Grand Marais Fire Department experiences an increase in calls in 2022

It has been a busy year along the North Shore for businesses and emergency service organizations.

As the year comes to an end, the Grand Marais Fire Department, along with other fire departments in Cook County, experienced an uptick in calls in 2022. 

Aaron Mielke, the assistant fire chief with the Grand Marais Fire Department, said on average, the Grand Marais Fire Department experiences 20 to 30 calls annually. 

However, Mielke said that number had been slowly increasing in the last three years.

“The last two years, we’ve been over 40,” he said. 

“It will be a new high for us by the end of December again this year,” He added. Mielke anticipates the Fire Department wrapping up the end of this year in the mid to high 40s. 

While fires are common, the fire department only averages about half a dozen each year. Mielke said the increase in calls is related to ambulance or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assistance. “They have really increased the last couple of years,” he said. 

The fire department relies on volunteers to respond to the calls, and Mielke said the most significant challenge when responding to calls in 2022 was staffing. 

“Our number of members is way down,” he said. “It’s been hard, tough recruiting to get new members on board.” 

The fire department has the approval to have about 30 volunteer members. Currently, it has 14. 

Mielke said that the fire department is one of many navigating this challenge. “What we’re seeing isn’t any different than what we’re seeing across the state and nationally.” 

Numerous organizations and local communities across the country have witnessed this same trend. Unfortunately, with the disruptions created by the pandemic, volunteering dropped significantly and has yet to rebound. 

Mielke said if individuals are interested in becoming a volunteer for the fire department, “stop downtown at City Hall and fill out an application.” The fire department will provide the training and gear. 

“We’ve got a great group of people that keep showing up and answering the call when needed,” Mielke said. “We’re very appreciative of the city administration and the councilors. They just upped the call rate for the firefighters and the administration.”

During the Nov. 30 city council meeting, the councilors approved increasing the per-call pay and officer pay for the chief, assistant chief, and secretary positions. 

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Aaron Mielke, the assistant fire chief with the Grand Marais Fire Department, for an end-of-year update and winter safety tips for homeowners. Audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins December 31, 2022