5.1. SR 11-30-1998'ity of
iver
MEMORANDUM
Item 5.1.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Bruce West, Fire Chi.~~~
November 30, 1998
Part Time Fire Inspectors
At this time I would like to update the Mayor and City Council in reference
to the Elk River Fire Department's part time fire inspection program. The
process of hiring part time fire inspectors and instituting the inspection
program was started approximately two years ago. Initially, three Elk River
firefighters maintained the position of part time fire inspectors for the city of
Elk River. The part time fire inspectors conducted inspections in both
commercial and industrial businesses in the city of Elk River. With the
program being conducted on a part time basis by each of the three inspectors,
the time factor of scheduling the inspections became a hindrance for two of
the three inspectors. When it became apparent that my goal of 1,000 to 1,200
hours of inspections would not be attained on an annual basis, I added an
additional firefighter who was qualified to be a part time fire inspector for
the city. Currently the Elk River Fire Department has two part time fire
inspectors conducting inspections on a weekly basis.
Along with the part time fire inspectors, I continue to do inspections
throughout the city of Elk River in commercial, industrial, new, and existing
facilities. I also continue to do follow up inspections in all of the city of Elk
River's public schools, churches, daycares, and nursing facilities. Follow up
inspections in complicated facilities are being completed by both the part
time fire inspector and me. The multi unit apartment buildings continue to
have their fire inspections completed by the uniform housing inspector.
It is my goal as fire chief to continue to move forward with the fire inspection
program for the city of Elk River and also replace the part time fire inspector
position with a full time position. This is a goal of mine as fire chief that I
have discussed with City Administrator Pat Klaers during the last two yearly
budget sessions. The full time fire inspector position has been discussed
during the budget sessions, but will continue to be a part time position at
this time. The current part time fire inspectors will continue to work for the
city of Elk River in the position of part time only.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
The fire inspection program, with the exception of a few bumps in the road,
has been very successful to this point. We are continually conducting
inspections throughout the city of Elk River in the various facilities in our
community. Our inspection program not only emphasizes code enforcement,
but also conducts vital preplanning of the facility that we are inspecting.
The preplanning information is very vital for the fire department's use when
responding to an emergency at any facility within our community. I believe
we have been able to establish a positive working relationship with the
facilities being inspected within our community and we continue to work
with the facilities being inspected to ensure code compliance.
I will be in attendance at the Monday, November 30, 1998, City Council
meeting to answer any questions in reference to the Elk River Fire
Department's fire inspection program. If you have any questions prior to the
City Council meeting, please feel free to call me at the Elk River Fire
Department, 441-4919.