10/31/94 Jay Guimont Complaint - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM DATE: October 31, 1994 TO: CC: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Dave Griffin, Fire Chief Mike Auspos, Police Chief Dean Kapler, Assistant Fire Chief Kay McAloney, Administrative Services Manager. Steve Lutmer, Building Inspector Development Committee Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Jim Edgar, Department of Natural Resources, Cambridge, MN FROM: SUBJECT: Bruce Bacon, Environmental Specialist Unpermitted Open Bum with Prohibited Material This event seems to highlight several concerns: · Prohibited material disposal · Avoiding fee and permit process · Lurking liability issues · Promoting a culture of burning · Insensitivity to appearance of impropriety During the evening of October 29, 1994, I was traveling on~ County Road #5. N.W. corner, a 25-foot diameter open burn was flaming. vehicle were Parked there. Responsiveness of 911 Ramsey Fire Department practice bums Preferential standard for residents who are associated with the Fire Department Use of procedural knowledge of firefighters to circumvent Ramsey ordinances At the 164th Lane A pick-up with bobcat and another I proceeded to the convenience store and called 911. I reported an open fire, and that I had no knowledge of a permit nor an application. I asked that they send a squad and a fire track to put out the fire. The material burning looked like mixed construction debris of unknown origin. On my way home, the fire was burning unabated. In fact, two people were pitching material onto the fire. I continued home and called 911 to inquire if a squad had been dispatched. Dispatch informed me that it was a "controlled burn" and that the Fire Department had been there since the afternoon. I said its category, was unfamiliar to me, and wondered who permitted the fire. She said it was "a.practice burn, and that the Fire Department calls them in." I said I would like a squad to go and ascertain if they had an open burn permit. She informed me that since the Fire Department is in attendance, that it wouldn't be necessary for a squad to respond. I then drove to the burning site, parked, and approached the fire. I recognized one person, and he identified himself as Mr. Guimont of the Ramsey Fire Department. I asked if he had an open bum permit. He said they were "trying to help out another fireman, Mr. Drahos, clean up." He indicated that Mr. Drahos was in Wisconsin at the time. I asked where all the material was fi.om. He said Mr. Drahos had re-sided his home.