Fire & Rescue
Breitung Fire & Rescue
Breitung Fire & Rescue (BF&R) in Soudan, MN, is an all-volunteer department located 90 miles northeast of Duluth, MN. It covers 40 square miles of territory in the Township of Breitung with a population of 600 full time residents and a seasonal population of 400 residents. The largest portion of the population resides in the town of Soudan with the remainder living in the rural area surrounding the town. The coverage area is mainly a bedroom community with a large portion of its residents traveling to other larger surrounding cities for employment. The coverage area includes state highways, county highways and township roads. Our coverage area includes Lake Vermilion Soudan Mine State Park and the eastern portion of Lake Vermilion. The BFR currently maintains a roster of 17 active firefighters. The department operates a 1,250 GPM Engine, a 500 GPM pumper/tender, a 400 GPM engine/rescue, a 300 GPM rescue/fire suppression boat and a snowmobile. The department maintains state of the art equipment including a hydraulic rescue tool system, cold water rescue equipment, the latest protective gear for firefighters and a complete compliment of firefighting tools and support equipment. We are a member of the Laurentian North Fire Fighters Mutual Aid Association that includes Tower Fire Dept., Greenwood Township Fire Dept., Eagles Nest Fire Dept., Morse Fall Lake Fire Dept., Vermilion Lake Township Fire Dept., Embarrass Fire Dept., Pike Sandy Britt Fire Dept., Babbitt Fire Dept. and Virginia Fire Dept.
Breitung Fire & Rescue (BF&R) averages approximately 50 calls per year. Our response capabilities include fire suppression (structure fire, vehicle fires, brush fires, etc.) utility emergencies (gas leaks, electrical emergencies), smoke investigations, carbon monoxide investigations, motor vehicle rescue, water rescue, disaster response and emergency medical service support. The bulk of the incidents the department responds to include vehicle fires, utility emergencies and smoke investigations. The department responds to an average of several working structure fires per year.
Breitung Fire & Rescue has a long history in the area. The department has been providing quality emergency services to the public since 1950.
Breitung Fire and Rescue Department Mission Statement:
We, The Breitung Fire and Rescue Department are dedicated to life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation. We encourage comradery thru the brotherhood of the fire service. We have the desire to serve, the courage to act and the ability to perform to help the residents of Breitung Township and surrounding communities no matter how large or small.
Breitung Fire and Rescue Department Vision Statement:
We, The Breitung Fire and Rescue Department strive to be innovative, well trained and proficient in response to the evolving needs of the residents of Breitung Township and surrounding communities.
Breitung Fire and Rescue Department Rules of Engagement:
- We will take great risk to save a life.
- We will take some risk to save property.
- We will risk nothing for life and property already lost