Minutes - 2006/06/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council June 12, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 13 Fire Chief Zikmund explained that in the real world, on a real course, the Department cannot simulate a moving vehicle. He said there could be a simulation with a vehicle moving through intersections, with pedestrians, dogs, etc. which cannot be simulated in real life. He said the simulator also has "pinning" which cannot be practiced with real cars. He said it will make officers and other City drivers practice critical skills that cannot be simulated in real life. He said this was very valuable for the Las Vegas Police Department, with whom he spoke. Councilmember Flaherty asked that because this is abig-ticket item, which will cost over $250,000, if no other departments in the area have a simulator. Fire Chief Zikmund replied that no other metro area cities have simulators and that in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, officers have more opportunities in real life than in Mounds View. He stated that in Mounds View, the Department must have time to train volunteers and that, next to Bloomington and Duluth, Mounds View has the largest Fire Department. Fire Chief Zikmund added that the command center software is a separate tool, not combined with a simulator. Councilmember Flaherty asked if it has been brought up to Blaine and Spring Lake Park and Fire Chief Zikmund responded that Spring Lake Park has cleared the item and Blaine will hear it this Thursday. He said they both heard it at a joint meting and Blaine had a workshop about it a year ago. Acting Mayor Stigney asked if Spring Lake approved the simulator and Fire Chief Zikmund said yes. • Councilmember Gunn asked if it the simulator will be available for use to other departments. Fire Chief Zikmund said it would be available first to the Fire Departments and Police Departments in the three cities, and other Public Works Departments who have limited training opportunities in sedan training. He said it would then be offered to others, but limited to metro area. Councilmember Gunn asked about ambulance drivers and Fire Chief Zikmund said they are on the list. He noted ambulance drivers have the highest accident rate. Acting Mayor Stigney asked if the Police Department will help fund the simulator and Fire Chief Zikmund said with way the budget works, the City of Mounds View is responsible fora 15.5% share and all three cities are paying. Fire Chief Zikmund responded that the Police Department will not be contributing to the simulator cost because the funding is coming from the capital improvement fund. Acting Mayor Stigney asked if the police other City departments will pay rental fees, to which Fire Chief Zikmund responded yes. Finance Director Beer pointed out that police departments require training every three years, and Fire Chief Zikmund stated and that Blaine does it every year and said that the track course is require every three years. Administrator Ulrich said that the police package would not be included, and Fire Chief Zikmund that the package does include the police component. • Fire Chief Zikmund reported on the CommandSy~rn software; which is the third part of the package. He said the first task was building the rooms, the second was contracting for the video