Editorial: Small fire hall, but big results

Soaring high: Pine Island firefighters helped the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office successfully seek and land a highly competitive federal grant that will benefit every county fire department — not just theirs. The $510,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover most of the cost of some every expensive but essential radios.

Goodhue County plans to switch from its antiquated VHF emergency radio platform to a high-tech 800 Mhz system next year. The system will be only as good as its equipment. And if you don’t have the equipment … .

That won’t be a problem for area fire halls large and small.

This grant, as the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office knew, was critical. Keep in mind, most of these fire departments — including Pine Island’s — rely on volunteer firefighters, receive little tax revenue and certainly don’t have a dime to spare.

Officials will seek a similar grant for police radios. We hope their call will be answered, too.

Rough landing: Call them chuckleheads, these people who become the butt of jokes for sending their vehicles crashing through the ice.

What are they thinking? Hey, fish houses had to be off Minnesota waters 10 days ago. A vehicle is much heavier.

In truth, this is no laughing matter. Others must risk damage to themselves and their property to fish these people and/or their out.

Please, stay off the ice.

Tags: opinion, editorial, pine, island, fire, department