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Councilmembers to see to it there is adequate equipment. The decision must be made regarding <br />what equipment and what training is needed. You must have enough equipment and manpower so <br />your own City is never left without protection when your department is called to aid another City. <br />The Fire Chief and City Council are responsible for the fire department. <br /> <br />Chief Hoeke mentioned one of the options for mutual aid that he had thought of offering to <br />neighboring Cities was that he would send out the best equipment and some manpower when <br />needed to aid other fh'e departments and to back up Ramsey's fire station with another station. He <br />also stated that when he attended a meeting in East Bethel last July, Mutual Aid was discussed and <br />the consensus of the Fire Chiefs present was that they were satisfied with that option. Mr. Bruen <br />recommended that buying additional equipment would be a better solution. <br /> <br />A brief discussion ensued regarding hazardous material services. Chief Bickford stated that the <br />hazardous material equipment is available but not the personnel to operate it. It was the consensus <br />of the board that this issue would be addressed at a later date and that the main subject at hand was <br />mutual aid. <br /> <br />Liability concerns were also discussed. Workman's Compensation insurance is the City's <br />responsibility. The cost of liability coverage doesn't necessarily increase because the fire <br />department is doing more services, but the City is liable for the fire fighter's actions as they are <br />agents of the City. That is one of the major reasons proper training is so important. <br /> <br />Chief Bickford and Chief Anderson were asked their recommendations and/or concerns regarding <br />a mutual aid contract with the Ramsey Fire Department. Chief Bickford stated the fin'st year a fire <br />department is on their own is a very critical one. He said the Anoka Fire Department is willing to <br />help and work with the Ramsey Fire Department but that he has concerns about how frequent the <br />calls for help would be the fin'st year and also that he feels the Ramsey Fire Department has too little <br />manpower and not enough equipment. Chief Anderson stated his concerns are the same as Chief <br />Bickford's. <br /> <br />The water source was also discussed. Mr. Bruen informed the Board the nationally recognized <br />standard for structure fires is two independent line for water sources. He added the Board might <br />want to consider two pieces of pumping apparatus be available for the Fire Department. He also <br />informed the Board that in Minnesota, fire protection is a local issue. There are no statutes to tell a <br />fire department what they have to have. <br /> <br />Chief Bickford and Chief Anderson were asked what their equipment status was. Each stated what <br />equipment they had and how they handled structure fires within the city limits and in the country as <br />well. <br /> <br />Chief Hoeke relayed his plans for the department operating on its own. He hopes to phase out Elk <br />River completely by April or May, 1990. By January 1, 1991, Anoka will be phased out, and <br />Ramsey's Fire Department will be completely on it's own with mutual aid. <br /> <br />A lengthy discussion took place regarding the training Ramsey's fire fighters have so far and are <br />receiving. So far: <br /> <br />25 Fire fighters will be through Fire Fighting I within 3 weeks <br />25 Fire fighters are SCBA trained <br />19 Fire fighters have First Responders Training done <br />19 Fire fighters have had defensive driving training <br /> <br />Fire Board/February 14, 1990 <br /> Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />