3b. Fire Department Update36
CIIANIIASSEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
Station i
PO Box 97
7610 Laredo Drive
Chanhassen, MN 553
TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM: Roger Smallbeck - Fire Chief Qk V , -
Ed Coppersmith - 1 St Assistant Chief
Rick Rice - 2nd Assistant Chief
Mark Littfin - Fire Marshal
DATE: September 16, 2010
SUBJ: Monthly City Council Update
Fire Department Overview:
Station 2
6400 Minnewashta Pkwy.
Excelsior, MN 5533
Staffing is at 43 active firefighters and four probationary firefighters as of September 16, 2010.
There is one firefighter on leave. Current allocation is 45 PTE'S.
Year to date there have been 455 calls for service. There were 54 calls in August and as of
September 16 we have responded to 23 calls.
There was a residential structure fire on August 29 At 4:05 a.m. on Sunday the fire department
was dispatched to 6471 White Dove Drive for a reported house fire. On arrival we found a split
level house with the garage totally engulfed with fire. There was also very heavy fire extending
to the roof and side of the house. All occupants were out of the house and accounted for when
we arrived on scene. Seventeen Chanhassen firefighters responded to the scene. Mutual aid
companies were provided by Eden Prairie, Excelsior, and Victoria. All units cleared the scene at
8:00 a.m.
Fire prevention week starts October 3 th and the open house will be October 10
Training: Training for September is scheduled to be cold water rescue and a HAZMAT
refresher.
Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention: Final preparations are under way for fire prevention week and the annual open
house. Fire prevention week starts Oct. 3 rd and runs thru Oct. 9 The open house is on Sunday,
Oct. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. Because of the many number of schools and day cares we visit, we're
active with fire prevention well into mid - October. Businesses as well as schools and day care
centers are requesting visits by the Fire Dept. for safety talks and fire extinguisher training.
For our fire prevention week activities we have 30 firefighters, some of which are retired, others
who have taken vacation time from their full time jobs to help train the kids with fire safety
procedures. The number has been increasing over the past few years indicating the dedication
they have with promoting fire safety in our community. For this they are to be commended.
Fire Investigations: The only fire to report on was at 6471 White Dove Dr. on Sunday, Aug.
29, 2010. The fire department arrived at 4:05 a.m. to a fully involved garage fire which was
extending to the house. All occupants escaped with no injuries. We requested assistance from
Excelsior, Victoria, and Eden Prairie fire departments for additional equipment and firefighters.
No fire fighter injuries were reported. Because of the large amount of fire showing, an offensive
attack was made from the exterior. It was too dangerous to conduct an interior attack. Once the
fire was extinguished firefighters did manage to get inside to conduct overhaul and salvage
activities. The last unit cleared the scene at approx. 8:00 a.m. At this time the fire is still under
investigation by our Fire Marshals and private fire investigators. The homeowners are staying
with relatives in the area.
Fire Inspections: Projects at various stage of construction include Autobahn Motorplex,
Haskell's Liquors, Westwood Church addition, downtown parking ramp, and Koterra Inc.
Emerson remodel. We have started inspections on all six of our schools in the City and should
have those completed by the end of the month.