Welcome to the Grovecast, a municipal podcast hosted by the city of Cottage Grove. We are here to demystify city government, make it more accessible to you, while also showcasing the real human beings who work every day providing services to our residents. As always, I'm your co-host, uh, Phil Jensent, the city's communications manager. >> Hey everyone, and I'm Emily Schmidz, the, uh, co-host as well. the city's community development director. >> You're the co-host. >> I am. >> You're still the co-host. >> Still. >> You still You keep coming back. So, thank you for that. >> Yeah, I think it's a whole year. Phil, [laughter] >> has it been a year? >> I don't know. >> I think we're at episode eight or nine or something. I jumped the gun a little bit. No, it's close. We're close. >> Close. Yeah. Time flies when you're having fun. It has been fun. >> We talked to some awesome people, Phil. >> We really have. We've had some good episodes. I think we're going to have a really good episode today, if I can say so myself. >> Don't spoil it too quick. >> So, thank you for, you know, coming back, Emily. Thanks to everyone who's been listening and sending in questions and what have you. We do really appreciate it. >> Yeah, send more questions. That's more because then you know that folks are really listening, Phil. I mean, we're entertaining, but >> we'd like to think so. >> We'd like to think so. You know, it'd be fun to, you know, chat about everybody's >> I completely agree. >> Very serious questions. >> Completely agree. And speaking of which, almost a year. We're getting near the end of the year as we record this. It's before the holidays, right? as it as this episode comes out. I think it'll be early January, but nevertheless, >> holiday food. What do you think, Emily? What's your favorite like holiday snack or treat or food or whatever? >> Oh, dear. Well, I a lot of things. Um, >> just all of it. >> I over a recent holiday, I had a uh corn casserole. >> Never had it before. No clue. I'll never go back. It's like it's corn and cornbread in this casserole dish. Our guest is nodding. I can't wait to hear if he really does know what this is. >> He's like, "Give me the recipe." >> Yeah, it was so good. So, that was my favorite. >> I love that. >> But I'm I'm not particular. >> I think you'll find support in these in this neck of the woods for a cornbased >> holiday dish. >> Midwest corn, you know. Yeah, totally. >> Mine's like a you know the cookies with the um the Hershey's kiss in the middle. >> Oh, yeah. I love those. Yeah. >> I can't get enough of them. >> Well, that's the There are two biters, so you can't just have one. You got five, you know. >> Yeah. >> A couple every few minutes. >> It's fine. Just tide you over. >> It's one time a year. We're [clears throat] all fine. Yeah. Don't come to us with your health questions cuz we can't help you. >> Completely correct. That's not We're not here to talk about health. We're here to talk about government services, >> right? >> So, yes. >> So, here we are. So, without much further ado, >> drum roll, please. >> With us today is a very uh special guest. very happy to have you join us is fire chief John Pritchard. Chief Pritchard, >> welcome. >> Hi. Thank you for having me. How you doing today? >> Absolutely. >> I'm doing very well. And I'm actually going to one up Phil's um with the Hershey Kiss. >> You can actually really up your game with those. It's the same cookie dough, but you put either a Rolo or a peanut butter cup in there. >> Peanut butter cup is the move. >> And that's if you really want to up your holiday game and holiday cookie game. >> Incredible. And what I think I just heard from our guest, Phil, uh, is that he'll be bringing us some to try. >> Well, I didn't hear that, but I'm hearing you say that. So, John, >> I'm pretty sure that's what I heard some cookies if my mother makes enough of [laughter] them and they can get through our family. I can bring you some in on maybe we can celebrate Boxing Day on the 26th with some of those cookies. >> Happy to do so. >> When you said oneup, I thought actually you were going to try to find a way to combine the corn dish and the cookie. Well, actually, >> like a cornbread based Hershey's Kiss cookie, which sounds disgusting. >> I hear that's the next Oreo flavor they're going to try. So, we'll see how that goes out for everybody. >> No. [laughter] >> Oh, >> well, they did do candy corn, so I guess they are in the realm of that way. It's not far off. Okay. Okay. >> Coming soon to shelves in quarter one of 2026. [laughter] >> Right. Right. I'm so curious, Phil. John, in your position, a fire chief. I mean, just an esteemed position. But if you could have a superpower, and you can't say I'd put out all the fires. No. What is your superpower truly that you would choose? >> Oh, boy. I >> Oh, we stumped him already. >> You've already stumped me. Um, >> he's going to say Aquaman so that he can put >> Aquaires. >> Hey, I'll take it. >> I think it would be to be in multiple places at once. >> Yeah. And maybe that's a good one for all folks that work in government or truly >> life. That's an answer we've heard before. >> Oh, really? Okay. So, good. That's a common. >> We're all thinking it, John. >> Good. So, we won't have to debrief my therapist as long next month. So, um >> Yeah. And I think the coolest part of that and especially for the fire service is we do so many different things whether it's