GREENWOOD TWP — After acting as interim fire chief since last December, Brian Trancheff is now officially hired as the township’s new fire department head. Trancheff was the only applicant for the position, but he garnered high praise from most, but not all, of the board.
“I am extremely proud of Brian,” said Chair Lois Roskoski. “He has stuck in there. He loves the department. He puts the fire department first and politics last.”
“His dedication is unmatched,” said Supervisor Craig Gilbert, who is also a fire department member. Trancheff has served on the department since 2006.
“Without him, we would have to shut the doors on this department,” Roskoski added.
“I drive by the town hall almost every day,” said Supervisor Steve Bradach, “and I see his truck outside the hall almost every day. He is dedicated.”
“He is stepping up to the role,” Roskoski said.
Trancheff is a trained firefighter and has completed some leadership and other advanced training. He does not have first responder training, but the board had previously agreed this was not required for the fire chief, only desired, since the chief could rely on others in the department with that training for input.
But Supervisor John Bassing, who was the lone supporter of former Fire Chief Jeff Maus, had concerns about Trancheff’s communication style, as well as the fact that Trancheff was not coming to board meetings to give fire department reports and updates.
Roskoski said she told Trancheff this was not required while he served in the interim role.
The vote to hire Trancheff was 4-1, with Bassing voting against.
Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila, who has been hired by the township to establish updated fire department policies, said he talks with Trancheff multiple times a week.
“I can help him anyway I can,” Jankila said.
Trancheff comes into a department that now is operating under newly created policies, job descriptions, an hourly pay structure and new operation guidelines. The department also has a new medical director overseeing the emergency medical responders.
The board approved the new SOGs, presented by Jankila, who explained how the 16 different guidelines will become the “playbook” on how the department responds to fire calls.
“These relate to OSHA and hazmat standards,” he said. “They can be expanded at any time. They bring the department up to compliance.”
The board also hired Brianna Lofquist as the department’s administrative assistant. She is a firefighter and first responder for the department and is also an RN who runs her own wellness business. She was one of three who applied for the opening, but one had withdrawn their application prior to the meeting. The board noted that all three applicants were well-qualified for the position.
“She has shown herself to be a catalyst for positive change,” said Roskoski. “She was instrumental in getting us to hire a medical director. I believe she will be a true asset.”
But all the positive news for the department was overshadowed by the resignation of one of the department’s most reliable EMR responders, Dave DeJoode, who had been serving as the EMR captain. DeJoode submitted his resignation on June 13, shortly after the June 10 regular board member, when he spoke during public comment and expressed his disappointment that the township would be opening up applications for his position.
“I feel the process is very unfair,” he told the board in June. “I had to learn about these proposed changes at the EMS committee meeting. The interim fire chief failed to communicate with me since January.”
DeJoode told the board in June that he had been blocked from doing his job as EMS captain and had not been “privy” to any information for months. DeJoode has been a department member since 2019.
Roskoski did tell the board that there had been some sort of personnel issue with DeJoode prior to his resignation, but this could not be discussed at the meeting. She also told the board there was a letter from an employee (unnamed) regarding some other EMS issues, and they would be setting up a meeting with the employee and fire chief to discuss the concerns.
Bassing told the board he was having serious concerns about the state of the township’s emergency responders.
“We have lost our main responders,” he said, noting that until recently Maus, DeJoode and Kristal Strong were responding to the vast majority of calls in the township. He noted that longtime EMR Peggy Nelson was moving and Rod Politano had recently retired.
“Right now, we are missing calls more and more as time goes on,” Bassing said. He asked Gilbert how many calls had been missed, and Gilbert said he would get that information.
“We are trying to rebuild the department,” responded Roskoski. “We will be doing some recruitment efforts.”
Greenwood EMRs are not members of the Tower Ambulance Service but respond to medical emergencies in Greenwood and provide care until the ambulance arrives. The Greenwood Fire Department currently has seven firefighters, five who have already completed the required training and two who are currently completing the training.

Other business
In other business, the board:
• Heard from treasurer Tammy Mortaloni that the township’s cash flow issues have resolved after receiving the early partial tax levy payment. The township’s financial balance now sits at $490,975.
• Approved a new safe and sick time policy, using a template from the Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT). The policy allows employees to accrue up to 80 hours of time to be used for sick leave or other approve uses.
• Heard that roofing project was completed and on budget by Custom Solutions of Embarrass.
• Will address concerns about the brushing done on Birch Point Extension. The contractor agreed to go back to address the issues raised. Supervisor Paul Skubic noted that some of the work began while there was still snow on the ground, which may have accounted for the issues seen. The township did approve paying the contractor for the work done.
• Will send a letter to the DNR noting concerns with the proposed design of the Moccasin Point public boat landing. Concerns include access for emergency vehicles and larger construction equipment, since there is not a straight-line access to the docks and ramp area. “Even if they said it’s only going to take 30 seconds longer to get a fire truck to the water,” Gilbert said. “I think it will be longer than that, and if your house is burning, that time matters.”
• Heard an update on the broadband project and requested that township residents who are not in the current project area should visit the CTC website and fill out a request for service. Bassing reported they are still working to find funding to complete the project. He said the estimated construction cost for service to each household is $10,000. The township has $100,000 in ARPA funding to use as matching funds. “We expected the federal government to come through with funding, but they are not,” Bassing said.
• After some discussion and a failed motion, took no action on bringing the local board of appeal back to Greenwood Township. The town board voted back in November 2020 to permanently transfer their local duties to St. Louis County. Resident Steve Lenertz has requested that the township investigate how they can regain local control.
• Heard an update on the recreation board’s picnic event. With over 200 people attending, it raised over $7,000 for annual maintenance needs and small projects. The rec board is now selling advertising banners that will hang on the new pickleball court.
• Voted to donate $100 to the Northland K9 Unit.