Wildfire Academy highlights Minnesota Partnerships

​When a wildfire sparks, there is no time for on-the-job-training. That’s why more than 700 firefighting professionals from across the country are honing their skills in Grand Rapids this week. The 17th annual Wildfire Academy uses an incident command system (ICS) to teach established roles and responsibilities, so no matter which state a firefighter is dispatched to, everyone follows the same procedures. The valuable training includes 100 instructors who teach a total of 34 courses.   

Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is a partner in this training with staff members serving as instructors at the academy. The Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) hosts the academy every year. HSEM works closely with MNICS to manage, coordinate and support response efforts during wildfires and all-hazard incidents in Minnesota.

Review Wildfire preparedness information from the Department of Natural Resources.

Railroad Awareness Training Put into Action

​HSEM’s specialized pipeline and railroad awareness training was put to good use this week when the Maple Lake Fire Department found itself responding to a call of a car that collided with a train. The training allowed firefighters with the department to identify all of the railcars that were involved in the incident to determine if there were potential safety hazards. They also utilized the technology at their fingertips by using the AskRail app to determine that the westbound cars were empty.

Since 2014, HSEM has trained more than 6,000 first responders from 204 departments on the hazards posed by the transportation of oil and other substances along Minnesota’s 4,400 miles of railways.

Review the Minnesota Rail Safety training programs.

 

Tis is the Season! Time to watch the skies for Severe Weather

​

Spring is here and that means the potential for severe weather has returned as well. Already, Minnesota has authorized State Disaster Assistance for Freeborn County following a severe storm and a tornado last month. Tornadoes get plenty of attention, but Minnesotans should stay alert and be prepared for the following safety threats:

• Alerts and Warnings
• Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
• Floods
• Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
• Extreme Heat

Follow this website, along with the HSEM Facebook and Twitter pages, to learn new ways to stay informed this severe weather season.