Agenda Packets - 2005/09/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council September 12, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 9 Chief Officer, three engine companies with four individuals each, one ladder company with four 1 individuals, an ambulance with a crew of two, and a communications/aide. He explained that the 2 Department would become an entity of the State, not an employee of the State. 3 4 Fire Chief Zikmund advised that there have now been issues with self deployment and word was 5 received last Friday of an official stand down request for the time being. He advised that they are 6 still recovering bodies so there is currently no need for fire fighters. However, once residents 7 start moving back there will be an increased need for fire personnel. That is expected occur in 8 four to eight weeks in the future and may go on for three to four months. 9 10 Fire Chief Zikmund explained that Mr. Anderson responded to a broadcast. He stated Fire 11 personnel was asked if they are willing and able for a two week deployment. This request is 12 being made so it can be answered should the request come. He explained that if requested, they 13 would deploy Ladder 12 and it would include 12 fire personnel from the district. All costs are 14 reimbursed to the City by FEMA. He stated he verified with the League that should the State of 15 Louisiana default on liability insurance, the League would cover it. 16 17 Mayor Marty stated he can see why there is a stand down now but once power is turned back on, 18 there is more potential need for firefighters and personnel. Fire Chief Zikmund agreed that a lot 19 of activity could occur which is why he wanted to verify the insurance coverage. 20 21 Councilmember Stigney questioned the request for deployment from Minnesota to Louisiana, 22 noting there are 49 states participating. He asked how it got to the SBM Fire Department and if 23 the request first starts with adjacent States. 24 25 Fire Chief Zikmund stated he is certain that the request did go out to other States. He explained 26 that with the Emergency Management Association Compact (EMAC), Minnesota opened their 27 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) two days before the hurricane hit in anticipation of what 28 would happen with Hurricane Katrina. EMAC set up the day after. The EOC is where things 29 like the policy decisions occur and EMAC is where the work actually occurs. Louisiana sent out 30 the request to Minnesota. The Minnesota EMAC Staff has a state-wide list of all the resources 31 and knows the SBM Fire Department protects the fifth largest population in the State and has two 32 ladders. The Minnesota EMAC asked if the Department could provide a ladder crew given the 33 Department’s size and resources. 34 35 Fire Chief Zikmund stated he told them the equipment was available and he would check on the 36 personnel request. When the request came in they probably wanted up to 100 strike forces as a 37 readiness request. Then it transitioned from Louisiana and Mississippi because the amount of 38 resources they need is staggering. Also, Minnesota has a national reputation of having the most 39 organized and equipped fire departments and are highly trained. 40 41 Councilmember Stigney stated he personally thinks that they should draw from the area closest to 42 their area. He noted Mounds View is already short on employees and Jeremy Anderson also does 43 another job including inspections that would have to be put on abeyance so he does not support 44 the deployment request. 45