Cost, benefit questioned as Dunn Twp. votes no 4-1

By Louis Hoglund

Pelican Rapids Press

Expanding fire service to the lakes area north of Pelican Rapids ran into a roadblock on April 14, as the Dunn Township board voted down a proposal for a satellite fire hall between Lakes Pelican and Lizzie.

Town board members ganged up on fellow board member Adrian Lund, who almost single-handedly researched and developed a plan to build a firehall outpost.

The five-member board voted 4-1 to reject Lund’s plan, as he cast the sole vote in favor of further researching the concept.

The cost was part of the reason for opposition, at a projected expense of   $1.5 million—at least half of which Dunn residents would pay through the added tax levy. 

“There are many red flags,” said Dunn Town Board Chairman Dave Johnson, who motioned to reject the proposal. But, Johnson commended Lund as a good, well-intentioned town board member, and suggested that the township actively research other means for improving fire protection.         

A big concern was staffing. Recruiting firefighters has become increasingly difficult, and there are doubts that the eight necessary volunteer firefighters—living within a close radius of the satellite fire hall—could be recruited.

The average retention for a volunteer firefighter today is only five years—if you can even recruit one, noted Johnson. Firefighters used to serve 20-25 years. 

“The recruitment trend is down,” said Johnson.

Lund’s research has suggested that devastating fires elsewhere in the nation have ripple effects driving up insurance premiums everywhere. Because of the rural nature of the lakes area, the Pelican Rapids Fire Hall’s distance and response time to high-value lake homes are a big factor. Also, the lakes area is fast growing, and fire service demands will no doubt increase.

Though Lund found no allies on the town board, several lake property owners at the town hall meeting voiced support. Mike Benson said that within 20 minutes, a structure can be fully engulfed in flames. The Pelican city fire hall is 20 minutes from many lakes north of town. Another lake homeowner, Robert Hoggencamp, reminded the town board that improved fire response time has been an issue for decades—especially in Dunn, which represents 41 percent of the market value of all 11 jurisdictions in the Pelican fire protection area. 

“We can sit here for another 30 years, or start to try to do something,” said Hoggencamp.

“I urge you to look at the possibilities, rather than reasons not to do it,” said Benson.

Board member Mary Nyquist said Pelican Lake property owners should be polled more thoroughly. She and board chair Johnson both believe the taxpayers would reject increased levy for a firehall, plus ongoing expenses.

A comparatively modest-income resident of Pelican Lake, Nyquist said she was not willing to pay more for fire protection that may not reduce insurance premiums. In addition, there is a question of whether a closer fire hall would gain much in firefighting ability—since most of the equipment and staffing would still need to arrive from Pelican City to effectively battle a blaze.

Also fueling skepticism over the need for expensive fire expansion: There are simply fewer fires. In 2024, there were 16 fire runs to Dunn, but none were structure fires. Four were grass fires, five were gas or powerline calls, two were vehicle accidents, and four were fire alarms. 

“Fifty percent of our calls are alarm calls, and Dunn is the second highest outside of the city of Pelican,” said Josh Steeves, Pelican fire dept. officer, who attended the meeting. Fire safety has generally improved, fewer are heating with wood. Structure fires are down 75 percent in Dunn since 1975, said Steeves. Grass fires are down 66 percent.

With a huge retirement-aged population around the lakes, medical -ambulance calls are more frequent. But the Pelican fire department is not a first response medical unit.

If a fire hall were added in Dunvilla, “it would be strictly for fire, not EMS. (Emergency Medical Services,” said Nyquist.

“I really appreciate the work Adrian (Lund) has done here…He’s a great board member,” said Chairman Johnson. But for many reasons, including the prospect of a taxpayer revolt, he could not support a second fire hall. But Johnson did encourage Lund to continue researching, and contact the Minnesota Association of Townships lawyer for more insights.

Wells, hydrants at Dunvilla Inn, Castaway on Pelican Lake could aid fire service

Even though a second fire hall may not materialize in the lakes area—Dunn Town board members are open to other options to improve fire protection. 

New wells and fire hydrants, scattered at strategic locations around the lakes, could be part of the solution.  

Lakes Inn at Dunvilla has agreed to collaborate with the township to add a hydrant, bringing a stable water source closer to the lake’s area.  

A hydrant on the lake’s northeast side was also mentioned, possibly at the Castaway Club camp complex.  

Establishing water sources at $60,000 or less, each would improve firefighting capacity and speed up the time needed to refill Pelican Fire Department tankers with water.