The Good Life – November-December 2019

ON THE COVER | DAN FULLER
Recently, the West Fargo Fire Department unveiled their
second-ever strategic plan to cover the years 2019-2023.
With this plan, the Department is anticipating more
energetic growth of West Fargo and initiating programs
to accommodate such. The plans include continued
community risk reduction, an additional fire station, and at
least 24 more personnel to be hired.
The West Fargo Fire Department has recently shifted to
heavily focus on increasing community awareness and
prevention about various hazards. They’ve transitioned
beyond presentations at schools to excite kids about fire
safety and instead aim to connect with the community by
attending community events, canvassing neighborhoods,
facilitating workplace fire safety training, and leading
trainings on active assailant situations.
According to the Department’s most recent strategic plan,
“The department isn’t just about responding to fires, but
rather, responding and reducing all hazards within our
community. While fire suppression, emergency medical
services, hazardous materials response, and technical
rescue are the major operational areas we focus our
efforts on, it is important to note that equal time should be
dedicated to Community Risk Reduction efforts.”
The plan continues to include that, “when an act of terrorism
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occurs, or a natural disaster strikes, the department will be
on the front line. That is a fact and an expectation of our
community, as well as communities across our country.
In addition to the response, if the department can reduce
the seriousness of an incident through Community Risk
Reduction, or even prevent it from occurring at all, then we
are bound to do so.”
To adequately carry out Community Risk Reduction
efforts, the West Fargo Fire Department is focusing on
potential threats that may arise in 2-5 years. Fuller wants
the community to know that, “issues that will come up in
six months have already been dealt with. We’re looking way
beyond that now.”
“What excites me most is being able to shape and mold
the department to what works best for West Fargo,
while implementing nationwide best practices such as
Community Risk Reduction,” said Fuller.
The Fuller Family
Fuller’s active family helps to ensure that he has a full, fun
schedule. He recently celebrated his one year anniversary
with Naomi, his wife, who works as a Registered Nurse
with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Their
blended family of seven guarantees that the couple attends
at least two sporting events a week as their oldest three