6.0. SR 04-08-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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also worked with the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety in the hope of reducing the number of contractor errors that cause gas line hits. The result in 2001 was a significant reduction in gas line hits. I have consulted with the planning and building department and some changes will be made in the 2002 program but the underground facility inspections will continue. Finally, I would like to formally recognize two firefighters who passed away in 2001. John "Jack" Kreuser, a member of the department for over 28 years, passed away in July 2001. Jack dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to the community and the fire department. The Kreuser name has a history within the Elk River Fire Department and is currently carried on with one of our Assistant Fire Chiefs' Dan Kreuser. Another blow to the department occurred in August of 2001 with the unexpected passing of Rick Morrell. Rick joined the fire department in April 1978 and had over 23 years of service to the department. Rick was always able to find time to take part in fire prevention activities during safety camp and was a vital member of the fire department's "New Truck" Committee. The Elk River Fire Department would like to express our gratefulness to the dedication and efforts that Jack Kreuser and Rick Morrell showed to the fire department and to the citizens of our community. Emergency Management The year 2001 brought to the forefront the importance of preparation for any type of event that may affect a community and its citizens. The fire department provides citizens a wide variety of emergency services, including fire protection, rescue, EMS, hazardous material response, and preparedness for a natural and/or man-made disaster. As a result of September 11, 2001, and the ensuing biological scares, the Elk River Fire Department recognizes the critical role it will play in response to any terrorist act or other major catastrophe. The May 5, 2001, full scale exercise, has provided emergency responders within the city a concrete foundation in which to build our response to any event that may affect our citizen's community. All of the hard work and preparation for the full scale exercise is truly appreciated with a tremendous amount of on-the-job training during a full scale exercise. I would like to thank all of the members of the full scale exercise design team for their diligent efforts in preparation for the May 5, 2001, full scale exercise. Human resources play a big part of any emergency and response plan. In the fire service and emergency management, there are many methods of providing human resources, which include full time personnel, part time personnel, volunteer resources, and mutual aid parmers. Elk River emergency management continues planning and preparedness for any disaster that may affect our community. The emergency response personnel continue to train for their roles and responsibilities to ensure their knowledge of the City of Elk River's Emergency Operations Plan. Below is a list of 2002 goals and objectives for our emergency management depa~unent. · Review roles and responsibilities with emergency operations center staff. · Annual update emergency operations plan and resource manual. · Work with expansion committee on new emergency operations center (EOC). · Update department heads regarding any directives from the Minnesota Department of Emergency Management in reference to terrorist acts and/or biological events.