Breezy Point receives its Fire Service from the Pequot Lakes
Fire Department. The department is a
volunteer organization that is part of the city of Pequot Lakes. There is however a Fire Board that provides
guidance from the representatives of the jurisdictions that are served by the
Fire Department. The department also serves,
in addition to Pequot Lakes, the city and township of Jenkins, and the
townships of Loon Lake, Moose Lake, Popular and part of Pelican. By working cooperatively with other
jurisdictions, costs can be managed better and the level of service can be
higher with pooled resources.
The city recently renewed the contract with them. The cost for service is based on a
formula. The formula uses the overall
estimated market value of structures in the jurisdiction and the use of fire service
averaged over a 10 year period. That
ratio is then applied against the budget for the department. The majority of the costs are borne by Pequot
Lakes and Breezy Point but with the formula all jurisdictions share in the cost
of fires services. Pequot Lakes share of
the costs are slightly higher than Breezy Points share.
The contract amount this year for Breezy Point is $83,700.30. Last year the contract amount was $76,027.66. This is an increase of $7,672.64. The total budget for the Pequot Fire
Department for 2016-17 is $262,551. This
compares to last year at $241,252. The amount of the charges that are paid by
the contracts for services in 2015 was $222,452 and in 2016 it is
$240,190. With new equipment and the
need for replacement air-packs that meet current standards the fire departments
budget has increased.
The department has also seen an improved ISO rating for
insurance purposes. The increase may
result in a decrease in fire insurance premiums depending on your
location. The Pequot Lakes Fire
Department does a good job with many well trained and dedicated volunteers. Many of the firemen live in Breezy Point and
report to the substation in Breezy Point to provide a quicker response. We are pleased to have them serving the
city.
