Fargo fire department presents accreditation renewal; city shows interagency active‑shooter training video

City leaders received a presentation on the Fargo Fire Department’s 2025 accreditation renewal and watched a video summarizing a multi‑agency first‑responder training held earlier this summer. Fire Chief Gary Lorenz introduced Division Chief Craig Nelson (accreditation manager) and former Chief Steve Dirksen, who participated as a panel member for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and recused himself from an accrediting vote. Staff said Fargo is one of about 336 accredited fire departments worldwide and highlighted the department’s work compiling more than 250 performance indicators for the accreditation cycle. Separately, the commission viewed a video about ASHA — active shooter hostile environment response — which summarized training exercises where Fargo Police Department, Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead fire departments, Cass County Sheriff's Department, Red River Regional Dispatch Center, Sanford Ambulance, Simulation in Motion North Dakota and emergency management agencies practiced realistic scenarios for security, sheltering and evacuation. In the video, a presenter said, “When your stress level goes up, you revert back to your training,” and emphasized hands‑on drills, interagency communication, and annual repetition to identify and work on weaknesses. Why it matters: Accreditation is a formal recognition of department standards and performance metrics; interagency ASHA training addresses coordinated response to high‑risk incidents and was described as vital for preparedness. Staff said the training included school access for realistic scenarios and communications exercises across agencies. Next steps: Accreditation renewal stands as awarded; departments plan to continue annual cross‑agency training and to work through identified weaknesses during off‑season months.