The department is dispatched by the county dispatcher based upon your 911 address. All members of the department are alerted by the enhanced 911 system thereby allowing the County dispatcher to simultaneously notify all members of the department.

For your convenience, we have posted a fire department specification sheet to assist in determining ratings for home insurance.

If you have a security system please notify the Chief, Rob Birkeland 218-831-0788, or Assistant Chief, Craig Wallace 218-821-9754, as to who is the key holder.

The department formed in 1976 as an independent fire department. In 1978 the department petitioned the Town Board to establish the department as the township fire department.

All fire department members must become certified by the State of Minnesota as a Fire Fighter I and First Responder within 24 months of joining the department. Many members of the department are certified as Fire Fighter II. 

Fire Station One

Fire Station #1 is located adjacent to the town hall at the corner of County Road 16 and Butternut Point Road. The station physical & mailing address is 35458 Butternut Point Road, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.

The fire fighters maintain state of the art equipment, Station One includes:

• One Engine truck, having a 75' ladder & master stream water way (500 gal tank)
• Tender/engine truck (2,000 gal tank)
• Rescue equipment engine (1,000 gal. tank)
• High volume water supply (pump)
• One 4 Wheel drive truck with pump to fight grass and brush fires
• Mobile cascade system for refilling self contained breathing apparatus
• Radio system (800 MHz)
• Auto Extraction Equipment
• Cold water & ice rescue equipment
• 26' Maco fire & rescue boat
• UTV, capable of Wildland Fire/Rescue
• Thermal imaging camera, and gas detector

Fire Station Two 

In order to more effectively provide fire protection on the north side of the township, a fire department sub-station was established in 2005. Fire Station #2 is located on the north side of Whitefish Lake, at the corner of County Road 1 and Taray Road. The station physical address is 9229 County Road 1, Pine River, MN 56474. Please direct all mail to Fire Station One.

The station is equipped with:

• One Engine (1,000 gal tank)
• One Tender (2,000 gal tank)
• One 4 Wheel drive truck with pump to fight grass and brush fires
• 4x4 ATV & rescue trailer
• Thermal imaging camera, and gas detector
• Auto Extrication Equipment
• Cold water & ice rescue equipment
• Lighted helicopter landing zone to assist with medical evacuations

1st Responder Team

The Ideal Fire Department decided in the Fall of 2009 that we needed better medical coverage for the citizens of Ideal and Timothy Townships. Over half of the department completed First Responder Medical Training in April of 2010. June 1st of 2010 was the first day of service for the Ideal Fire Departments 1st Responders.

We are happy to say that we have dramatically improved the 1st responder response time for medical calls and we also have had a direct positive impact on members of our community. We average over 5 medical calls a month and the total call volume for our Fire Department is now over 100 calls per year. We have a great working relationship with North Ambulance, neighboring Police Departments and also the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department.

The Fire Department members reached out to community organizations and individuals to raise the money to purchase the initial equipment for the 1st responder program. We would like to thank these organizations for their willingness to believe in our Fire Department and for their support of our community.

When you dial 911 it can be a stressful period of time in someone’s life. We want you to know you have a dedicated group of people who are ready to help regardless of the nature of the call.

Thank you for your support of the Ideal Fire Department.

Ideal Fire Department Beef Feed

Since 1978 the department has sponsored a fund-raiser known as the Ideal Fire Department Beef Feed. It is always held the second Wednesday in August. The feed consists of boneless baron of beef, all the fresh corn on the cob you can eat, buns, coleslaw and watermelon. The beef and corn are cooked the day of the feed by the firefighters. From its modest beginning the feed has grown to the point that now over 2,000 dinners are served between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 P.M. In 33 years, over 28,000 pounds of beef, 175,000 ears of corn, 1,200 watermelons and 5 tons of coleslaw have been served. Rain or shine, the feed takes place at the Ideal Township Hall.

If you have comments or questions about the Ideal Fire Department, please contact Dave Peterson, the town clerk, or any supervisor.