Fergus Falls students thank first responders after school fire recovery

Nearly 100 students at Our Lady of Victory elementary in Fergus Falls lined sidewalks, prepared decorated breakfast bags and held signs on Jan. 14 to welcome local firefighters, Otter Tail County deputies, city police and Minnesota State Patrol personnel. The brief drive-up breakfast was a community thank-you for emergency crews that responded when a fire damaged the school about a year earlier.

School leaders and emergency responders used the gathering to reflect on the original incident and on how student preparedness and coordinated response limited harm. The event doubled as a visible milestone in recovery: renovation and cleaning work at the church and school is nearly complete, and an open house for the refreshed facilities is scheduled for Jan. 24–25, 2026.

For families and staff, the event underlined both the emotional and practical steps in returning to normal. Students' participation — nearly 100 children lining sidewalks and handing out decorated bags — provided a public measure of community healing and trust in local safety services. For first responders, the reception served as recognition of training and interagency coordination that they and school officials said were central to managing the original emergency.

The recovery effort also carries local economic implications. Renovation and cleaning work create short-term demand for construction and maintenance services in Fergus Falls and the broader Otter Tail County economy, supporting local contractors and suppliers. Funding for repairs, whether through insurance, parish resources, or school budgets, will influence municipal and nonprofit balance sheets in coming months and could affect other local spending priorities.

Policy and preparedness questions are likely to follow. The visible role of student readiness during the fire highlights the value of regular drills, clear parent-school communication and investments in building safety. School administrators and county officials may use this episode to reassess inspection schedules, alarm systems and training protocols to reduce future disruption and economic cost.

Community cohesion is another measurable outcome. A public thank-you involving multiple agencies strengthens social capital between residents and responders, an asset during emergencies that can translate into faster recovery and lower long-term disruption.

The open house on Jan. 24–25 will give residents a firsthand look at the renovated spaces and a chance to assess how the recovery work supports daily school operations going forward. For parents, teachers and emergency personnel, the event marks a transition from rebuilding to routine — a practical step in restoring full school life and local confidence after last year’s disruption.