VIDEO: Since 2023, the Duluth Fire Department and surrounding fire departments have used the auto aid programs in times of emergency; however, in the wake of large-scale fires in the Northland, programs like this are vital now more than ever.
In the firefighting world, itโs common for departments to request firefighters and neighboring resources for help, called mutual aid. But, auto aid cuts the extra steps and automatically dispatches departments to fire emergencies.
โAs soon as the call comes in, the 911 call, where they might need assistance in specific areas of our jurisdiction, we are automatically dispatched to help out,โ said City of Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj.
The Auto aid program was proposed in 2009, but took over a decade to implement because of hesitancy by departments.
โThe concern for all parties is โwell, what if our resources are in a different city, for both them coming into Duluth and for us leaving the city,โ said Chief Krizaj.
But after using the program for two years, the impact is clear. In fact, the Duluth fire department has been dispatched 28 times since the auto aid launch. They went to locations including Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake, and Lakewood Township.
