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City Council Date: 9/4/07 REGULAR Item: 3 Motion ITEM: Recognition of the Fire Department Explorer groups first place at State Fair competition SUBMITTED BY: Greg Malmquist, Fire Chief Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The city council is being asked to recognize, Explorer Captain Sarah Gilder, Explorer Jack Winkels, Explorer Jessica Elliott Explorer Tom Gangnon, Advisor Noah Malmquist and Advisor Bob Sherman. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Lake Elmo Fire Department Explorers are State Champions!!!
Lake Elmo Fire Explorers competed in what is billed as the world's largest fire prevention event at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, August 24. The team is comprised of Captain Sarah Gilder, Jack Winkels, Jessica Elliott and Tom Gangnon with Advisors Noah Malmquist and Bob Sherman. Last year the team, in their first attempt, surprised more experienced teams with a third place finish. Determined to do even better this year, the team trained for several months to refine every last detail of their firefighter skills which included gear donning, hose evolution, ladder evolution, search and rescue and spinal immobilization. The hard work paid off in a nearly perfect score of 123 out of a possible 125.
In addition to the team competition, Sarah Gilder and Jack Winkels competed in the individual gear donning event which requires the firefighter to start out in street clothes, don all of their protective clothing, strap on their air packs and masks, and flow air. Any errors that compromise firefighter safety lead to disqualification. Out of a group of over 200 Explorers, Sarah and Jack placed in the top ten qualifying them for the final competition. Jack placed in the top five with a personal best time. Sarah narrowly missed taking the title, placing second by a fraction of a second with a time of 54 seconds. (Professional firefighters are expected to complete these tasks in two minutes.)
The Explorer Program is offered by the Lake Elmo Fire Department under the national Scouting program. Youth ages 14-20 are eligible to participate. The program emphasizes the development of leadership and firefighter skills. Explorers meet twice each month for drills or social events and also drill with neighboring Explorer posts from the East Metro. Learn more about the program at the Lake Elmo Fire Department 50th Anniversary celebration September 8th or contact the Department at 770-5006.
ORDER OF BUSINESS Introduction Susan Hoyt, City Administrator Report Greg Malmquist, Fire Chief Bob Sherman, Explorer Advisor
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