johnlaeger.com

The Office

I know you are losing sleep wondering "Just what does John's office look like?"  Well, lose sleep no more.  I LOVE my office - it is VERY cool.

Dude!

I just saw a fire truck going Code 3 by the hotel!

I LOVE Texas!

Beyond Commitment

It's no secret that I have been part of the Shakopee Fire Department for 14 years.  It has been an awesome 14 years and I have loved every minute of it.  There is nothing like being at home or at the office and the pager goes off.  The adrenalin rush is absolutely amazing!

I remember growing up dreaming of being a firefighter.  And because the Shakopee Fire Department is volunteer, I get to fulfill two dreams - being a pastor and being a firefighter.  And there is no other fire department I want to fulfill this dream with than with the Shakopee Fire Department.

Keep in mind this is a volunteer department.  Which means every firefighter works their 40, 50, 60 hr work week and on top of that responds to calls at every hour of the day and night.  There are no shifts.  We are on call 24/7.  We have mechanics, salesmen, teachers, contractors, chemists, electricians, managers, police officers, business owners - oh, yeah, and one pastor.  We all carry pagers.  When someone calls 911 and is in need of the fire department, all of our pagers go off - regardless of where we are or what we are doing.  And we leave, go to the station, get our gear, load the trucks and respond to help, rescue, fix ... whatever is needed.

We respond to structure fires, chemical spills, fire alarms, carbon monoxide calls, medical assists, car fires, car crashes, accidents on lakes, lost hunters/hikers/bikers, bomb threats, grass fires, dumpster fires, lightning strikes - just to name a few.

Every firefighter on the department has completed a minimum of 200 plus hours of firefighter training.  This is all in the first year.  After that, there is weekly training (every Monday night for 2 hours), and several special schools that are attended throughout the year.  This is all done - on top of their regular jobs and careers.

In addition to this, there are countless hours given and donated toward community service, block parties, school presentations, station and equipment cleaning/repair/maintenance, and community projects and events.  Again - all on top of regular jobs and careers.

In 2007, we responded to 609 total calls.  While the calls we get most of the time are for fire alarms, here are just some of the other calls we had in 2007.

• 21 structure fires
• 24 car fires
• 23 grass fires
• 23 medical assists
• 30 car crashes

Again - this is all on top of our regular jobs and careers.  These calls come in the middle of the night, in the middle of dinner, in the middle of a child's concert or birthday party or anniversary or dinner out with friends.

All of this to say that I count it a major privilege and honor to be a part of a group of firefighters who have such a high level of commitment to this community.  And here's what you can do...

• When driving through town and you notice a vehicle with its four way lights flashing - pull over and let them by.  Most likely this is a Shakopee Firefighter on the way to the station to respond to an emergency of some kind.
• When you hear or see a fire truck - either going to a call or just driving through town - pray.  Ask God to protect us, give us safety as we respond to calls, give us clear thinking to bring order out of chaos, and to act with swift and precise actions that will help and maybe even save a life.
• When you meet a firefighter in the store or on the street or wherever - wave, shake his/her hand, say "thanks".  These are the men and women who are making major sacrifices of family time, personal time, personal comforts and conveniences to serve our great community.

125th SFD Commerative Button

2008 marks the 125th year the Shakopee Fire Department has been serving the great community of Shakopee.  We are planning a MAJOR community celebration this coming fall.  This celebration will include a fire station open house, firefighter combat challenge, fire muster, water fights, antique and new fire truck parade, Shaw Brothers dance, and fire works.  In addition to all those who will be coming from our own community, we are expecting hundreds and hundreds of firefighters from all over the state to come and enjoy the celebration.

This celebration will be free to all those who come.  But putting it on is not free so we are selling "125th SFD Commerative Buttons".  $10.00 each.  The cash raised will go toward putting on this great community celebration.  This is far more than a fundraiser - it is a way to partner with the Shakopee Fire Department in providing an awesome event that our department - and more so - our community deserves.

If you would like a button - email me and let me know.  If you live out of town, I'll mail it to you.  (You don't need to live in Shakopee to be a part of this.)  If you own a business, maybe get several and hand them out to your staff, employees, or customers as gifts.  Make checks out to Shakopee Fire Department.

This button is NOT required to come to the celebration.  The celebration is free.  However, all those who purchase a button and come, will be entered into a raffle.  But that is minor compared to what you are contributing and helping us do for the Shakopee community.

Raw Video of Shakopee Apartment Fire

Here is a 6 minute unedited home video of the fire and rescue.

If you have questions, ask.

Proud to be a Shakopee Firefighter

Shakopee Apartment Fire Rescue

This is video of an apartment fire early this morning.  This apartment is 2 blocks from our house.  Although I was still too sick to make the call, I was awake the entire time listening to the scanner and pager and all the radio traffic.  Plus I was praying.  I could tell by the radio traffic that this was critical.

