[0:03] Welcome to the Grovecast, a municipal [0:06] podcast hosted by the city of Cottage [0:08] Grove. We are here to demystify city [0:11] government, make it more accessible to [0:13] you, while also showcasing the real [0:16] human beings who work every day [0:18] providing services to our residents. As [0:21] always, I'm your co-host, uh, Phil [0:23] Jensent, the city's communications [0:25] manager. [0:25] >> Hey everyone, and I'm Emily Schmidz, [0:27] the, uh, co-host as well. the city's [0:30] community development director. [0:31] >> You're the co-host. [0:32] >> I am. [0:32] >> You're still the co-host. [0:33] >> Still. [0:34] >> You still You keep coming back. So, [0:35] thank you for that. [0:36] >> Yeah, I think it's a whole year. Phil, [0:37] [laughter] [0:38] >> has it been a year? [0:39] >> I don't know. [0:40] >> I think we're at episode eight or nine [0:41] or something. I jumped the gun a little [0:43] bit. No, it's close. We're close. [0:44] >> Close. Yeah. Time flies when you're [0:46] having fun. It has been fun. [0:47] >> We talked to some awesome people, Phil. [0:49] >> We really have. We've had some good [0:50] episodes. I think we're going to have a [0:51] really good episode today, if I can say [0:53] so myself. [0:54] >> Don't spoil it too quick. [0:56] >> So, thank you for, you know, coming [0:57] back, Emily. Thanks to everyone who's [0:59] been listening and sending in questions [1:01] and what have you. We do really [1:02] appreciate it. [1:03] >> Yeah, send more questions. That's more [1:04] because then you know that folks are [1:06] really listening, Phil. I mean, we're [1:07] entertaining, but [1:09] >> we'd like to think so. [1:10] >> We'd like to think so. You know, it'd be [1:12] fun to, you know, chat about everybody's [1:14] >> I completely agree. [1:15] >> Very serious questions. [1:16] >> Completely agree. And speaking of which, [1:17] almost a year. We're getting near the [1:20] end of the year as we record this. It's [1:22] before the holidays, right? as it as [1:24] this episode comes out. I think it'll be [1:25] early January, but nevertheless, [1:27] >> holiday food. What do you think, Emily? [1:29] What's your favorite like holiday snack [1:32] or treat or food or whatever? [1:34] >> Oh, dear. Well, I a lot of things. Um, [1:39] >> just all of it. [1:40] >> I over a recent holiday, I had a uh corn [1:44] casserole. [1:46] >> Never had it before. No clue. I'll never [1:48] go back. It's like it's corn and [1:51] cornbread in this casserole dish. Our [1:54] guest is nodding. I can't wait to hear [1:56] if he really does know what this is. [1:58] >> He's like, "Give me the recipe." [1:59] >> Yeah, it was so good. So, that was my [2:02] favorite. [2:03] >> I love that. [2:04] >> But I'm [2:05] I'm not particular. [2:06] >> I think you'll find support in these in [2:08] this neck of the woods for a cornbased [2:11] >> holiday dish. [2:11] >> Midwest corn, you know. Yeah, totally. [2:14] >> Mine's like a you know the cookies with [2:16] the um the Hershey's kiss in the middle. [2:18] >> Oh, yeah. I love those. Yeah. [2:19] >> I can't get enough of them. [2:20] >> Well, that's the There are two biters, [2:21] so you can't just have one. You got [2:23] five, you know. [2:24] >> Yeah. [2:25] >> A couple every few minutes. [2:26] >> It's fine. Just tide you over. [2:28] >> It's one time a year. We're [2:29] [clears throat] all fine. Yeah. Don't [2:30] come to us with your health questions [2:32] cuz we can't help you. [2:33] >> Completely correct. That's not We're not [2:34] here to talk about health. We're here to [2:36] talk about government services, [2:37] >> right? [2:37] >> So, yes. [2:38] >> So, here we are. So, without much [2:40] further ado, [2:41] >> drum roll, please. [2:42] >> With us today is a very uh special [2:45] guest. very happy to have you join us is [2:48] fire chief John Pritchard. Chief [2:50] Pritchard, [2:51] >> welcome. [2:52] >> Hi. Thank you for having me. How you [2:54] doing today? [2:54] >> Absolutely. [2:55] >> I'm doing very well. And I'm actually [2:56] going to one up Phil's um with the [2:58] Hershey Kiss. [3:00] >> You can actually really up your