it's just not going to you know if somebody's home is on fire we're providing health promotion, health prevention, teaching people CPR, learning water rescue in case somebody has a water accident or just getting somebody to the hospital in an ambulance and right >> some days you want you got to train in all that sort of stuff. So, if I could be in multiple classes at one time, right, that'd be really, you know, ideal for us. Or just plug in a USB port to the back of my head and download all that information. [laughter] Kind of like the Matrix. Now, we're in the Matrix. >> Yeah. So, um >> so it's and truly to be in all those places and of course, you know, be a good father and all that pieces and um outside of work. That would truly be the superpower I'd love to have. So, >> it would solve all our problems, John. Wouldn't that be great? But I think he alluded to what we're so curious about, Phil. >> Right. I mean, there's a lot going on. There's a lot to do. >> Yeah. >> A lot of things you have to track and plates that are in the air. And it does actually make a lot of sense now that I'm thinking about it. Every time we ask this question, >> people give us the same a very similar version of that answer, if not literally that exact answer. Yeah. >> Because it there it's it's a council member, it's a mayor, it's a fire chief, police chief, or whoever it is, >> the community, a resident, you know, >> you know, they've got a lot going on and they got to be in a lot of places. So, speaking of all of that, Chief Pritchard, um I I I am guessing most people when they hear about a fire chief, they kind of they kind of conjure up familiar images of firefighters and structure fires and things like that, fire engines, but you know, for those who may not know, uh what does a fire chief do? >> Great question. So, first of all, I don't have a great mustache, so that's typically probably one of the stereotypes of a fire chief. So, um >> So, that's not a prerequisite. >> That's not a prerequisite. So, um, mustache care isn't one of my daily tasks. [laughter] Maybe one day, but I've been given bad feedback about any attempts to grow a mustache. So, >> uh, so the best we'll >> have strengths and weaknesses, >> you know, we can try, right? I mean, [clears throat] I've tried. >> Um, >> there's some pictures out there maybe, but I wouldn't recommend looking for them. So [laughter] a lot so uh a lot of our you know and that's the best part of the fire chief job I think is just the strategic planning >> is looking at how can we best serve the community what other things can we do and and a lot of that goes back to the whole superpower. How can we be multiple places at once? So it's starting to plan that. So for example a couple years ago we did a home safety program. That was part of our strategic plan to make us safer. Our number one goal is to prevent fires, not to put them out, >> right? >> So we hopefully, you know, almost put ourselves out of business because a house fire is devastating. >> And that is all about planning like when does that come in? What resources do we need for that? And that's actually exciting part of my job. It's a lot of Excel spreadsheets, a lot of research, a lot of um making things digestible for folks. But that is the fun part. It's about that creativity about thinking of new ways to serve our community and we get to do that on a daily basis. Um, some of the other things I call maybe the more mundane things but probably just as important. We got to make sure, >> you know, people's payroll is, you know, all those steps are in place for that. Um, I would argue that's probably one of the top three for our firefighters to make sure that [laughter] like >> payroll is done. um of course the emails and all those sort of things, but really that strategic planning and that's a daily process. It's building up things one by one, getting us to the right spot, you know, getting the input from our firefighters of where they're at, what they love to do to better serve our community. And you know, I could probably go through all the, like I said, more mundane things, but that's truly exciting part. And anytime we're looking forward or looking what we how we can better >> do things for folks, that's really the exciting and the part that truly is what I love about this job. That's awesome. >> And then and then, you know, and for the folks out there, I mean, as the community development director, my team, it continues to grow this city, right? And so John and I, you know, have to work together from a strategic planning perspective as the community grows to his point. How do we continue to serve? Uh, you know, more importantly from, you know, the public safety perspective. Uh, there's more people, there's more infrastructure, all the things. And I'm so, you know, John, I know a little bit about your background, but maybe folks don't. And I don't know if you hit on this yet, but it's not only your team isn't, you know, simply just firefighters, right? You know, >> paramedics, first responders, etc. Um, your background is pretty cool. And how did you end up as a fire chief? >> So, this is the um I almost dread this question sometimes because I'm like, well, and it's cuz I'm excited to talk about it because it's kind of a cool path, >> but it also tends to put people to sleep because it's like this long windy road there. So, >> maybe I'll start at the beginning. >> Oh boy. How long [laughter] do we