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East Bethel Fire Department reports 918 calls last year; staffing and station work noted
Summary
The East Bethel Fire Chief told council the department handled 918 calls in the year (about 100 fewer than the prior year), described a January attic/ chimney fire contained to the attic, and said staffing challenges prompted a duty‑crew review; the department also invited the public to an auxiliary breakfast.
The East Bethel Fire Chief (Speaker 8) told the council at its January meeting that the department ended the year with 918 calls — roughly 100 fewer than the previous year — and reviewed recent responses, including an attic/chimney fire on the morning of Jan. 23 that was contained to the attic and is expected to be repairable.
"We did end the year with 918 calls," the chief said, and described mutual‑aid responses with neighboring departments including Ham Lake, Oak Grove, Saint Francis (Rum River Fire District), Stacy, Isanti and Forest Lake, and noted Allina stood by when needed. He said station floor projects are complete, citing Polytech's work.
The chief flagged staffing challenges with the daytime duty crew and said he and the deputy chief are reevaluating the program to improve coverage and make it more effective. He encouraged public attendance at the East Bethel Fire Department auxiliary breakfast at Station 1 scheduled for the 30th, with service beginning at 8 a.m.
Councilmembers thanked the chief for the report and noted the breakfast is "definitely worth going to." The council did not take action on staffing at the meeting; the chief said changes are under review and the department will present updates as they are available.
