BLOOMINGTON
COMMUNITY M GUIDE 2024 2
Meeting modern fi re demands
Having made more than 8,000 runs last year , modern fire stations and full-time staffing are helping the Bloomington Fire Department deliver better fire protection services to the city .
The Fire Department has been staffed historically with paid , on-call firefighters , but in recent years its roster has been well below the 155 firefighters the department is authorized to staff . To ensure a prompt , adequate response 24 hours a day , the department has been adding full-time firefighters with a goal of having full-time employees supplemented by part-time , on-call firefighters .
The department ’ s 108 firefighters include 30 full-time firefighters , including 18 that were added with funding from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant that is providing $ 6.2 million toward their salaries and benefits for three years , with the salaries being absorbed into the department ’ s budget in 2026 .
As the fire department works to address its staffing challenges , the city is also in the process of replacing outdated fire stations .
The fire department was formed in 1947 , following years of planning while Bloomington relied upon neighboring cities for fire protection . The city ’ s first fire station was a twobay garage at the intersection of 95th Street and Garfield Avenue .
Today , Bloomington firefighters work out of six stations , with Fire Station No . 3 in east Bloomington having been
replaced in July 2020 and Fire Station No . 4 in northwest Bloomington having been replaced in July 2023 .
Fire Chief Ulie Seal has been with the department since 1976 and became its first full-time fire chief in 2007 .
Firefighters carry pagers that alert them to emergency calls in the city , day or night . They also participate in a variety of training drills and community service programs throughout the year .
Each fall , department members participate in visits to fourth-grade classes at Bloomington schools to speak about fire prevention . The department also hosts an open house during National Fire Prevention Week in October , featuring fire prevention exhibits and displays from other organizations , including the city ’ s police and public works departments .
Throughout the year , fire department representatives will test , install or replace smoke detectors for Bloomington homeowners . Smoke detectors are free to homeowners , and in-home visits are available by appointment . Residents who are physically unable to change batteries in a working smoke detector may also call the fire department for assistance .
The department ’ s administrative offices are at Fire Station No . 1 , 10 W . 95th St .
More information about the fire department and its services are available by calling 952-563-4801 or visiting its website at tinyurl . com / bfiredepartment .
Bloomington Community Guide | 2024 | 9