Mendota Heights Fire Department, 2121 Dodd Rd, Saint Paul, MN 55120, US

Eagan's Fire Department has the second largest volunteer fire department in the state and is actively involved in the community. Currently, the department has five full-time employees and 110 volunteers, with room for 150 volunteers. There are six fire stations, which are staffed by volunteers during an emergency call. The fire department responded to 1,200 rescue calls in 2009 and is outfitted with 30 pieces of equipment. Once a year, the station recruits new volunteer firefighters. Weekly training lasts for six months and costs the department $5,000-$10,000 per new firefighter. However, the department saves $3.5 million a year thanks to its volunteers. Three volunteer firefighters live at the fire administration building/station #6, and they are part of the Volunteer Resident Firefighter program. According to Fire Chief Mike Scott, there is a waitlist to take part in the resident program. Resident volunteer firefighters are quick to respond to calls and help reduce the amount of time it takes to get to emergencies. They receive free room and board for their volunteer services, along with shared bathroom facilities, a small kitchen and a common living area. The Eagan Fire Department/Administration Building and Fire Station #2, off of Lone Oak Circle, will be closing its doors once the new City of Eagan Public Safety Center is finished being built in spring 2011. At this time, three more resident volunteer firefighters will move in, for a grand total of six resident volunteer firefighters. Fire Chief Mike Scott began his firefighting career in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter. He has been fire chief since 2006 and was the department's first full-time staff member. Scott's father was chief in 1971, and his sister became the first female firefighter in 1977 (she now works as an Eagan police officer).