Doing whatever it takes

Pioneer Press Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:55:46 -0700
Eagan Fire Department offers free housing at station to volunteer recruits

By Frederick Melo Pioneer Press / Fire Chief Michael Scott knew something was afoot when an unusual scent wafted through his office at Eagan Fire Station No. 6. The chief dropped everything, as they say, and sprang into action. A quick investigation revealed the source of the mystery smell: Three of the department's youngest volunteer firefighters were baking chocolate chip muffins by the lounge. Food, it appears, keeps college students happy. And so does free housing. In an experimental effort to recruit and retain fresh faces, the Eagan Fire Department has turned its extra offices and ambulance bays into dormitory-like bedrooms for three Hennepin Technical College students. The students, ages 19 and 20, moved into the fire station off Pilot Knob and Wescott roads earlier this month. Since then, they've juggled college classes and part-time jobs with their firefighter training and emergency calls. "We tend to get a little more practice than most (young recruits) ... so we can teach them," said 19-year-old Michael Vruno. "It's a lot of fun." But the housing program is about more than building résumés and instilling a sense of camaraderie. Like other departments across the state, Eagan has seen a drop in recruits, even as emergency calls have hit record highs.

[[keywords: PublicSafety;Metro;]]