09.b1 Fire Chief Annual Report 2024
Scandia Fire & Rescue
15040 Scandia Trail North
Scandia, MN 55073
Fire Chief Annual Report
2024
The fire department had another busy year in 2024. Below is a chart of the last 21 years of
incident totals and the percentage change from the previous year. As you can see we have had a
history of going up and down each year, but you can see that our up years are more often and the
down years are smaller than in the past.
National Fire Incident Reporting System Data
2021 = 290 = +15.1% 2015 = 217 = +16% 2009 = 195 = +3.7%
2020 = 252 = +11.5% 2014 = 187 = -9.7% 2008 = 188 = +1.1%
2019 = 226 = -0.4% 2013 = 207 = -3.7% 2007 = 186 = +0.5%
2024 = 346 = +10.9% 2018 = 227 = +5.1% 2012 = 215 = +8.6% 2006 = 185 = -11.5%
2023 = 312 = -4.9% 2017 = 216 = +8% 2011 = 198 = -12% 2005 = 209 = +25.9%
2022 = 328 = +13.1% 2016 = 200 = -7.8% 2010 = 225 =+15.4% 2004 = 166 = 0
Average of +4.93% / Increase Since 2004 +108.5%
The department did see a large increase in call volume for 2024 of 10.9%. We also saw an
increase in paid hours of 209 hours (2024 = 6,609, 2023 = 6400) this is a 3.27% increase over 2023’s
total hours. Again, this year we do not see any reasoning for this increased call volume but, also do not
see any reason that we will see a decrease any time soon.
COVID-19 has decreased in severity again in 2024, but now with other illnesses to deal with like
RSV and influenzas. We are still recommending members wear a mask during certain call types and if
they feel they are becoming ill or suspect a patient may have an airborne illness. M Health has also
started wearing masks during patient contact again and disinfecting gear after each use. We have not
moved to this level yet, but will keep adjusting as we see change in this area.
I have attached 8 documents with the breakdown of our 2024 calls for your review.
• Incident by Type- This report shows a breakdown by type of call and the percentage each
type was. Type is defined by the national records basic incident type categorizes.
• Incidents by District – This report shows calls and types to other communities. The calls to
other communities were for Contract coverage, Auto-Aid or Mutual Aid. The Other
designation is for areas outside our direct neighboring communities.
• Incident by Time of Day - This report is showing what times calls are received. As you can
see there is no time that is drastically different than others. You can also see that most calls
are between 6am and 1am. I highlighted times when number of calls is over 20
• Incidents by Day of Week -This report is used to try to see trends. Here again we see no day
that is dramatically higher than the others.
• Incidents by Month – This report shows a breakdown by month to help see trends in the
future. You can see that summer is busy, but there are high call months through-out the
year.
• Aid Given or Received Report - This report also shows auto-aid and mutual-aid given and
received. Auto aid is setup for use when dispatch receives a call for a structure on fire with
flames seen to help get resources to the seen faster for a better outcome. We also have auto
aid for car accidents involving multiple vehicles involved. Mutual aid is activated when the
first fire department gets on scene and determines that they will need assistance for man-
power or water shuttle operations.
• Average Response Time by District - This report shows the average response time and
number of incidents by district. This number is just for reference since location and if auto-
aid or mutual-aid were used, as mutual-aid changes the time dramatically depending on
host department response time and needs.
• Average Response by Type - This report shows the average number of responders by
Incident Type.
This year we had 6 structure fires in our primary service area. Of the 6 fires our crews were able to
save the structure and most contents in 5 out of the 6, only 1 structure was a total loss. We also
responded to 5 fires in Forest Lake (3 cancelled en-route 1 saved and 1 total loss), 3 fires in Hugo (we
were canceled on all 3), 3 fire in Marine on the Saint Croix (all 3 were total losses).
I want to talk about how well our team works together and with neighboring departments. The old
saying was that your department had its annual structure fire, as reported we had 6 structure fires in
our area this year and were able to save 5 of those 6 structures. This shows how we are responding
quickly and working as a team to get crews to the seed of the fire all while keeping our crews safe. We
have also been using a fire control device for the last few years and are deploying them earlier in the
incident than in previous years.
