Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) was recently presented with the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association’s(MSFCA) Legislative Award to recognize her leadership on Minnesota’s fire-related issues. This award is presented to legislators who championed policies that further advance the mission and reflect the current needs of Minnesota’s fire service.

During the 2021 legislative session, Senator Coleman served as the chief author of a fire protection districts bill, which was included in the 2021 tax bill. This legislation allows local government units to establish fire protection districts as special taxing districts and served as one of MSFCA’s top legislative priorities. 

Under this legislation, any two or more local government units – defined as cities, counties, and townships – may adopt resolutions to establish a special taxing district and jointly provide fire protection and or emergency medical services. Previously, fire protection special taxing districts required legislative approval.

“The fire protection district option is so essential to smaller communities where stand-alone fire departments are not able to fully meet their fire protection needs due to staffing issues,” said Senator Coleman. “It was a privilege to carry this legislation over the finish line, and I am honored to have my work on this important issue recognized by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. As a wife of a firefighter, I know how much these brave men and women sacrifice to keep us all safe, and I will continue to serve as their voice in the Minnesota Legislature.”

Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann presented the award to Senator Coleman at the Chanhassen Fire Station. Firefighters from Chanhassen Fire Department along with the Mayor of Chanhassen and state lobbyists were also in attendance.

The MSFCA is a member-driver organization made up of more than 2,000 senior fire officers that represent nearly 500 departments statewide. To learn more about the organization, please visit – www.msfca.org.