past week. A few of the training exercises completed were ARFF vehicle modulation, fuel fire extinguishment and interior aircraft fire extinguishment. Thank you Volk Field Fire Department for hosting and aiding in this valuable training.

03/15/2023

On 14 March 2023 around 10am, Minnesota Task Force 2 was deployed at the request of the Minnesota Duty office to assist on scene of a roof collapse at the Miller Hill Mall. Four members from the 148th Air Guard Fire Department and 19 additional crew members from Virginia Fire Department and Duluth Minnesota Fire Department were able to quickly collect specialty rescue gear and meet on scene. The Mn Task Force 2 has training in building collapse and shoring techniques. No injuries were reported at the collapse.

With a portion of the roof of Miller Hill Mall caving in Tuesday morning, it has many of us left questioning, how?

03/14/2023

The 148th Fire Department would like to congratulate Luke Sanda on his recent promotion to Fire Captain.

Captain Sanda has been with the 148th Air Guard Fire Department for 16 years on A Shift. He will be serving in his new role on C Shift. Captain Sanda has also served in the MN Air National Guard at the 148th Fighter Wing for 20 years as a Fire Protection Specialist and spent 3 years as the MSG First Sergeant.

When asked what his favorite part of working for the fire department his he said "The team." Captain Sanda's advice for new firefighter is, "Enjoy the company you have. Learn to be the best firefighter you can be."

We are excited to have Captain Sanda in this new leadership role. The knowledge and hard work ethic he brings will aid in developing new young firefighters and continue to encourage the team environment.

02/25/2023

Shortly after 4pm on 24 February 2023, 148th Air Guard Fire Department responded to report of an aircraft crash near the B**g Bridge between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. The 148th Air Guard Fire Department responded with a P-34 RIV (Rapid Intervention Vehicle) designed for quick response to small aircraft emergencies.

The aircraft, a Cirrus SR22, was said to have crashed into the St. Louis river and an explosion was seen by witnesses. Multiple agencies responded to the scene to aid in search and recovery efforts. The incident is under federal investigation by the FAA and NTSB.

Responding agencies included Duluth Minnesota Fire Department, St Louis County Rescue Squad, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, Duluth Police Department and St Louis County Sheriff's Department.

02/24/2023

Around 12:30pm on 24 February 2023, 148th Air Guard Fire Department responded to a mutual aid request to Canosia Township for report of a fully engulfed garage fire.

Canosia Volunteer Fire Dept, Grand Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Minnesota, Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department, Solway Volunteer Fire Department and the 148th Fire Department worked together to bring this fire under control.

The fire was contained to the detached garage and did not spread to the nearby home. No injuries were reported, the garage is a total loss.

02/24/2023

On 22 February 2023, Cloquet Area Fire District requested 148th Air Guard Fire Department to respond to the scene of a warehouse fire with the mobile breathing air trailer. Personnel responded and were able to refill air bottles on scene.

Thank you to everyone who worked in the cold winter elements to get this fire under control.

01/16/2023

This past week, MN Task Force 2 conducted training in Virginia, MN. The team used a variety of equipment and materials to work on shoring walls during a structural collapse. The Urban Search and Rescue Team consists of members from 148th Air Guard Fire Department, Duluth Minnesota Fire Department and Virginia Fire Department.