The 4 members that started in 2023 (Paul Foss, Kevin Gonzales, Mike Rosenthal & Wesley Giddings)
have now completed their FF 1 & 2 training and certifications. At the closing of 2024 all members of the
fire department are certified as EMT, firefighter 1, firefighter 2 & Haz-mat operations.
We also had 3 members resign from the fire department (Adriane Krager, Zach Caldwell & Ben
Horner) in 2024. This brings our current roster to 27 members. We will be working to hire 2-3
members in 2025 to bring our levels to the desired staffing level of 30 active members.
• I have attached a “years of service” worksheet to show where our department stands.
Members with less than 2 years have limited abilities on scene. Members with less than 5
years can do more, but are still limited due to the lack of experience. Members with 5-20
years have the experience needed on the department and are the members we look at for
promotion to officer/leadership rolls. Lastly there are the members with 20 years or more,
these members are our leaders and hold a lot of knowledge, but they are also able to retire
at any time.
Our 2024 budget ended the year 1.92% under the 2024 budgeted amount of $382,163.58 per
adjusted January numbers provided by Colleen. There could be a few slight changes after all
adjustments are made, but we should still be within budget. Reports currently show the fire
department under budget by $7,332.09, and as stated earlier our payroll hours were up 3.27%. I did
have to make some adjustments to our purchasing due to the high increase in call volume and the
dramatic increase in supply costs to stay as close to budget as possible.
Here is a list of some of the projects that were started or completed this year and some items of note.
• We lost 3 members due to availability issues or moving out of the area.
• Personnel files reviewed and updated. Files for our current members were reviewed and
updated.
• Created new SOG’s & reviewed existing SOG’s
• Attended county meetings including Fire improvement, Washington County Chief’s &
Capital City regional meetings.
• Had a very successful Fire Prevention and Safe Halloween. In 2024.
• We received our replacement boat and are close to completion of final outfitting to meet
our needs.
• We received our replacement Utility truck; in December the truck went in to have the final
lighting up-fit installed and we expect to receive it back early January. This truck has been
found to be used a lot and is anticipated to be used even more once complete.
• We placed an order for the replacement of our 2000 full response fire engine with Custom
Fire apparatus in Osceola WI. By the time you read this hopefully we will have received the
new Engine. And the old engine will be auctioned to replace some of the funds in the
equipment replacement fund.
• We had our first ever pushing in ceremony for the new engine, weather cooperated mostly
and I believe it was a success in presenting the new truck to the department and other that
are attached to the department. We are considering doing the same for the new tender with
it being attended by more of the public.
• We auctioned both the old rescue boat and utility truck for a total of $16,500. These funds
are used to assist in rebuilding the equipment fund.
• The dive team received a grant for $10,144 to purchase replacement dive gear.
• Awarded contract to Sherman Buildings to construction a replacement cold storage
building at the fire/PW building. This building will help both fire/PW work more efficiently
and safely, it will also improve our compliance with OSHA rule due to the increased on-site
storage space.
• Worked with city staff to create the budget for 2025
• We will be working to hire up to 3 new members beginning in February of 2025.
In closing I want to say that if it was not for the incredible team, we have within the fire
department and the support of the city staff, council and residents of Scandia, we would not have the
well-respected fire department that we currently have.
I have also requested M Health District Chief Kevin Kane to provide a year-end report for your
February 18th council meeting.
If you see a firefighter thank them for the great job they are doing.
