Chip Imker - Cambridge FD
Chip Imker, Firefighter - May 23, 2011
Funeral Arrangements Firefighter Chip Imker
The Cambridge Fire Department has announced the time and date for the visitation and funeral for Firefighter Chip Imker who tragically died Wednesday following an accident at the Cambridge Fire Station.
| Visitation: | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday, May 27th, 2011 Hardy Center for Performing Arts (attached to high school) 430 8th Ave NW, Cambridge, MN |
| Funeral: | 11:00 am Saturday, May 28th, 2011 Cambridge – Isanti High School 430 8th Ave NW, Cambridge, MN Visitation 1 hour before the service |
Those departments sending apparatus to the service should plan to stage at the back of the High School parking lot no later than 1000 hours on Saturday, May 28th. Staging will begin at 0830 but all apparatus must be in place no later than 1000 hours on Saturday May 28th. The address of Cambridge - Isanti High School is 430 8th Ave NW, Cambridge, MN.
Posted on FirefighterCloseCalls.com
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 A Cambridge, MN firefighter, who had only been on the volunteer fire department for 18 months, was tragically killed in what the city administrator is calling an “unfortunate accident.”
Following a training session at the Cambridge Fire Hall on Monday, May 23, firefighter Chip Imker, 35, fell onto the pavement.
The call came into the Isanti County Sheriff’s Department at 9:30 p.m. Following the accident, Imker was flown to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, and died as a result of his injuries.
City Administrator Lynda Woulfe said the incident was an “unfortunate accident.”
“This doesn’t compare to anything,” Woulfe said. “When I heard the news my heart just sank. I never want to experience another day like this.”
Woulfe explained Chip was putting his foot in a looped rope that got twisted, and the rope spread under his weight, came loose, and he fell.
Chip was a beloved father, son, brother, partner, soldier, private business owner, firefighter and coach.
“Chip thoroughly enjoyed serving his community and demonstrated that by joining the Cambridge Fire Department in 2010,” according to a press release issued by the city of Cambridge. “He was a certified Firefighter I and II as well as a trained first responder. Chip also proudly served his country as a member of the Army National Guard. In his free time, he volunteered as a wrestling coach for Cambridge-Isanti Schools.”
Imker was a 1994 graduate of Cambridge-Isanti High School and was a solid wrestler for the Bluejacket wrestling team from 1991-94 amassing 63 career wins.
The Chip Imker Firefighter Memorial Fund has been established in his memory. Donations to the memorial fund can be sent to Minnco Credit Union, 235 1st Avenue West, Cambridge, MN 55008. Checks should be made payable to Kristin Hill. Funeral arrangements are pending.
As is standard practice with all fatalities, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident so further information isn’t being released at this time.