A pension benefit is also given once a year to part-time firefighters based on longevity. The Albert Lea Fire Department maintains one 105 foot aerial, three 1250 gpm pumpers, and various utility vehicles. The Fire Prevention Bureau's mission is to improve personal safety and reduce property loss through aggressive fire inspections and quality public fire education. Programs are provided in our nursing homes, medical facilities, businesses, and schools. Shift personnel present fire prevention education to all preschools and kindergarten classes the week before fire prevention week.
First graders get a visit by the trucks and are given a fire message.
The fifth grade poster contest is well received as the class in each school that has the most participation is treated to a pizza party. The winner of the 2000 poster contest, as well as the winner of the State Contest, was Tanya Knudtson. Tanya is a 5th grader at Hawthorne Elementary. Albert Lea Firefighters Union Local 1041 completed it's fifth year providing a Spring visit to first grade classes. Each child is rewarded a custom printed T-shirt for learning fire prevention techniques.