Victoria Firefighter Laura Wood Honored at Responders Luncheon

The Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce honored Victoria firefighter Laura Wood at its fourth annual Emergency Responders Luncheon on April 29. Wood died in July 2025 after battling cancer and received a line-of-duty death designation.

Wood served 16 years with the Victoria Fire Department. Her husband Paul accepted the award at the event, which also recognized first responders from Carver, Chanhassen, and Chaska while raising funds for the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association and Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association.

Victoria Fire Chief Dave Shoger nominated Wood, highlighting her role in designing the city's new fire station, now nearing completion. Wood drew on her landscaping background to shape spaces for wellness, reflection, and decontamination.

"She championed thoughtful, intentional spaces, ensuring that the building itself would take care of the people inside it," Shoger said.

Shoger described Wood as focused on every call and centered on serving others. "She had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and cared for, no matter the situation," he said.

Throughout her career, Wood advocated for firefighter health and safety and supported her colleagues, shaping the department's culture that continues today.