We pulled three people from the apartment.  One man is still in critical condition.

Here is the local news website notice.  Three Rescued from Apartment Fire

I am so proud to be a Shakopee Firefighter.

My job is not to lead the church

Yesterday and today I have the awesome privilege of sitting in on one of the interview panels for interviewing candidates for Shakopee first full time Fire Chief.  Not only is it a privilege to be part of this historical process, but even more so it is a privilege because I am able to sit and listen to some great leaders.

Last night one of the candidates made this statement (not verbatim - but here's what I heard), "A fire department is like a ship and I am the captain.  My job as captain is not to run the ship.  My job is to find and identify officers who will lead the ship."

I immediately picked up on that because God is challenging me big time to identify leaders, train leaders, and lead leaders at Meadow.

Then just a few mintues ago, I was challenged by my ministry coach with this statement. (And he had no idea what I had heard last night.)  "Your job as pastor is not to lead the church.  Your job is to find and train leaders who will lead the church.  Let them own the ministry.  Let them do it not because John said so, but because they own it."

Now...this was all part of an hour coaching call and I will be processing it and chewing on it and fleshing it out.  And it won't be an overnight deal to get there.

But I have a confession...(if you are looking for a pastor who is perfect or think I am perfect - you need to stop reading right now)...

I am not good at this.  I would like to think I am good at it, but I have a lot to learn.  I am a control freak.  I have to stop being a control freak.  I also run way ahead of people and get frustrated when I have to come back and explain things that I seem to just do intuitively.  This is not leading leaders.  This is more leadership by dragging!

I have to let others own the ministy.  I have to find leaders at Meadow.  Invest in leaders at Meadow.  Train leaders at Meadow.  They are here.  I know they are here.  Many are already in positions of leadership.  But I need to train them, invest in them, and let them lead.

My job is not to lead Meadow.  My job is to find leaders, train leaders, and lead leaders, and then let them lead Meadow!

Your job?  Remind me of my job!

This has been a GREAT day (and it's not even over yet!)

What a GREAT day!

It is 4 degrees outside.  Winchill is -9.  And I am sitting here in my garage for the first time since last November!  It's a balmy 40 degrees in here!  Dude...THIS is how you get rid of the crude!  Who needs doctors.  :)  The cure is sittin' in your garage, drinking hot coffee, the smell of power steering fluid and kerosene on your hands, KS95 jammin'.

That's not all...today, I:

• Spent some awesome time studying 1 Tim. 3
• Blogged
• Drove the ladder truck, lights and sirens, to a small structure fire
• Had a Whopper Jr WITH cheese, fries, and a diet coke (I know, it is so not healthy but it tasted so good!)
• Bought a new gas can and funnel
• Cleaned the garage and hung my 2008 Ace Hardware calendar on the wall

So...as you can see, it has been an extremely productive day.  And it's not even over yet.  Sandy will be home in about an hour and I get to spend the evening with her!

Then tomorrow...who knows...I might just do it all over again!

It's on its way!

Yesterday, the equipment left for Moldova.  Here's the Kare11 report...

Moldova Equipment Leaves

Awesome to Crappy

Seems it never fails.  On the heels of an awesome day comes a crappy day.

I didn't sleep more than about an hour last night and today has been just plain crappy.  I can't let it get me off of my focus.

Tonight while the rest of the world is watching Heroes and all the other new shows - I'm gonna go burn a barn - literally.  Hanging out with the guys on the department, doing some training & burning will be a breath of fresh air after a tough day.

Tough Decision - Moldova

I will not be going to Moldova in November with IFRM.

When I made the decision to travel to Moldova with IFRM, I did so with the commitment that I would go only if I could do so without compromising my family or my ministry with Meadow.  Both of these are a much higher priority.

The original travel dates of November 4-14 were ideal.  However, due to the time involved with shipping the equipment to Moldova in a bin the size of a semi-trailer, and advisement from the U.S. State Department to allow additional time for customs clearance of the bin and other possible but unknown factors that could slow the shipment down, the dates had to be moved to later in November and early December.

We are already gearing up for the month of December - a month I believe will be the most focused month of outreach at Meadow - possibly in our history.  And with the launch of a new teaching series, the sending out of a direct mail piece, and a Sportsman’s Banquet on Friday, November 30, my commitment is with Meadow at this time and I cannot be gone.  To be gone during this critical period of time for Meadow would be too much of a compromise.

