Little Canada fire chief reports 2026 uptick in calls, details $560,000 in equipment spending

Fire Chief Don Smiley told the Little Canada City Council at a June 10 workshop that the fire department responded to 451 calls for service in 2025, a 12% decrease from 2024, and that call volume is up about 19% so far in 2026 compared with the same point last year. He attributed a substantial share of calls to vehicle accidents on the nearby freeway and said the department responds automatically to medical calls for vehicle accidents and cardiac arrests. Allina ambulance service also sometimes requests the department for lift-assists and carry-assists.

Smiley said the department received auto-aid 57 times from neighboring communities and provided auto-aid 74 times during the period under review. He reported property loss of roughly $21,000 in the most recent year, with most of that loss tied to vehicle fires.

On finances, Smiley reviewed the 2025 budget and cautioned that categories such as truck and building repairs are difficult to predict and can easily exceed estimates. He said the department used $560,000 of charitable gambling proceeds for new equipment and tools and to set funds toward future fire trucks. Planned building maintenance is included in the city's 10-year capital improvement plan, he added.

Smiley also highlighted the department's volunteer activity, noting firefighters spent almost 400 hours supporting Canadian Days events. He described cooperative work with suburban Ramsey County fire departments and said those partners regularly share ideas and look for new ways to coordinate response.

Mayor Tom Fischer opened and closed the workshop; the council's roll call showed all members present. With no further business, Fischer adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m.