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City Council Meeting Minutes <br /> April 13, 1999 <br /> Page 5 <br /> Ranallo welcomed Fire Chief Dick Johnson and invited him to address the Council. Chief <br /> Johnson reviewed the 1998. Fire Department-Annual Report, including personnel, apparatus, <br /> equipment inventory, and emergency activities. <br /> Ranallo asked whether the one fire engine equipped with a defibrillator can be called away from <br /> a call if necessary. Chief Johnson stated that the Department can set priorities in the field and <br /> abandon a call. He added that both the Fire and Police Departments handle emergency calls and <br /> rely on each other for patient care. He stressed that so far this has never been a problem. <br /> Faust asked whether the Department needs another defibrillator. Chief Johnson stated the Police <br /> Department could use one, and the Fire Department's capital budget allows for purchase of a <br /> new defibrillator. <br /> John Mondati, 3420 Highcrest Road, stated he believes the City should buy a second <br /> defibrillator. Chief Johnson stated the average age of patients is definitely going down. <br /> Thuesen asked whether the section within the Annual Report pertaining to city code inspections <br /> could be presented more clearly with detailed information about the type of violations and <br /> inspections. Chief Johnson stated he could produce a separate report with detailed information, <br /> but he was reluctant to include it in the Annual Report. <br /> Ranallo thanked Chief Johnson for his report. <br /> F. Presentation of 1998 Police Department Annual Report. <br /> Ranallo welcomed Police Chief Dick Engstrom and invited him to address the Council. Chief <br /> Engstrom stated, with regard to defibrillators,the Department has 2 defibrillators in squad cars <br /> which are utilized in the contract cities of Lauderdale and Falcon Heights. He added the <br /> Department does not have one for use in the City, and this was not included in the capital budget <br /> since the Fire Department has been very responsive. He added that the latest models of <br /> defibrillators cost approximately$3,000. <br /> Marks asked whether a 2nd defibrillator could be purchased. Chief Engstrom stated that State <br /> grant money was available, but the City did not qualify as it already owns 2 which are used for <br /> the contract cities. <br /> Cavanaugh referred to a recent article in the New York Times' Personal Health section regarding <br /> defibrillators, stating that they are very easy to operate and user friendly and stressed the <br /> significance of having them in squad cars. He recommended the City equip its squad cars with <br /> defibrillators. <br />