III.1. Hopkins Fire Department Annual Report; Specken (Memo)
1
Memorandum
To: Mayor Cummings and City Council
CC: Mike Mornson
From: Dale Specken – Fire Chief
Date: 2/10/2016
Re: 2015 Annual Report
On Tuesday Feb 16th 2016 I will be presenting the Hopkins Fire Department Annual Report. This
report will detail the emergency and non-emergency activities that the department participated in
2015.
I look forward to presenting this information to you and answering any questions that you may have.
CONFIDENTIAL
2015
ANNUAL REPORT
HOPKINS FIRE
DEPARTMENT
To the Hopkins City Council, Hopkins city
manager, and citizens of Hopkins:
I submit the annual report for the Hopkins Fire Department for the
year 2015. This year in review compares the past 12 months with
previous years and demonstrates that the Hopkins Fire Department,
like fire departments across the nation, continues to provide
much more than fire response. (For a full list of the services the
department provides, see page 14.)
The Hopkins Fire Department places a strong emphasis on fire prevention and continues to
focus on inspections. Through the efforts of Fire Inspector Garrett Grniet, effective fire and life
safety inspections, pre-planning, public education, and public relations continue to be conducted
throughout Hopkins.
Training also continues to be a focus. Thanks to the work of Assistant Chief of Operations/
Training Pat Sandon and Training Captain Paul Odden, highly skilled firefighters serve the
Hopkins Fire Department. Our training covers firefighting, all types of rescue, medical, hazardous
materials, and other special skills. The members and officers of the department devote much
additional time and effort in developing firefighting, leadership, and management skills to more
effectively lead the department.
With the continued efforts of Assistant Chief Curt Mackey, the department’s State Chemical
Assessment Team (CAT) continues to train and be ready for response to any incidents in our
response area.
I would like to express my utmost thanks to the members of the Hopkins Fire Department, who
carry out dedicated and effective service day and night. They provide unselfish and dedicated
response, training, and prevention 24 hours a day. I would also like to express thanks to
Administrative Specialist Jane Ale for her dedicated efforts that happen behind the scenes.
Thank you to the City Council and all City staff who have been so supportive and assisted the
members of the fire department in our accomplishments.
The Hopkins Fire Department will continue to face increasing challenges: financial stability;
all-hazard preparedness and training; recruitment of firefighters and staffing; and increasing
training requirements and responsibilities. Yet in the midst of all these challenges, personnel
will continue to perform their duties with the highest regard.
Continued dedication to both training and emergency response will provide the highest
quality emergency response for the citizens of Hopkins.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale Specken,
Hopkins Fire Chief
February 2016
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
Hopkins Fire Department | 20152
Suppression ...........................................................................................................4–5
Call Responses ..................................................................................................4
Average Response Time .....................................................................................4
Dollar Loss .......................................................................................................5
Fires by Occupancy ...........................................................................................5
Rescue ...................................................................................................................6
Special Response ....................................................................................................6
Total Calls and Response Breakdown.......................................................................7
Prevention ..............................................................................................................8
Special Events .........................................................................................................9
Apparatus and Equipment ......................................................................................10–11
Training .................................................................................................................12
Emergency Management .........................................................................................12
Administration .......................................................................................................13
Fire Department Breakdown ...................................................................................14
City of Hopkins Demographics ................................................................................15
Training 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
In 2015, the Hopkins Fire Department responded to fires, fire alarms, gas leaks, gas line breaks, smoke,
and downed or arcing wires. The data for fire call responses is listed below and detailed in the charts
on these two pages.
Home Fires 6
Other Structure Fires 12
Total Structure Fires 18
Car Fires 5
Non Structure Fires 15
Total Fires 38
Hazardous Condition 56
Service Calls 100
Good Intentions 100
False Alarms 103
2015 Call Responses
Average Response Times (Minutes)
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
4.2
4.0 4.0
4.3
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.4
SUPPRESSION
Hopkins Fire Department | 20154
2015 Fires by Occupancy
Multi-family
Dwelling
32%
1–2 Family
Dwelling
28%
Residential, Other 3%
Food, Beverage,
Grocery Sales 6%
Warehouse 3%
Outside Protective
Shelter 8%
Storage 3%
Highway/Divided Highway 3%
Vehicle Parking Area 3%
Streets,
Other
11%
Dollar Loss
$2 million
$1.75 million
$1.5 million
$1.25 million
$1 million
$750,000
$500,000
$250,000
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
5www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
SPECIAL RESPONSE
In addition to fire and medical calls, the Hopkins
Fire Department provided weather stand-by at the
fire station and responded to incidents resulting
from severe weather. It also responded to missing
persons and hazmat incidents, including gas spills,
leaks, and carbon monoxide alarms.
Additionally, the Hopkins Fire Department
responded to mutual aid and auto aid calls for
assistance to other cities and agencies.
