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EPHESIANS PHASE 2: Council grants flexibility PAGE 3

Lino Lakes researches options for future of fire service BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

Following his retirement, he continued as an instructor at the Anoka County Fire Training Academy. On Sunday, Nov. 8, Olson was wrapping up yardwork for the season when he started to feel ill. The next day, he found out he was COVID-19 positive. Over the next week, he felt progressively worse. On Nov. 15, his oxygen levels were

LINO LAKES — Though there is no cause for concern currently, the city’s public safety director says, there may be in the future if the city doesn’t come up with a plan for daytime response to fire calls. “There is no emergency here,” Public Safety Director John Swenson told the City Council at its Feb. 1 work session. “We have the resources that we need to provide the service currently, but this is just making sure that we are set up for long-term success.” The city of Lino Lakes has operated its own public safety department with a voluntary cross-trained police officer/ firefighter model since it decided to leave the Centennial Fire District (CFD) in 2014. Other public safety organizations are also looking forward. CFD hired a consulting company that specializes in emergency services to conduct an operations study, the results of which were presented to the CFD Steering Committee earlier this month (see “Centennial Fire District considers options for future,” Feb. 16). “We have seen a number of cross-trained police officers/firefighters elect to no longer serve in that role,” Swenson said. Officers are not required to be trained in both disciplines, but rather can choose to do so. “Over the years, those numbers have gone down.” Swenson said the primary reason for having cross-trained officers is being

SEE FIREMEN SALUTE, PAGE 12

SEE FIRE SERVICE, PAGE 3

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Family and friends, along with fire and police agencies from all over Anoka County, wait outdoors to welcome home retired firefighter Glen Olson, who was hospitalized for four months due to COVID-19.

Firefighters organize big welcome home BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

Fire and police agencies from all over Anoka County braved the cold temperatures to welcome home one of their own following his four-month battle with COVID-19. Fire engines and police squads lined Hokah Drive in Lino Lakes in anticipation of retired Centennial Fire District Deputy Chief Glen Olson’s arrival.

When Olson turned onto his street Feb. 16, he was greeted by firefighters, EMTs, police officers, deputies, family members and neighbors holding welcome home signs. “I didn’t expect it. Tears just started flowing,” Olson said. “It was overwhelming to see all of the familiar faces.” Olson served on the Centennial Fire District (CFD) for 30 years before he retired in 2015.

Annual legislative breakfast has familiar theme In a normal year, Centennial High School Learning Commons would have been jampacked with school board members, district staff, community members and legislators for the annual legislative breakfast. Obviously, that was not an option in the middle of a pandemic. Rather than cancel the event, the district elected to have a few people gather in person. Most attendees joined remotely through Google Meet. The district started the event 18 years ago as an

opportunity for the district and legislators to learn from each other and how to support one another at the Capitol. Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) and Rep. Donald Raleigh (R-Blaine) attended the Feb. 17 event in person. Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) and Sen. Jerry Newton (D-Coon Rapids) participated online. Newton was unable to comment, however, due to technical difficulties. “Our legislative platforms revolve around equity: consistent funding from the state; Centennial’s story of the need to equalize levy dollars and SEE LEGISLATORS, PAGE 6

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