The recent graduates. All photos by Brittany North

By Brittany North - Boreal Community Media - April 15, 2025

In a region known more for its remote beauty than bustling city life, a new class of volunteer firefighters has completed their training across Cook County. From Lutsen to Grand Marais, Hovland to Grand Portage, these graduates are stepping up to meet the growing need for first responders in our rural communities. 

Training ran from January through April 2025 and combined classroom instruction with practical hands-on simulations, including everything from fire suppression and search and rescue to hazardous materials training. Their final day of training and graduation took place on Saturday, April 12th. It included a proctored practical exam administered by the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board, followed by a live burn simulation, and, of course, a fire hall lunch staple: chili. 

The new class of volunteer firefighters participated in a live simulation on graduation day.  

For Fire Chief Terry Spieker, a training instructor at the Hovland Volunteer Fire Department, seeing this new class of firefighters graduate is both exciting and deeply meaningful.

“Living up here on the North Shore, it's very refreshing to know that there are still people willing to step forward and do this,” he said. “Volunteerism has been on the decline for years, so it’s gratifying to see folks take the time to go through all the training. It’s no small commitment.”

Terry also shared the unique challenges that come with being a firefighter in this region. “It’s a whole different world up here. We deal with everything from fish trucks overturning on Highway 61 to remote skitter fires miles into the woods. Water access can be a major challenge—we’re next to the largest freshwater lake in the world, and yet we often don’t have hydrants nearby. That’s why we’ve installed a dry hydrant at Horseshoe Bay. It’s small changes like that that make a big difference out here.”

Many of the graduates shared personal motivations and reflections on their journey. Angel, a graduate from Grand Portage, said: “Honestly, I wanted to become a firefighter to help, because even from hearing from every fire department lacking in personnel, I thought I'll throw my hat in the ring, because if we're not doing it full time, then at the very least I know I can still help.”

Angel also mentioned that the hazardous materials training stood out the most. “It was eye-opening to learn about the chemicals and caustic materials constantly transported between Canada and the U.S. It makes you realize how critical our role is.”

Another graduate, Teresa from Grand Portage, found herself becoming more observant after the training. “I've become more observant from taking this training, not only of the buildings that I work in, but also the buildings that we enter and go into, like the casino, and looking at the exits and where everything's located.”

The new class of volunteer firefighters participated in a live simulation on graduation day.  

As training wraps up, many graduates are already thinking about what’s next. Hunter, of Grand Portage, is hoping to pursue a full-time position, while Angel is looking into pump and apparatus operator certifications. Teresa expressed both excitement and a bit of nervousness. “I want to help protect places like the Grand Portage National Monument. But I’m also nervous—we haven’t had a chance to work closely with the actual Grand Portage department yet, and that connection is important.”

For Chief Spieker, the biggest hope is that this wave of graduates will inspire more people to step up. “We need these new firefighters to spread the word—talk to friends, family, and neighbors. People in this area assume that when they call 911, someone’s going to show up. But they could be that someone. That’s the reality in communities like ours.”

I am extraordinarily proud to have graduated from this training alongside my classmates, who are now firefighters. I’m even more proud to help and protect the people and wilderness of the community that I love. 

If you live in Cook County and are interested in becoming a first responder, please contact your nearest department. Our communities depend on it.