The Minnesota State Fire Department Association (MSFDA) has been awarded $1.4 million in funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program to improve the recruitment of volunteer firefighters in Minnesota.
We can assist you with marketing and onboarding new firefighters and possibly reimburse you for turnout gear and health screenings for your new hires.
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Step 1 - Fill out the form below and an MSFDA representative will contact you!
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Step 2 - Sign up for a one-hour training session
Minnesota State
Fire Department Association
President - Alan Newman
MSFDA Director - Dan Ober
C: 757-655-1206
Secretary - Joe Carpentier
C: 651-226-5473
Treasurer - Kip Springer
C: 651-675-5902
Upcoming Meetings:
September 24, 2025
All meetings will be at Lake Elmo FD - 3880 Laverne Ave. N. Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Meetings start at 6 pm
MSFDA Rep - Calvin Larson
President - Calvin Larson
Vice President - Marty Semanko
Secretary/Treasurer - Bill Batchelder bill.batchelder@hotmail.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
2nd Thursday of April and September.
Registration 5 pm
Meeting 6:30 pm
Dinner 7 PM
President - Bob Brown
Vice President - Steve Shykes
Secretary - Rex Lentner
MSFDA Rep - Steve Shykes
All future meetings of the Arrowhead Region Association will be 2-per year-scheduled for the 1st Thursday of May, and the 1st Thursday of December of each year.
5-5:30 pm - Advisory Commitee Meeting
5 pm Registration 6-8 pm Meeting Contact Arrowhead secretary Rex Lentner for questions at arrowheadfire@live.com or 218-263-3800
MSFDA Rep. - Travis Olson
701-412-1915
President
Dave Coufal
701-238-5519
Vice President
Travis Olson
701-412-1915
Secretary
John Kostynick
Upcoming Meetings:
Social Hour 6 pm
Meal 6:45pm with Training/Meeting to follow
President - Chip Lohmiller fire@crosslake.net
Vice President - Brian Pisarak brian.pisarek@state.mn.us
MSFDA Rep. - Mike Schwankl pequotfd@pequotlakes-mn.gov
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
TBD
Brainerd Fire Station #1
23 Laurel Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
President - Matt Daniels 320-424-1645
Vice President
Philip Zimpel
Secretary/Treasurer- Jeff Drais 320-290-7360
MSFDA Rep - Matt Daniels 320-424-1645
Upcoming Meetings:
September 15, 2025 - Sauk Centre Fire Department
March 2026
September 2006
Meetings start promptly at 7 pm on the evening scheduled. Location is predetermined by the host department. Host department offers a dinner which serving starts at 6:30 pm. Meeting information is sent out to all members by the Secretary/Treasurer prior to each meeting.
President - David Kooiman
Vice President - Zach Reed zreed@ci.chisago.mn.us
Secretary - Jake Vodenka-Reed chief@taylorsfalls.org
MSFDA Rep. - Dave Matchinsky chinskyrugger@hotmail.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
October 9, 2025 - Cambridge Fire Department
Meal at 6:30. Meeting starts at 7 pm.
REGION 7 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Conference Scholarship Application/Info
Scholarships available for the MSFDA and MSFCA Conferences. Click the link for more details and application.
Region Expense Requisition Form
Region 8 is currently inactive. If you are interested in reactivating this region contact Mark Rosenblum at valleyfire25@yahoo.com or 612-597-2096.
MSFDA Rep. - Tim Seehusen
320-522-0191
President - Brandon Raymo
320-226-0828
braymo22@gmail.com or westcentralfiregmail.com
Vice-President - Ryan Tostenson
320-226-1810
Secretary/Treas. - Allen Jacobson
320-321-2509
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
August 18, 2025 - Echo Community Center - 342 2nd Ave W, Echo, MN 56237
November 17, 2025 - Ghent
January 26, 2026 - Graceville
Dinner at 6:30 pm, meeting at 7 pm.
Region 11 is currently inactive. If you are interested in reactivating this region contact Ryan Yttreness at ryttreness@shakopeemn.gov or 952-215-9617
MSFDA Rep. - Bob Van Lith 763-276-4203
MSFDA Rep. - Jason Forshee
jasonf@ci.waseca.mn.us 507-461-0416
President - Chris Meskan
Secretary - Patrick Anderson
Upcoming Meetings:
September 9, 2025 - Morristown
December 9, 2025 - New Prague
The meal is served at 7 PM and the meeting starts at 7:30 PM.
President - Jordan Siebenahler 507-290-0234
Vice President - Jared Hively 507-829-0612
Secretary/Treasurer - Daren Pedersen
507-828-7156
MSFDA Rep. - Jared Hively
507-829-0612
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
September 22, 2025 - Luverne - Fall Fire School
Meal at 7 pm - Meeting at 7:30 pm
President - Gary Reed
greed@nussgrp.com
Vice President - Joe Thulien 507-317-5641
Secretary/Treasurer - Josh Schoener 507-469-4660
jschoender@madeliahealth.org
MSFDA Rep. - Jay Kopischke
507-829-0612
jkopischke@mankatomn.gov
Upcoming Meetings:
October 21, 2025 - Truman
January 20, 2026 - Vernon Center
April 21, 2026 - Walters
July 21, 2026 - Welcome
October 20, 2026 - Wells
Registration/Dinner at 6:30 pm, Meeting starts at 7:30 pm
President - Paul Corcoran
Vice President - Chris Shuh
Secretary/Treasurer - Rodney Merchlewitz rodm@digicominc.com
MSFDA Rep - Jason Fife
507-244-8275
Region email: msfdaregion15@gmail.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
September 25, 2025 - 7 pm - Red Wing
