A structure fire in Rock Creek on Feb. 27 is driving continued conversations about fire protection in the city.
According to the dispatch report from the Pine County Sheriff’s Office, a fire was reported at a Freedom Road residence at 1:27 p.m.
No one was in the residence at the time of the fire, but the house was reported to be a total loss.
The Rush City Fire Department responded to the blaze. The dispatch report states that the department was assigned at 1:29 p.m., were en route to the scene at 1:36, and arrived on scene at 1:45.
The Harris and Braham fire departments arrived at 2:03 after being stated for mutual aid at 1:36.
In a statement issued by Pine City mayor Kent Bombard on Tuesday, March 4, he said the Pine City Fire Department "stood ready to assist," but was canceled by dispatch "in accordance with the current fire service agreements."
"Under the existing contract, the City of Rush City Fire Department is responsible for fire protection in Rock Creek and must request our assistance before we can respond," Bombard wrote in the statement.
In December of 2023, Rock Creek opted to contract with the Rush City department instead of renewing with Pine City.
Pine City reached a contracted aid agreement with Rush City in June of last year after ending its previous mutual aid agreement with the city.
A proposal for mutual aid from Rush City was rejected by the Pine City Council in April of 2024.
That contracted aid agreement was extended through April 1, 2025.
"To date, Rush City Fire has not requested aid from Pine City Fire Department under this agreement," Bombard wrote in the statement.
The Rock Creek council will discuss fire protection at its meeting on March 6, at 7 p.m.
According to a fire protection timeline provided by the city of Rock Creek, representatives from the Rush City and Pine City fire departments and city councils are scheduled to meet to discuss the contracted aid agreement on March 11.
Bombard stated that Pine City is "actively engaged in ongoing negotiations with the City of Rush City to maintain our aid agreements and ensure effective emergency response for all communities involved."
The full statement from Bombard is available to read on the Pine City website.
