HomeMy WebLinkAbout#05 - Fire Department April 2020 Report STAFF REPORT
DATE:
CONSENT
ITEM #:
TO: City Council
FROM: Mike Cornell, Interim Fire Chief
AGENDA ITEM: Month End Fire Department Update for April 2020
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Review month end activity update from fire department. Advise on
any additional information requested.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
We had 54 calls in April:
28 Medicals
1 Structure Fire
2 Car Accidents with injuries
11 Dispatched and cancelled en route
2 Fire Alarms
3 Grass Fires
2 Gas Leak
1 Car Fire
1 Kitchen Fire
3 Misc
54 Total
A Command vehicle did not respond on 26 calls for a response rate of 48%. Our average
response time was 9.4 minutes from alarm to arrival. 25 calls had 3 or less responders minus the
Duty Officer with 1 call having only 1 personnel on the first due apparatus. 11 calls this month
had only shift personnel for responders.
Drills for the Month:
For the past 2 months we have canceled our inhouse drills to comply with the Govonors
“Stay at Home Order” and promote the social distancing. While we were not meeting at the
station, we did replace them with weekly video conference meetings for updates and to stay
connected. Now that the Govonor has lifted the “Stay at Home Order” we are preparing to
continue in-house drills but still maintaining minimum staff - 10 members or less and still
practicing all recomindations. As the summer progresses we will continue to evolve our trainings
while still making sure our staff is safe.
Points of Interest:
- This was a five year high in call volume for the month of April. We nearly doubled
the calls for the same time last year.
- On April 25th, we took in face masks to be dispersed to congregate living facilities
residents and employees. Residents donated hundreds of masks and one resident
donated 18 home made blankets. All of the masks were given to Washington County
to be dispersed to the places of need and the blankets went to a local outreach center.
Thank You to the Lake Elmo Community.
- The department continues to operate to the best of our ability through this national
crisis. All non-essential personnel and visitors are asked to refrain from being in the
fire stations until further notice in an effort to keep our members as safe as possible so
that we can serve the community.
Part Timer Accomplishments:
- Cleaning and general maintenance at both stations.
- Vehicle and equipment inspections.
- Hydrant mapping and GIS tagging.
- Assisted with Burn Permit applications.
- Vehicle repairs as possible.
- Increased decontamination of apparatus and stations.
Message From Chief:
During the last couple months a group of Firefighters have been participating in “Birthday
Parades” when we are not on an emergency call. These members have voluntarily (no pay)
signed up and have brighten the special day for many. Currently for the month of April we have
gone to 16 of these events and are currently at 15 events for the month of May. At this point we
will run parades for those that request them until June 1st, and at that time we will reevalute. For
the members that signed up, Thank You!!! For more information please visit the Lake Elmo Fire
Department Facebook page.