2B Fire Department UpdateCHANHASSEN 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 !~-/v(~/." '
Greg Hayes- 1st Assistant Chief
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Mark Littfin- 2na Assistant Chief
November 14, 2003
Monthly City Council update
DATE:
SUB J:
Fire Department Overview:
Staffing is at 39 active firefighters as of November 14, 2003, allocation is 45 PTE's.
Fire Training:
Currently, the fire department has been conducting some basic skills training. This training
includes basic pumping, ventilation, and overhaul. This training is the basics of firefighting and
helps us keep up-to date with operational tactics.
By the end of November, 16 members of the fire department will have finished a years worth of
Hazardous Materials Specialist training which was funded through a grant. This was a big
undertaking by the individuals and called for extra training sessions to finish in the time frame
specified. The impact from this training is the enhancement of our operations at hazardous
materials scenes.
Emergency Management:
Fortunately, there have been no emergency management related issues over the past month in the
City of Chanhassen. However, we are getting into the winter season and, as always, will expect
a few snowstorms and emergencies. Some of the items that affect the City of Chanhassen during
the winter season are:
Power outages, especially in the above ground power areas.
· Poor road conditions due to ice and snow.
Todd Gerhardt
November 14, 2003
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· Fire related issues from heating appliances.
Traditionally, we have been able to manage these incidents very effectively and efficiently
through the use of the Emergency Management plan and the resources that we have available.
Fire Inspections:
New construction inspections currently are Eckankar Spiritual Center, Powers Ridge Apartments
(two buildings), Villages on the Ponds Assisted Living Care (two apartment buildings; a three-
story and a two-story), Chan Lakes Business Park on Upland Circle, Vengra Building on Water
Tower Place and Steiner Development has started construction of a building on Century
Boulevard. Plans are being reviewed for the Holiday Inn Express. Greg is doing some existing
school inspections. I am finishing existing inspections at the seven daycare centers, Chapel Hill
School, and then for the next two weeks all hotel/motel occupancies will be finished. After that
a combination of restaurants/bars, and then I will be inspecting industrial buildings.
Fire Education Activities:
The first place winners of the annual fire prevention poster and coloring contest and four of their
friends were treated to a fire truck ride to their school recently. The school and the kids thought
it was great. The Fire Department also drove a fire truck through some of the neighborhoods on
Halloween. Firefighters handed out candy to all the little "trick or treaters", and parents in some
cases that they could muster up with lights and sirens blazing. We received many great
compliments from the kids and parents alike. Hopefully, we can expand on this in the future.
We were out for about three hours and only got to visit a few neighborhoods.
Todd Gerhardt
November 14, 2003
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