Humane Society changes
name to Homeward Animal Shelter
Name change to better represent regional vision
(Fargo, N.D.) – The Humane Society Fargo-Moorhead has changed their name to Homeward Animal Shelter.
The name change is intended to clarify that Homeward Animal Shelter is a locally run animal shelter that receives no funding from any national organizations, and brings forth their own independent approaches and principles.
“Homeward Animal Shelter is local, and our impact is local,” said Nukhet Hendricks, the executive director of Homeward Animal Shelter. “With the new name and refined mission, we are better equipped to serve the animals and the community by educating proper care and finding permanent, loving homes for animals in the FM area.”
Alongside the shelter’s new name is a new mission statement: “Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.” and vision statement, “Until every animal has a home.”
With this name change Homeward Animal Shelter will offer additional services such as basic dog training for dogs while they are at the shelter. With the new spay and neuter campaign, dog training and the help of new and existing donors, Homeward Animal Shelter will help the Fargo-Moorhead community and the animals within it have better quality of life.
In 2013 Homeward Animal Shelter took in 46 percent of all adoptable cats and dogs from local pounds. Because of Homeward Animal Shelter, 805 animals in the Fargo Moorhead area were rescued in 2013.
Homeward Animal Shelter relies on donations from the community to help rescue, shelter, protect and re-home animals of Fargo-Moorhead. To donate visit the Homeward Animal Shelter website: www.homewardonline.org.
Music Montage
FARGO, ND- The Fargo Park District is hosting a series of music events this summer. The third Music Montage will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, August 14 at Great Northern Park. Join in an interactive evening of music outside on the park plaza.
This event features an open mic format and invites talented local musicians to perform to a crowd of all ages. Get your shot up on stage or just enjoy the up and coming talent in our community. There will be one more Music Montage events held on September 11.
Great Northern Park is located at 425 N Broadway, Fargo. This is a free event and all ages and all skill levels are welcome to attend. For more information contact the Fargo Park District at 701-499-7788 or go to www.fargoparks.com.
Fargo Fire Department
to Conduct Water Rescue Training
FARGO, N.D. (July 30, 2014) – Beginning Friday, Aug. 1, and continuing through Friday, Aug. 8, the Fargo Fire Department will be conducting training exercises on the Red River in the Lindenwood Park area. The public should be aware that these are only training exercises and that there is no emergency or immediate danger in the area.
These training exercises allow firefighters to hone the necessary skills for mitigating incidents and providing patient care to victims of emergencies occurring on and around the Red River and other flooded areas.
The Fargo Fire Department reminds citizens that they should dial 9-1-1 in case of any emergency.
Fargo Fire Chief Completes
International Professional Designation Process
FARGO, N.D. (July 28, 2014) – Fire Chief Steve Dirksen has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on July 8, 2014, to officially confer the designation on Chief Dirksen. Dirksen is one of only 961 CFO’s worldwide.
The CPC awards the CFO designation only after the individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. The process includes an assessment of the applicant’s education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, contributions to the profession and community involvement. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future development plan.
The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., administers the CFO designation program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession.
“I felt this was important as the Fire Chief of an accredited fire department that I invest in the process personally. The process helped me develop a plan for continuing education, training and skill proficiency as well as improve the fire service in general. It also helped me to affirm my commitment to providing the most effective and efficient service to the community” – Chief Dirksen
Fargo Fire Department
Prepares for Crude Oil Emergencies
FARGO, N.D. (July 30, 2014) – The Fargo Fire Department (FFD) is currently conducting training with Specialized Response Solutions, LP (SRS). SRS is a Fort Worth, Texas based company that provides hazardous materials training for emergency responders. The training is focused on extinguishing crude oil fires using firefighting foam. BNSF has provided a foam trailer that can be transported throughout the region to assist fire departments with responding to crude oil emergencies. The BNSF foam trailer is housed with the FFD.
This training is part of a ramped up effort by the FFD to increase our training and abilities in response to crude oil emergencies. In addition, in the coming weeks the FFD will begin sending members of its regional hazmat response team to a 3-day “Crude Oil by Rail Emergency Response” class at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, CO. The SERTC was established in 1985 to provide training to railroad officials to safely handle incidents involving tank cars and hazardous materials. The training proved so successful that it was opened up to emergency responders and now serves the transportation service industry along with public sector emergency responders, the chemical industry, government agencies and emergency response contractors from around the world. This is also a BNSF sponsored event.