Thank You
Chief Mike Hinz
Incident Type Total Incidents Total Incidents % of Incidents
Incident Type Category: 1 - Fire
Building fire 12 3.5%
Cooking fire, confined to container 1 0.3%
Fire in portable building, fixed location 1 0.3%
Forest, woods or wildland fire 3 0.9%
Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 4 1.2%
Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire 1 0.3%
Dumpster or other outside trash fire 1 0.3%
Total: 23 Total: 6.6%
Incident Type Category: 3 - Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident
Medical assist, assist EMS crew 12 3.5%
EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 168 48.6%
Motor vehicle accident with injuries 11 3.2%
Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 6 1.7%
Swimming/recreational water areas rescue 1 0.3%
Ice rescue 1 0.3%
Rescue or EMS standby 5 1.4%
Total: 204 Total: 59.0%
Incident Type Category: 4 - Hazardous Condition (No Fire)
Hazardous condition, other 1 0.3%
Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 4 1.2%
Carbon monoxide incident 1 0.3%
Power line down 15 4.3%
Total: 21 Total: 6.1%
Incident Type Category: 5 - Service Call
Lock-out 1 0.3%
Assist police or other governmental agency 3 0.9%
Public service 2 0.6%
Assist invalid 17 4.9%
Total: 23 Total: 6.6%
Incident Type Category: 6 - Good Intent Call
Dispatched and cancelled en route 37 10.7%
No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 15 4.3%
Authorized controlled burning 4 1.2%
Smoke scare, odor of smoke 2 0.6%
Total: 58 Total: 16.8%
Incident Type Category: 7 - False Alarm & False Call
Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 6 1.7%
CO detector activation due to malfunction 3 0.9%
Detector activation, no fire - unintentional 1 0.3%
Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 2 0.6%
Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 2 0.6%
Total: 14 Total: 4.0%
Incident Type Category: 9 - Special Incident Type
Special type of incident, other 3 0.9%
Total: 3 Total: 0.9%
Total: 346 Total: 100.0%
is between '1/1/2024' and '12/31/2024' is equal to 'SCANDIA'
Calls by District
Incident Type No of Calls
District: (None)
EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 5
Motor vehicle accident with injuries 1
Dispatched and cancelled en route 3
Total: 9
District: Forest Lake
Building fire 2
Dispatched and cancelled en route 3
Total: 5
District: Hugo
Building fire 1
Dispatched and cancelled en route 1
Total: 2
District: Marine
Building fire 2
Dispatched and cancelled en route 1
Total: 3
District: May Township
Building fire 1
EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 10
Motor vehicle accident with injuries 3
Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 3
Power line down 2
Authorized controlled burning 2
Dispatched and cancelled en route 3
No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 2
Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 1
Total: 27
District: Other
Ice rescue 1
Swimming/recreational water areas rescue 1
Dispatched and cancelled en route 1
Special type of incident, other 2
Total: 5
District: Scandia
Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 4
Building fire 6
Cooking fire, confined to container 1
Dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire 1
Fire in portable building, fixed location 1
Forest, woods or wildland fire 3
Calls by District
Incident Type No of Calls
Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire 1
EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 153
Medical assist, assist EMS crew 11
Motor vehicle accident with injuries 7
Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 3
Rescue or EMS standby 5
Carbon monoxide incident 1
Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 4
