A vast majority of the news has been emphasizing the shootings around the country; however, due to the safety efforts within the community, people have and will continue to remain safe.
“I don’t have a lot of contact with this police department, but when things do happen, like that fire drill that happened earlier in the year, they responded really quickly,” said senior Michael King. “I feel very safe in our school knowing the police station is right around the block, and I believe they do their job really well.”
The Orono Police department prides itself on making the communities feel safe through enforcement and by building strong, lasting relationships with citizens and businesses.
“I feel like in some aspects they do, but in others they don’t,” said junior Molly Peltier. “Sometimes there is no point for them and they are just looking for teenagers doing stupid things because they have nothing better to do.”
The Orono Police Department’s mission is the following: “The members of the Orono Police Department are committed to providing the highest quality policing through fairness, service and pride. To foster this ideal, we promise to work in partnership with the communities we serve.”
“Daytime burglaries have become more problematic than in previous years,” said Officer Matt Siltala. The Orono Police wants to remind residents to always, “lock your vehicles and houses whenever you are not in or around them.”
The Long Lake Fire Department’s mission is the following, “To minimize the loss of life and property for its fire service recipients in the cities of Long Lake, Orono and Medina from fires, natural disasters, life threatening situations including medical emergencies and to assist other emergency agencies. To perform these services in a professional and efficient manner by maintaining effective training, fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency response.”
“They are always ready for anything that can happen,” said sophomore Virginia Barrera. “They are here to protect us.”
There are two different fire stations within the communities that the Long Lake Fire Department cover. One station is located at 340 Willow Drive North, Orono, Minnesota 55356. The other is located at 3750 North Shoreline Drive, Orono, Minnesota 55356.
“I felt extremely safe when I came here,” said foreign exchange student Stefanie Boschmann. “I actually thought that you guys were way too careful.”
Both the Orono Police Department and Long Lake Fire Departments are looking for new recruits for the community. For those students looking for an opportunity to work and volunteer, the Long Lake Fire Department will train a student in if he or she is at least 18 years of age.
In order to become part of the department, participants will enroll in Firefighter I training for six months. This specific class meets twice a week and has a couple days on weekends for live burning training. The department will provide all materials for the course which includes search and rescue, ladder setup, hose and water streams, fire behavior and how to wear his or her self contained breathing apparatus in actual structure fires.
After completing Firefighter 1 training, they will enroll in the departments emergency medical services class. They meet once a week for a timespan of 10 – 17 weeks. The span of weeks is determined by the degree one wants to earn.The hiring process consists of three main criteria, “turning in a completed application, standard background check and a physical examination.”
Each person is required to make, except holidays, Monday night trainings, which last three hours. Each attendee is paid $20 for attendance during these training sessions. Each person is required to make 33 percent of the primary station calls and is paid $10 per call and $10 for each additional hour.
After completing the training process, one may begin the hiring process. For information, stop by the station or visit the Long Lake website for application information.
Taylor Peterson is the Editor in Chief – Print for The Spartan Speaks.
