III.1. Hopkins Fire Department Annual Report; Specken2019
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
2019. This year in review compares the past 12 months with previous
years. Fire Departments across the nation and the State of Minnesota
are no longer just responding to fires, and the Hopkins Fire Department
is no exception. (For a full list of the services the department provides, see page
14.)
In 2019, we presented our strategic plan that will paint a path for the future of the Hopkins Fire
Department. The department continues to place a strong emphasis on fire prevention and maintains
a focus on inspections. Through the efforts of Fire Marshal Garrett Grniet, effective fire and life safety
inspections, pre-planning, public education and public relations continue to be conducted throughout
Hopkins. These efforts help to make Hopkins a safe community.
Training is also a focus. Thanks to the work of Assistant Chief of Operations/Training Mike Wenshau,
Training Captain Paul Odden and Lieutenant Derek Mann, 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. In
addition, the department’s State Chemical Assessment Team (CAT) continues to train and be ready for
response to any incidents in our response area thanks to the efforts of Assistant Chief Jim Scanlon.
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. It is the efforts of this group, combined with the efforts of others, that
have allowed us to meet our accomplishments noted within this report. Additionally, I would like to
acknowledge the families of the members of the Hopkins Fire Department. They are the true heroes of
our department. They sacrifice as much, if not more, than our members and for that we are thankful.
I would also like to express thanks to our administrative specialist Courtney Pearsall for her dedicated
efforts that happen behind the scenes and may go unnoticed, and to the City Council and all City
staff who have been so supportive and have assisted the members of the fire department in our
accomplishments.
The past year was both busy and challenging. Our fire responses were down from 2018, and both
our training hours and public education hours were up. But, the Hopkins Fire Department continues
to face increasing adversity today and into the future, including financial stability; all-hazard
preparedness and training; recruitment and retention of firefighters and staffing; and increasing
training requirements. We are struggling to find men and women who want to be a part of our
organization, and will be doing some rebranding and communicating through our website and social
media in 2020 to encourage participation.
The personnel of the Hopkins Fire Department continue to perform their duties with the highest
regard. Continuing dedication by the personnel to both training and emergency response provides the
highest quality emergency response for the citizens of the City of Hopkins.
Respectfully submitted,
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
Dale Specken
Hopkins Fire Chief
February 2019
Hopkins Fire Department | 20192
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3www.hopkinsmn.com/252/fire
In 2019, 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 12
Other Structure Fires 13
Total Structure Fires 25
Car Fires 6
Non Structure Fires 8
Total Fires 39
Hazardous Condition 45
Service Calls 27
Good Intentions 46
False Alarms 29
2019 Call Responses
Average Response Times (Minutes)
2016 2017 2018 2019
4.24.2
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.4
4.24.2 4.2
4.1
SUPPRESSION
Hopkins Fire Department | 20194
2019 Fires by Occupancy
Dollar Loss
*Does not include dollar loss from Jacob’s Trading fire,
which totaled $25 million
$700,000
$600,000
$600,000
$500,000
$400,000
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
0
2015 2016* 2017 2018 2019
Multi-Family
Dwelling
40%
1-2 Family
Dwelling
29%
Highway/Divided Highway 5%
Streets/Other 8%
Food/Beverage/Grocery Sales 3%
Vehicle Parking Areas 3%
Residential/Other 3%
Outside Protective Shelters 3%
Manufacturing/Storage 3%
Warehouse 3%
5www.hopkinsmn.com/252/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 a.m. to
4 p.m., Friday night from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Mutual Aid Mutual Aid Given
Mutual Aid Received
Rescue Response Breakdown
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Medical Runs
Medical Standby
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
195 177 171 143 111
781
724 711
1,124
1,078
53
811
42
10
29
47
21
10
36
RESCUE
Hopkins Fire Department | 20196
1,500
1,400
1,300
1,200
1,100
1,000
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
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total Calls
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
1,500
1,400
1,300
1,200
1,100
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
Fire Runs
Medical Runs
Medical Standby
Other
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
1,431
TOTAL CALLSRESCUE
7www.hopkinsmn.com/252/fire
In 2019, 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
• Fire extinguisher training
for the public
• Life safety classes:
• Scout badges
• Fire safety
• First aid
• Business/industry fire and
life safety training
2019 Public Education Events
Per Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1
1
4
5
8
7
2
5
6
5
4
3
PREVENTION
Hopkins Fire Department | 20198
• Activity Center Health Fair
• Block Parties
• Boy Scout/Girl Scout Tours
• CPR/AED Training for
Business and Public
• Firefighter Day at the Capitol
• Fire and Police Safety Day
• Fire Department Open House
• Fire Prevention VIP Events
• Fire Truck Ride to School
• Funerals
• Home Remodeling Fair
• Juvenile Firesetters Program
• Mainstreet Days
• MN Fallen Firefighter
Memorial at the State Capitol
• National Night Out
• Parades
ºInterlachen 4th of July
Parade
ºRaspberry Festival Grande
Day Parade
ºAvenues Parade
• Park Valley and Knollwood
Picnics
• Raspberry Family Days
• School District Activities / Fire
Safety Camp
2019 Public Relations — By Category
T he Hopkins Fire Department participated in the following
special events in 2019, continuing to develop special event
plans for those events requiring more strategy.
