Minnesota's fire marshal gets national position

Minnesota's fire marshal has been elected president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Jerry Rosendahl accepted the position May 6.

The national association has two main missions. One is to protect human life, property and the environment from fire. The other is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of how state fire marshals operate.

Rosendahl has 27 years of fire service experience in three city fire departments, including 13 years as fire chief and fire marshal for Owatonna. He has been Minnesota's state fire marshal and director of pipeline safety since June 2003. He was also the state director of emergency management for two years.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman says the new role is an example of Rosendahl's dedication to fire safety.

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