Bemidji Eagles Auxiliary donates to support fire department

The Bemidji Eagles Auxiliary has stepped in with a donation to support the Bemidji Fire Department, adding community backing to a public-safety mission that has included wildfire-mitigation work across Bemidji and nearby neighborhoods.

That work has been tied to damage left by the June 21 storm, with the fire department and Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa crews spending recent weeks processing trees, planning controlled burns and clearing vegetation. In practical terms, that means less fuel on the ground for a fast-moving fire and a better chance for firefighters to stay ahead of another emergency in a city where storm cleanup and fire prevention have been moving together.

The donation also lands at a time when the department has been trying to strengthen its pipeline of future firefighters. Bemidji hosted its first-ever Women Explore Fire Day on Saturday, May 2, at Bemidji Fire Hall 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event was part of a statewide initiative held in 15 regions across Minnesota, and Bemidji Fire Department firefighter Alexis Joyce served as the Region 2 lead. The goal was to introduce women to fire service and show what a path into the profession could look like in Northwest Minnesota.

Fire Chief Justin Sherwood leads the department and has been a visible voice on prevention, preparedness and the consequences of delayed action when fires are not stopped early. He can be reached at (218) 751-8001, and the department’s public non-emergency line is also listed at that number.

For Bemidji residents, the Auxiliary’s donation matters because it supports a department that is doing more than answering calls. It is also helping clear storm debris, reduce wildfire risk and recruit the next generation of firefighters, work that directly affects how safely the city can respond when the next emergency comes.