Maple Grove Firefighters Relief Association

Congratulations to the West Suburban Fire Academy Class of 2026!

Today, these dedicated recruits completed their final practical evaluations with a live burn scenario, marking the last step before graduating as probationary firefighters on June 8.

Over the past six months, the students of the West Suburban Fire Academy have successfully completed Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous Materials training through rigorous hands-on exercises, challenging scenarios, and extensive classroom instruction.

Their commitment, perseverance, and hard work have prepared them to answer the call and serve their communities with professionalism and pride. We congratulate each graduate on this significant achievement and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in the fire service.

A special thank you goes out to the members of the Maple Grove Fire Department, City of Golden Valley, MN Fire Department, and West Metro Fire-Rescue District, who shared their time, experience, and expertise throughout the academy.

🔥 Hands-On Fire Safety in Action! 🔥

Last week, Deputy Fire Marshal Harlan Hegna, Lieutenant Staci Kvasnik, and Firefighter Whitney Held visited Northstar Bus Lines to lead an interactive fire extinguisher training for more than 200 staff members.

Participants learned about:
🚒 Different fuel types
🧯 Fire extinguisher classifications
🔥 How to safely respond to fire emergencies

Staff also got hands-on experience using our digital fire simulator to practice extinguishing virtual flames in real-world scenarios.

💡 Did you know? The Maple Grove Fire Department offers this training FREE for local businesses — helping workplaces stay prepared and keeping our community safe.