game [3:01] with those. It's the same cookie dough, [3:03] but you put either a Rolo or a peanut [3:05] butter cup in there. [3:06] >> Peanut butter cup is the move. [3:07] >> And that's if you really want to up your [3:10] holiday game and holiday cookie game. [3:12] >> Incredible. And what I think I just [3:13] heard from our guest, Phil, uh, is that [3:16] he'll be bringing us some to try. [3:19] >> Well, I didn't hear that, but I'm [3:20] hearing you say that. So, John, [3:22] >> I'm pretty sure that's what I heard some [3:23] cookies if my mother makes enough of [3:25] [laughter] them and they can get through [3:26] our family. I can bring you some in on [3:29] maybe we can celebrate Boxing Day on the [3:30] 26th with some of those cookies. [3:32] >> Happy to do so. [3:33] >> When you said oneup, I thought actually [3:34] you were going to try to find a way to [3:35] combine the corn dish and the cookie. [3:38] Well, actually, [3:39] >> like a cornbread based Hershey's Kiss [3:41] cookie, which sounds disgusting. [3:43] >> I hear that's the next Oreo flavor [3:45] they're going to try. So, we'll see how [3:46] that goes out for everybody. [3:48] >> No. [laughter] [3:49] >> Oh, [3:49] >> well, they did do candy corn, so I guess [3:51] they are in the realm of that way. It's [3:54] not far off. Okay. Okay. [3:56] >> Coming soon to shelves in quarter one of [3:58] 2026. [laughter] [3:59] >> Right. Right. I'm so curious, Phil. [4:02] John, in your position, a fire chief. I [4:05] mean, just an esteemed position. But if [4:08] you could have a superpower, and you [4:10] can't say I'd put out all the fires. No. [4:13] What is your superpower truly that you [4:16] would choose? [4:18] >> Oh, boy. I [4:19] >> Oh, we stumped him already. [4:21] >> You've already stumped me. Um, [4:22] >> he's going to say Aquaman so that he can [4:24] put [4:24] >> Aquaires. [4:25] >> Hey, I'll take it. [4:26] >> I think it would be to be in multiple [4:28] places at once. [4:30] >> Yeah. And maybe that's a good one for [4:32] all folks that work in government or [4:34] truly [4:35] >> life. That's an answer we've heard [4:37] before. [4:37] >> Oh, really? Okay. So, good. That's a [4:39] common. [4:40] >> We're all thinking it, John. [4:41] >> Good. So, we won't have to debrief my [4:42] therapist as long next month. So, um [4:45] >> Yeah. And I think the coolest part of [4:47] that and especially for the fire service [4:49] is we do so many different things [4:51] whether it's it's just not going to you [4:53] know if somebody's home is on fire we're [4:55] providing health promotion, health [4:57] prevention, teaching people CPR, [5:00] learning water rescue in case somebody [5:02] has a water accident or just getting [5:05] somebody to the hospital in an ambulance [5:07] and right [5:07] >> some days you want you got to train in [5:09] all that sort of stuff. So, if I could [5:11] be in multiple classes at one time, [5:13] right, that'd be really, you know, ideal [5:15] for us. Or just plug in a USB port to [5:17] the back of my head and download all [5:18] that information. [laughter] [5:20] Kind of like the Matrix. Now, we're in [5:21] the Matrix. [5:22] >> Yeah. So, um [5:23] >> so it's and truly to be in all those [5:26] places and of course, you know, be a [5:28] good father and all that pieces and um [5:30] outside of work. That would truly be the [5:32] superpower I'd love to have. So, [5:34] >> it would solve all our problems, John. [5:36] Wouldn't that be great? But I think he [5:37] alluded to what we're so curious about, [5:40] Phil. [5:40] >> Right. I mean, there's a lot going on. [5:42] There's a lot to do. [5:43] >> Yeah. [5:43] >> A lot of things you have to track and [5:45] plates that are in the air. And it does [5:47] actually make a lot of sense now that [5:49] I'm thinking about it. Every time we ask [5:50] this question, [5:51] >> people give us the same a very similar [5:54] version of that answer, if not literally [5:55] that exact answer. Yeah. [5:57] >> Because it there it's it's a council [5:58] member, it's a mayor, it's a fire chief, [5:59] police chief, or whoever it is, [6:01] >> the community, a resident, you know, [6:03] >> you know, they've got a lot going on and [6:04] they got to be in a lot of places. So, [6:06] speaking of all of that, Chief [6:08] Pritchard, um I I I am guessing most [6:11] people when they hear about a fire [6:12] chief, they kind of they kind of conjure [6:14] up familiar images of firefighters and [6:16] structure fires and things like that, [6:18] fire engines, but you know, for those [6:19] who may not know, uh what does a fire [6:22] chief do? [6:24] >> Great question. So, first of all, I [6:26] don't have a great mustache, so that's [6:28] typically probably one of the [6:29] stereotypes of a fire chief. So, um [6:32] >> So, that's not a prerequisite. [6:33] >> That's not a prerequisite. So, um, [6:35] mustache care isn't one of my daily [6:37] tasks. [laughter] Maybe one day, but [6:39] I've been given bad feedback about any [6:41] attempts to grow a mustache. So, [6:43] >> uh, so the best we'll [6:45] >> have strengths and weaknesses, [6:46] >> you know, we can try, right? I mean, [6:48] [clears throat] I've tried. [6:50] >> Um, [6:51] >> there's some pictures out there maybe, [6:52] but I wouldn't recommend looking for [6:54] them. So [laughter] a lot so uh a lot of [6:58] our you know and that's the best part of [7:00] the fire chief job I think is just the [7:02] strategic planning [7:03] >> is looking at how can we best serve the [7:06] community what other things can we do [7:08] and and a lot of that goes back to the [7:11] whole superpower. How can we be multiple [7:13] places at once? So it's starting to plan [7:15] that. So for example a couple years ago [7:17] we did a home safety program. That was [7:18] part of our strategic plan to make us [7:20] safer. Our number one goal is to prevent [7:22] fires, not to put them out, [7:24] >> right? [7:24] >> So we hopefully, you know, almost put [7:26] ourselves out of business because a [7:28] house fire is devastating. [7:30] >> And that is all about planning like when [7:32] does that come in? What resources do we [7:34] need for that? And that's actually [7:36] exciting part of my job. It's a lot of [7:38] Excel spreadsheets, a lot of research, a [7:40] lot of um making things digestible for [7:44] folks. But that is the fun part. It's [7:46] about that creativity about thinking of [7:48] new ways to serve our community and we [7:51] get to do that on a daily basis. Um, [7:53] some of the other things I call maybe [7:55] the more mundane things but probably [7:56] just as important. We got to make sure, [7:58] >> you know, people's payroll is, you know, [8:02] all those steps are in place for that. [8:04] Um, I would argue that's probably one of [8:05] the top three for our firefighters to [8:07] make sure that [laughter] like [8:08] >> payroll is done. um of course the emails [8:11] and all those sort of things, but really [8:13] that strategic planning and that's a [8:14] daily process. It's building up things [8:17] one by one, getting us to the right [8:19] spot, you know, getting the input from [8:21] our firefighters of where they're at, [8:23] what they love to do to better serve our [8:26] community. And you know, I could [8:29] probably go through all the, like I [8:31] said, more mundane things, but that's [8:32] truly exciting part. And anytime we're [8:34] looking forward or looking what we how [8:36] we can better [8:37] >> do things for folks, that's really the [8:39] exciting and the part that truly is what [8:42] I love about this job. That's awesome. [8:43] >> And then and then, you know, and for the [8:46] folks out there, I mean, as the [8:48] community development director, my team, [8:49] it continues to grow this city, right? [8:52] And so John and I, you know, have to [8:54] work together from a strategic planning [8:56] perspective as the community grows to [8:58] his point. How do we continue to serve? [9:00] Uh, you know, more importantly from, you [9:02] know, the public safety perspective. Uh, [9:06] there's more people, there's more [9:07] infrastructure, all the things. And I'm [9:10] so, you know, John, I know a little bit [9:11] about your background, but maybe folks [9:13] don't. And I don't know if you hit on [9:14] this yet, but it's not only your team [9:17] isn't, you know, simply just [9:18] firefighters, right? You know, [9:21] >> paramedics, first responders, etc. Um, [9:24] your background is pretty cool. And how [9:27] did you end up [9:29] as a fire chief? [9:31] >> So, this is the um I almost dread this [9:34] question sometimes because I'm like, [9:36] well, and it's cuz I'm excited to talk [9:38] about it because it's kind of a cool [9:39] path, [9:40] >> but it also tends to put people to sleep [9:42] because it's like this long windy road [9:44] there. So, [9:45] >> maybe I'll start at the beginning. [9:47] >> Oh boy. How long [laughter] do we have, [9:48] Phil? in 19 in 1982 at Northwest [9:53] um [laughter] [9:54] >> a young man was born to the world um [9:58] >> and he grew up [9:58] >> and he grew up to be in story over um [10:02] that was fun so no um it's funny I [10:06] always talk about like what I wanted to [10:08] be in high school I wanted to be a a [10:10] lawyer and focus on constitutional law [10:12] and really the goal of that was to you [10:14] know I wanted to do good for people and [10:16] you know I got really excited about [10:18] that. But then I kind of ran into [10:20] medicine. I took an EMT class in high [10:23] school and I'm like, I love this. This [10:25] is such a great way to serve folks. And [10:27] from there, I got somebody to talk to me [10:30] into high school to go to firefighting [10:32] classes at night. So before I graduated [10:34] high school, I was a certified [10:36] firefighter and I got my EMT [10:38] certification [10:39] >> which is pretty cool. Really to have [10:41] those. [10:41] >> Before you graduate? [10:42] >> Yeah. Before I graduated high school. [10:43] >> That part I didn't know. That's wild. [10:45] >> So I did that all my senior year. I also [10:47] had to catch up on some other classes [10:49] which a lot of other people you know you [10:50] got [10:50] >> priorities were [10:52] >> there's some teachers out there right [10:52] now are like what the heck [10:54] >> missain there's some people that are [10:56] probably surprised that like oh he [10:58] actually went to college [10:59] >> he figured it out [11:00] >> yeah like [11:01] >> well he turned out good so [11:02] >> I'm sure some people lost some bets [11:03] along the way but you know um and so I [11:06] started a local fire department in OIO [11:08] Minnesota and and again the more I did [11:10] it the more I fell in love with it and I [11:12] actually early in my career pursued some [11:14] full-time opportunities but didn't [11:16] really have much interest in leaving [11:17] Minnesota and there just weren't many [11:19] fire jobs at that or full-time [11:21] firefighter jobs out there. So, I joined [11:24] a um [11:26] I started a job at a local emergency [11:28] department in um is Mercy Hospital in [11:31] Rapids and like I love medicine. I [11:34] love helping people and then again the [11:36] emergency medicine the variety of it and [11:39] and that led me to go to nursing school [11:42] and during this time I was still working [11:43] as like what we call paid on call [11:45] firefighter volunteer firefighter other [11:47] folks might know it as and [11:49] >> went to nursing school um and just [11:51] always had this love for firefighting [11:53] but then of course I love nursing I love [11:55] >> taking care of folks um with that and [11:58] then I forgot to add the other part um [12:00] actually did a graduate program where I [12:01] was able to become a nurse and get a [12:03] master's degree together. But for my [12:04] undergrad, I did history and sociology. [12:07] So, again, really driven to that. So, I [12:09] love seeing like when Emily talks about [12:11] different housing opportunities and all [12:13] that stuff, that just speaks to my heart [12:14] about a lot of the stuff that I [12:16] >> kind of really embraced um in my studies [12:20] and just in some of my, you know, [12:21] worldviews. But then it all kind of came [12:24] together. I moved to the east metro um [12:26] and I joined White Bear Lake Fire [12:28] Department and they had an ambulance [12:30] service. So, I always