Expansion of Pelican firefighting capacity to highly developed shoreline areas discussed

By Louis Hoglund

Pelican Rapids Press

Growing up to be a fireman has been a dream of kids for generations—until they grow up. 

When they become adult taxpayers, their firefighter dreams may have faded, but they just might start scrutinizing government expenses—like fire protection. 

Those are two challenges facing a long-shot idea of building, equipping, and staffing a satellite fire station for the lakes area around Dunn Township.

Nearly 30 attended the Dunn annual meeting on March 11, which included a presentation on a new fire hall. Cost to taxpayers and recruiting volunteer firefighting workforce were the two main issues raised.

Researching the matter is Dunn Town Board member Adrian Lund, along with a four-member task force. The concept of a second Pelican Rapids fire station, located near the rapidly growing Pelican-Lizzie-Lida area, has been considered in the past. But this is the most thorough investigation into the idea, thanks largely to town board member Lund’s analytical approach and computer skills. 

Improving the speed of response to a fire or incident is the overriding goal. Secondly, there is the possibility that a second fire hall in the heart of the lake’s area would hasten response time so that insurance carriers would reduce premiums for home and property owners. Lund said premiums for his Pelican Lake area home have risen $600. Further, there are reports that some insurance companies—reeling from the devastating and costly West Coast fire—are declining to write coverage for structures too distanced from quick-response firefighting facilities.

Dunn would shoulder much of up-front firehall cost

The very preliminary plan calls for a fire hall attached to the Dunn Town Hall. Building and equipping the fire station is estimated at $1.5 million. Dunn Township taxpayers would be levied $750,000. The other half would come from fundraising and grants.

Dunn taxpayers would face a one-year tax increase of about $63 per $100,000 in market value. This would raise the $750,000. For a $500,000 home, for example, the one-year cost would be $315. $1 million home—about $615. 

The tax increases are a big concern, especially for high-market-value properties around Pelican Lake. Total market values in Dunn are about $1.12 billion—more than a third of the $2.9 billion in the fire department’s protection areas. Formulas for fire protection are calculated, in large part, on taxable market values.

Dunn resident Richard Gabe stressed the need to consult with the Pelican Lake Area Property Owners Association and its members, who own 2,521 parcels around the lake. 

The organization has been very influential in the past, particularly on policy and taxation matters.

Town board member Dave Johnson also expressed serious concern over whether the sometimes-combative Pelican lakeshore owners would accept the high cost of a satellite fire station. He recalled a proposal several years ago to install a wind power installation near Pelican Lake. Property owners “came unglued,” in opposition, said Johnson.

“We would need Secret Service bodyguards for protection,” if another $750,000 in taxes were levied, predicted Johnson.

Firefighters in short supply?

Recruiting firefighters is also a serious roadblock, said Johnson, noting that fire departments everywhere are having a hard time filling rosters. Even Pelican FD is three short of its ideal 24-person roster. Some rural fire departments, though not in the general Pelican area, have actually suspended operations or shut down due to lack of staffing.

Ideally, eight firefighters who live within about ten minutes of Dunn Town Hall would be recruited. They would be able to respond quicker to a fire or incident in the lakes area prior to more equipment and staffing arriving from the Pelican City Fire Hall.

Seven Dunn area residents have expressed interest in joining the fire department. But interest and signing the dotted line are two different things. Commitment to around-the-clock on-call duty, the 144 hours of training to qualify, plus other responsibilities can be intimidating to recruits, noted Pelican Fire Chief Shad Hanson, who attended the Dunn meeting on March 11.

Dunn would build hall, but other townships would share ongoing expense

Though the upfront costs of a satellite fire station would be borne by Dunn Township taxpayers, there will be increased taxes across the fire district for added operational costs. Though firefighters are essentially “volunteers,” there are stipends for fire calls, and a retirement program—which taxpayers found within the fire protection district. This added cost has been projected at about $5 per $100,000 of home and property value—across the fire district, from Erhards Grove to Scambler Townships and all points between.

Lund acknowledges that some property owners will resist, but a Dunn station would potentially bring faster fire protection to the most densely developed area outside Pelican Rapids.

The Dunn Town Board and the Pelican City Council would need to approve the satellite fire plan—neither being a sure bet. 

But if all went as planned, Dunn would break ground in 2026, with completion in 2027 and the first fire call from Dunn in 2027.

Dunn Twp. levy delayed to fall

The proposal for a satellite fire station in Dunvilla will remain active, at least until Sept. 8, 6:45 p.m. Dunn Township delayed the final action on its 2026 tax levy until then—as more information and public reaction are gathered on the subject.

The delay in approving a final levy was approved Mar. 11 at the annual Dunn Township meeting.

Generally, levies are approved at the Mar. 11 annual meeting—but the final numbers are not due at the county auditor or state until the following fall.

Dunn officer Adrian Lund, who has led the effort to research a possible firehall outpost in Dunn Township, suggested gathering community feedback and input over the summer—before the final levy and budget are completed