HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Fire / Police Study Reports - Recommendations� • •
f'O BOX 51�
1�� � 2875-1457ti ST W
^Cn�AO1tM� ROSEMOUNT,MfNNES07A 55qG8
Va7GI�'1+ N�/L 612-423-44tt
'f0: Mayor Tloke
Counci.1.meml�ers: NaPt�er
Oxi�t�rnuel�
Wa�1sfi
Wi.ppf�r�nlnn
FROPZ: Stephan Ji.lk, Adrni��.istr. ator/Cl.Prk
DATE: Nov�inber 23, 198II
R�: Polj.ce/Fire Stctdies
Staff 1�ev;tewfRecommeiidaCion�
In A��gust oE Chis year A1r. k'red lloisi�tgt:on, i,�rry Tho�nf�gnn nnrl
T'�t C�ugl�li.n mac�e �resentations �s pert of the ccrm}�].�t i.on c►.f tw��
m�,jor �tc�clies invr�iving r.he Fire niicl t'r�l.i.r.� l�np;�rl:inri�ts. 'Cti��c�
_ rwo eL•udies� w�res 1) 'Ca com��l.ete Rn i.n �t�pt1� �at,u�ly oC tt�e
aclmi.nlr�tr�atton of t�ntlt of �I]pAA ctepr�rtm�rtk.� s�n�t dernrmi.n+� i.f nc�+
c��mt�inin� of ti�e adminir�tr�t.tnn vf b�tl� o£ those dep�rl-me�it� w€�.^,
warrstrtted mnd iC �o what the Menefi:tg of tl��t ccimbl:n.-�ti.otf �ar��tl.d
be Z) To com�l.ete a sC��dp to �i�terrn:i.ne the �i.7e, numb�r and
1oc�tion f�r fire sL-atit�n fsactltr_ies Ln tfiA t;1.�y a£ Ro�P�no�tnt.
You h�vp coples �� bol)� of �he �lutli.es �s they were pre�e��t�d 1:v
you in August. At the meeting �t wh.l.ch these vtr�clt�s w�re
pre:�enteci it was cleci�iect that r_i.ty sL-af. f. slaoul�l review tiaese
F.ittdtngs �nd present 4taff recommendatinr�s as to tt�ese £i.ndin�s,
Pursu�nt t�s that �li.rer.ti.on T h�ve l��c{ �cv�ral. �t:�l' t' 1.evr..t
ror�Pti.ngs �►ncl wc have �l.so httcl Atr. Ilti�9i.nntcitt b�ck fiU r.lari, Fy o�r��i
�� �tre►��the►i l�i.� pc�s.�ti.c�n an cerL�ln 1.9.que9.
A� �lity fiiricture tec:�mm�nd�tt�n:� s�re in «r�ln,r ni�d t wt. tt prrRe�►t
Chem i.n tit.i� nnemc�. AJ.1 r�Lu�ty fi�tcli.►�gs sar. e �citlre�sc�ci ����t �cjrn�
vpry s�ecif:ically. S�me issuns hssve �;Pn�r��. re�c�mm�ndat�c���g
given. Some issu�s can h� moze eaa.tl.y def. i.neci t:h�ii c�the��s wh�.t.e
s��m�, I t�elieve, �:an he i_n L-he f.c>rm of. gennr:�l 'cc�n� i_ctpr�tinr� Ecrr
pursui.ng fttrther, if. q�u wi.sh. I wtl.1 I3.st c��cl� gt:ucty' g ����r. �ic�qca,
�he e�nsutt�r►t' s .reeommenc�aCior� ancl st�ft' s ��3�i.t::l�t1 c�n Chn
:issue.
i'url:i�t�ri»ucc, Mr . llc►i :� l��f;t �rr� F� f I1 I�r� f���:� 1 Inhlr (�it� fi�rl lrri�
dl.:a�;�i�a:� l.r�n �i: ��ur mer,tfn�; �>>i 'I'u<�;��i��y .
1
� � �
STUDY #1 - Analgsis af Publ�.c Safetp Operations and
Organization
The purpose of this study was to review the operatians of the
Police and Fire Departments and to determine whether j,t wauld be
betL•er to combine the twa departments throu�h a s:Lngle
admi,nistrator vr m�intain sep�rate de��rt�nent he�ds wtth
dl.reetion frnm the Citp Administratar.
STU�}Y RECOMMENllAT:[ONS
1) Maintain separ�te Police ancl Fire De��rtments. The role af
�he City A�inini.�strator i.c� key to the success o.f the
ac�mini.�traL-ion 'of these an� �I:tier citq depr�r�ments. An
admini9trative cangolidation oE these two dep,�rtments wniil.d
decrease the the adminiz�trators effectivenFss :tn dealing
wj.th the Fire Department in particuiar, thus d�creasing h3.s
at�i�.i.ty to e£fecti.vely implement c-1.ty pol3.cq . Absent of
compelling reasons to institute such a change iiow
continuation of separate departments in Rasemount will
provide the most effective structure £or de�.ivery of the
city' s police and fire services.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION - We must always loak to the eEficiency of
the admistrative structure and not at peraonalities only , when we
cons3der auch options before us. �it the present time, with the
personalities in place, we would have fu11 confidence in
combining the administr�tion of botli of these deyar�ments under
one "Public Safety Dirtector" . I believe we have a Folice Chief
that would be capable of taking on this position and, I believe,
that in Seott Akers Ieadersliip these departments cnuld work very
we11 together. But, based upon the outcome of the study �nd upo�i
exhaustive discussion on those recommendations between Chief
Staats and Chief Aker I too can only recommend that we retain the
statu� quo and maintain separate department heads reporting
directly ta the City Administrator position.
The administrative issues facing these dapartments require the
leadership which can deal with them 3.n an unbiased and supportive '
u�anner. And, as we continue to grow the "separateness" wi11, we
believe, prove to be �ven � mare important.
STUDY RECOMMENDA'TION
2) Consicleration t►as heen given to hire addttion�I p�rs�nnel
and purchase necessarq equipmenC to provide 24 hour
dispatchin�, for golice and fire serviee, in the eitp. The
study recom,nends that, "only as a last res��rt" should the
2
' _ _ _ �
� •
STUDY RECOMM�NDATI4N
5} MANPOWER
5a) Selectively recreuiting additional firefighters for
daptime response and their relatian to �.he l�cation of
tlie fire station.
STAFF RECOMMENllA`PLON -- Chief Aker has already taken the
initiative in accamplishin$ this. It is a ratl�er diff3.cult task,
In the first attempt in finding several persons avai.l�b1P �
physical condition af the agp'licants grov�d to be a ciownfall, ��
Locating individuals living in prox3,mit� to the atation is �].so I'
an 3.ssue wh3ch w�.11 be d3.scussed further when addre�e3ng the '
lac�tion of fire st�Ci.on faci7.ities in the city.
Sta£f does concur with the recam�nendation and the fire department
will continue to pursue apprppriste recraiting techniques to meet
the daytime response needs o€ the department.
5b} Training - i.ncrease number vf hours dedicated to
tr�in3.ng.
STAF� R�GOMMENDATION -- This action has already accurred and the
init�.ative wi11 cnntinue.
5c) Select.ton of Department Officers - R�commended
alternativea sugge�ted that action should �ccur to
better balance the citp council.' s role in filZing the
Fire Department of.ficers position. Al.tern�tives
suggested ine�.u�ie: t�) that the Fire D�partment
recommend � group of qualifiecl candidates for each
pc�si.tion to the c�.tp cauncil who then woula geleet tlie
candidates whom they feel are the most �ualified. B}
that the department vote on a list c�f candid�tes nnd
forward those reaul.ts to the ci.ty cotinc tl so that ttie
counci�. eould m�ke selection £rom the li.at of
candidates on the bal.lot .
STAFF RECOMM�NDA`P:L�N - After much di.sc��*�s:�on hy �taf.f on this
sut�;jeet �.t is very clear t}iat ttie memberg of tlie Fire Departmet�t
�re concerned �hat thep would lose their say �1.n the selecti��i
process £or their officers if tiie c�ty co�tncil_ would gi.mp�.y pick
fr�m a list a£ c�nciidatee presenteci by the de��3rtment.
Admiiz�.strat:i.on underatands the need, aa stated, verp clearly in
the study, that it mu�t have more input into the o.f.ficer
selection process since it is responsible for the supernising the
Fire Chie£ �and who ht�s dtrect responsibilitp for the
administrat3.on of the Fire Department.
A clear and eoncise reeommendatic�n is not at h�tnd. I wil.l
recommend at tliis Cime that we follow a more mixed and , I hope, a
5
` i
A cZear and concise recommendation i.s not at hand. T. will '
recommend at this �ime that we £ollow a more mixed and, I hape, a
more acceptable aPFacnach. This wou�,d be to develap a policy an
the apPointmen� o£ the Fire Chief through a process which wauld
' include setting mj.nimum requirements for �hat poeition, n method
by which a interview committee made up of representatives of City
Administration, Pol.ice Depar�t�ent, firefighters and a couneil
representat3ve woul.d screen a list of applicants for the
position. This screening process would utilize the standards sQt
£or filling the position, years of service, personalizy traits
and leadership abilitg. This committee would then submit the
list of candidates theq would find acceptable to the department
for voting on . The department would then elect the chief from
that list and send it on to the council for ratifi.cation.
Determination of the erit�ria to use in setting the standards for
this position wiil have to come from a �onsensus af
repre�sentatives o£ depar�ments as �takes up the sr_reening
committee.
Further, it is my recommendation that the Appointed/E].ected Chief
have the ogportnnitp to appoint his/her officers which would have
to be approved by citp administration and city counci.l.
Development of this procsss could occur for the 19RO slate of
afficers.
5d) Fu11 time chief/Fart time chief - recommendations in
this area centereci around the issue o£ whether or not
the position req��ired more out of an individual than
could be expected on a volunteer/part time basis. The
recommendation inc].uded the recogn3.tion of the time
involvement and strain on the indi.viduat. It
recommended that the city take the a�propriafie steps to
recognise these needs and to consider, in the
futurerahen the citq reaches higher population levels,
the possibility o€ hiring fu11 tiime chief.
STAFF RECQMMENDATION - Staff recognizes, only too we�,I the
gressnre and demands put an a "volunteer chief" . It feels that at
this Cime the position would be ben�£itted by augmenting the
salary and supplying of certain equipment, such a ciCy vehicle,
wottl.d assist $np persan in that gosition in meeting these needs.
A1so, 3f a part time fire inspector woul.d be hired their would be
sarae bertefits, in term�s of �raining expertise and informat�.on
flow, available to the part time chief. not n�w experienced.
6
_ -�
� • • .
community than those distant to the fire SCt,.'T1E but are closer to
valunteera to man tliem.
Because the city has and c4nt3nues to develop an excell.ent
�ransportation system there are no areas in the cttp w�ich c�nnr�t
be served because o� tr�neportat:l.on issues.
The Present fire station do�s iioG �it we11 into a sing:te or � tWa
station concept f�r ttie city because of residential development
occurring or �lannned in the £�iture.
Tlie conclusion w�s that a new fire st�t:ton f.�c:t:lity 9hou�.�i b�
cr�r�r�Lrticterl on :t45Gt� s�reet he�ween Shannun Paxkwny s�nd
Chippendale Avenu�. The determinati.nn for locati.ng th� f.aciti.r,y
tliere was outxined in the re��r(: and was based upan �n �ccepCable
response time to axeas o£ tiie city. Acceptable can he a nebulour�
term and one on w�ich a11 reaidents might nnt find eo easp to
determine. The location of the �acility at Cliis lvcation w�s
based unon a 6 1/2 minute response t:i.me to the ma�ority of
residential developing property in our western portion of the
cotnmuni�y,
Ot}ier opCions were considered such as the two stati.on concept.
This would suggest the construcion af one station now, south of
CR#42, and a $econd �statian northeast of the present sta�ion,
sometime in the fnture as development occura to the east.