T he Hopkins Fire Department responded to medical calls and crashes and provided
personnel to ride along in the ambulance with critical patients. It also assisted police
departments when additional personnel was needed to provide lift assist to citizens and
responded to mental health incidents.
The fire department provides duty crew response Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm;
Friday nights from 7:00 pm to 3:00 am; and Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 am.
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Mutual Aid Mutual Aid Given
Mutual Aid Received
Medical Runs
Medical Standby
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Rescue Response Breakdown
RESCUE
Hopkins Fire Department | 20156
1500
1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
20-Year Comparison - Total Call Breakdown
Fire Runs
Medical Runs
Medical Standby
Overall Response Breakdown
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Calls
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
1500
1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
Fire Runs
Medical Runs
Medical Standby
Other
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
TOTAL CALLSRESCUE
7www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
In 2015, the Hopkins Fire Department’s prevention
activities included coordinating and conducting the
following events and activities:
• Fire Department Open
House
• Training in the schools
• Station tours
• Public education CPR
classes
• Fire investigations
• Home fire safety
inspections
• Park Nicollet home visits
• Fire extinguisher training
for the public
• Life safety classes:
• Scout badges
• Fire safety
• First aid
• Business/industry fire and
life safety training
• Health and safety classes
for City personnel
Fire Extinguisher Training
3%
2015 Public Education Events
Per Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
4
6
9
4
4
8
2
2
7
4
20
9
Open House 2015
PREVENTION
Hopkins Fire Department | 20158
• National Night Out
• Juvenile Firesetters Program
• Parades
ºInterlachen 4th of July
Parade
ºRaspberry Festival Grande
Day Parade
ºAvenues Parade
• Fire Prevention VIP events
• MN Fallen Firefighter
Memorial at the State Capitol
• Funerals
• Firefighter Day at the Capitol
• Fire truck ride to school
• Block parties
• Home Remodeling Fair
• Mainstreet Days
• School district activities/Fire
Safety Camp
• Fire Department Open House
• Activity Center Health Fair
• Interlachen Park, Knollwood,
and Park Valley picnics
2015 Public Relations — By Category
First Aid/CPR
8%
Fire Extinguisher Training
3%
Joint Public Education
with Police Dept 3%
Referral to Police Dept
4%
Home
Surveys
12%
Fire Safety
Public Events
15%
Fire Safety In House
3%Emergency Preparedness
3%Home Basic Life
Support Visits
49%
T he Hopkins Fire Department participated in the following
special events in 2015, continuing to develop special event
plans for those events requiring more strategy.
Open House 2015
Raspberry
Festival 2015
SPECIAL EVENTS
9www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
T he Hopkins Fire Department maintains and repairs the apparatus fleet pictured below:
Hazmat 23
Rescue 8
Ladder 9Engine 3
Engine 2 Squad 1
Engines Engine 3
Aerial Ladder 9, Engine 2
Rescues Rescue 8
Duty Vehicle Squad 4
Squad 2, 3, 4
Chief Vehicle Squad 1, 2, 3
Utility Utility 1
Hazmat Hazmat 23
Utility 1
APPARATUS
Hopkins Fire Department | 201510
In addition to apparatus maintenance, the Hopkins Fire Department maintains, repairs, and
conducts monthly checks of the following equipment:
• Air Monitors
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs)
• Automatic External Defibrillators
• Extrication Tools
• K-12 Saw and Chainsaws
• Small Engines
• SCBA Fill Station and Compressor
• Thermal Imaging Cameras
The department also coordinates and conducts annual testing on all:
• apparatus and spare hoses
• ladders on all apparatus
• SCBAs
• Firefighter personal protective equipment
The department maintains a Lucas Device (CPR Machine) and provides maintenance and coordinates rental of
oxygen bottles for both the police and fire departments.
Thermal Imager Apartment Packs Fan
Extrication Tools Set of Irons (Halligan Tool and Axe)
EQUIPMENT
11www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
Strategic efforts to be prepared for emergency situations continued in 2015. These activities included:
• participating in South West Emergency Manage-
ment Group meetings and Hennepin County
Emergency Management quarterly meetings;
• serving in a coordinator role with police in the
area emergency management program;
• delivering overall emergency management orienta-
tion to newly-elected officials;
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact
training and coordination with the state;
• participating in the All Hazards Incident Manage-
ment Training;
• conducting monthly training for Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT);
• developing Mitigation Strategies Plan for the City
of Hopkins for the Hennepin County Mitigation
Plan; and,
• continuing the assessment and completion of an
effective Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
This included:
• purchasing equipment to create effective op-
erations in the room;
• conducting ongoing testing of operations in
the EOC; and,
• coordinating and conducting awareness train-
ing for administrators and public works staff
on EOC set-up and operations.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Firefighters attended conferences and sectional schools to
enhance firefighter, leadership, and technical rescue skills
and abilities. Five firefighters completed Firefighter 1
(FFI) Training. The department also conducted emergency
medical technician (EMT) refresher training and specific
fire officer training.
