Laserfiche WebLink
3. Annual operating costs for a new fire department with two stations would be <br />approximately the same as the current annual contribution to the Centennial Fire District. <br />Capital costs will be financed through bonds with a 15-20 year repayment schedule. <br />4. A new fire station in the southern portion of the Lino Lakes would have been necessary <br />in the near future even if Lino Lakes stayed with the CFD, with Lino Lakes paying 100% <br />of the construction costs. <br />5. Creating a new LLFD will still necessitate entering into mutual aid agreements with other <br />municipal jurisdictions. <br />6. Startup costs for a new fire department consists of capital costs for construction of the <br />new station and purchase of fire apparatus, in addition to the costs of recruiting, training, <br />and outfitting new personnel. <br /> <br />A preliminary cost assessment for a new fire department is included in Springsted’s report. <br />Their cost projections for operations, apparatus, training, and turnout gear are generally worse <br />case scenarios and the actual costs will likely be much less, especially given that Lino Lakes will <br />acquire 68% of the District’s equipment assets and retain current CFD fire personnel. <br /> <br />Because of the two-year transition timeline from the date the withdrawal notice was given to the <br />Centennial Fire District (January 28, 2014), it is critical that the Council act quickly on a <br />decision to move this forward. <br /> <br />As noted earlier, the fire committee reviewed the options in the report and recommends that the <br />Council strongly consider incorporating fire operations into the Public Safety Department. The <br />pros and cons of a combined police and fire department model are identified in the report. Also <br />included in the report is a conceptual organizational structure with two career deputy directors, <br />one for police operations and one for fire operations. Both would report to the Public Safety <br />Director. <br /> <br />If the Council agrees that the City should move forward to Phase II of the fire department <br />analysis, the next step would be to authorize staff to move forward with implementation of the <br />preferred option, which is to combine police and fire operations into a Public Safety Department. <br />Implementation would include the following: <br /> <br />1. Contact architectural firms to begin the process of site location and building design for <br />the new fire station. <br />2. Contract with consultants who can assist the City in developing a business model that <br />includes capital, staffing and personnel, operational and facility needs. <br />3. Begin recruiting and training efforts for new fire personnel. <br />4. Develop a thorough and easily understandable phasing plan that addresses all aspects <br />within the analysis and any other issues that come up during the implementation phase. <br />5. Create job descriptions for new personnel and conduct a compensation study. <br />6. Hire personnel to expedite the implementation of fire operations in the Public Safety <br />Department. <br />7. Establish a fire relief pension fund that will attract new recruits and current CFD <br />firefighters. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />Direct staff to proceed with Phase II of the fire department analysis, which would incorporate <br />fire services in the Public Safety Department. <br />5