Cloquet Area Fire District

Stewardship - Commitment to Staff - Diversity - Integrity - Quality

Cloquet Area Fire District is a special taxing district providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue operations, fire prevention and education, and community risk reduction programs. We are dedicated to keeping our district’s communities safe and prepared in case of emergencies. Our team is composed of highly trained professionals who are committed to serving with excellence. We offer various resources for emergency preparedness and fire safety initiatives to help our residents stay safe. We also share community events and provide safety tips to ensure that our residents are aware of potential risks and dangers. Our goal is to engage with the residents of the Cloquet Area Fire District’s service area to build a safer community together.

Meet Our Team

Our team comprises dedicated professionals committed to serving with integrity, courage, and compassion. From firefighters and EMS personnel to administrative staff and volunteers, each member plays a vital role in fulfilling our mission and serving the community with excellence.

Jesse Buhs

Fire Chief

Jesse Buhs has dedicated his life to serving his community through the fire service, rising through the ranks from a volunteer firefighter and EMT to eventually becoming the Fire Chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District in November 2021. He has accumulated extensive experience and expertise in firefighting, emergency medical services, and leadership throughout his career. Jesse is known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and dedication to maintaining exceptional service for the community. He has been committed to the Cloquet Area Fire District for over 26 years and is passionate about ensuring its long-term success and sustainability. Jesse believes in leading by example and is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of his fellow firefighters and the residents they serve.

Corey Larson

Assistant Chief

Corey Larson is the Assistant Chief of the CAFD. He has a background in emergency medical services and has held roles such as Training and Safety Officer, Operations Manager, Education Specialist, Paramedic, and Field Training Officer. Corey has shown dedication to ensuring high standards of training and operational safety, and has achieved several notable accomplishments. He holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science and Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration with a focus on EMS management, and is pursuing a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a focus on emergency services management. Corey's focus on his profession and passion for emergency services underscore his dedication and commitment to making a meaningful impact in his community.

Jamie Matthews

Administrative Assistant

Jamie Matthews is an experienced professional with a diverse background in healthcare and emergency services. Currently holding the rank of the districts Administrative Assistant, Jamie plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of district business. With eight years of experience as a Medical Assistant, Jamie aspired to serve as a First Responder, which led to joining the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD) as a paid-on-call EMR at Station 2. Jamie's key skills include offering comprehensive support across various aspects of district operations and adeptly multitasking. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys spending quality time with family and dogs and embracing outdoor activities. Passionate about fire and emergency medical service, Jamie's dedication and expertise continue to make a significant impact on the service provided within the community and the success of CAFD staff in their roles.

Caitlin Wright

Community Risk Reduction Officer

Bio Coming Soon! .

Jeremy Hutchison

Battalion Chief

Jeremy Hutchinson is a committed and skilled firefighter who has worked his way up through various ranks in his career. He started as a volunteer firefighter and eventually became a Captain, Battalion Chief, and beyond. He is highly skilled in connecting with people and fostering strong relationships within his teams and communities. He has taken on additional responsibilities such as teaching and contributing to purchasing decisions. He holds a High School Diploma, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paramedic Technology, a Certificate in Fire Science, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Fire and Safety Technology. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, and is on the lookout for new hobbies. What sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in his professional and personal life.

Jason Maki

Battalion Chief

Jason Maki is an experienced firefighter and paramedic who started his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1997. He obtained his EMT certification in 2000 and graduated from the paramedic program at Hibbing Community College in 2004. He joined the City of Cloquet in 2006 and has since then demonstrated exceptional skills and leadership qualities, earning promotions to Fire Equipment Operator/Paramedic in 2020 and Battalion Chief/Paramedic in 2022. Jason holds a diverse array of certifications including Firefighter 1 & 2, Fire Instructor 1, Fire Inspector 1, Fire Officer 2, Fire Apparatus Operator, Fire Investigator, and Paramedic. He finds joy in outdoor activities like hunting, snowmobiling, and 4-wheeling and cherishes family time immensely. Despite his professional accomplishments, he remains humble and values the simple pleasures in life.

Mike Garberg

Battalion Chief

Michael Garberg is a dedicated firefighter and emergency services professional who has shown an unwavering commitment to community well-being and safety throughout his career. He started his career with Norman County Ambulance and later joined FM Ambulance in Fargo, ND, where he provided critical medical care. In 2006, he joined the Cloquet Fire Department and gradually climbed the ranks, showcasing his leadership and competence. His dedication and proficiency earned him a promotion to the role of Captain in 2015, followed by his appointment as Battalion Chief in 2022. Michael has achieved certifications as a Firefighter 2, Fire Instructor 1, and Fire Officer 2, and was designated as a Safety Officer by the National Fire Academy. Besides his professional endeavors, Michael enjoys various interests and hobbies such as fishing, deer hunting, and mountain biking.

