HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan 3 - EFD_PeteKnaebleMNTF1
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • keidsness@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Firefighter Named Administrator of State Rescue Team
Edina, Minn., Jan. 3, 2019 – Edina Paramedic/Firefighter Pete Knaeble has been chosen as the new
Administrator for Minnesota Task Force 1, the state’s emergency rescue team.
Knaeble will handle the day-to-day operations, training and record-keeping for Minnesota Task Force 1, which
is made up of about 220 firefighters, police officers and medical personnel from five areas: Edina, Minneapolis,
Rochester, St. Paul and Dakota County.
The task force is specially trained and equipped to handle trench rescues, confined space rescues or search
and rescue when a structure collapses. Members also perform highly technical rope rescues.
Knaeble succeeds Pete Fisher, who stepped down from the role after accepting a promotion to become
Training/Safety Chief for the Edina Fire Department.
“Pete Knaeble was selected for the position because of his dedication and passion for technical rescue. Over
the course of his career, he has taken on additional responsibilities and training with the Edina Special
Operations Team and a member of Minnesota Task Force One Urban Search & Rescue Team,” said Edina Fire
Chief Tom Schmitz. “He is always striving to do better for not only himself but for the teams. Along with his
passion for this type of work, Pete has a strong background in education and organizational development. This
made him an easy choice to take on the role as the new Task Force Administrator. His organizational skills
and ability to lead groups will ensure his success and that of the Task Force.”
Knaeble, who was previously a teacher, joined the Edina and Hopkins fire departments as a Paid-On-Call
Firefighter in 2009. He enjoyed his time as a Firefighter so much that that he decided he wanted to do it
fulltime. After going back to school to become a Paramedic, he got a job with Hennepin Healthcare. A year
later, Knaeble was hired by the Edina Fire Department as a Paramedic/Firefighter. Knaeble is currently in his
fourth year as a Medic for the Edina Swat Team, and in his sixth year on the Minnesota Task Force 1.
“I have always loved what the Task Force does and the amazing capabilities that the Task Force has,” said
Knaeble.
“I am excited about the challenge of working as the Task Force Administrator. I get to work with hundreds of
people across the five major departments and over a dozen supporting agencies,” he added. “The Task Force
is still considered fairly new; it is still growing and defining itself and I am very excited to be part of shaping
this organization. I think we are just starting to see what the Task Force is capable of as we continue to grow
and expand.”
Knaeble will remain working in Edina, but won’t be on a regular firefighting shift while serving as
Administrator.
The City of Edina will hire a Paramedic/Firefighter to replace Knaeble’s shift position.
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