loved EMS, but I [12:32] was always on the receiving side of it, [12:34] like working in an ED as an ER tech or [12:36] working as an ER nurse, which I started [12:38] doing in um 2013 at one of the large [12:42] trauma centers. I'm like, this EMS [12:44] stuff's pretty cool. So, White Bear Lake [12:46] gave me the opportunity to go to [12:47] paramedic school. And um actually, [12:50] little joke, we call it the zero to her [12:52] program cuz at Kraton University in [12:54] Nebraska in Omaha, you can go there as a [12:57] nurse and they you take a couple weeks [12:59] there. They get you up to the paramedic [13:01] level, do some clinicals, and you can [13:03] get your paramedic if you're a nurse [13:04] within about 4 months. [13:06] >> Oh, no kidding. [13:07] >> So, we do kid. It's like cuz you know, [13:09] of course, paramedics make fun of [13:10] nurses. So, we're like the zero to hero [13:12] program. Like, yeah, it's fitting. You [13:13] know, that's how I felt. Um, [13:16] >> like, can you not call me a zero, [13:17] though? With that, you know, maybe the [13:19] rebrand. [13:20] >> That's part of the fire EMS service. You [13:22] take a few jabs here and there. Yeah. [13:24] >> Um and then I became a paramedic and [13:27] working on the ambulance and then that [13:29] really I think then I worked in [13:31] leadership at um regions and one of the [13:34] pieces um that I really wanted more of [13:36] was just more of that community [13:38] involvement because in a hospital you're [13:39] you're taking care of the community but [13:42] you're not like in the community and [13:44] that's what really drove me and [13:46] >> and it really and as you know of course [13:48] you're like what does this look like for [13:50] me and then just the best opportunity [13:52] ever came up with Cottage Grove um fire [13:56] was kind of restructuring. They wanted [13:58] somebody to come in who had that [13:59] paramedic background and also a fire [14:02] background to really go how can we [14:04] better provide EMS services. I was very [14:06] fortunate to get hired as a deputy chief [14:08] in 2019 [14:10] and it just filled all those things for [14:12] me like my interest in um that community [14:15] involvement being in the community um [14:19] the firefighting ambulances and just all [14:22] those things. And I felt it was just [14:23] like this perfect accumulation of [14:26] >> right [14:26] >> all those things that I truly have [14:28] passion for. And ever since uh worked as [14:31] a deputy chief for four years here, got [14:33] promoted to fire chief at the end of [14:35] 2023 and [14:37] >> it all fell into place. [14:38] >> It just all fell into place and [14:39] >> totally [14:40] >> and I'm reminded about that sometimes [14:41] like oh that kind of worked out for you. [14:44] Absolutely. Yeah. So, and sometimes the [14:45] paths take you there. And I think it's [14:47] so important for folks to know, you [14:48] mentioned, right? I mean, your sole [14:50] purpose is to provide care to the [14:52] community and have that emergency [14:54] response. And it's it [14:57] >> it's not that easy. You got to plan for [14:59] that. You have to be prepared. There's [15:01] systems in place. I mean, you're [15:02] constantly evaluating how can we be [15:04] better? How can we be more efficient to [15:07] make sure this community is safe? I [15:08] mean, [15:09] >> that's huge. [15:10] >> And and that that focus on EMS, too. I [15:12] mean, it makes a lot of sense. Some [15:13] people may know, some some people may [15:14] not that [15:15] >> there is a balance there. Yeah, [15:16] >> there's a balance and also your calls [15:18] for service on a yearly basis to things [15:20] like structure fires is obviously [15:23] incredibly important. I mean, that's [15:24] maybe somebody's worst day of their [15:25] life. Heaven forbid if that something [15:27] happens, [15:28] >> but then your calls for those versus [15:30] calls for medical. I mean, the the [15:32] medical calls far exceed and outweigh, [15:35] >> you know, structure fires. And so that [15:37] focus on EMS is obviously incredibly [15:39] important uh in the within the