South Metro Fire

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The South Metro Fire Department proudly serves the Cities of West St. Paul and South St. Paul in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.

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11/01/2026

Week 4 of the joint academy 2026-2 is complete. Recruits spent the week working on many different standpipe techniques including traditional and horizontal. They also improved their vertical vent and garage door cut skills.

This week will be the final of the joint academy which will include 2 live burn days.

Burnsville Professional Firefighters, Eagan Professional Firefighters, Lakeville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local #5542, Inver Grove Heights Fire Department

11/01/2026

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT 🔦
Behind the Scenes Spotlight: Executive Assistant

Meet Deb Wheeler!

Keeping a fire department running takes more than what happens out in the field! Our Executive Assistant plays a vital role behind the scenes, providing administrative support to department leadership and the Board of Directors while managing important Human Resources and Finance responsibilities.

From coordinating payroll, employee benefits, and department finances to maintaining records and serving as a primary point of contact for the public, this role helps keep our department organized, efficient, and running smoothly.

We appreciate the hard work, organization, and dedication that go into keeping South Metro Fire moving forward! Thanks Deb! 🚒

10/31/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!

It’s time to change your clocks and check your alarms!

As we get ready to turn our clocks back tonight, the South Metro Fire Department reminds you to take a few minutes to protect your family:

Change the Batteries – Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, if applicable.

Test Every Device – Press the test button on each alarm to make sure it’s working properly.

Check the Expiration Dates – Smoke alarms generally need to be replaced after 10 years, while CO alarms have varying lifespans. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and replace expired devices.

Change Your Clocks – Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour tonight!

A few minutes today can make a big difference in keeping your family safe. Don't wait for an emergency to find out your alarms aren't working!

City of South St. Paul, Minnesota
City of West St. Paul

10/30/2026

It’s Halloween Eve!

Finnegan wants to make sure everyone has a spooktacular and safe Halloween! Before you head out for trick-or-treating, check out these important safety tips:

Choose Costumes Wisely
Avoid loose, flowing materials that could easily catch fire. Make sure costumes don’t block vision or create tripping hazards.

Be Visible
Carry flashlights or glow sticks and wear reflective clothing or accessories to help drivers see you in the dark.

Watch for Pedestrians
Drivers, slow down and stay alert in residential neighborhoods. Expect children to be crossing streets and walking between parked cars.

Keep Decorations Safe
Keep hay, cornstalks, and other flammable decorations away from candles, heaters, and other ignition sources. Consider using battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns.

From Finnegan and everyone at the South Metro Fire Department, have a frightfully fun Halloween! Stay safe out there, and don’t forget to share the treats!

10/29/2026

🚒 A Closer Look at South Metro Firefighter Helmets! 👨‍🚒

Have you ever noticed the different helmet shields and colors worn by South Metro Firefighters? There’s a little more to them than you might think!

Once firefighters successfully complete probation, they have the opportunity to choose their preferred helmet style and design a custom helmet shield. Designs must be approved by administration and meet department requirements, but that still leaves plenty of room for personal creativity! As you can see in the video, our firefighters have come up with some unique designs that reflect their individual personalities and styles.

You may also notice that our helmets come in different colors, each representing a different rank within the department:

Black: Firefighters
Red: Captains
White: Chief Officers

While each helmet has its own look, they all represent the same commitment to serving our community, supporting our teammates, and keeping our community safe.

Take a look at the video and check out some of the custom designs worn by the members of South Metro Fire!

Comment below and vote on your favorite!

10/27/2026

TRAINING TUESDAY 🚒

🚑 Ongoing Training, Better Patient Care!

Our crews take time out of their days off each quarter to attend EMS training at Fairview EMS, ensuring they stay current with their EMT certifications and continue to build on their knowledge and skills.

These sessions cover a variety of important EMS topics through a combination of classroom instruction, presentations, and hands-on training. From reviewing key concepts to practicing real-world skills, this training helps our firefighters stay prepared to provide the highest level of care to our community when it matters most.

At South Metro Fire, training doesn’t stop when the shift ends. We’re committed to continuous learning and improving our skills so we can better serve those who count on us.

10/24/2026

Week 3 of joint academy 2026-2 is complete. The recruits completed the first of 3 live burn days. The 35 burns were themed around single family homes which included at, above, and below grade fires.

Next week things continue to ramp up with a focus on multi-family building fire attack with traditional and horizontal standpipe operations.

Burnsville Professional Firefighters, Eagan Professional Firefighters, Lakeville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local #5542, Inver Grove Heights Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 5251

10/22/2026

OPERATIONS THURSDAY 🚨

Each year, South Metro Fire Department conducts annual testing on every section of fire hose across all apparatus and stations to ensure compliance with NFPA standards and maintain operational readiness.

While our department historically conducted hose testing in-house, in recent years we have partnered with FireCatt to assist with this important process. Throughout testing, multiple South Metro members work alongside FireCatt to assist with operations, organize hose, and reload our apparatus.

This annual testing is an essential part of ensuring our equipment is safe, reliable, and ready to perform when our community needs us most!

10/18/2026

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT 🔦 - Fire Inspectors

Meet South Metro's Fire Inspectors: Ange Appelholm and Steve Wenzel!

Fire inspectors play a vital role in keeping our community safe, both before and after an emergency occurs. Their work goes far beyond checking buildings for fire code compliance!

🔥 Fire Prevention & Inspections – Inspect buildings, identify potential hazards, review building plans, and ensure fire protection systems meet applicable codes and safety standards.

📚 Community Education & Outreach – Educate schools, businesses, and community members on fire safety and emergency preparedness while helping lead community outreach events and safety initiatives.

🔎 Fire Investigations – Investigate fires to determine their origin and cause, document evidence, and work alongside partner agencies when needed.

🚒 Emergency Preparedness – Develop pre-incident plans, collaborate with businesses and property owners, and help prepare crews for safe and effective emergency responses.

📱 Public Information & Awareness – Support community risk reduction through public education, social media, and fire safety messaging.

From preventing fires to investigating their causes, our fire inspectors work behind the scenes and out in the community to reduce risks, protect lives, and keep South Metro safe.

Prevention is an important part of protecting our community! 👨‍🚒👩‍🚒

10/17/2026

Week 2 of the joint academy 2026-2 with Burnsville Professional Firefighters, Eagan Professional Firefighters, Lakeville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local #5542, and Inver Grove Heights Fire Department is done. The recruits spent most of the week learning the ins and outs of hose movement, deployment, and loading. They also spent time practicing 35' ladder raises, RIT, and using a TIC to improve search. Next week all their skills start to come together with the first of 3 live burn days.

Address

1650 Humboldt Avenue
West Saint Paul, MN
55118

Telephone

+16515524176

Website

http://www.smfdmn.org/

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