Is IFRM still going?  Yes!  God is doing a magnificent work in preparing and arranging the plans for the team to travel in late November.  What started as plans to go to one fire station to train firefighters has grown into enough equipment and interest to cover three fire stations.  A major airline has committed to donating plane tickets.  Major manufacturers of fire equipment are endorsing this trip and mission.  And equipment continues to come in from fire departments all over.  There is no doubt this mission has the hand of God in it!

Will there be additional opportunities to go to Moldova?  I hope so, and I am still interested in being a part of this mission.  However, those times and dates are unknown at this time.

Perfect Job Combination

University of Chicago survey of jobs that bring the most satisfaction and happiness revealed that the top two jobs where people are most satisfied and fulfilled...

• #1:  Clergy (87%)
• #2:  Firefighters (80%)

Conclusion...being a pastor and a firefighter is the perfect job combination.  Now you know why I smile a whole lot!

To save lives...

Things are progressing well for our plans to go to Moldova.  We have a substantial amount of gear and equipment that will literally save lives - lives of firefighters who in turn will be able to save lives of others.

Travel dates for me personally are November 4 - 14.

This video is moving - especially in terms of the risk and price firefighters pay.  If this is what we are up against here in America with the best of the best equipment - can you imagine what the Moldovian firefighters are up against with little or nothing for protective gear and equipment?

Simply a GREAT Sunday!

The pics tell the story.  We had a great crowd.  The band was at the top of their game.  Hans and Franz had us rolling in laughter.  Weather was perfect.  And I had at least a half dozen people comment that we need to do this more often.  Hmmm...something to consider for next year.

BTW...some wondered what my shirt said..."If it's too loud, you're too old."

After the outdoor service was the parade.  Fire department had several trucks in it as usual and I drove one of the pumpers.  THAT is so cool!  I have been on the department for over 13 years and I still get an adrenalin rush when I see fire trucks and especially when I get to drive!

KARE 11 Link

Here is the link to the KARE 11 video done on IFRM mission to Moldova.

I know there are some who only subscribe to the "Moldova" category and would miss this because I am unable to categorize through Videoegg (at least not that I know of.)

KARE 11 Report

Here are some reminder links as well.

• International Fire Relief Mission Web Site
• WCCO News Report
• KBC in Moldova

Brotherhood - "I got your back!"

A day of undeniable brotherhood - in ministry and in the fire department.

Started off with a meeting with my Advisory Team to wrestle with a challenging situation in front of us.  It was an hour of brotherhood as we worked together, dialogued together, brainstormed together, asked the tough questions together - and came out stronger when done.  "I got your back" kind of stuff.  The stuff of brotherhood.

Had an associate ask me point blank, "How's your prayer life doing?  How about your time in scripture?"  These are the questions I both hate and love.  I hate them because there are times I have to say, "Ummm, not good dude.  Last week things really slipped and I am just not getting much out of my reading."  Today was one of those times.  But I love it because it keeps me focused and keeps me seeking Christ through prayer and Bible reading.  I am so thankful for brotherhood...being together...fighting the spiritual battle together...holding each other accountable... "I got your back" kind of stuff.  The stuff of brotherhood.

Paged to a medical today.  Tough call for an infant not breathing.  I was in the back of the first truck.  We were canceled in route so I don't know what the outcome was, but on the way there - lights and sirens wailing, we talked over and over CPR on infants - reminding each other of the hows and working together to make sure we stayed focused.  "I got your back" kind of stuff.  The stuff of brotherhood.

Drill tonight was ladders and roof operations.  Working together, assisting each other, backing each other up, never doing anything alone.  "I got your back" kind of stuff.  The stuff of brotherhood.

No fewer than four men asked me about Moldova today - how my support is coming in.  Surprise for how fast it all came in was the reaction by most.  (That sort of thing happens when God is showing up!)  But just the fact that they asked is totally cool - it was brotherhood... "I got your back" kind of stuff.  Helping, wanting to help...very, very, very cool.

Ministry and firefighting.  What a great combination!  Total brotherhood kind of stuff!  You have just got to love it!

IFRM Updates - "Smokin'" Cool!!!

Awesome news from the IFRM front...

1. We have a cascade system!  For those who don't know what this is - it is basically "fill-station" for air bottles.  Now the fire department in Moldova will have air packs, air bottles, and a fill station!
2. This Wednesday (July 25) - KARE 11 News will be running a taped video on the mission of IFRM!  It's early!!!  5:30 AM and again at 6:30 AM!  This is just what God allowed TIVO to be invented for!
3. We are exploring an interview with FOX 9 News to be aired in August sometime!
4. OH....And I have 100% of my support committed!  Any additional funds that come in from this point on will go toward shipping costs, food and Bibles!

Countdown to Shutdown

I try to take Friday's off.  At least I don't go into the office.  Today - I am going to be a total rebel and do absolutely nothing but FUN stuff!  (Not that I don't enjoy ministry - I LOVE IT!)....but.... It has been a tiring week.