have, Phil? in 19 in 1982 at Northwest um [laughter] >> a young man was born to the world um >> and he grew up >> and he grew up to be in story over um that was fun so no um it's funny I always talk about like what I wanted to be in high school I wanted to be a a lawyer and focus on constitutional law and really the goal of that was to you know I wanted to do good for people and you know I got really excited about that. But then I kind of ran into medicine. I took an EMT class in high school and I'm like, I love this. This is such a great way to serve folks. And from there, I got somebody to talk to me into high school to go to firefighting classes at night. So before I graduated high school, I was a certified firefighter and I got my EMT certification >> which is pretty cool. Really to have those. >> Before you graduate? >> Yeah. Before I graduated high school. >> That part I didn't know. That's wild. >> So I did that all my senior year. I also had to catch up on some other classes which a lot of other people you know you got >> priorities were >> there's some teachers out there right now are like what the heck >> missain there's some people that are probably surprised that like oh he actually went to college >> he figured it out >> yeah like >> well he turned out good so >> I'm sure some people lost some bets along the way but you know um and so I started a local fire department in OIO Minnesota and and again the more I did it the more I fell in love with it and I actually early in my career pursued some full-time opportunities but didn't really have much interest in leaving Minnesota and there just weren't many fire jobs at that or full-time firefighter jobs out there. So, I joined a um I started a job at a local emergency department in um is Mercy Hospital in Rapids and like I love medicine. I love helping people and then again the emergency medicine the variety of it and and that led me to go to nursing school and during this time I was still working as like what we call paid on call firefighter volunteer firefighter other folks might know it as and >> went to nursing school um and just always had this love for firefighting but then of course I love nursing I love >> taking care of folks um with that and then I forgot to add the other part um actually did a graduate program where I was able to become a nurse and get a master's degree together. But for my undergrad, I did history and sociology. So, again, really driven to that. So, I love seeing like when Emily talks about different housing opportunities and all that stuff, that just speaks to my heart about a lot of the stuff that I >> kind of really embraced um in my studies and just in some of my, you know, worldviews. But then it all kind of came together. I moved to the east metro um and I joined White Bear Lake Fire Department and they had an ambulance service. So, I always loved EMS, but I was always on the receiving side of it, like working in an ED as an ER tech or working as an ER nurse, which I started doing in um 2013 at one of the large trauma centers. I'm like, this EMS stuff's pretty cool. So, White Bear Lake gave me the opportunity to go to paramedic school. And um actually, little joke, we call it the zero to her program cuz at Kraton University in Nebraska in Omaha, you can go there as a nurse and they you take a couple weeks there. They get you up to the paramedic level, do some clinicals, and you can get your paramedic if you're a nurse within about 4 months. >> Oh, no kidding. >> So, we do kid. It's like cuz you know, of course, paramedics make fun of nurses. So, we're like the zero to hero program. Like, yeah, it's fitting. You know, that's how I felt. Um, >> like, can you not call me a zero, though? With that, you know, maybe the rebrand. >> That's part of the fire EMS service. You take a few jabs here and there. Yeah. >> Um and then I became a paramedic and working on the ambulance and then that really I think then I worked in leadership at um regions and one of the pieces um that I really wanted more of was just more of that community involvement because in a hospital you're you're taking care of the community but you're not like in the community and that's what really drove me and >> and it really and as you know of course you're like what does this look like for me and then just the best opportunity ever came up with Cottage Grove um fire was kind of restructuring. They wanted somebody to come in who had that paramedic background and also a fire background to really go how can we better provide EMS services. I was very fortunate to get hired as a deputy chief in 2019 and it just filled all those things for me like my interest in um that community involvement being in the community um the firefighting ambulances and just all those things. And I felt it was just like this perfect accumulation of >> right >> all those things that I truly have passion for. And ever since uh worked as a deputy chief for four years here, got promoted to fire chief at the end of 2023 and >> it all fell into place. >> It just all fell into place and >> totally >> and I'm reminded about that sometimes like oh that kind of worked out for you. Absolutely. Yeah. So, and sometimes the paths take you there. And I think it's so important for folks to know, you mentioned, right? I mean, your sole purpose is to provide care to the community and have that emergency response. And it's it >> it's not that easy. You got to plan for