Orono appeals court orders, gets fire department ID number

The City of Orono is appealing the injunction order and both contempt orders imposed against it by Fourth Judicial District Court. All three orders relate to the city’s efforts to create its own standalone fire department, separate from the Long Lake Fire Department.

The ongoing dispute between neighboring cities Orono and Long Lake relates to Orono’s efforts toward the creation of an independent fire department, despite having a joint fire agreement with Long Lake and the Long Lake Fire Department that runs through the end of 2025.

The first contempt order was issued in November 2023, and the second was issued earlier this year in March; while the injunction order was issued in July 2023.

“Orono respectfully and fundamentally disagrees with the district court’s rulings concerning Orono’s lawful decision to establish its own fire department to provide improved emergency services to our citizens,” the city said in a statement.

The appeal now goes before a three judge panel, with a ruling expected before the end of the year.

“Orono’s staff will continue to engage Long Lake’s staff in order to effectuate a smooth transition as the current contracts end to ensure a continuity of emergency services for all our residents,” the city’s statement continued.

Orono maintains that, “despite this ongoing litigation, Orono will be ready to assume responsibilities in the Navarre area on July 1 of this year and for the remainder of the city n Jan. 1, 2026. The city’s contract with the Long Lake Fire Department expires on Dec. 31, 2025.

Orono also learned at the end of April that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the state fire marshal issued the Orono Fire Department a Fire Department ID number. In issuing the ID number, the agency stated that Orono’s efforts “does/or will meet the definition of a fire department set for in Minnesota Statute.”