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Winter 2022 <br />3 <br /> <br />Lake Elmo Public Safety <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Fire Department Update <br />The Lake Elmo Fire Department has served the City of Lake Elmo providing Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical services <br />since 1957 and continues to provide exceptional service to nearly 13,000 residents and visitors alike. Since 1957, the <br />department has changed in many ways, but one factor remains constant: it’s our duty to provide the highest level of service <br />to our community. <br /> <br />The Fire Department is currently adjusting our staffing model from a paid-on-call model to a combination model that will <br />utilize full-time and paid-on-call firefighters. The ultimate goal is to operate as a combination department of full-time and <br />paid-on-call firefighters, with a staffed duty crew providing cover age out of the new station 24/7. This transition period and <br />any new staffing adjustments will take time. Converting to this new staffing model will bring many advantages both short <br />and long term to the department and our ability to serve the community. <br /> <br />Advantages of this new model include predictable and consistent staffing, improved response times, reduced hiring costs, <br />firefighter longevity, and an increased proficiency of our skills and training. Most importantly, it will reduce the number o f <br />instances that paid-on-call firefighters will be needed to respond from their homes to emergencies. The need to adjust our <br />staffing model is based on an ever changing environment of staffing needs, employee hiring, training, costs, retention, <br />increasing call volume, complexity of work, and the overall positioning of the Fire Department for future service to the <br />community. <br /> <br />Adopt a Fire Hydrant - Help Us Help You or Your Neighbors! <br />It will snow at some point this winter in Lake Elmo! If there was an emergency in your neighborhood, could firefighters <br />locate the closest fire hydrant? We ask residents to help your firefighters by clearing snow and ice a minimum of 3 feet <br />around fire hydrants and clear a pathway to the street. This will allow firefighters to focus on fi re department operations <br />during emergencies when every second is critical. <br /> <br />What You Need to Know About Smoke Alarms: <br /> All smoke alarms must be replaced with a new alarm if they are 10 years old or older. <br /> Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the <br />basement. <br /> Interconnect your home’s smoke alarms. This way, when one sounds, they all sound. <br /> Teach children the sound of the smoke alarm and to exit the home/building when it sounds. <br /> Working smoke alarms cut in half your risk of dying in a residential fire. <br /> Following is information to help make sure alarms have working batteries: <br />o Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective <br />for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right <br />away. <br />o Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If <br />that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away. <br /> <br />For the most up-to-date information and activities of your fire department, follow us on Facebook <br />https://www.facebook.com/lakeelmofd/ <br /> <br />Lake Elmo Fire Department – Proudly Serving Neighbors & Friends