CC MINUTES 04102001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes April 10, 2001 Page 8 1 with Chief Johnson retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. He noted they responded to 938 2 emergency incidents which is an increase of 93 incidents responded to in 1999, or an 11% 3 increase. Fire Chief Hewitt reviewed the number of positions that were created and commented 4 on the risks experienced by fire fighters. He thanked the Council for their support over the last 5 few months including the new equipment purchase. Fire Chief Hewitt reviewed his past 6 employment and stated the St. Anthony firefighters are by far the best he has worked with. 7 Fire Chief Hewitt then reviewed the chain of command, personnel listing, and his efforts to build 8 a cohesive group. He noted the current apparatus inventory and use of each engine and vehicle. 9 He stated their average response time is 2 minutes and 40 seconds from the time when a call is 10 dispatched to the fire department to the time the first fire department personnel arrive at the scene 11 of an emergency. Fire Chief Hewitt stated they responded to 681 emergency medical incidents 12 and 257 fire incidents. He then reviewed the dollars lost from fire and the dollars saved from fire 13 damage. Fire Chief Hewitt presented the significant incidents in 2000, distribution of incidents, 14 and provided a description of each. 15 Councilmember Sparks asked if any trends were experienced. Fire Chief Hewitt stated he did 16 not notice any trends, however, more fire losses were experienced. 0 Fire Chief Hewitt stated he believes that training is the foundation of their service delivery. He 18 advised of the training they have undergone and that they have also secured a contract with the 19 City of Minneapolis for use of their training campus. He noted the drill percentages for 2000, 20 EMS training, and department journal. Fire Chief Hewitt advised of mutual aid response and 21 emergency medical incident analysis. He noted the chart depicting code compliance complaints, 22 and the additional activities in which they are involved. Fire Chief Hewitt addressed emergency 23 management activity and other activities he has been involved with. 24 Councilmember Sparks noted the summary of incident calls by district indicating 20% of the 25 calls are going to Chandler and the St. Anthony Health Care. She asked if this is typical for 26 service to such facilities. Fire Chief Hewitt advised that in another community, a similar facility 27 was informed that the Fire Department is not to be called for emergency medical issues, they 28 should be calling the hospital. He stated if he finds this to be a problem in St. Anthony, he will 29 address the issue with them. 30 Mayor Cavanaugh requested a listing of the types of illnesses from the 190+calls to Chandlers. 31 Captain Drusch stated they have that statistic but it would include both Chandlers and the nursing 32 home. He stated the nursing home does have a policy with Hennepin County to call the 33 ambulance service directly. Depending on the nature of the call, the Fire Department may also 34 be called. Councilmember Sparks asked why the nursing home would call the Fire Department since they have medical professionals on staff. Captain Drusch explained they call when someone needs to