Home Surveys
3%
Joint Public Education with Police Deptartment
8%
Fire Extinguisher Training
8%
Youth Fire Intervention
2%
Emergency
Preparedness
19%
Fire Safety
Public Events
42%
First Aid/CPR Training
18%
SPECIAL EVENTS
9www.hopkinsmn.com/252/fire
T he Hopkins Fire Department maintains and repairs the apparatus fleet pictured below:
Hazmat 23
Rescue 8
Ladder 7Engine 3
Squad 1, 3 and 4
Engines Engine 3
Aerial Ladder 7, Ladder 9
Rescues Rescue 8
Duty Vehicle Squad 4
Utility 1 and Squad 2
Chief Vehicle Squad 1, 2, 3, 4
Utility Utility 1
Hazmat Hazmat 23
APPARATUS
Hopkins Fire Department | 201910
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 (AEDs)
• 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/252/fire
Strategic efforts to be prepared for emergency situations continued in 2019. These activities included:
• Participating in South West Emergency
Management Group meetings and Hennepin
County Emergency Management meetings
• Serving in a coordinator role with police in the
area emergency management program
• Delivering overall emergency management
orientation to newly-elected officials
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact
training and coordination with the state
• Participating in the All Hazards Incident
Management Training
• Conducting monthly training for Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Developing a Mitigation Strategies Plan for the
City of Hopkins for the Hennepin County
Mitigation Plan
• Continuing the assessment and completion of an
effective Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
This included:
• Purchasing equipment to create effective
operations in the room
• Conducting ongoing testing of operations in
the EOC
• Coordinating and conducting awareness
training for administrators and public works
staff on EOC set-up and operations
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
• Developed and implemented a training plan
• Planned and conducted weekly drills for 12 months
• Attended conferences and sectional schools to enhance firefighter, leadership,
and technical rescue skills and abilities
• Coordinated and sent firefighters to Firefighter 1 (FFI) Training
• Conducted Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) refresher training
• Developed and conducted specific fire officer training
• Conducted annual medical surveillance and fit testing for all firefighters
• Conducted hazmat, bloodborne pathogens and confined space awareness
training
• Conducted pumps training
• Conducted training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Conducted driving drills to maintain and enhance emergency vehicle
operations
• Developed and conducted new elected officials orientation for new council
members
• Conducted fitness and safety training, and promoted fitness improvement
• Participated in Incident Management Team (IMT) training
• Coordinated and sent members to outside of department training
• Participated in Joint Operations Training
T he Hopkins Fire Department is committed to training in all areas of
service. In 2019, the department:
TRAINING
Hopkins Fire Department | 201912
In 2019, 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 2019 Operating
Budget and Capital Improvement Program
• Developing the 2019 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
promotional process
• Conducting a recognition event for firefighters
• Attending state and local meetings
• 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
• Implementing enhanced communications within and
outside of the fire department by:
• Utilizing a weekly email update to the firefighters
• Conducting monthly officer meetings
• Problem-solving and developing operational
improvements for the department’s computer
systems
• Attending funerals of retired Hopkins Fire Department
firefighters, retired firefighters’ family members and
community members
• Participating in meetings with the Joint Powers
Agreement for turnout gear
ADMINISTRATION
13www.hopkinsmn.com/252/fire
FIRE CHIEF
Emergency Manager
Dale Specken
LIEUTENANT 1
Jared Niebuhr
LIEUTENANT 2
Dan Cacka
LIEUTENANT 3
Nick Stamboulieh
CAPTAIN 4
Training Captain
Paul Odden
CAPTAIN 1
Ladder Company
Andy Aldrich
CAPTAIN 2
Engine Company
Chris Herby
CAPTAIN 3
Rescue Company
Hasson Grams
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 investigation
• 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
FIRE MARSHAL
Garrett Grniet
DUTY CREW
Andy Aldrich
Hasson Grams
LIEUTENANT 4
Derek Mann
ASSISTANT CHIEF
Operations/Emergency Mgmt.
Coordinator
Mike Wenshau
ASSISTANT CHIEF
Training/Hazmat Coordinator
Jim Scanlon
FIRE DEPARTMENT BREAKDOWN
Hopkins Fire Department | 201914
Unique Areas/Businesses
Regional Trail – LRT
Hopkins Center for the Arts
Multiple special events
Historical Society
Adult care facilities
Pavilion
Nature areas
Population ............................................................................................18,500
Area ....................................................................................................4 square miles
Community Parks .................................................................................15
Total Housing Units ..............................................................................8,390
Total Schools.....................7
Public (2)
Alice Smith Elementary
Eisenhower Elementary
Private (5)
Chesterton Academy
Ubah Medical Academy
Harley Hopkins
The Blake School
Adult Options
CITY OF HOPKINS DEMOGRAPHICS
15www.hopkinsmn.com/252/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.