2b. Chief Gregg Geske, Chanhassen Fire Dept.
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CHANHASSEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 97 · 7610 Laredo Drive · Chanhassen, MN 55317
Bus. Phone 952-934-9191 · Minnewashta Station NO.2. Phone 952-474-7094
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager 6~'
Gregg Geske- Fire Chief
Sherri Walsh - 1 st Assistant Chief
Randy Wahl - 2nd Assistant Chief
Mark Littfin- Fire Marshal
Ed Coppersmith - Training Officer
FROM:
DATE:
July 14, 2006
SUBJ:
Monthly City Council update
Fire Department Overview:
Staffing is at 45 active firefighters as of July 14, 2006, allocation is 45 PTEs.
As of July 2nd we are at 256 calls for the year, down 40 from 296 at this same time in 2005. Since the
last update we responded to one mutual aid call at Eden Prairie. We participated in the July 4th
celebration in the parades and stand by for the fireworks. Weare in the process of interviewing some
new firefighter candidates.
Our fire chiefs attended the Hennepin County Chiefs and the West Metro Joint Operation meeting.
Fire Training:
The Chanhassen Fire Department conducted water rescue training utilizing the rescue boat and
medical rescue skills training during the month of June. The special teams (Dive and Hazmat) also
conducted training during this month. Six members of the department received their "black helmets"
on July 1, signifying their transition from rookies to accredited firefighters.
Fire Marshal:
On Saturday, July 8 and 2:24 pm the Fire Department responded to Lake Susan Apartments for a
water flow alarm. Upon our arrival the residents were evacuating and it was discovered that there
was a small fire on the 2nd floor outside balcony that was extinguished by one fire sprinkler head.
Todd Gerhardt
July 14, 2006
Page 2
Cause of the fire was determined to be carelessly discarded smoking material. The one activated
sprinkler head averted a major fire. Residents were allowed back in within the hour. Damage was
limited to $500.00 or less.
Fire Inspections:
Town and Country is starting to gear up with fire sprinkler inspections, as well as Emerson. Town
and Country is getting be-weekly fire inspections due to the lack of working fire hydrants and the
travel distance from the fire station. If a fire were to occur we could use Chaska fire hydrants. The
Chaska Fire Department has also been notified that in the event of a fire, we would be calling them
early.
Fire Prevention:
The Fire Department is gearing up for National Night Out on August 1,2006. We are expecting to
have three fire trucks visiting a number of neighborhoods that evening. We usually get a great
response from our firefighters and I believe we are one of the top agencies the residents like to see
and visit with. In the next few days and weeks Ed and I will be visiting all the city parks along with
the Park and Rec staff and bringing a fire truck to show the kids. If it is warm enough we will spray
the kids with the fire hose. With the summer temperatures we've been experiencing, this is obviously
a big hit with the kids. We have also taken a fire truck and visited five daycare centers this summer
and taught fire prevention to over 100 pre-schoolers.
Todd Gerhardt
July 14, 2006
Page 3