balance [15:42] of the whole department [15:43] >> very much. And that is it's it is the [15:46] balance because it goes back to um I [15:49] really love that superhero question [15:50] because now I'm thinking like every [15:51] [laughter] way I answer this now it's [15:53] like we have to you know especially [15:55] since our folks are firefighter [15:57] paramedics they have to be elite level [16:00] firefighters but also elite level [16:02] medical providers. And now the medical [16:05] part is kind of nice because they get [16:08] that daily experience but at the same [16:10] time we have to train for that less [16:11] frequent right [16:12] >> fire and it's just every day it's how do [16:15] we how are we elite level providers and [16:18] firefighters [16:19] >> to best serve folks and that's a lot of [16:21] work day in and day out to make that [16:23] happen. Right. [16:24] >> Yeah. Um, John kind of alluded to it, [16:28] but what's something someone may not [16:30] know about your position and what you [16:33] do? [16:35] Or maybe it's obvious. Is it obvious? [16:39] >> No, I think a lot of it it's, [16:43] you know, I think when you think about a [16:45] fire chief or firefighter, it's like [16:47] driving the truck or what truck goes out [16:49] first. M [16:50] >> but it's truly I think to what you [16:51] alluded to is how do you balance all [16:53] these things that you do because I mean [16:56] for example like we have a very high [16:58] standard for training and certification [17:01] everything a frontline [snorts] [17:02] firefighter might have like over a dozen [17:05] certifications of things and that's from [17:08] anywhere from being certified to pro you [17:11] know be a firefighter and paramedic [17:13] certified to drive a fire truck and [17:15] operate a fire truck water rescue like [17:18] how do I run a scene and I think That's [17:20] what pe folks maybe underestimate is how [17:24] much training and [17:26] >> and um [17:29] engagement we have to get in folks and [17:31] also just how we have to invest in folks [17:33] to make them that way cuz when you see [17:35] that firefighter paramedic roll up [17:37] >> yep [17:38] >> into your home. I mean, that's thousands [17:40] of hours of training, thousand hours of [17:42] practice, and literally have that like [17:44] elite level person show up while they [17:46] might have a smile on their face and [17:47] you're like, "Oh, that's a, you know," [17:48] or, "Hey, cool mustache." You know, it's [17:50] like [17:51] >> that's a more behind that. [17:53] >> Yeah. And it's a lot of work to get [17:54] there. [17:55] >> And we're specialized. [17:56] >> Yeah, absolutely. And which kind of [17:58] dovetails into what I was maybe just [18:00] going to say is like [18:01] >> a fire department in 2025 or a fire [18:04] department in 2026 I am assuming looks [18:07] and operates a lot different than a fire [18:09] department [18:10] >> even 5 years ago but let alone 10 15 20 [18:13] years ago [18:14] >> and you've touched on a lot of that [18:15] already of like kind of the transition [18:17] and how things have [18:18] >> shifted a little bit. [18:19] >> Yeah. And that is, you know, and we see [18:21] one of the hardest parts in fire [18:23] departments that we've been faced with [18:24] was the how do we staff differently [18:27] because traditionally fire departments, [18:29] especially in the suburbs, we're staff [18:31] with what we call paid on call. You [18:33] carry a pager, you get paid a little [18:35] amount or as volunteers, but you know, [18:38] think of all the things we just talked [18:39] about, [18:40] >> right? [18:40] >> How do you work a full-time job, take [18:43] care of a family, and then have all [18:44] these certifications? So, that's been [18:46] one of our biggest challenges. be [18:47] trained and prepared for all, you know, [18:49] and we see it all over the suburbs right [18:51] now as we make this transition. And [18:53] they're they're difficult transitions. [18:55] They're it's a lot of investment, not [18:57] just financially, but time, effort, and [19:00] a lot of changes that go on. And that's [19:03] actually one of the