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The End Of An Era: 5 Major Facts About The Long Lake Fire Department's Historic 2025 Transformation

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The Long Lake Fire Department (LLFD), a cornerstone of public safety in the Lake Minnetonka area of Minnesota since its founding in 1915, is currently undergoing one of the most significant structural changes in its century-long history. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the department is preparing for a major consolidation with its neighbor to resolve a contentious, multi-year dispute that captured local headlines and even drove a municipal mayoral election. This transformation will see the LLFD, as residents know it, evolve into a new, jointly-operated service entity, marking a fresh start for emergency response in the Twin Cities suburbs.

This article provides the most current and essential facts about the LLFD’s transition, its leadership, and its ongoing operations as it continues to serve the communities of Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, and Medina through the end of 2025. The shift is poised to redefine fire protection and rescue services for thousands of residents in the western metro area, ensuring a more unified and efficient response system for the future.

The Long Lake Fire Department (MN) Profile and Leadership

The Long Lake Fire Department (LLFD) is a highly-respected, volunteer-based fire service operating in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The department’s commitment to community safety extends beyond fire suppression to include water emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and medical response.

  • Location: Hennepin County, Minnesota (Western Twin Cities Suburbs)
  • Founded: 1915
  • Current Service Area (2024-2025): City of Long Lake, City of Orono, City of Minnetonka Beach, and City of Medina.
  • Current Fire Chief: Chief Mike Heiland. Chief Heiland is a key figure in the ongoing transition and can be reached via the City of Long Lake or Orono.
  • Assistant Chief: Cody Farley.
  • Fire Stations: LLFD operates out of two primary stations:
    • Fire Station #1 (Willow Drive Station): Located at 340 Willow Drive North, Orono, MN.
    • Fire Station #2 (Navarre Station): Located at 3770 Shoreline Drive (or 3750 North Shoreline Drive).
  • Apparatus Examples: The fleet includes primary response units such as Engine 11 (E11), the first-out engine for fires and motor vehicle accidents, and Engine 21 (E21), a 2003 International 4400 / Pierce.
  • Call Volume: Chief Heiland reported that the LLFD responded to 191 calls, while the Orono Fire Department responded to 110 calls in a recent reporting period, highlighting the significant workload.

The Historic Merger: From Feud to Shoreline Fire Department

The most pressing and significant news surrounding the Long Lake Fire Department is its imminent consolidation with the Orono Fire Department (OFD). This move is the resolution to a years-long period of political drama, disputes, and contentious lawsuits over shared emergency services. The conflict was so intense it played a central role in the 2024 Orono mayoral election.

The core of the dispute began around 2021 when Orono’s leadership, specifically then-Mayor Denny Walsh, attempted to sever ties with Long Lake and build a separate, independent fire department. Long Lake responded by filing a lawsuit against Orono in April 2024, citing the costly and duplicative nature of having two separate fire departments serving the same area.

In a major victory for regional cooperation, the two cities reached a formal agreement to merge their services into a single, unified entity. The new department will be established under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), a document officially signed by the cities of Long Lake and Orono.

The new, consolidated entity has been officially named the Shoreline Fire Department.

Key Dates for the Shoreline Fire Department Transition

The transition is a multi-year process with a definitive deadline, ensuring the LLFD remains operational while the new structure is built. This timeline represents the most critical update for residents and emergency service personnel:

  • Current Contract Expiration: The existing contract for fire protection between the Cities of Long Lake, Medina, and Orono is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
  • New Department Launch: The Shoreline Fire Department will officially become operational on January 1, 2026.
  • Future Service Area: Once the Shoreline Fire Department is established, it will provide fire service to the City of Long Lake, the City of Orono, and the City of Minnetonka Beach. The City of Medina will transition to a different service provider.

This resolution brings an end to the "years-long drama" and aims to create a more stable, efficient, and financially responsible emergency service for the west metro communities.

Current Operations and Community Engagement in 2024/2025

Despite the major organizational changes underway, the Long Lake Fire Department continues to provide essential services and engage with the community. Their dedication is evident in recent incident responses and public forums designed to keep residents informed about the transition.

Critical Incident Response

The LLFD is highly active in responding to the unique challenges of a lake community, particularly on Lake Minnetonka. In one recent incident, the department was called to respond to a boat fire on Lake Minnetonka on a Sunday night, demonstrating their capability to handle water emergencies in addition to structural fires and motor vehicle accidents.

Public Forums and Transparency

To keep the public informed about the complex merger, the City of Long Lake held a "Follow-Up Forum: Long Lake Fire Service Updates" in May 2024. These forums are crucial for ensuring transparency and addressing community questions regarding the formation of the Shoreline Fire Department and the future of fire protection in the area.

A Look at the Long Lake Fire Department in New York (NY)

It is important to note that the name "Long Lake Fire Department" is also used by a dedicated group of first responders in the Adirondack region of New York State. This department, formally known as the Long Lake/Raquette Lake Volunteer Fire Department, also has a rich history and ongoing community presence.

  • NY Department History: The Long Lake, NY department was founded on October 12, 1935, and celebrated its 90th anniversary. They maintain a piece of history with a vintage American LaFrance fire truck that remains preserved at the Adirondack Experience.
  • Recent NY Activity:
    • Budget Hearing: The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Long Lake Fire District #1 held its Annual Budget Hearing in October 2024 to discuss financial planning for the upcoming year.
    • Community Support: The department actively supports local events, including the 2025 Polar Plunge & Souper Saturday, working alongside the Long Lake Rescue Squad.
    • Incident Response: The NY department and Chief Marty Pierce have recently assisted the New York State Police (NYSP) in investigating fatal fire incidents, underscoring their critical role in the region.

While the focus remains on the Minnesota department's dramatic transformation into the Shoreline Fire Department, the commitment to public safety remains a shared value across all departments bearing the Long Lake name, from the shores of Lake Minnetonka to the mountains of the Adirondacks. The end of 2025 will close a chapter for the Long Lake Fire Department (MN) but will open a new, unified era for the Shoreline Fire Department.

The End of an Era: 5 Major Facts About the Long Lake Fire Department's Historic 2025 Transformation
long lake fire department
long lake fire department

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