In addition, members of the department conducted
hazmat, blood borne pathogens, and confined space
awareness training, pumps training, and also held driving
drills to maintain and enhance emergency vehicle opera-
tions.
All firefighters continued to undergo fitness testing and
annual medical surveillance. Training was held to pro-
mote fitness improvement.
Training was also held for the National Incident Manage-
ment System (NIMS) and Incident Management Team.
Finally, the Hopkins Fire Department also participated in
Joint Operations training with south metro fire depart-
ments and developed and conducted orientation for new
City Council members.
T he Hopkins Fire Department is committed
to training in all areas of service. In 2015, the
department developed and implemented a training
plan and conducted weekly drills.
Training in October 2015
TRAINING
Hopkins Fire Department | 201512
In 2015, Hopkins Fire Department administration continued to forge partnerships with other cities and
associations, secure grants, manage budgets and personnel, and keep the department prepared and fit to
provide excellent public safety service for the citizens of Hopkins. Specific activities included:
• conducting four business meetings with Hopkins Fire
Department personnel;
• developing and operating within the 2015 Operating
Budget and Capital Improvement Program;
• developing the 2016 Operating Budget and Equipment
Replacement Budget;
• researching, evaluating, and dealing with personnel issues;
• finalizing and implementing the updates to the
Standard Operating Procedures/Standard Operating
Guidelines for the Hopkins Fire Department;
• participating in multiple community meetings that
included cities, businesses, schools, and community
associations;
• coordinating and participating in multiple public
safety meetings with area fire, police, and EMS teams;
• providing development and delivery of training with
the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association;
• participating in Hennepin County Life Safety Unit
meetings and equipment upgrades;
• reviewing mutual aid agreements with local, regional,
state, and national areas;
• assisting other agencies with the recruitment and pro-
motional process;
• meeting with the principals of Hopkins Public Schools;
• conducting a recognition event for firefighters;
• participating in the following associations:
• Hennepin County Fire Chiefs
• S.W. Joint Operations Group
• Metro Fire Chiefs
• United Firefighters
• Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association
• Minnesota Fire Department Association
• South West Emergency Management Group
• Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers
• Southwest Fire Marshals Group
• South Emergency Managers Group;
• enhancing communication within and outside of the
fire department by:
• utilizing a weekly e-mail update to the firefighters;
• conducting monthly officer meetings; and,
• problem-solving and developing operational
improvements for the department’s computer
systems;
• attending funerals of retired HFD firefighters, retired
firefighters’ family members, and community members;
• participating in meetings with the JPA for turnout gear;
and,
• attending state and local meetings.
Hopkins Fire Department Officers
ADMINISTRATION
13www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
FIRE CHIEF
Fire Marshal/
Emergency Manager
Dale Specken
HAZMAT
COORDINATOR
Chris Spencer
LIEUTENANT 1 LIEUTENANT 2
Derek Mann
LIEUTENANT 3
CAPTAIN 4
Training Captain
Paul Odden
CAPTAIN 1
Ladder Company
Mike Wenshau
CAPTAIN 2
Rescue Company
Andy Aldrich
CAPTAIN 3
Engine Company
Jim Scanlon
FIRE SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Response – fires, emergency medical services (EMS), personal injury crashes,
hazardous materials, natural disasters, heavy rescues, terrorism, grass fires,
mass casualties, high angle rescues, and confined space rescues
• Investigations – fire cause and origin, arson
• Fire Code – adoption, inspection, plan review, enforcement, education
• Public Education – working with children, schools, homeowners, elderly,
business owners
• Public Relations – parades, open houses, National Night Out, Citizens Assist
• Planning – emergency preparedness, pandemic flu, anti-terrorism, special events
INSPECTIONS
Garrett Grniet
ASSISTANT CHIEF
Operation & Training Chief
Patrick Sandon
ASSISTANT CHIEF
Emergency Mgmt Coordinator
Curtis Mackey
DUTY CREW
Andy Aldrich
Hasson Grams
FIRE DEPARTMENT BREAKDOWN
Hopkins Fire Department | 201514
Unique Areas/Businesses
Regional Trail – LRT
Hopkins Center for the Arts
Multiple special events
Historical Society
Adult care facilities
Pavilion
Nature areas
Population ............................................................................................18,000
Area ....................................................................................................4 square miles
Community Parks .................................................................................15
Total Housing Units ..............................................................................8,390
Total Schools.....................7
Public (2)
Alice Smith Elementary
Eisenhower Elementary
Private (5)
Main Street School of Performing Arts
Uhba Medical Academy
Harley Hopkins
The Blake School
Adult Options
Mainstreet, Hopkins
CITY OF HOPKINS DEMOGRAPHICS
15www.hopkinsmn.com/fire
THE HOPKINS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
WILL PROVIDE
QUALITY FIRE RESPONSE,
PREVENTION SERVICES,
EMERGENCY MEDICAL,
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
THAT MAKE A POSITIVE
DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY.