HomeMy WebLinkAboutSINGLE FIRE STATION CONCEPT 12-1-15 (2)
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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DATE: December 1, 2015 CONSENT ITEM #18 MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Single Fire Station Concept SUBMITTED BY: Greg Malmquist, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Public Safety Committee REVIEWED BY: Interim Administrator
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item .............................................................. City Administrator
- Report/Presentation………………………………………………… Fire Chief
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................. Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion ............................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Discussion ....................................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion .................................................................... Mayor Facilitates POLICY RECCOMENDER: Fire Department/Public Safety Committee
FISCAL IMPACT: The purchase of land for either one or two future fire station locations.
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: Review additional information requested at workshop to determine future staffing/fleet/facilities direction for the fire department, identify and secure land while available.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: At the October 13, 2015 Council Workshop, a presentation on “Public Safety, Staffing and Facilities” was given. The information presented was the result of extensive research and discussion conducted by the Public Safety Committee and the officers of the fire department. The information focused on identifying future staffing, equipment and
facility needs for the fire department, (see attachment). The Public Safety Committee was looking for direction from Council for future planning, with the question of following the current Paid on Call (POC), multiple stations model or moving toward a one station with 24/7 staffing needing additional clarification.
City Council Meeting [Consent Agenda Item #18)
December 1, 2015
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Information presented addressed the results of the 2004 and 2011 fire studies which were both
based on POC staffing. Studies concluded current stations should be relocated and “Are not adaptable to future expansion”. Analysis of various options and how other communities have addressed this issue.
I would also like to highlight the recruitment efforts pursued over the years to deal with our
inability to fully staff. The Public Safety Committee spent considerable time brainstorming and addressing this national/regional/local issue and came up with a pretty thorough list, (see attached). In addition to following up on these recommendations, FD staff went even further by attending training at regional and national levels and networking with local FD’s, yet we
continue to have a very low success rate.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Council requested additional information/numbers related to the comparison of 1 vs 2 stations. Chief Malmquist conducted additional research, met with Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott and had follow up conversation with Chief Officers of Maplewood
FD regarding closing of fire stations and operating costs. See attached spreadsheet. Finance
Director Cathy Bendel provided the operating cost information on the comparison spreadsheet. BACKGROUND INFORMATION (SWOT):
Strengths Ensure adequate staffing, long range cost savings (potentially over
$3mil.), meet future response needs of community. Weaknesses Increasing land costs. Initial investment in facility. Delaying decision until FD reaches critical staffing point and delivery of
service is impacted.
Opportunities Identify and secure site while still available. Learn from other communities. Possibly partner with Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Lakeview EMS in combined Public Safety
Facility.
Threats Inability to staff by committing to failing Paid on Call system. RECOMMENDATION: The Public Safety Committee and the Officers of the Lake Elmo Fire
Department recommend moving to the one centralized fire station model, identify and secure an
appropriate site for a future fire station/public safety facility. ATTACHMENTS:
• Station Comparison spreadsheet
• Council Workshop PowerPoint presentation
• Recruitment highlight slides
• CIP Fleet replacement comparison, 1 vs 2 stations