Hazardous condition, other 1
Power line down 13
Assist invalid 17
Assist police or other governmental agency 3
Lock-out 1
Public service 2
Authorized controlled burning 2
Dispatched and cancelled en route 24
No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 13
Smoke scare, odor of smoke 2
Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 2
Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 6
Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 1
CO detector activation due to malfunction 3
Detector activation, no fire - unintentional 1
Total: 292
District: Shafer
Medical assist, assist EMS crew 1
Total: 1
District: Stillwater
Dispatched and cancelled en route 1
Special type of incident, other 1
Total: 2
Total: 346
is between '1/1/2024' and '12/31/2024' : is equal to 'SCANDIA'
Basic Incident Type by Time of Day Number
Of
Incidents 24 hour
00:00:00 - 00:59:59 10
01:00:00 - 01:59:59 3
02:00:00 - 02:59:59 4
03:00:00 - 03:59:59 5
04:00:00 - 04:59:59 3
05:00:00 - 05:59:59 6
06:00:00 - 06:59:59 10
07:00:00 - 07:59:59 18
08:00:00 - 08:59:59 14
09:00:00 - 09:59:59 10
10:00:00 - 10:59:59 17
11:00:00 - 11:59:59 21
12:00:00 - 12:59:59 14
13:00:00 - 13:59:59 23
14:00:00 - 14:59:59 21
15:00:00 - 15:59:59 19
16:00:00 - 16:59:59 15
17:00:00 - 17:59:59 19
18:00:00 - 18:59:59 29
19:00:00 - 19:59:59 19
20:00:00 - 20:59:59 11
21:00:00 - 21:59:59 19
22:00:00 - 22:59:59 20
23:00:00 - 23:59:59 16
Total: 346
Report Filters is between '1/1/2024' and '12/31/2024' is in 'SCANDIA'
Day of Week Number of Incidents
01 - Sunday 47
02 - Monday 53
03 - Tuesday 54
04 - Wednesday 55
05 - Thursday 45
06 - Friday 48
07 - Saturday 44
Total: 346
Basic Incident Month Name (FD1.3) Number of Incidents
April 18
August 40
December 35
February 21
January 29
July 29
June 35
March 16
May 32
November 33
October 32
September 26
Total: 346
Mutual aid
Report Filters: is between '1/1/2024' and '12/31/2024' : Is Equal To SCANDIA
Basic
Incident
Date
Basic
Incident
Number
Basic Incident Type Basic Aid Given
Their Fire
Department Name
Basic
Incident City
Name
Basic Aid Received
Their Fire Department
Name
Automatic aid given
01/15/2024 SCF2400013 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
HUGO Hugo
01/22/2024 SCF2400018 Building fire MARINE ON ST
CROIX
May
Township
01/22/2024 SCF2400019 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
MARINE ON ST
CROIX
May
Township
02/20/2024 SCF2400042 Building fire HUGO Hugo
06/07/2024 SCF2400126 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
FOREST LAKE Forest Lake
08/03/2024 SCF2400182 Building fire FOREST LAKE Forest Lake
06/15/2024 SCF2400139 Building fire MARINE ON ST
CROIX
May
Township
10/13/2024 SCF2400260 Building fire MARINE ON ST
CROIX
Marine on
Saint Croix
10/25/2024 SCF2400270 Building fire FOREST LAKE Forest Lake
10/27/2024 SCF2400275 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
HUGO City of Hugo
12/10/2024 SCF2400321 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
FOREST LAKE Forest Lake
Automatic aid received
12/19/2024 SCF2400332 Authorized controlled
burning
Scandia MARINE ON ST CROIX
10/26/2024 SCF2400273 Building fire Scandia FOREST LAKE,
MARINE ON ST CROIX
08/21/2024 SCF2400198 Building fire Scandia MARINE ON ST CROIX
03/31/2024 SCF2400066 Building fire Scandia MARINE ON ST CROIX
05/22/2024 SCF2400105 Building fire Scandia MARINE ON ST CROIX,
FOREST LAKE
Mutual aid given
07/23/2024 SCF2400173 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
STILLWATER Stillwater
02/21/2024 SCF2400044 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
Saint Paul
Park
12/02/2024 SCF2400312 Ice rescue Woodbury
07/03/2024 SCF2400152 Swimming/recreational
water areas rescue
LOWER ST CROIX
VALLEY FIRE DEPT.