that. You have to be prepared. There's systems in place. I mean, you're constantly evaluating how can we be better? How can we be more efficient to make sure this community is safe? I mean, >> that's huge. >> And and that that focus on EMS, too. I mean, it makes a lot of sense. Some people may know, some some people may not that >> there is a balance there. Yeah, >> there's a balance and also your calls for service on a yearly basis to things like structure fires is obviously incredibly important. I mean, that's maybe somebody's worst day of their life. Heaven forbid if that something happens, >> but then your calls for those versus calls for medical. I mean, the the medical calls far exceed and outweigh, >> you know, structure fires. And so that focus on EMS is obviously incredibly important uh in the within the balance of the whole department >> very much. And that is it's it is the balance because it goes back to um I really love that superhero question because now I'm thinking like every [laughter] way I answer this now it's like we have to you know especially since our folks are firefighter paramedics they have to be elite level firefighters but also elite level medical providers. And now the medical part is kind of nice because they get that daily experience but at the same time we have to train for that less frequent right >> fire and it's just every day it's how do we how are we elite level providers and firefighters >> to best serve folks and that's a lot of work day in and day out to make that happen. Right. >> Yeah. Um, John kind of alluded to it, but what's something someone may not know about your position and what you do? Or maybe it's obvious. Is it obvious? >> No, I think a lot of it it's, you know, I think when you think about a fire chief or firefighter, it's like driving the truck or what truck goes out first. M >> but it's truly I think to what you alluded to is how do you balance all these things that you do because I mean for example like we have a very high standard for training and certification everything a frontline [snorts] firefighter might have like over a dozen certifications of things and that's from anywhere from being certified to pro you know be a firefighter and paramedic certified to drive a fire truck and operate a fire truck water rescue like how do I run a scene and I think That's what pe folks maybe underestimate is how much training and >> and um engagement we have to get in folks and also just how we have to invest in folks to make them that way cuz when you see that firefighter paramedic roll up >> yep >> into your home. I mean, that's thousands of hours of training, thousand hours of practice, and literally have that like elite level person show up while they might have a smile on their face and you're like, "Oh, that's a, you know," or, "Hey, cool mustache." You know, it's like >> that's a more behind that. >> Yeah. And it's a lot of work to get there. >> And we're specialized. >> Yeah, absolutely. And which kind of dovetails into what I was maybe just going to say is like >> a fire department in 2025 or a fire department in 2026 I am assuming looks and operates a lot different than a fire department >> even 5 years ago but let alone 10 15 20 years ago >> and you've touched on a lot of that already of like kind of the transition and how things have >> shifted a little bit. >> Yeah. And that is, you know, and we see one of the hardest parts in fire departments that we've been faced with was the how do we staff differently because traditionally fire departments, especially in the suburbs, we're staff with what we call paid on call. You carry a pager, you get paid a little amount or as volunteers, but you know, think of all the things we just talked about, >> right? >> How do you work a full-time job, take care of a family, and then have all these certifications? So, that's been one of our biggest challenges. be trained and prepared for all, you know, and we see it all over the suburbs right now as we make this transition. And they're they're difficult transitions. They're it's a lot of investment, not just financially, but time, effort, and a lot of changes that go on. And that's actually one of the things in Cottage Grove we've been working really hard on to do that kind of that transition cuz to your point, um, Phil, 5 years ago, very different. Um, I'm honestly and genuinely it's it's better. We provide a better service, but it's been tons of work to do that. And I think what helps more than anything, especially in Cottage Grove, is the support we get from the community. has been so >> just I mean >> I don't think that folks and I'm not a big like you know thank you for your service type of person you know but I mean just when people come out to our events or genuinely engage with us or when we did our um fire prevention program when people just invited us into their homes >> to let us look at their smoke alarms which is a very like vulnerable experience. >> Yeah. It's into their personal space, right? But they understand the value and they trust your team >> that what they're doing is >> incredibly beneficial. >> You've got our backs. You're going to make sure we're >> totally safe and prepared. >> So, so Chief Pritchard, with that, um, you know, we're we're nearing the end of the time here. It goes by quickly. >> Well, and I talk a lot, too, so it's all great. We knew it, John. [laughter] >> Like, we don't talk a lot. the people who are