Other a.reas o£ discusaion included, more epecifieally, the
eastern section of our co�nmunity where we h�ve ma�ar indu$�ri�1
development. There were concerns that that area was not being
considered substantiallp when discuesing the 3.ocatian o£ new
facili.ties. The consultant was asked to review tha� area af the
needs of the c3tp and did provide an addend��m to the study
$F���-��.Gal1p addressing his thoughts on the fire protection needs
of that area and haw theq might be addressed. A copy of this
adden�um i� attached. It is eufficient to state that sta.Ef
coneurs w�th the cansultants views and a separste facility stioul.d
not be considered in that area at `this time or until concrete
agreemnents with private industries as to cost of facilities and
the manning of tha� faeilitp can occur.
We find tha� unlikelp as the industies have given the citq no
indication tha� thep wQuld ctesire such arrangement� or �he need
for location of a fire atat3.on in that area.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION - Staff coneurs with the consultants
reco�nmendation to construct a single new station on 145th Street
between Shannon Parkway and Chippendale Ave. There is, at the
present time epen l�nd available for purchase in that area. The
dev�loper of the Shannon Park Townhomes has ����aay been aclvised
3
� � • ' �
by city staff of the consultants r�commendation and he has
indicated a desire ta wark with citp if such a project occurs.
Staff feels that the need to locate a central fire station
facility which fits the needs of the grvwing community cAn best
be met by vacating the current facili.ty on Braz3.� Avenue. Thpre
has been �xtenstve discur�sion on other uses for the existin�
facilitq whether it be bp Fublic Works, Park �nd Recreation or
other city fa�i].itp needs. We are astutelp aware of the needs now
be3ng experienced in the public wosks department for expanded
facilities and these needs must a.11 so be addressed.
Site proeurment, architectural design, and construction of a new
facility would require funding through the eale of bonds by the
city and that would require the passage vf a referendum.
Staff further recommends that they he given d3recti.on ta gut
together a package for coiincil ta consider including fire stati�n
facility needs, site selection, site r_osts, prelimtnarp facility
costs and information for a bond referendum to finance the
station. Timing for the referendum could occur in the apring of
1989 or to coincide with the city election in the fall of 19$9.
It would be our recommendation to c�iise it to occur in the spring
as a separate issue. The consultant has �iven us some
prelirninary cost estimates for this pro�ect of �1 , 223��00.
We w3].1 be pleased to expand on these recommendations and answer
any queations we can at Tuesday' s meeting, ,November 24.
1�
9
i � � . . . � . � � � � �
�J��1lL.f �JL 6 II!t ll�i V IL.fV.YV�/4 I1�JL�� ���JL A��11RNPd77.AA V/V��iVR . . . � � .
. l ��l V�� - . . . . . � . � . .
�n August 1$, 1988, Itoisington Gr�up inc. presentec� a Pinal Fire
Station LQcatian Study Report to the City of Rvsemount, wl�ich re�+�rt
recommended the construetion of a new Central Fir� Station on 145ti�
Street between Shannon Parkway and Chip�endale Avenue anc� a
second station, as needed, on B�cardi Avenue south c�f County Roaci
38. It did not recommend the location of a fire stati�n fncility in
eastern Rosemount. The pur�ose c�f this Aciclendutt� to the �riginal
Rep�rt is to acldress potential irnprovements to t1�e City's fire i'ighting
capabilities in eastern Rosemount.
�.�'KGRQUND
1laving evatuated fire station and ec�uipment neecls for the er�tire
City of Rosemount during 1988, the Consultant concluded that service
eould not be improved to eastern Rosemount even if a new fire
station were constructed in that locatian. Reasons for not
recommending a station were ttiat there is a very limitecl resicienii�l
base frotn which to recruit volunteers hnd service to the east end
could be provided very nearly as well, a»d with only slightiy longer
response times, from proposed stations in or near the old village vf
Rasemount. The Koch Refinery also �rovide5 its own service which
further diminishes the neecf fvr a �ublic facility.
