By Rich Larson
Yesterday, Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service (NAFRS) Fire Chief Tom Nelson said very plainly that proactive fire prevention and early involvement in development projects are key to keeping the community safe.
Nelson discussed the Fire Department’s role following the Northfield City Council’s recent approval of a Carleton College plan to close a portion of College Street on campus. He said fire officials were involved well before the issue reached the council agenda, reviewing plans and working with Carleton staff and architects to ensure continued emergency access.
Nelson said the question the fire department will always ask is, “Does this make things worse, or does it make things better,” explaining that fire code requirements for road width, apparatus access, and proximity to buildings guide department decisions. Many campus buildings rely on sprinkler connections facing central courtyards, making access planning especially important.
As Northfield’s first full-time fire chief in 150 years, Nelson said his position allows for deeper involvement during design phases, rather than reacting after construction is complete. He currently serves on the City of Northfield Development Review Committee and reviews plans for Dundas and surrounding townships as well.
Nelson emphasized that early coordination saves time and resources, noting that developers prefer addressing fire safety concerns during design rather than during final occupancy inspections. He cited ongoing projects at both Carleton and St. Olaf colleges, along with new apartment developments, as examples of successful collaboration.
Beyond development review, Nelson described a mix of proactive inspections and reactive follow-up as part of his daily work, from checking commercial kitchen fire suppression systems to investigating overnight sprinkler activations. He said his primary inspection focus remains, as he put it, “where people sleep and where people gather.”
Nelson also provided an update on recent equipment and policy changes, including the arrival of a new “mini pumper” rescue truck and revised dispatch protocols aimed at sending the right resources to the right calls.
“All of this adds up to fewer working structure fires,” Nelson said. “If we can prevent the event, everybody wins.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
