MOORHEAD (KVRR/KFGO) – The firefighters’ union in Moorhead is raising the alarm about what they are calling a lack of support from city officials.
In a statement the Moorhead Firefighters local 1323 told us “Moorhead is growing, call volume is increasing, and firefighter staffing has not meaningfully kept pace in about 20 years.”
They say the department isn’t meeting regional or national staffing standards, lacks a dedicated, staffed ladder truck, and is in desperate need of a third fire station.
They say there are other concerns too, including aging fire stations built in the 1970s, and no dedicated training facility.
They say they have “turnout gear and contamination-control issues, and firefighters buying their own workout equipment.”
In December of 2025, the city council voted to apply for a SAFER grant from the federal government to help solve some of these issues, however they never applied for the grant.
The union says they’ve received no clarification on why the plan changed, despite the Police Department side applying for the grant.
Amongst the issues is a growing concern of retaliation from city officials against those that speak out.
Local 1323 President Eric Welk has been placed under the International Association of Fire Fighters “Guardian Policy” for the second time in two years. The policy provides legal representation to IAFF members who are subjected to retaliation for engaging in union-related activities or speaking out on matters of public concern.
In a statement to KVRR, the Moorhead Fire Chief Jeff Wallin said that they believed applying for the grant before a third fire station was approved would be premature.
In part he said “For now, we are continuing day-to-day work, planning, and evidence-based decision making to ensure we meet our community’s needs with the staff and resources we have today.”
Moorhead City Manager Dan Mahli also denied the accusations of retaliation, saying in part “The City of Moorhead believes strongly in a professional and respectful workplace. The city does not retaliate against employees for their protected speech or roles in unions. We respect the labor‑management processes.”
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