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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />NOVEMBER 24, 2004 <br />approxiroateiy $100,000 per year. These funds have been used to <br />purchase the land ou which the Tire Station is located as well as for <br />equipment purchases and upgrades. This fund-raising effort has reduced <br />the burden on the City's taxpayers. <br />Gustafson pointed out a recent article about a neighboring fire department <br />and the fact that due to increasing demands on people's time, volunteer <br />fire fighters are not putting in the length of service that has been seen in <br />the past. Retirements are tending to occur after 10 or 15 years of service, <br />which impacts pension funds. Gustafson also noted the impact on the <br />department itself in terms of having to train new fire fighters. Gustafson <br />indicated that the fire fghter's pension is a nice benefit that may help <br />retain fire fighters for longer periods of service. <br />Vitale also pointed out the emergency call response, public education, fire <br />prevention activities, National Night Out events, etc. undertaken by the <br />Little Canada ,Fire Department. <br />Gustafson also noted that while other volunteer fire departments have been <br />struggling to recruit new fire f ghters, Little Canada has always been able <br />to recruit and retain members. Gustafson noted that iY has not been <br />uncommon for Little Canada to have fire fighters putting in 30 and 40 <br />years of service. FIe noted that the pension is part of the incentive for <br />being a fire fighter. <br />.Fahey noted that when he first jointed the Fire Department, the training <br />requirements were not an intense as they are now. In addition to increased <br />training and expectations from the State level, fire fighters attend weekly <br />drills as well as respond to fire and emergency calls. Fahey felt that it was <br />easy to take the fire service for granted, and again noted the demands that <br />are made on fire fighters. <br />The Fire Chief noted that Vadnais I~eights recently had a 30% drop in the <br />number of fire fighters. The Chief did not feel that Little Canada would <br />be able to adequately protect the City with a decrease of that level. The <br />Chief stated that he wanted to commend the Little Canada fire Fighters for <br />their dedicated service and the time and effort they put in. <br />Fahey asked how many fire fighters on average respond to each call. The <br />Chief estimated 19 fire fighters per call. <br />Blesener noted that die training requirements are standard for all volunteer <br />departments. The Chief replied that that was correct. Gustafson pointed <br />out that Little Canada has been fortunate to have a cohesive department. <br />Vitale noted that some cities have been hiring full-time fire chiefs to lead <br />their deparUnents. Vitale felt that the addition of full-time chiefs has <br />2 <br />