Joe Pulford

Training and Safety Officer

Joe Pulford is the Training and Safety Officer at CAFD. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and has worked as a Paramedic for six years before joining CAFD. He holds an A.A.S. in Paramedic studies and has several certifications, including Incident Safety Officer, Health, and Safety Officer, and AHA instructor. Joe is dedicated to training and safety within firefighting and emergency medical services and is passionate about ensuring the highest standards of preparedness and response.

Our History

Though the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD) originated in 2009, our ties to fire and emergency medical services in the region go back more than 135 years! On March 14, 1888, the Cloquet Village Council chartered the Cloquet Fire Company No. 1, a fully paid, professional fire department created to protect the citizens, the city, and its vast lumber industries from fire. The fledgling department consisted of six firefighters and a Fire Chief!

Though the primary concern of the fire department in the early years was fire suppression, in 1945, a local businessman, Walt Hebert, donated a 1939 Cadillac ambulance to the fire department. This was the beginning of fire-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Cloquet area. Today, a comprehensive response system that includes first responders, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and paramedics serves about 275 square miles in Northern Carlton and Southern St. Louis counties. The simple ambulance donated in 1945 has been replaced by state-of-the-art Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport units, staffed by paramedics 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing the highest levels of pre-hospital care available in our region.
Perch Lake Township was the first to partner with the City of Cloquet, enacting a joint powers agreement in 2008 as the initial phase to create the CAFD. Perch Lake Fire Department was established in 1974 with a volunteer staff of approximately 16 members as a manpower supplement to the Cloquet Fire Department. Members carried their turnout gear and responded to fire calls in their personally owned vehicles. In 1986, ground was broken for a fire hall addition to the existing Perch Lake Town Hall, and this building remains in service as CAFD Station 2. The fire department acquired a fleet of vehicles that included a 1953 Ward LaFrance engine and a tanker built on a 1960 military 6x6 chassis with the help of the Fond du Lac Reservation and the members of the department. As the department grew, they responded to fires, emergency medical incidents, rescue calls, and other responses as firefighters and first responders, along with an engine crew from the Cloquet Fire Department, who responded on a contract basis.

Founding of the Cloquet Area Fire District

On January 1, 2009, the City of Cloquet and Perch Lake Township officially transferred the administration of their respective fire departments to a joint governing board, and the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD) was created. The CAFD is the culmination of four years of independent studies and regional meetings that at one point included municipal, county, and tribal governments and represented seven fire departments in the Northeast Carlton County region. The core findings in the independent review were the need for cooperative emergency services to meet the current and future emergency service needs of the region. Cloquet and Perch Lake Township committed to moving forward, and the result was the Cloquet Area Fire District.

On January 1, 2011, the City of Scanlon Fire Department joined the District, and on January 1, 2019, Brevator Township joined the District and now operates out of Station 4 (East Brevator) and Station 5 (West Brevator).

The New District

The Cloquet Area Fire District provides firefighting, rescue, and community risk reduction services to the City of Cloquet, Perch Lake Township, the City of Scanlon, Brevator Township, and through a professional services contract for fire protection, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Emergency medical responses cover the same primary areas, including Thomson Township and surrounding southern St. Louis Counties. In addition to the larger combined response to emergency calls, the redundancy of equipment has been favorably adjusted by strategically planning and locating apparatus for optimum response.

A Fire District Board oversees the operation of the District and provides direction for the District Fire Chief. The Board consists of representatives from the City of Cloquet, Perch Lake Township, the City of Scanlon, Brevator Township, the Fond du Lac Band, Carlton County, and St. Louis County.

Our modern, highly capable emergency response system is currently comprised of 28 career operations staff, approximately 25 Paid-On-Call staff, and 5 full-time staff in the administrative offices. We are proud to offer advanced life support ambulance response, a quick, highly capable response to fires, rescues, hazardous material incidents, and any other public safety needs that fall within our role in the community. Our community risk reduction efforts are known throughout the state, and our efforts to impact the risk to our community are highlighted by the many programs we offer. Please continue to browse our website, or contact us if you have questions or feedback for our staff!