By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Lexington, Minnesota, officials have closed the city’s fire department, citing unsustainable staffing and operational challenges, and transferred emergency response duties to a neighboring department.
• The interim agreement with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department began March 26, the same day Lexington’s fire chief was terminated.
• Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View will provide fire and emergency services under a 24/7 staffing model.
• City leaders said the move aims to ensure consistent professional service for residents.
• Lexington is evaluating long-term options for fire protection services.
LEXINGTON, MN — City officials in Lexington have shut down the local fire department and entered an agreement with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department to provide all fire and emergency services, citing persistent staffing challenges and concerns about sustainability, officials said.
The transition took effect March 26, the same day Lexington terminated its fire chief and enacted an interim management and operations agreement with the neighboring department. Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View assumed responsibility for emergency responses under a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week staffing model.
City Administrator Bill Petracek said the Lexington Fire Department was no longer sustainable and that the arrangement was intended to maintain consistent and professional fire protection for residents.
Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Chief Dan Retka said his department conducted a review of Lexington’s operations, staffing and readiness before taking over full responsibility for emergency responses and ensuring coverage continuity.
Lexington officials are continuing to explore long-term fire protection solutions, and Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View will continue providing services under the current agreement while discussions proceed.