An organizational review commissioned by the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service has returned a report depicting an organization
deeply in need of restructuring and reform at all levels, from the entities it serves, to leadership, to the Board of Directors, to the rank and file.
Consultant Barb Strandell of What Works, Inc, presented her findings during a public meeting last week. She said there are many changes required to make the organization more effective and efficient. First, she said, the position of Chief must be made full time. Secondly, the Board must define its role much more clearly, and institute a number of policies to address several lacking administrative areas. Strandell’s report said the work force must become far more diverse. And finally, she pointed to infighting between board members, and indeed the cities of Northfield and Dundas as well as the Rural Fire District as major impediments to the success of the fire department.
Her first recommendation, with the announcement of NAFRS Chief Gerry Franek’s retirement being imminent, is the hiring First Assistant Chief Tom Nelson as Interim Chief for a period of no longer than one year and suggests that he oversee the transition of the position to full time. She then recommends a complete overhaul of the chief’s job description. Her report, which references two previous organizational reports that also have recommended a full-time chief, finds that much of the administrative work is not being handled properly due to a lack of hours available to the chief in a part-time role. The report states that a full-time position is imperative to improved department effectiveness.
The Joint Powers Authority is portrayed as chaotic. Strandell’s report states, rather bluntly, that both Dundas and the Rural Fire District would like the other to exit the agreement, and that there is a strong resentment toward Northfield. There is no real training for new board members, who consequently do not understand their rolls, which is leading to too frequent turnover. There is also a strong lack of supervision done by the board, pointing to the fact that there is no review process of the chief or the department leadership team.
Strandell’s report is also critical of the makeup of the department itself. Adding two women firefighters for the first time in the department’s history is a good step, the report states, but diversity within the department must become a much stronger priority.
“The membership doesn’t reflect the diversity of the communities it serves,” she wrote. “A more diverse workforce creates better results and ensures diversity of ideas and meets community expectations. It also ensures community support and confidence.”
The department itself also must do a much better job of working and communicating with the other emergency departments within the area it serves. The report states that, while mutual aid response is sufficient, planning and relationship building is missing. Participating in multiagency training is also lacking. As is a relationship with other public safety partner leaders.
NAFRS Board Chair Brad Ness said Strandell’s advice was heard, and some of it was taken immediately.
“She does suggest change. At our meeting this week, the board voted to appoint Tom Nelson as Interim Chief for up to twelve months, effective the date that [Chief Franek] retires. The board has a lot of work ahead of us to decide if we want to stay with a part-time chief or move to a full time [position.]”
Chief Franek has said he will announce his retirement sometime in early 2022.
As Omicron surge grows, Underdahl says NH+C is preparing
There were signs over the weekend that the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus could push yet another spike in the global pandemic that
has gripped the world for going on two years.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said on several Sunday morning news programs that Omicron is “raging around the world right now.” A report in the Star Tribune said that drugs previously used in the early stages of Covid are not working against the Omicron variant. And while those who are unvaccinated are bearing the brunt of the new spike, there are breakthrough cases being seen as the efficacy of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine against the variant is now being questioned. Emergency Rooms and hospitals are once again strained to capacity, because even though the effects of Omicron might not be as severe as previous strains of the virus have been, people are still having to go to the hospital.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics president and CEO Steve Underdahl said Northfield Hospital is preparing itself as best it can for the inevitable rise in Omicron cases in the area. He said his organization understands that resources are finite, and they are taking steps to meet a worst-case scenario.
“What do we have to do in terms of thinking about the resources the resources that we’re assembling to be able to respond. We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best, so I don’t want to be overly pessimistic. But if it ends up being a high disease spread winter, we want to make sure that we are well positioned to be able to respond well.”
He said the best thing a person can do to mitigate the problem is to get vaccinated, and he implored those who have not been vaccinated to seek the vaccine out. “If you’re only partially vaccinated, and you’re due for the second shot in your series, get that,” he said. “If it’s been six months since you were vaccinated and your eligible for a booster, get that.”
Underdahl said the optimism that was felt early last summer about the end of the pandemic being in sight has now faded, and we must do what is important to protect ourselves and our neighbors.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Hospital + Clinics President and CEO Steve Underdahl can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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