The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division is ready to assist Minnesota fire departments any way we can. Below you will find a variety of information and resources pertaining to the Minnesota fire service.
Resources and Equipment
American Red Cross: Home Fire Risk Map
The Home Fire Risk Map is a planning resource to improve regional in-home and smoke alarm installation by helping to identify vulnerable communities across the country. To learn more about the Home Fire Campaign and how to use the Home Fire Risk map a four step training tutorial has been created.
Pocket Media Guide
The Fire Department Pocket Media Guide is a tool to help firefighters work with the media in their community. The guide includes interview tips as well as talking points for various types of fires. If you would like free copies of this guide for your department, email Bruce West.
Materials Generator
The Materials Generator is a new tool that allows departments to generate customized door hangers, fliers and activity guides using proven fire safety messages with your own department logo and contact information. The tool was developed by a team of fire safety and communications experts to help enhance your community risk reduction programs. You can find the Materials Generator on the Vision 20/20 website.
Federal Excess Property
Need fire suppression equipment for your department? The federal government makes equipment available through its Federal Excess Property Program. You can find more
information about this program on the Minnesota DNR's website.
Shared Services Grants
The State Fire Marshal Division occasionally has money available for fire departments interested in studying the feasibility of sharing services among two more departments. You can read through some of the reports and learn more about the shared services grant program online. You may also contact Kevin Sedivy, fire service specialist at 651-295-1639 or kevin.sedivy@state.mn.us.
Kitchen fire safety trailers available
Through a grant from the MN FAIR Plan, the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Public Education Committee has two Kitchen Fire Safety Live Demonstration Units available to fire departments across Minnesota.
Learn more on the MSFCA website.
Wildfire information and burning restrictions
Fire Prevention and Fire Safety
The best way to stay safe from fire is to prevent them from happening in the first place. The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration are great resources for fire safety and prevention information.
Here are some fact sheets created by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division that you can share with your community.
You can download a black and white or color version of each fact sheet and insert your own logo and contact information. Also, the fact sheets are available in Hmong, Somali and Spanish.
Fact Sheets
- After the Fire: Dealing with a fire in your home can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. This fact sheet will give a few helpful tips to start the process of dealing with the different aspects involved after a fire.
- Alternative heating: The number of home fires spikes in the winter months as people use alternative heating sources like space heaters. This fact sheet will help you and your family staff cozy and safe.
- Arson Prevention: Each year there are many arson fires across Minnesota. This fact sheet will help increase your awareness of arson fires and how to prevent arson in your community.
- Campfire Safety: Campfires and other recreational fires are a Minnesota summer staple but each year people are injured and property is damaged due to campfires. This fact sheet will give you simple reminders on how to make sure your recreational fire is safe.
- Campus Fire Safety: Each year many fires are reported in college housing both on and off-campus. This fact sheet reminds students to remember fire safety as they head off to college.
- Candles: Candles are a staple in many homes -- but they can be extremely dangerous if used incorrectly. Find out how to make sure the candles in your home don't start a fire.
- Christmas trees: Christmas trees decorate millions of American homes during the holidays. Find out the best way to make sure your tree doesn't turn the holidays into a tragedy.
- CO alarms: Carbon monoxide alarms are just as important in a home as smoke alarms. Here's what you need to know about CO alarms.
- Cooking: Unattended cooking was tied in 2013 for the No. 1 cause of fire fatalities in Minnesota. Follow these simple tips to avoid a kitchen fire.
- Escape Planning: Is your family prepared for a fire in your home? Take a few simple steps to ensure your family knows what to do if there is ever a fire in your home.
- Grilling: Having some friends over for a BBQ? Keep it safe around the grill with these tips.
- Halloween: Make sure your Halloween is scary for all the right reasons. Keep your trick-or-treaters safe by following these simple rules.
- Rural Fire Safety: Every three minutes there is a structure fire in rural Minnesota. This fact sheet will give you a few simple tips to increase your fire safety.
- Smoke alarms: Smoke alarms save lives -- but only if they work. This fact sheet will tell you all you need to know about smoke alarms.
- Stay Fire Safe: Most fires are preventable but we need to be proactive to prevent these fires. This fact sheet shares some simple steps to help your family be fire safe.
- Winter home fires: Most home fires occur in the winter. Freeze out winter fires in your home with this fact sheet.
- Winter holidays: Make sure your winter holiday season is a safe one. Here's what you need to know about winter holiday fire safety.
- Youth Firesetting prevention: Even if a child starts a small fire, it is a big deal. This fact sheet will help you know how to prevent youth firesetting behavior.