• We are taking a major hit this summer in giving and that is wearing on me - especially the long term ramifications.
• Pager has been going off what seems to be constantly.  We have had 13 calls in five days including a 7 hour industrial fire, 3 hour house fire, 3 hour gas line break, and a 2 hour gas line break.  I haven't gotten much sleep.
• I am pumped about Moldova.  In some ways I feel like a little kid just waiting for the trip to the amusement park.  And I have never raised support before, so that is mentally and emotionally taking a toll.
• Seems like we are in a season of out of the ordinary expenses...dog had surgery, car needs tires, Jess needs her senior pictures, and my Dairy Queen bill is due!  (just kidding about the Dairy Queen bill).  All of that tends to wear on me.

So...as soon as I hit "post" on this, I am shutting down the computer and I am going to:

• Go for a long sweaty bike ride.  I don't know where I am going.  I will know when I get there.
• Hang out in my man cave and putz.  Maybe crank my iPod up so the whole neighborhood can hear it.
• Wash my truck.  It's a Ford but I still need to take care of it.
• Tonight - hangin' out with the world's most beautiful woman.  Not sure what we will do - but whatever we do will be a blast because I will be with her!

So...countdown to shutting down... 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1...

God's Protection - A "Good Thing"

How many times have you or I said something like, "Good thing we didn't stop for gas or we would have been right in the middle of that major accident."  or  "Good thing you ordered that salad because they just found spoiled food in the other one."

Today was a "good thing" kind of day.

Shortly after 6:00 AM this morning - paged out to a house fire.  Fire upstairs and in the attack.  First crew in did an awesome job in knocking it down.  "Good thing" too because it is a very old house and would have easily burned like a dry tinder box.  "Good thing" it is only a few blocks from the station or it would have taken us longer to get there thus allowing the fire to progress further.  "Good thing" there were workers outside at the business across the street and "good thing" they happen to look over and see smoke coming from the roof so they could wake up the elderly man and get him out or he might not have made it.  "Good thing" the fire was in the room it was in because the other two rooms upstairs had rifles and ammunition in them that would have endangered firefighters and possibly prevented an aggressive attack.

"Good thing" = God's protection.

Shortly after lunch - paged to a car accident with injuries.  "Good thing" there was no passenger because the passenger side of the car was completely caved in and any passenger would have been seriously injured or killed.  "Good thing" we had an officer who came upon the accident right away so we were able to be paged sooner than normal.  "Good thing" the driver swerved when she did or the driver's side would have also been caved in.  "Good thing" the air bags were deployed.

"Good thing" = God's protection.

"Thank you Father for a 'good thing'.  'Good thing' You are in control."

Mission to Moldova

If everything comes together, I will be leaving on Monday, November 6th for Moldova.  Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and is between Romania and Ukraine.

Recently two men (Ron & Mark) on a church mission trip were in Moldova and came in contact with the fire department and what they found bothered them.  85 fire fighters protecting 4.4 million people.  Rain coats for protection.  No boots.  10 air packs for 85 fire fighters.  1950/1960 apparatus.

Ron & Mark came back to Minnesota with the intent on gathering equipment to ship back over to Moldova to the fire department.  They have gathered over $100,000.00 in equipment and will be shipping it over in October.

Then in November, a small team will be going over to train the fire fighters in how to use the equipment.  I hope to be part of that team.

It will be a fire department training/mission trip.  During the day we will be training the fire fighters and in the evening we will be distributing food and working with the churches there.

Here are some links to help understand this better...

WCCO News Report

International Fire Relief Web Site

Powerpoint Presentation

Here's the catch.  I have to raise my own support and expenses which will be approximately $2,500.00.  If I can raise this support by August 1, I will go.  I will not be going to Meadow for help.  I know - some will say, "Why?"  Bottom line is that this summer we have taken a major hit financially and we are in no position to do this.  I will be using personal contacts, word of mouth, and this blog.

I am not one to beat around the bush.  So...if you want to be a part of this financially, email me and let me know and then send your checks to me at:

• Meadow Spring Community Church
• 1110 Shakopee Town Square
• Shakopee, MN  55379

Make your checks out to the church NOT to me.  Put "fire mission" on the memo.  And please, do not use what you normally give to the church.  Your giving to the church is the #1 priority.  Any contributions to this mission need to come AFTER you have given to the church.

I am pretty pumped about this...I LOVE ministry.  And I LOVE being a fire fighter.  This is going to be a great opportunity to put them both together!  And I am excited to see how God works in bringing in the support over the next couple of weeks.

I will keep you posted and updated with how things are going and more info on the mission.