05-11-11 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 11, 2011 FIRE FIGHTING STRATEGIC PLAN The Chief noted that one of the City's 2011 Goals is to develop a strategic plan for fire fighting service. The Chief noted that there are a lot of changes in fire services with surrounding cities, i.e. the addition of full -time firefighters, duty crews staffing stations, the closing of fire stations, etc. The Chief noted that the Little Canada Fire Department is unique in that it has a waiting list of individuals interested in serving as firefighters. However, it that situation changes, there may be the need to change the way the Little Canada Fire Department does business. The Chief the that some of the issues that may need to be explored include whether or not to have a full -time chief, staffing of the fire station, shared services with other cities, etc. Blesener noted that the Maplewood Chief has talked about going to regional fire districts. The Assistant Chief indicated that those districts work in rural areas, but not metropolitan areas. McGraw asked how far down the line the Chief sees the Fire Department functioning as it currently does. The Chief pointed out that there are 12 to 15 individuals that could retire. When that happens, the Department may not be able to find enough replacements. Another issue may be the Department's ability to find daytime responders. McGraw indicated that the Department and the City will have to be ready with a plan. Blesener asked if the Department could function with 28 or 29 firefighters. The Assistant Chief indicated that the issue is the level of service that the City wants. He noted that the Little Canada Fire Department does not respond to medical calls, although most fire departments do. Another issue is whether or not the Department's response time is adequate. These are discussions that need to take place. There was discussion relative to medical response. The Chief noted that Allina responds to an average of 855 calls in Little Canada per year. The Chief' indicated that with the Department's current staffing responding to medical calls would be very difficult. There was discussion relative to the training that would be required as well as the logistics for responding. The Assistant Chief reported that every department in the area that currently responds to medical calls, started like the Little Canada Fire Department. Therefore, it would be possible for the Department to provide this service, but there would be a lot of issues to work out. The Assistant Chief felt that the issue would be driven by response time. It was noted that while Allina provides the City's ambulance service, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department also responds to medical calls. The City Administrator reported that he is obtaining additional information from Allina relative to response times and future service area 5