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:
FROM:
DATE:
SUB J:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Gregg Geske - Fire Chief
Greg Hayes - lst Assistant Chief
Randy Wahl - 2nd Assistant Chief
Mark Littfin - Fire Marshal
March 15, 2004
Monthly City Council update
Fire Department Overview:
Staffing is at 38 firefighters as of March 8, 2003, allocation is 45 PTEs. We finished February
2004 with 58 calls, down from 67 in February 2003 and as of March 7th we were at 127 for the
year compared to 160 at the same time last year.
Fire Training:
Currently, the fire department has been concentrating on search and rescue and tool training.
This training includes SCBA training and familiarity and training with all power and non-power
tools used for firefighting activities. Specialized training also has been done recently for dive
rescue and hazardous material response.
Fire Inspector Position:
Final interviews were done last week for Greg Hayes' replacement. There were approximately
sixteen applicants that were narrowed down to six. Those six were interviewed by a panel of six
people; four from the Fire Department and two from the City staff. From those six the number
was reduced to two candidates. After an interview with Todd Gerhardt, the person selected was
Ed Coppersmith. Ed is currently with the Chanhassen Fire Department and holds the rank of
Lieutenant. He has been on the department for almost four years and brings a lot to the table.
He will be in charge of training for the Fire Department, fire inspections and investigations and
will be the Safety Coordinator and Emergency Management Director for the City. Ed had been
working at Lyman Lumber in Chanhassen and prior to that at General Mills. His start date will
be March 22, 2004.
Todd Gerhardt
March 15, 2004
Page 2
Fire Investigations:
The investigation into the house fire on March 2, 2004 is finished. Information has been
forwarded to the insurance company. There were a couple of electrical items that we were
looking at carefully which the insurance company's private fire investigation company has sent
to a lab for analysis. The family is expected to be displaced for approximately six months and
damage is estimated to be at least $140,000.00.
Fire Inspections:
Only a few restaurants remain to be inspected. Once Ed gets on board he will be accompanying
me for a lot of on the job training. Current construction projects are going well also. The
apartments, hotels, and Temple of Eck are moving along well with no problems.
Budget: