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Lino Lakes, Minnesota – Fire Department Analysis Page 2 <br /> <br />I. The Fire Study <br />The City of Lino Lakes is exploring options to initiate a municipal fire department. To assist in this <br />process they contracted with Springsted Incorporated to complete a high level analysis of service delivery <br />options. The purpose of this study is to provide information to the City and to provide policy guidance for <br />the City Council. There are five specific components to the scope of services: <br /> <br />1. Provide an overview of baseline fire service including risk, demand, deployment <br />and response time. <br />2. Identify different options and models for organizing a fire department. <br />3. Evaluate adding one-facility with a preliminary location on Birch Street. <br />4. Develop a list of essential needs required to begin a new Fire Department. <br />5. Identify pros and cons of combining the police and fire department. <br /> <br />This study was initiated by the City for governance, policy and financial considerations. This is not a <br />program evaluation or study of the performance of the Centennial Fire District. Testimony indicated that <br />the Fire District was providing very good service; however, in recent months the City was involved in <br />discussions on broader, more policy-based concerns. In order to ensure a thorough analysis, we created <br />our draft report with sections that define each of the five individual components of this scope of services. <br />During the course of the study, we determined that the discussion of a combined fire/police structure was <br />more appropriately included with the other options and models for organizing a fire department. That <br />discussion was moved accordingly, leaving four distinct sections in the report which cover the first four <br />points listed above. <br /> <br />The City Council encouraged the consultants to use the expertise and experience of the city staff and they <br />have been involved in the discussion, analysis and development of the concepts and ideas contained in the <br />report. The City Council is also studying the fire pension plan as a complement component to the baseline <br />fire analysis. <br /> <br />II. The Study Process <br />To date, the study process involved the following 12 steps: <br /> <br />1. Individual interviews with the Mayor and each City Council member <br />2. Interviews with the Police Chief, City Administrator and Community Development Director <br />3. Interviews with the Fire Chief, Fire Department command staff, and Firefighters <br />4. Interviews with the City Administrators in Circle Pines and Centerville and the Anoka County <br />911 Director <br />5. General interview with a metropolitan Fire Chief and official with the Minnesota Fire Chiefs <br />Association <br />6. Tour and drive through the community <br />7. Review and evaluation of existing fire department data <br />8. Preparation of Working Notes for City Staff briefing held on April 16 <br />9. Develop Draft Fire Study Analysis <br />10. Present Draft Fire Study Analysis to City officials on May 15 <br />11. Prepare Fire Department Analysis <br />12. Present the Fire Department Analysis to the City Council on May 27 <br />8