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Police and fire chiefs report rising call volume, rescue and staffing improvements
Summary
Police Chief Swanson reported officers will ride in the Police Unity Tour and Officer Joel Meister earned the Metro SWAT Fitness Award; Fire Chief Seifert said the department responded to 1,550 calls in 2025, noted an ice-rescue and a large overtime reduction, and said Med Unit build plans are complete with spring completion expected.
Police and fire department leaders presented operational updates to the Village Council on Jan. 6, reporting fundraising participation, personnel recognition, higher call volumes, and infrastructure progress.
Police Chief Swanson said Officers Rudy Prhne and Mazen Awad will again participate in the Police Unity Tour in May, a 300-mile bicycle ride to the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness and funds for officers who died in the line of duty. Chief Swanson noted Officer Joel Meister earned the Metro SWAT Fitness Award for the fourth consecutive year and reminded the public of a Red Cross blood drive set for Jan. 22, 2026, in council chambers.
Fire Chief Seifert said the Richfield Fire Department handled 1,550 calls for service in 2025, up from 1,426 in 2024. He described an ice-rescue/recovery on Roberts Drive (a dog was recovered) and said crews responded to a garage fire in Hinckley where an interior attack prevented spread. Chief Seifert reported receipt of final build plans for the Med Unit and anticipated construction completion by early spring. He highlighted a marked reduction in shift-fill overtime — from 4,136 hours in 2024 to 1,127 hours in 2025 — and requested that council appoint one member to the Volunteer Firefighter Dependents Fund.
The minutes record the operational updates and upcoming events but do not include extended discussion or public debate on these items.
