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About the Fire Department
VHFD provides fire prevention, fire safety education, fire inspections, fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services (EMS) to the community. Our department consists of a full-time fire chief, assistant chief, three fire technicians and administrative assistant and approximately 35 part-time firefighters. Calls for service have been increasing 10-15% each year and is on pace to be over 1,800 for 2022. VHFD receives assistance from or provides assistance to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and Allina Ambulance. Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center provides dispatch services to VHFD. These calls include:
- EMS
- Structure fires
- Vegetation fires
- Commercial, apartment and dwelling incidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Fire alarms
- Fire investigations
- Hazardous Materials incidents
Operations
Our department is a combination department with full-time staff and part-time firefighters. We respond to approximately 1,500 incidents (and climbing each year) that include building fires, car accidents, hazardous materials, medical emergencies and many other calls for service.
Locations
We operate out of two stations located at:
South Fire Station - Headquarters
3595 Arcade Street N
North Fire Station
665 East County Road F
Fire Department members are well trained and make a huge commitment to ensure the health and safety of the community. In addition, there are members who have specialized hazardous material training, preparing them to handle hazardous material incidents.
To promote the safety of the public, a significant investment has been made in the Fire Department. The Fire Department operates 2 fire stations and has 8 vehicles. The vehicles include a ladder truck; heavy rescue unit; light rescue unit; grass rig; mini-pumper/rescue; one tanker; and two pumper trucks.
To promote the safety of the public, a significant investment has been made in the Fire Department. The Fire Department operates 2 fire stations and has 8 vehicles. The vehicles include a ladder truck; heavy rescue unit; light rescue unit; grass rig; mini-pumper/rescue; one tanker; and two pumper trucks.
The efforts to improve fire safety are paying off. The City continues to maintain the lowest fire rating in the State of Minnesota. There are no other fire departments in Minnesota that have a better rating than our City!
Fire ratings are determined by ISO, the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information for the insurance industry. The ratings are based on criteria which includes a community’s handling of fire alarms, water supply, and other items.
Fire ratings are determined by ISO, the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information for the insurance industry. The ratings are based on criteria which includes a community’s handling of fire alarms, water supply, and other items.
A mutual aid agreement exists with many other communities and their fire departments called the Capital City Mutual Aid Association. In our area the pact includes Vadnais Heights, Lake Johanna, Little Canada, White Bear Lake, and Maplewood. When one of these fire departments needs additional support, it calls on one or more of the other departments for assistance.
Do you think you have what it takes to become a firefighter? Visit the Fire Department's Recruitment and Employment page.