hosting the podcast. [laughter] >> Um just just I mean maybe you've already mentioned it mentioned it but is there anything in particular that you are um you know particularly fond of in your career either in Cottage Grove or or just in general? I think the there's two moments or well I go one to co and co was more than a moment right I think that's an era now we can all fair say but when our team stepped up and we did the vaccinate we did um mobile testing clinics to give people access to co testing and then we helped out with vaccinations with um Washington County Public Health >> and it wasn't just that our paramedics and EMTs stepped up to help I mean and it was overwhelming support from our department. But what our city did, I remember our city administrator, Jennifer Levit, I said, "Jennifer, I have this crazy idea on how we can help with this." >> And she's like, "All right, let's make this happen." And she brought in all the departments. And literally, that was a city-wide effort on how we could support a lot of those pieces. >> And just watching that um partnership, that just unrelenting like we're going to serve the community the best we can was just and it is humbling. It was pride inducing and just the >> all the emotion and truly the access we gave to folks was the most important part because that was lacking early in the pandemic. So if I you know pin something that is literally what I'm most proud of with and there's a lot there's a long list because we have such a great fire department and city but that truly is what I saw in that moment when truly that's what the world needed and we needed. >> Yeah. >> And you didn't know that I mean initially. No, no. It was like I said >> and all of a sudden here's this problem. >> Yeah. And that was funny because it was >> three, four months into my tenure here. >> Wow. So, >> welcome to cottage. Exactly. So, a lot of people like, "Yeah, crazy idea. Let's see what he comes up with." And >> Well, what a way to adapt and respond to the to the need of the moment, you know? >> Absolutely. Yeah. That's so cool. >> Um, so really fast, and I'm shifting here really quick because I have to know. I have to >> I have to know. John, what is your favorite food? Your go-to, your your comfort, your I'm starving. This is what I'm going to have. >> And why is it the corn Oreo? >> And [laughter] why is it the corn Oreo? That was a similar question we had of our public safety director. Why cereal? What? Okay. >> No, that's that's game. That's game right there. Cereal. But >> I we would we wouldn't judge. >> No. Um, peanut butter and jelly sandwich. >> That is fantastic. >> That is literally the jam, I guess I can say. But that is Yeah. Sorry. >> Well, that's all the time we got for [laughter] you. >> Too bad you don't have like the wamp wamp like [laughter] >> bar. But >> folks, he's funny. I got to give it to him. >> Oh boy. >> I try. He tries hard. Like the mustache. I try. >> Peanut butter jelly. Is it Is it just white bread, peanut butter, and jelly? Uh, I'm the wheat bread person. So, you know, >> John makes healthy jelly. >> Crunchy peanut butter. What are we talking? >> No. No. It's the um It's the natural peanut butter. Got it. And with >> You know what? I was a I dabbled in other jellies, but good oldfashioned grape jelly is where you go. >> I've dabbled. >> I dabbled. You know, I found my home. >> I had a raspberry phase, but I went back to grape and that's where it is. >> Okay. >> Oh, this is excellent. Well, so anybody out there who wants to know how to uh just give a little pat on the back, bring [laughter] >> Chief Pritchard to PB&J on wheat bread with grape >> or even Uncrustable to become a >> in a pinch >> niche favorite of mine. So >> incredible. Those are on the special days. This is great. [laughter] >> I love it so much. >> This is fantastic. A >> real take behind the curve. >> Even if you don't deth, I'll find a way to get them ready to eat in a [laughter] few hours. So >> Sean, no. >> I got to draw a line somewhere. [laughter] Well, >> oh, Phil, he does good work. >> That unintentionally became a very great segue to end the episode. >> It [laughter] did. We got to move on, Phil. >> Which isn't why we're ending, but >> I find those offramps pretty quickly. So, [laughter] >> Well, I appreciate that. You You helped you helped our job out. >> Uh, well, John, Chief Pritchard, thank you so much for joining us. I know that uh in your fascinating and honestly really cool career and history and your story, you probably never were like, I know one day I want to be on a podcast as a part of my job. So, I do appreciate it's a little outside of the box and you got a lot going on. So, thank you. >> No, thank you. And actually being on a morning show was a career goal of mine. So, I'm going to >> I'm going to check the box on that one for this. >> Check that lifeless box, Phil. >> Add it to the LinkedIn. Yes. [laughter] >> Look what we've done. Well, Chief Richard, thank you. Uh Emily, thank you as always and thank you all for listening. This has been the Grovecast, a city of cottage municipal podcast. You can catch episodes monthly and to listen or download, find us at cottaggrovemn.gov/thegrowcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you to True Lens Community Media for producing the go the Grocast and stay tuned for our next episodes where we'll move on to other departments, city services or other topics. Thanks for listening.