Nearly 200 firefighters from throughout Minnesota will converge June 7-10 in the Brainerd lakes area to participate in the Minnesota State Fire Department Association Conference.
This year marks the organization's 142nd annual event and also commemorates the Brainerd Fire Department's 145th anniversary.
Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes said the timing of the conference served as a great opportunity for the Brainerd department to host this event and show off all its community has to offer.
Each year, the MSFDA chooses a different community to host the three-day event. That department is responsible to form a planning committee to organize arrangements, training and other components of the conference. The Brainerd Fire Department last hosted the annual conference 10 years ago.
Brainerd firefighters Joe Rubado and Matt Holmstrom have served as co-chairs of the planning committee. The firefighters agreed it takes a large time commitment by firefighters, as well as their spouses, to make an event of this significance a success. Training sessions and supporting events will take place throughout the area, including the Brainerd Industrial Center, Central Lakes College, the NP Event Space and Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes in Baxter.
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"The Brainerd area itself is an automatic draw for many Minnesota firefighters and their families," Holmstrom said. "This conference will allow men and women in the fire service a terrific opportunity to receive top-notch training, hear from world-class speakers, as well as give them a few days in the lakes area with their families. We think that's a win-win for everyone."
In addition to sessions geared toward firefighters, the spouses of the fire department planned a day of events for their counterparts attending with their partners. In addition to a smaller-scaled vendor show geared toward spouses, guests will have an opportunity to partake in classes, as well as attend a luncheon with a special guest speaker.
"Family is incredibly important to all of us," Holmstrom stated. "So it was critical we include the partner behind the firefighter to recognize them for their support and give them an opportunity to receive something as part of this event."
As part of every MSFDA annual conference, a Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will be 4 p.m. June 10 at the Heritage Assembly of God Church in Baxter. Holmstrom said this is a way to pay tribute to the men and women who have paid the ultimate price to protect others. The service is open to the public; however, priority seating will be given to the firefighters and their families in attendance.
The public also is invited to a community parade and car show scheduled June 10. The car show will be at 11 a.m. in the upper parking lot of the Brainerd High School and the parade will follow at 1:30 p.m. from Fifth Street to Laurel Street to East River Road, and end at the lower lot of BHS.
"It's an honor to host this event," Holmstrom stated. "And what makes it even more special is the fact that this coincides with our department's 145th anniversary."
Historical photos and pieces of original firefighting equipment will be on display throughout the conference. Holmes said he's looking forward to commemorating this milestone with the community. Holmes, who has served as Brainerd Fire Chief since July 2015, is the great-great-grandson of Henry McGinn, who served for 30 years as Brainerd's Fire Chief in the early 1900s.
"This milestone in the history of the Brainerd Fire Department has been a fun opportunity to look back at how far the city and the department have come over the last 145 years," Holmes said. "The MSFDA conference is always an exceptional event; however, as this year coincides with our anniversary and the opportunity for Brainerd to host for the first time in 10 years, we think this year will be exceptional."
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