1.5b Fire Dept. ReportFIRE DEPT.
CHANHASSEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 97 · 7610 Laredo Drive · Chanhassen, MN 55317
Bus. Phone 934-9191 · Minnewashta Station No. 2 · Phone 474-7094
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
John Wolff- Fire Chief
Greg Hayes- 1st Assistant Chief
Mark Littfin- 2nd Assistant Chief
DATE: July 21, 2003
SUB J:
Monthly City Council update
Fire Department Overview:
Staffing is at 42 firefighters as of May 19, 2003, allocation is 45 PTE's.
The fire department assisted the Carver County Sheriffs Department with a search and recovery
operation at Lake Ann, June 30th through July 2. Assistant Chief Hayes worked very closely
with Sergeant Jim Olson of the Sheriff's Department and Todd Hoffman of the Parks
Department to manage the operation and coordinate resources and activities. Search Teams from
the State Patrol, Eden Prairie Police and Fire Department, Chaska FD, Victoria FD assisted the
Chanhassen Fire Department and Carver County Sheriff's Department with ground search
activities. Dive teams from Chanhassen FD, Carver County SO, Shakopee FD, Hennepin and
Ramsey County SO assisted with water search and recovery operations. Logistical support was
provided by Carver Sheriff's Office, Chanhassen Fire Department, the Red Cross and the
Salvation Army.
Also, a second water incident took place at Lotus Lake in July. We were called to an unknown
medical by the lake off of Kurvers Point Road. Upon our arrival, we found an 18-year-old male
in cardiac arrest from an apparent drowning and 2 residents from Kurvers Point Road were
administering CPR. The fire department, Carver County Sheriff's Office and Ridgeview
Ambulance worked feverishly to revive him. Unfortunately, our efforts were unsuccessful. The
reason for his drowning is unclear. However, the Sheriff's Office is investigating and Sergeant
Olson will follow up on the final conclusions from the regional comers office.
We are proceeding with "piloting" a part time fire inspector using current fire department
personnel (10-20 hrs. a week to help with existing inspections). The job was posted and we are
evaluating the candidates. We expect that the post will be filled by 8/1/03.
Todd Gerhardt
July 21, 2003
Page 2
Call volume continues at a record level, approximately 35+% higher than last year, through
7/1/03. At current trends, we would expect year-end calls to exceed our annual record of 799 by
80-90 calls. Through July 1, 2003 we are at 443 calls.
Fire Training:
During the month of July, the fire department completed its annual basic skills operations at the
Minneapolis Fire Training facility. This training is dedicated to improving our efficiency using
their live bum facility. Our crews had to enter a live fire building to extinguish a fire(s) and
rescue 2 to 3 victims on different floors. We were able to complete these tasks in 5 to 7 minutes
while at the same time being evaluated by Minneapolis Fire Department Officers who provide
feedback to help improve our operations. We have been completing this training for over 5 years
with great improvements in our basic fire response operations, but most importantly, on how we
work together as a team.
Emergency Management:
In response to the recent incident at Lake Ann, I want to take a moment to recognize the efforts
of Sergeant Jim Olson. Sgt. Olson was the reason why the coordination and communication
between agencies went as well as it did. Sgt. Olson provided some of the finest leadership that I
have witnessed at an emergency scene. His ability to keep everyone focused on the mission and
ask the difficult questions to ensure that we were doing the "fight things" is not only an asset to
himself and the Sheriff's Office, but to the City of Chanhassen as a whole.
Overall, Sgt. Olson's leadership has taken his unique position here at the City of Chanhassen to a
higher level than we have seen in years past, and he should be recognized for his efforts.
Fire Inspections:
1. Westwood Community Church has been given their Certificate of Occupancy. Services started
July 13, 2003. All fire sprinkler and fire alarm tests went very well.
2. The warehouse expansion at Banta Printing is progressing on schedule. Fire sprinkler systems
are close to being done, and final inspections should be starting in the next few weeks.
3. General Mills has started foundation and footings on their warehouse expansion. Plan reviews
are moving ahead and no problems are foreseen at this time.
4. The Eckankar project has also started. Fire Department plan reviews are complete, and currently
awaiting the fire sprinkler plans for review and approval.
5. KinderCare daycare is about finished. All tests required by the Fire Department have been
completed to our satisfaction.
6. Library - Final fire acceptance tests will be wrapping up on Monday, July 21, 2003. No
problems are anticipated and we will be giving permission to allow them to start bringing in
books.
Todd Gerhardt
July 21, 2003
Page 3
Fire Education Activities:
The Fire Department's participation in the 4th of July events was a great success. We
participated in the kiddie parade, the 4th of July parade, and fireworks standby at Lake Ann and
at Lake Minnewashta. A pre-parade picnic was held at the fire station on the 4th for our
firefighters and their families and city employees working that day. It was well attended and
everyone enjoyed the meal and assisted in decorating the fire trucks. We have started planning
for fire prevention week which is the 2aa week in October. Historically this is a one to two week
event, which is offered to all the elementary schools in our city. Because the event is quite large,
it takes two to three months of planning and ordering materials.
Budget:
We will need to continue to keep an eye on our variable costs driven by call volume such as
payroll, workers compensation and some equipment costs. With calls up from last year we
anticipate that some of these variable costs may exceed 2002 levels. We intend to purchase a
water rescue boat with funds donated by city residents in 2002.
The 2004 budget draft has been submitted to finance. Our draft budget plan shows no increase in
operating expenses and a decrease in planned CIP expenditures for the next fiscal year.