Press releases

Edina Fire Department asks residents to avoid fire lanes

Edina, Minn., Aug. 28, 2008 -- The Edina Fire Department is working to remark and update fire lanes around the City in an effort to reduce parking or stopping in these lanes . The Department recently marked the fire lanes in and around all of Edina’s schools, and representatives from the school district spent three days putting up “No Parking Fire Lane” signage. The new, more visible signs are meant to prevent drivers from parking or stopping their vehicle in a fire lane, especially during the school-year “pick-up” and “drop-off” rush.

Numerous fire lanes are located on both public and private property throughout the City. They are created and marked in accordance to the Minnesota State Fire Code in order to give emergency response vehicles access to fire hydrants or buildings in the event of an emergency. They are common in large parking lots and around schools, multi-unit housing, retail establishments and large commercial areas.

“There is no way of knowing when and if firefighter/paramedics will need to gain access to any given location,” said Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer. “If a vehicle is parked in a fire lane, even for just a few minutes, lack of access could cost responders valuable time in an emergency.”

The Edina Police Department will be stepping-up enforcement of fire lane violations now that many fire lanes have been updated and should be easily visible by drivers. Violators should be aware that they are subject to a minimum $24 citation and could face expensive towing charges.

“People don’t realize how dangerous and life-threatening a blocked fire lane can be,” said Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “In our community, we have a problem of people taking this situation too lightly. In a fire or medical emergency, every second counts. -- and every extra second could save a life.”

For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call the Edina Fire Marshal at 952-826-0337.