Sparks honors firefighters

‘It really goes to the spirit of the community’

By Katie Johnson (Contact) | Austin Daily Herald

Published Saturday, February 28, 2009

Local firefighters called to battle the downtown fire in Austin Jan. 15 were honored with a “long overdue” Senate resolution Friday afternoon, Sen. Dan Sparks said.

Sparks made the announcement during a ceremony at the fire hall, where he gave each of the five fire departments involved an award.

Austin, Albert Lea, Blooming Prairie, Brownsdale and Rose Creek firefighters fought the fire — now ruled as arson — that started in the Mi Tierra clothing store at 406 Main Street and engulfed most of the 400 block as temperatures reached 15 degrees below zero.

Photo by Eric Johnson

Minnesota Senator Dan Sparks reads a Senate resolution Friday at the Austin Fire Department honoring fire departments who took part in fighting the Jan. 15 Main Street fire in Austin.

Sparks said mutual aid was vital to containing with fire, with departments providing not only firefighters, but equipment and trucks.

“I know this was very devastating to my hometown,” Sparks said. “It really goes to the spirit of the community.”

He said that now, more than ever, it shows how important Local Government Aid is to these fire departments.

Fire Chief Dan Wilson also commended two dispatchers on duty during the fire — Sue Olund and Tammy Bure — for their professional service.

Photo by Eric Johnson

Austin Fire Chief Dan Wilson leads the applause for dispatchers Sue Olund and Tammy Bure, left, for their work in managing the calls coming in and going out in response to the Jan. 15 fire on Main Street.

“You cannot believe the number of calls they received in the first minute,” Wilson said. “You cannot believe how calm and professional they were in their job.”

The chief also gave credit to the Salvation Army, Austin Utilities, the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Steve’s Pizza owner Steve Davis, who allowed personnel into his future new business location downtown to set up a station.

Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm said it “seems like every five or six years we have an event like this.”

“We’re really pleased with the actions our people took.” Stiehm said. “We have the opportunity to turn this into something positive.”

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