Generalty speaking, volunteers are not easily recruited fram
industrial emplayers such as found at Pine Bend hecause af tt�e long
check-out times required, volunteers are generaliy not avaitable at
night and em�loyers do not wish to disrupt industrial processes to
allow volnnteers to fight fires.' Most em}�loyees a}so do not live in
the City of Rosemount which means that they have less than a vested
interest in serving on the City's Volunteer Fire Department.
`, r � . � � � . . . . . . � .. . . . . . . .
Do to the lack of a reli�ble residential base, and, therefore, quick
respanse times, such a station improvement w�uld be very
ex�ensive relative to benefits received with }ittte improvemei�t in
fire service. It is gea�rally �referable to have volunteers travel
longer distances in fire vehicies than to have to access the fire station
from western RosemounE vi� peXsonal cars. Not only is the res�onse
time likety to be very long but volunteers are �lacec� at gre�ter rjsk
because of their need to use �rivate vehicles for access to the east
end station.
There will be no improvement in i'ire service insura�rce ratit�gs fc�r
east end properties witt� the lddition of a fire st�ti�r� niid rel��tivety
few benefits will accrue t� nro�erty t�wners duc f� liavir�� a fire
station in the east end. Actually, public water service would be x»�re
beneficial to fire service than a new station facility.
EVALU�TION
Since completion of the study, it has corne to our attention tt�at there
m�y be an i»terest on the part of soitie ne�r-terila new em�iloyers
(Dakota County Resource Recovery Facility, Oxbow Power Company,
Dixie Chemical, Koch Refinery Expansion) to i�ave the City �r�vide
improved fite serviee within the Pine Bend Industri�l Park. tt rtily '
aiso be possible that the City's Econc�mic nevel��ment Prc�gr�m may
bc enl�anced by improving fire service to the east enc�. 13asecl c�n our
c�iscussions with City Staff, it may, also, be passifile tliat a site,
building and some equipment may be able tv be made available by
some of these new employers, thereby substantially diminisl�ing
costs to the City. Of rnajor importanee wilt be #he Caunty's resotirce
recovery facility where lands could be made available for a fire
station facility. ,
A new fire station located in eastern Rosemount wi11 have an
estimated daytime turn-out time of six to seven minutes and a total
ela�sed response time of 11 to 12 minutes (res�onse times were nvt
computed for an east end station) which represents ap�roximatety
the same response time as for the west end station. One of tMe major
advantages of such a station if recruitment is sucessful, is that it will
have a daytime fire fighting ca�ability due to its reliance on
employees for volunteers. This is one of the major de[iciericies of
any volunteer department.
2
. ! �
For the sake of com�arison, an east enc� station would require a
purnper/tanker, grass rig and a rescue vehicle. Costs to ec�uip the
station would approximate $200,OOfl to $25�,t�0�.
RECQMENDATION
Tt�e Consultant recommends as follows:
1. The City should investigate the need and desirability of im�rovecl
fire protection services wit1� east end bu�inesses and industries.
2. The City should seek to get commitments €rorn employers for land,
building and equipment, a�d employees as volunteers prior to
proceeding with the concept for an east end station.
3. The City should give serious consideration 1n 5ltipg a fire stztion in
the vicinity of the Pine Bend Industrial Park preferably in ttie
northeast quadrant of County Road 38 and State Trunk ��ighway
32/56. Such a facility could im�rvve daytime res�onse times for
rescue incidents related to tf�e State `I'runk �Iighway systen� xn
eastern Rosemount.
4. The City shQutd investigate the development of � }�uhlic w�ter
system for eastern Rosemovnt and establish how such � �ystern
rn�ght serve to implement its economic develo�ment objectives.
5. The City should recruit valunteers from Coates at�d surrounding
rural areas as well as em�loyees of the Pine Bend Industriat Park.
An adequately staffed station could improve daytime service to
the east end by two to three minutes.
Novetnt�er 21 , 198�
Hoisin�ton Groun tnc,
7300 Metro Blvtii.
Suite 525
E�iir�,MN 55435
(Gi2)835-�?�9(i0
3