Committee: Emergency Management

Contact: Scott Gerber, Chair – [email protected]

2023 Mission: The mission of the Emergency Management Committee is to provide a liaison between the association, the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and County and local emergency managers, in order to encourage and assist association members to be involved in their local emergency planning process, and to provide feedback to the association on pertinent emergency management issues and information.

2023 Report:
The EMC meets regularly throughout the year and addresses issues as directed by the board of directors. During the past 12 months, we have met in a hybrid fashion. We have met in person and utilized the virtual option to allow more effective participation for committee members across the state. The committee continues to be active with issues affecting all Minnesota departments. Minnesota continues to have its share of disasters, and in 2023, this continued to be the case.

 Some of the specific areas the Committee worked on in 2023 include:

• We have continued our work with the Firefighter Assist Search Team (FAST) and helped to deploy fire officers across the state to various situations.
• Statewide Mutual Aid Plan and Planning
• We have continued to monitor and maintain the Intrastate Mutual Aid plan.
• The Plan was used in 2023 assistance with non- line of duty deaths, line of duty deaths, and response to unique fire/emergency scenes.
• Ongoing awareness training and information to the MSFCA Board, Regional Directors, and fire departments continues relating to the Statewide Mutual Aid Plan and various logistic areas. Ongoing plan education and plan maintenance are key components as we progress forward. The goal is to create a system and process that is understood and utilized in times of need, by individuals throughout the State.The system and process identifies and guides people on the following matters:

1. Mutual aid use in day-to-day response
2. Mutual aid use in regional response
3. Mutual aid use in Statewide Disaster scenarios
4. Mutual aid used outside of Minnesota (EMAC)

• Field Operations Guide (FOG) for the Statewide Mutual Aid Plan was updated in 2019 and has been distributed. Reach out to a committee member or a State Fire Marshal Division Fire Safety Specialist for an updated FOG for your department.
• Ongoing participation in various state and local committees and task forces.
• Continued development and encouragement of Fire Chiefs' involvement in the emergency management process.
• Development and utilization of technology in the emergency management arena.

Our relationship with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and its representation on our committee has enabled our committee to stay in the forefront in reference to homeland security.

Stuart Glaser, Stillwater Fire, has been actively serving as the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers (AMEM) liaison this past year in order to keep effective and efficient communications.The EMC comprises members representing numerous Minnesota fire service and emergency management organizations. Additional organizations represented include HSEM, the Department of National Resources (DNR), the State Fire Marshal, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), and AMEM/MEMA. This cross-section of talent on the committee enhances various experiences and skills. I want to thank all the EM Committee members for their hard work this past year; we will stand ready to face challenges in the future.Finally, our membership committee information is posted on the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) website. Our committee attempts to provide our members timely information referencing emergency management issues throughout Minnesota. If any of the MSFCA members are interested in serving on the EMC, please get in touch with Scott Gerber at 952-949-8336.

 2023 Emergency Management Committee Members:

• Chair: Scott Gerber, Fire Chief, Eden Prairie

• Jacob Beauregard, HSEM

• Rodger Coppa, Fire Chief, Plymouth

• Stuart Glaser, Fire Chief, Stillwater

• Greg Hayes, MESB

• David Jensen, State Fire Marshal’s Office

• Bob Koenig, Fire Chief, MAC

• Brenda Kremer, MAC

• Mike Meyer, Fire Chief, Lakeville

• Ryan Muchow, Fire Chief, Fergus Falls

• Tim Oland, Rural Wildland Coordinator, DNR

• Greg Peterson, Fire Chief, White Bear Lake

• Ulie Seal, Fire Chief, Bloomington

• Chad Stangeland, Division Chief, Moorhead

Emergency Management Committee File Library