Bemidji Fire Department Wins $450,000 Grant for Station Renovation
On November 24, 2025 the Bemidji Fire Department received confirmation it will soon receive a $450,000 congressional direct spending grant to renovate and expand living quarters, locker rooms and bathroom facilities at Fire Station 1. The project will address cramped spaces built in the 1970s and matters to residents because it supports firefighter health, recruitment and the department's readiness.
The Bemidji Fire Department announced on November 24 that it will receive a $450,000 congressional direct spending grant to upgrade living quarters, locker rooms and bathroom facilities at Fire Station 1. The funds were secured through the congressional appropriations process with the support of Minnesota senators, and will be used to expand cramped spaces that were originally designed in the 1970s.
Fire Chief Justin Sherwood has for months been reaching out to local and federal representatives to highlight the need for updated facilities. Sherwood described current sleeping and changing areas as cramped and outdated, and the renovation will create individual sleeping areas and gender separated bathroom and locker facilities to better accommodate a diverse workforce and modern standards for privacy and hygiene.
Local leaders and community supporters backed the request, emphasizing that improved facilities are not only a matter of comfort but a public safety concern. Upgraded living quarters can improve firefighter rest and recovery during long shifts, support mental and physical well being, and make the department more competitive in recruiting and retaining personnel. For a county with growing expectations for emergency services, those factors can influence response capacity and long term resilience.
The department has pursued funding through multiple channels in recent years, combining local advocacy with state and federal outreach to address infrastructure needs across stations. This congressional award represents a direct influx of federal resources into a local priority, reflecting broader conversations about how federal appropriations can support community safety and workforce equity.
Officials said the grant will be applied to design and renovation work at Fire Station 1, with further details on timelines and contractors to be released as planning advances. For residents of Beltrami County, the investment signals a tangible step toward modernizing emergency services and ensuring that firefighters have facilities that meet contemporary standards and the needs of a changing workforce.
