Committee: Public Education Committee

Contact: Tom Pitschneider, Chair – [email protected]

2024 Mission: 
The mission of the Public Education Committee is to support the safety education process of the fire service and communities of Minnesota in order to reduce the loss of life and property from preventable events through the use of technology, information and resources.

2024 Report: 
After the success of the Halloween augmented reality (AR) project in fall 2023 the committee has been working with a local Excelsior resident on expanding the program which was released for Night to Unite and National Night Out events in summer of 2024. The program grew and was a important part of Governor’s Fire Prevention Day at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, August 23. We are currently assisting the program developer with potential ongoing funding are partnerships to continue growing the program.

The Kitchen Fire Safety Live Demonstration Units have remained a great asset to the association, and they are available to MSFCA members for rent. The units are used to demonstrate what happens when you add water to a grease fire.

Utilizing grease in a pan, the fire extends out of the unit when once water is poured into the pan. This provides a strong visual message on the dangers of kitchen fires and what can happen when water is used instead of some type of lid. Both trailers are regularly rented throughout the summer months. One unit is housed at Ramsey Fire Department and the second unit housed at the Maple Grove Fire Department. Please reserve one of the units by utilizing the links on the MSFCA website.

We hope to see you at the annual MSFCA conference in Duluth. Please reach out to the committee or contact the office with any questions.

2024 Public Education Committee Members:

• Chair: Tom Pitschneider, Fire Marshal, Shakopee

• Jeremy Berger, Fire Education Specialist/Fire Inspector/Public Educator, Maple Grove

• Tom Brace, National Fire Sprinkler Association

• Darrin Bramwell, Deputy Chief, Eagan

• Bob Hampton, Lieutenant, St. Louis Park

• David Jensen, Deputy Chief, Hugo

• Eric Lind, Fire Inspector, Maple Grove

• Jake Lindquist, Inspector, State Fire Marshal Division

• Jeff Lundquist, Battalion Chief – Community Relations, Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View

• Jeff Smith, Deputy Chief of CRR/Deputy Fire Marshal, Elk River

• Amanda Swenson, Chief Deputy, State Fire Marshal Division

• James Van Eyll, Fire Chief, Orono

• Eric Zimmerman, Director, Mdewakanton

There are also numerous other non-association (non-voting) members of the committee.

Public Education Committee File Library