The St. Paul Fire Department responded to more than 1,600 hours of emergency calls in 2025, and the majority of those calls happened outside town limits.

Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich presented the department’s annual report to council, outlining response statistics, training efforts and a major focus on firefighter safety moving forward.

Where the Calls Happened

In 2025:

• 66% of response hours occurred in the County of St. Paul

• 34% occurred within town limits

• 85% of medical assist calls were within town

• The average truck dispatch time was five minutes

“That means from the time we’re notified of a 911 call to the time a truck leaves the bay, we’re averaging five minutes,” Kotowich told council.

He noted that while full-time fire halls in major cities can average dispatch times of 90 seconds to two minutes, their crews are already stationed at the hall.

“We’re having members travel from all corners of town,” he explained. “So that five-minute average is something we’re very proud of.”

An All-Hazards Department

Kotowich emphasized the department’s role goes well beyond structural fires.

“We are definitely an all-hazards fire department. We do everything,” he said.

That includes medical assists, motor vehicle collisions, alarm activations and specialized rescue situations.

Recruitment and Training Remain a Priority

The department welcomed five new recruits in 2025 and currently has 20 members enrolled in the regional 101 firefighter training program — one of the largest groups to date.

Still, recruitment remains challenging.

“Recruiting new members is not like it used to be,” Kotowich said. “We will continue to explore new and innovative ways of attracting and retaining members.”

Firefighters logged nearly 2,000 training hours over the past year to maintain certification and operational readiness.

Protecting Firefighter Health

One of Kotowich’s top priorities moving forward is reducing occupational cancer risks.

He is proposing a phased replacement of bunker gear that contains PFAS chemicals — often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

“Studies indicate long-term exposure can have harmful effects,” he said. “It’s become my priority to get this gear changed out.”

The plan would replace 40 sets of gear over four years at an estimated cost of $175,000, funded through:

• Existing equipment budgets

• Joint fire reserve funds

• Firefighters’ fundraising association contributions

Council received the report for information.

For residents, the takeaway is simple: the department continues to respond quickly, train heavily and invest in long-term safety — both for the public and for the firefighters themselves.