things in Cottage [19:04] Grove we've been working really hard on [19:06] to do that kind of that transition cuz [19:09] to your point, um, Phil, 5 years ago, [19:12] very different. Um, I'm honestly and [19:16] genuinely it's it's better. We provide a [19:18] better service, but it's been tons of [19:20] work to do that. And I think what helps [19:22] more than anything, especially in [19:23] Cottage Grove, is the support we get [19:25] from the community. has been so [19:28] >> just I mean [19:29] >> I don't think that folks and I'm not a [19:31] big like you know thank you for your [19:33] service type of person you know but I [19:35] mean just when people come out to our [19:36] events or genuinely engage with us or [19:39] when we did our um fire prevention [19:41] program when people just invited us into [19:43] their homes [19:44] >> to let us look at their smoke alarms [19:45] which is a very like vulnerable [19:48] experience. [19:49] >> Yeah. It's into their personal space, [19:50] right? But they understand the value and [19:53] they trust your team [19:55] >> that what they're doing is [19:57] >> incredibly beneficial. [19:59] >> You've got our backs. You're going to [20:00] make sure we're [20:00] >> totally safe and prepared. [20:03] >> So, so Chief Pritchard, with that, um, [20:05] you know, we're we're nearing the end of [20:07] the time here. It goes by quickly. [20:08] >> Well, and I talk a lot, too, so it's all [20:11] great. We knew it, John. [laughter] [20:13] >> Like, we don't talk a lot. the people [20:14] who are hosting the podcast. [20:17] [laughter] [20:18] >> Um just just I mean maybe you've already [20:20] mentioned it mentioned it but is there [20:22] anything in particular that you are um [20:24] you know particularly fond of in your [20:26] career either in Cottage Grove or or [20:29] just in general? I think the there's two [20:32] moments or well I go one to co and co [20:36] was more than a moment right I think [20:38] that's an era now we can all fair say [20:40] but when our team stepped up and we did [20:43] the vaccinate we did um mobile testing [20:46] clinics to give people access to co [20:48] testing and then we helped out with [20:50] vaccinations with um Washington County [20:51] Public Health [20:53] >> and it wasn't just that our paramedics [20:54] and EMTs stepped up to help I mean and [20:57] it was overwhelming support from our [20:59] department. But what our city did, I [21:02] remember our city administrator, [21:04] Jennifer Levit, I said, "Jennifer, I [21:06] have this crazy idea on how we can help [21:08] with this." [21:10] >> And she's like, "All right, let's make [21:11] this happen." And she brought in all the [21:13] departments. And literally, that was a [21:14] city-wide effort on how we could support [21:16] a lot of those pieces. [21:18] >> And just watching that um partnership, [21:22] that just unrelenting like we're going [21:24] to serve the community the best we can [21:26] was just and it is humbling. It was [21:29] pride inducing and just the [21:32] >> all the emotion and truly the access we [21:34] gave to folks was the most important [21:36] part because that was lacking early in [21:38] the pandemic. So if I you know pin [21:40] something that is literally what I'm [21:42] most proud of with and there's a lot [21:45] there's a long list because we have such [21:46] a great fire department and city but [21:48] that truly is what I saw in that moment [21:50] when truly that's what the world needed [21:52] and we needed. [21:53] >> Yeah. [21:53] >> And you didn't know that I mean [21:55] initially. No, no. It was like I said [21:57] >> and all of a sudden here's this problem. [21:59] >> Yeah. And that was funny because it was [22:01] >> three, four months into my tenure here. [22:04] >> Wow. So, [22:05] >> welcome to cottage. [22:08] Exactly. So, a lot of people like, [22:09] "Yeah, crazy idea. Let's see what he [22:11] comes up with." And [22:12] >> Well, what a way to adapt and respond to [22:14] the to the need of the moment, you know? [22:16] >> Absolutely. Yeah. That's so cool. [22:17] >> Um, so really fast, and I'm shifting [22:21] here really quick because I have to [22:23] know. I have to [22:24] >> I have to know. John, what is your [22:27] favorite food? Your go-to, your your [22:31] comfort, your I'm starving. This is what [22:34] I'm going to have. [22:34] >> And why is it the corn Oreo? [22:36] >> And [laughter] why is it the corn Oreo? [22:39] That was a similar question we had of [22:41] our public safety director. Why cereal? [22:44] What? Okay. [22:44] >> No, that's that's game. That's game [22:47] right there. Cereal. But [22:48] >> I we would we wouldn't judge. [22:50] >> No. Um, peanut butter and jelly [22:53] sandwich. [22:53] >> That is fantastic. [22:54] >> That is literally the jam, I guess I can [22:57] say. But that is Yeah. Sorry. [23:00] >> Well, that's all the time we got for [23:01] [laughter] you. [23:02] >> Too bad you don't have like the wamp [23:04] wamp like [laughter] [23:07] >> bar. But [23:08] >> folks, he's funny. I got to give it to [23:10] him. [23:10] >> Oh boy. [23:11] >> I try. He tries hard. Like the mustache. [23:13] I try. [23:14] >> Peanut butter jelly. Is it Is it just [23:16] white bread, peanut butter, and jelly? [23:18] Uh, I'm the wheat bread person. So, you [23:20] know, [23:20] >> John makes healthy jelly. [23:21] >> Crunchy peanut butter. What are we [23:23] talking? [23:23] >> No. No. It's the um It's the natural [23:26] peanut butter. Got it. And with [23:28] >> You know what? I was a I dabbled in [23:31] other jellies, but good oldfashioned [23:32] grape jelly is where you go. [23:34] >> I've dabbled. [23:34] >> I dabbled. You know, I found my home. [23:36] >> I had a raspberry phase, but I went back [23:39] to grape and that's where it is. [23:41] >> Okay. [23:41] >> Oh, this is excellent. Well, so anybody [23:43] out there who wants to know how to uh [23:45] just give a little pat on the back, [23:47] bring [laughter] [23:48] >> Chief Pritchard to PB&J on wheat bread [23:50] with grape [23:51] >> or even Uncrustable to become a [23:53] >> in a pinch [23:54] >> niche favorite of mine. So [23:55] >> incredible. Those are on the special [23:57] days. This is great. [laughter] [23:58] >> I love it so much. [23:59] >> This is fantastic. A [24:00] >> real take behind the curve. [24:01] >> Even if you don't deth, I'll find a way [24:03] to get them ready to eat in a [laughter] [24:04] few hours. So [24:05] >> Sean, no. [24:07] >> I got to draw a line somewhere. [24:08] [laughter] [24:12] Well, [24:13] >> oh, Phil, he does good work. [24:14] >> That unintentionally became a very great [24:16] segue to end the episode. [24:18] >> It [laughter] did. We got to move on, [24:19] Phil. [24:19] >> Which isn't why we're ending, but [24:21] >> I find those offramps pretty quickly. [24:23] So, [laughter] [24:23] >> Well, I appreciate that. You You helped [24:25] you helped our job out. [24:26] >> Uh, well, John, Chief Pritchard, thank [24:29] you so much for joining us. I know that [24:31] uh in your fascinating and honestly [24:34] really cool career and history and your [24:36] story, you probably never were like, I [24:37] know one day I want to be on a podcast [24:39] as a part of my job. So, I do appreciate [24:41] it's a little outside of the box and you [24:42] got a lot going on. So, thank you. [24:44] >> No, thank you. And actually being on a [24:45] morning show was a career goal of mine. [24:47] So, I'm going to [24:48] >> I'm going to check the box on that one [24:50] for this. [24:50] >> Check that lifeless box, Phil. [24:53] >> Add it to the LinkedIn. Yes. [laughter] [24:55] >> Look what we've done. [24:58] Well, Chief Richard, thank you. Uh [25:00] Emily, thank you as always and thank you [25:02] all for listening. This has been the [25:05] Grovecast, a city of cottage municipal [25:08] podcast. You can catch episodes monthly [25:11] and to listen or download, find us at [25:13] cottaggrovemn.gov/thegrowcast [25:17] or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank [25:20] you to True Lens Community Media for [25:22] producing the go the Grocast and stay [25:24] tuned for our next episodes where we'll [25:27] move on to other departments, city [25:28] services or other topics. Thanks for [25:30] listening.