Afton
09/10/2024 SCF2400227 Dispatched and
cancelled en route
MARINE ON ST
CROIX
May
Township
Mutual aid received
06/21/2024 SCF2400144 Building fire Scandia CHISAGO CITY,
MARINE ON ST CROIX,
FOREST LAKE, HUGO,
LINDSTROM
Basic Incident Zone/District Number Total Alarms Average Response Time
Other 9 0:16:37
Forest Lake 5 0:19:46
Hugo 2 0:19:13
Marine 3 0:18:57
May Township 27 0:14:38
Other 5 0:36:43
Scandia 292 0:11:46
Shafer 1 0:21:57
Stillwater 2 0:15:00
Total: 346
Report Filters
is equal to 'SCANDIA'
is between '1/1/2024' and '12/31/2024'
Average Response by Type
Row Labels
Average
EMS
Personnel
Average
Suppression
Personnel
Average
Other
Personnel
Total
Personnel
111 - Building fire - 14.17 0.25 14.42
113 - Cooking fire, confined to container - 13.00 13.00
123 - Fire in portable building, fixed location 13.00 1.00 14.00
141 - Forest, woods, or wildland fire 2.67 7.00 0.67 10.33
142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 2.75 9.50 0.50 12.75
151 - Outside rubbish, trash, or waste fire 17.00 17.00
154 - Dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire 11.00 11.00
311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 11.33 11.33
321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 9.91 0.04 0.08 10.02
322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 3.73 8.64 0.18 12.55
324 - Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 4.17 7.33 11.50
361 - Swimming/recreational water areas rescue 2.00 2.00
362 - Ice rescue 4.00 4.00
381 - Rescue or EMS standby 6.80 6.80
400 - Hazardous condition, other 7.00 7.00
412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 10.25 10.25
424 - Carbon monoxide incident 6.00 6.00
444 - Power line down 9.80 0.13 9.93
511 - Lock-out 2.00 2.00
551 - Assist police or other governmental agency 6.33 2.33 8.67
553 - Public service 3.50 5.00 1.00 9.50
554 - Assist invalid 10.76 10.76
611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 3.42 2.45 0.06 5.94
622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 2.73 10.13 0.13 13.00
631 - Authorized controlled burning 1.00 5.50 2.50 9.00
651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 10.50 10.50
735 - Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 4.33 1.50 5.83
736 - CO detector activation due to malfunction 11.00 11.00
744 - Detector activation, no fire - unintentional 10.00 10.00
745 - Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 6.50 4.00 10.50
746 - Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 2.50 5.50 8.00
900 - Special type of incident, other 4.67 4.67
Grand Total 6.74 2.95 0.21 9.90
Nick Bancks Firefighter / Relief
Treasurer 6/1/2020
Bill Boyd Fire Captain 05/01/00
Jeff Firkus Firefighter 06/01/21
Paul Foss Firefighter 06/01/23
Mike Frank Firefighter 06/01/12
Wesley Giddings Firefighter 06/08/23
Kevin Gonzales Firefighter 06/01/23
Steven Greenhow Firefighter 06/01/19
Brent Gross Firefighter 06/01/22
Bill Havener Assistant Chief /
Relief President 09/01/88
Mike Hinz Fire Chief / Relief
Exofacial 01/01/93
Shaun Holtgreve Fire / Rescue
Captain 11/01/17
Jeremy Johnson Firefighter 11/01/17
Travis Loeffler Firefighter / Relief
Secretary 06/01/13
Chris Majeski Firefighter / Relief
Trustee 06/25/07
Ben McCarty Firefighter 06/01/14
Adam Meyers Firefighter 06/01/16
Mark Michalski Firefighter 11/01/22
Peter Nora Firefighter 04/01/83
Matthew O'Brien Firefighter 06/01/21
Tim O'Neill Firefighter 06/01/20
Mike Rosenthal Firefighter 06/01/23
Allen Rydeen Fire Engineer 06/25/07
Eric Rydeen Fire Captain 06/01/12
Start
DateFirefighter's Name Rank
Ian Skarja Assistant Chief 07/01/10
Steven Stefano Firefighter 06/01/22
Nick Vannelli Firefighter 06/01/19
Years of service as
of
1/1/2025
4 years, 7 months
24 years, 8 months
3 years, 7 months
1 years, 7 months
12 years, 7 months
1 years, 6 months
1 years, 7 months
5 years, 7 months
2 years, 7 months
36 years, 4 months
32 years, 0 months
7 years, 2 months
7 years, 2 months
11 years, 7 months
17 years, 6 months
10 years, 7 months
8 years, 7 months
2 years, 2 months
41 years, 9 months
3 years, 7 months
4 years, 7 months
1 years, 7 months
17 years, 6 months
12 years, 7 months
14 years, 6 months
2 years, 7 months
5 years, 7 months