Emergency Response and District News

At 11:38 Friday CAFD units responded to a two vehicle motor vehicle collision on the 1300 block of Hwy 45.  A white Camaro and a delivery truck collided sending the Camaro across a parking lot and into a massive flag pole.  The vehicle struck the concrete base of the flag pole causing major damage to the vehcile and injuring the driver.

Medic 12, Chief 1, Rescue 1, and Engine 31 responded along with Cloquet Police units.  The vehicle was secured by rescue personnel while the driver was treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to Essentia - St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

The CAFD once again particpated in the annual Sappi Safety Day activites.  The CAFD staff provided fire and safety information along with technical rescue demonstrations simulating the rescue of an employee whose fall was arrested by their fall protection equipment.

Staff demonstrated accessing the employee, transferring them from their fall protection to a rescue system, and lowering them to the ground.  Demosntrations were conducted using the CAFD Mobile Training Tower.  This 4 1/2 story mobile unit is the only one of its kind in Minnesota, and allows the CAFD to set up an elevated training environment in any location we can access by heavy truck.

On Tuesday evening, Battalion 3 and Engine Co. 2 were dispatched to a reported riding lawn mower fire next to a garage at 185 Whitetail Drive,  Upon arrival, crews were notified that the mower was actually inside the garage when it ignited and that the  fire had been slightly contained and the lawn mower, which was severely damaged, removed from the interior of the garage. 

Investigation showed that the fire originated directly below the open garage door which shielded the garages roof and insulation material from the direct flames and heat preventing the entire garage from possibly igniting..  The exterior of the garage sustained minimal damage due to the heat melting exterior vinyl siding.  There were no injuries and crews were on scene checking for extension and ventilating the structure for about 30 minutes.