2b Fire Depart Monthly ReportCHANHASSEN 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 - 1 sT Assistant Chief
Randy Wahl - 2nd Assistant Chief
Mark Littfin - Fire Marshal
June 23,2004
Monthly City Council update
Fire Department Overview:
Staffing is at 37 firefighters as of June 23, 2004, allocation is 45 PTE's.
As of June 22nd we are at 284 calls for the year, down 120 from 404 at the same time 2003.
Since our last report we have had no structure fires. We did have one of our probationary
firefighters quit due to personal reasons. We are currently planning for our participation in the
July 3,4 celebration.
Fire Training:
The Fire Department conducted several types of training this month including Haz Mat team
training, dive team training and rescue boat operations. Specialized training was conducted in
smoke evacuation of an underground parking garage and a training scenario was conducted at
Lake Ann Park simulating a boating accident involving multiple victims including a drowning
victim. Several firefighters attended advanced auto extrication class and auto extrication
instructor's class in Chaska provided by a grant.
All rookies are now state certified Firefighter II, and those not previously medically trained are
currently enrolled in a course of medical instruction.
Fire Inspections:
Construction Update:
Holiday Inn inspections are going well. The contractors have been very cooperative and good to
work with. Some of the fire sprinkler tests are complete with fire alarm testing to be done
sometime in July. There are approximately five units of the Powers Ridge Condos that have
been signed off on. Because of that fact the building is getting daily walk through fire
Todd Gerhardt
June 23, 2004
Page 2
inspections to insure the safety of the residents. On Monday, June 14, the Fire Department
conducted a drill at the condo where we filled up the under ground parking garage with smoke
and had the department practice different ways of venting it out. We have quite a few
apartments in town with below ground parking that will pose special challenges to firefighters
should a fire occur. The drill was very informative and we learned a lot. Similar drills will also
be conducted at Presbyterian Homes as well. The Lyman Lumber annex building is close to
completion. All that remains is the testing of the smoke evacuation system. Acceptance test
should be conducted sometime in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The Eckankar Spiritual Center is also
near completion. Final fire alarm and monitoring tests are scheduled for the end of this week.
There are currently no fires under active investigation.
Fire Education Activities:
We are receiving many requests for fire trucks to visit block parties and daycare centers and to
lead neighborhood block party parades. So far we have been able to honor and participate in all
of them. The duty crews that work Friday and Saturday evenings have been driving through
neighborhoods visiting with kids and adults. The public, as well as the firefighters involved
really enjoy these times. We will be participating in various 4th of July events from the kiddie
parade to the large parade on the 4th and fireworks standby duties.