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MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: July 6, 1983 <br /> TO: Mayor and Councilmen <br /> David Childsf City Manager <br /> FROM: Lee Entner, Fire Chief <br /> SUBJECT.: Purchase of a New Fire-- Pumper <br /> --------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> Per your request, the following summarizes the points which were <br /> discussed at a Council Workshop on. June 28, 1983 concerning the <br /> City '-s purchase of a new �fire -apparatus . It is our belief that the <br /> community will be- the greatest beneficiaries of this needed purchase'. <br /> The present pumper was one of the original pieces of apparatus <br /> and is nearly 28 years ofage . - The National Fire Protection <br /> Association has stated any fire appratus over 25 years old is <br /> not considered first line response. <br /> (,2) Accordingto the Insurance Services Office, which rates com- <br /> munities ' fire service capabilities , we should have a pumping <br /> capacity of 3 ,500 GPM (gallons per minute) . We are presentl y <br /> below this figure' with 2 pumpers having 1,250 GPM capacity each <br /> and the old pumper which cannot pump even 700 GPM. <br /> (3) As you are aware, we have been gathering data pertaining to this <br /> purchase for t'he last three years and have submitted to you a <br /> comprehensive report. This report listed the problems we have <br /> had and will continue to have in obtaining replacement parts on <br /> the present pumper. Manufacturers have stated 18-20 years is <br /> usually maximum for stocking parts . <br /> (A) Minnesota-Federal OSHA safety standards require fire personnel <br /> riding on fire apparatus to be inside an enclosed cab - not <br /> riding tailboards. Because of the vintage of our oldest pumperf <br /> a variance to this rule was enacted stating personnel must be <br /> secured with a safety device (.straps) . The new appratus would <br /> have an enclosed cab. <br /> (5)_ D ue to the growth over the past 15 years of commercial, industrial, <br /> and multi-dwelling units , the pumping capability of our present <br /> apparatus has failed to keep pace (in terms of GPM) . <br /> (6) The Department' s present manning level dictates to the type of <br /> apparatus used and deployment tactics . <br /> In 1969 we had four people on duty 24 hours a .day. We used the <br /> 1964 rescue squad van (now a utility van) - for medical emergencies <br /> with two people . The other two people were backups for immediate <br />