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Assistant ChiefHoxter noted the second station is planned to be 8,200 square feet with four bays <br />and an upper floor. The upper floor is planned in case at some point Ramsey has a full-time <br />department and there is a need for a place to stay - and it also could be used to provide temporary <br />shelter for families in case of a major disaster. The location for the second station is the Central <br />Park area -- 161st and Armstrong. The goal is to try to keep the fire call response time to within <br />eight minutes in the majority of the City. We can do that in the southeastern comer of Ramsey <br />now ~ but with this location being in the northwestern portion of the City, we will be able to <br />accomplish that in about 80% of the City. Mr. Hoxter noted that the northeast comer of Ramsey <br />will still not be in the eight-minutes response area and we do have to look at that sometime in the <br />future. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Kapler explained that the eight-minute response time is not a goal simply set by the <br />Ramsey Fire Department - it has been proven that fire damage to a home will be substantially <br />less if the response time is within eight minutes. <br /> <br />Assistant Chief Hoxter reported that, in tracking fire call locations, .it was determined that most <br />of them have been in that two-mile range from the main fire station, however, there are a lot of <br />calls from that northwest portion of the City. He added that, at present, it takes about 14 minutes <br />to respond to the northwest comer of the City. He noted that some of the equipment would be <br />moved to the second station so it would be equipped to handle fires the same as the first station. <br />Mr. Hoxter stated that a discussion had taken place about whether the best spot for the second <br />station would be 161st and Armstrong or 161st and Variolite. That lot is not owned by the City <br />but we had looked at that lot because we thought it would be a good spot. In order to get to <br />Armstrong, we would have to go by Central Park each time and each fire fighter would have to <br />drive by the park also. In May, June and July, it is difficult to even find a parking spot in Central <br />Park. The better spot for safety is 161st and Armstrong, making the exit onto Armstrong so you <br />do not have to come into the park at all. <br /> <br />Chief Kapler reiterated that this spot will be the key to quicker response times, will minimize <br />traffic to the park, and there will be no park interference most of the time. The railroad tracks <br />should not be a problem because from Armstrong to Sunfish Lake Boulevard is about two miles <br />and trains are not that long. <br /> <br />Chairperson Pearson commented that this location appears to be as good a location as is possible <br />- it is close to Highway #10, yet it is centralized. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to what the station will need and the different ways it can be bid - <br />with or without kitchen, and lockers or hooks in gear area, etc. It was noted that it would be nice <br />if the offices and conference room have walls, but it could also be divided with cubicles. Mayor <br />Gamec agreed that at least one office area should have a wall to allow for some privacy. <br /> <br />Chief Kapler stated that they are looking at a wall separating the training/meeting room from the <br />bay area and the size on the illustration is about the minimal size the bay can be. The other side <br />had been scaled down some but then it was determined that it could be increased which would <br />allow for it to be used for community purpose - such as a polling place or community meeting <br /> <br />Fire Board/March 26, 1998 <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br /> <br /> <br />