After serving more than 27 years with the Coon Rapids Fire Department, retiring Battalion Chief Tim Gilsrud is getting the axe – a golden axe, as is custom in the fire service.
Like other firefighters, Gilsrud wore many hats while working in the Coon Rapids Fire Department - including becoming the department's go-to social media poster. Gilsrud has given the Coon Rapids community an inside look at firefighting through the department's Facebook page.
"Everything from, 'here's what's going on with the fire department, to here's a big house fire we had,' and then also trying to send those important fire prevention messages,” Gilsrud said. “Like, they didn't have working smoke alarms, make sure you check your smoke alarm.”
Reflecting on his career in the fire service, Gilsrud is grateful.
"I'd just like to say thank you for filling my heart and giving me and my family an opportunity to live out a lifelong dream and career and just keep our next generation of firefighters safe and think about the firefighters."