For the first time in its history, the Bemidji Fire Department is deploying resources to a disaster in another state. This comes as wildfires rage up and down the coast of Oregon, prompting a request from officials for additional help.
Fire Chief David Hoefer said the Bemidji Fire Department routinely helps their immediate and regional neighbors, but they look forward to the opportunity to help their national neighbors.
“We always have believed in helping others when we can in Bemidji,” Hoefer said. “We go with the philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors. We know at some point, we’re going to need some help from somebody else, so we’re always willing to do that.” Hoefer and a crew of eight others left for Oregon on Tuesday. Their group of nine is part of a group of 29 firefighters total from Minnesota.
In addition to Bemidji, these 29 firefighters come from Brainerd, Fisher, Eden Prairie, Motley, Cross Lake, and Spring Lake Park/Blaine/Mounds View fire departments.