Fire Department
Physical Address: 745 7th St SE, Cokato MN 55321 --- E-mail: cokatofire@cokato.mn.us
Check out the Cokato Fire Department Facebook page for more information on the department and what they are doing.
As a modern fire department, Cokato Fire & Rescue responds to a lot more than just fires. The range of calls in 2021 included car crashes, fires, gas leaks, and many other emergencies. The department's response area includes Stockholm Township, Cokato Township, the City of Cokato, and half of French Lake Township.
Years ago, the story was different. In the 1800s, the Cokato Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department was first organized after a terrible fire burned downtown Cokato in July 1883. From there, firefighters purchased their first fire engine in 1888 and built a wooden water tower soon after, so they would have plenty of water to fight future fires.
The Cokato Fire Department formally organized in 1896, well over 100 years ago. They’ve fought numerous fires since then, including a fire at Cokato High School in 1917, garage fire in 1919 that destroyed 15 motor vehicles, and another downtown fire that burned First National Bank, a drug store, and a doctor’s office. There were even three mystery fires in Cokato schools in December of 1937 and the Cokato Hotel burned down in 1977.
Cokato Firefighter’s to the Rescue: Celebrating 125 Years of Service (video link)
2024 List of Officers
Fire Chief: Jim Martinson Jr.
Assistant Chief: Ricky Larios
Captain: Michael Rahkola
Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Aho
1st Lieutenant: Chris Barth
2nd Lieutenant: Blair Aho
Safety Officer: James Babb
Picture Names: Front (L-R): Jason Miller, Ricky Larios, Darrin Koivisto, Ben Aho, David Stoppelman, Reed Carlson, Denny Johnson, Blair Aho
Middle (L-R): James Babb, Megan Gustafson, Michael Rahkola, Doug Aho, Janell Martinson, Paul Keskey, Jarod Sebring, Jon Weiers
Back (L-R): Jonathon Ylitalo, Hutch Erickson, Jimmy Martinson, Hans Aho, Chris Barth, Jeremy Asfeld, Chris Braem, Mark Dahlman
Not Pictured: Scott Meyers, Grant Wilson