9.b) Staff Report-Authorized Emergency Vehicle Designation � , � �
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Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 17, 20l 3
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Authorized Emergency Vehicle Designation
Agenda Item #: 9.b)
Background:
Over the past several years the Fire Department has asked for funding to purchase a"Chiefs
Vehicle"to improve Fire Department response time. Designating the Fire Chiefls personal vehicle
as an Authorized Emergency Vehicle would be a less costly way for the City to obtain the benefit of
the Fire Chief responding direct to calls. By responding directly to emergencies the Chief could
slow responding fire truck down to non emergency, this would decrease the chance of a fire truck
being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Another primary objective would be that the Chief
would arrive prior to any fire truck, giving him time to formulate a plan of attack when Fire crews
do arrive. Currently the chief waits in the first out truck for a full crew, once arriving on the scene
the chief has to make the decision of where the truck will be placed and how he will attack the fire
as the truck drives up the drive way. This is a very challenging task.
Issue:
Should the Council support the designation of Authorized Emergency Vehicle?
Proposal Details:
A copy of the application is included in your packet. All lighting costs are based on purchasing used
light from the internet; this is also where we purchased the lights for the UTV. The City could
purchase additional coverage for liability on the Chief's vehicle when used to respond to fires but
could not purchase anything to cover auto physical damage. The Chief's personal insurance would
have to cover physical damage.
Fiscal Impact:
1) There would be an additional charge added to the City insurance policy of approximately
$10.00 per year to extend the City liability insurance to the Fire Chief's Truck.
2) To properly equip the vehicle would cost the City no more than $2,000.00. Upon receiving
the Commissioner of Public Safety's approval the fire department would supply an exact
cost for this project.
3) Application fee of$I5.
Options:
1) Approve submitting the permit application with a letter of support.
2) Do not approve the permit application
Recommendation:
Option 1.
State of Minnesota
Department of Public Safety
Minnesota State Patrol Pagelof3
Information and Application for designation as an
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Important Information
Minnesota Statues §169.011 Subd 5 (6)authorizes the designation of authorized emergency
vehicles by the Commissioner of Public Safety when"the designation of that vehicle is necessary
for the preservation of life or property or to the execution of emergency government functions".
The application must include an affidavit from the applicant that describes the use of this vehicle
in this manner. Please describe how the operation of this vehicle is included in the emergency
operations and response plans of local law enforcement, fire fighting,emergency medical services,
or emergency management departments.
As part of the application process a letter of endorsement,on official stationary,will be required
from the governmental body that benefits from the service of the vehicle for which the
authorization is requested. This letter must be signed by someone in authority to sign legal
documents on behalf of that governmental body(i.e.: County Board Chair, County or City
' Administrator, Chief of Police or Sheriff etc.) and must describe why this vehicle is necessary for
the preservation of life or property or to the execution of emergency governmental functions. This
letter of endorsement must provide a contact name and title along with a phone number for the
verification process.
Please include information about what training has been received by operators of the emergency
vehicle. Liability risk can be managed by the proper training and documentation of emergency
vehicle operators. "
The operation of an authorized emergency vehicle exposed the company or department to a high
risk of liability. Please seek counsel from your attorney or risk manager before seeking your
pernut. "
We must verify that the vehicle is insured while being operated as an ernergency vehicle. If this
vehicle is privately owned,please note that many private automobile insurance policies have
specific exemption for the use of the vehicle as an emergency vehicle and may require the
purchase of an additional rider or binder. If you are unable to secure insurance for your vehicle
that would cover the use of red lights and/or siren,you will need a letter from the governmental
body that states that the operator and the vehicle will be covered under the governmental body
insurance plan while being operated as an emergency vehicle.
If you have questions,please contact: Minnesota State Patrol
Special Permits �
444 Cedar Street Suite 130
St. Paul, MN 55101-5130
Phone#: 651-201-7100
Email: Patrol.S�ecialPermits(�a,state.mn.us
Rev 7/7/2009
State of Minnesota
Department of Public Safety
Minnesota State Patrol Page2of3
Data Practices Advisory
You are being asked to provide information that may be classified as private or confidential data under
the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This information will be used to conduct a limited
background investigation prior to the approval of a permit that grants special privileges authorized in
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169.
You are not required by law to supply the requested information, although if you should refuse to
supply the information, the background investigation cannot be conducted and the permit will not be
issued.
The information that you provide may be released to:
➢ Persons authorized to have access to the information under state or federal law;
➢ Persons authorized by court order to have access to the information;
➢ Persons to whom you give written consent to have access to the information;
➢ Employees in the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies who
have a need to know the information to fulfill their responsibilities.
Application
Information must be legible. Please print clearly or type answers.
Company Name:
Phone#:
Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Legal Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Drivers License#: State of Issue:
Vehicle Year: ' Make: Model:
VIN(Serial#): License Plate#:
Insurance Carrier: Policy#:
Insurance Agent: Phone#:
Rev 7I712009
State of Minnesota
Department of Public Safety
Minnesota State Patrol Page3of3
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Have you successfully completed an Emergency Vehicle YES [ ] NO [ ]
Driving Course? If yes, please provide:
Date:
Location:
Provider:
Have you or any designated operators of this vehicle
been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by YES [ ] NO [ ]
imprisonment for a term exceeding one yeaz?
Have you or any designated operators of this vehicle
ever been confined or committed to a treatment facility
in Minnesota or elsewhere as"Chemically Dependent" YES [ ] NO [ )
as defined in Minnesota State Statute 253B.02?
Do you any designated operators of this vehicle currently
have a restraining order issued against you in this State YES [ ] NO [ ]
or another State or country?
Informed Consent for Criminal Background Check & Verification
By signing this form: -
1. Applicant authorizes the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to disclose all
criminal history record information to the Minnesota State Patrol for the purpose of
issuing an emergency vehicle designation in accordance with Minn.Statutes §169.011
Subd. 5(6). The expiration,of this authorization shall be for a period no longer than
one year from the date of applicant signature. As xuthorized in Minnesota Statute
§299C.10,Subd.4 a fee is required to process this applicafion. A check or monev
order made out to the"Minnesota BCA" in the amonnt of$15.00 must be included
with this npplication.
2. By signing this application,the applicant affirms under penalty of perjury that all
statements and information provided is true and correct.
Applicant Signature Date
Return completed signed form with payment to:
Minnesota State Patrol
5pecial Permits
444 Cedar Street Suite 130
St. Paul, MN SS l O l-5130
Rev 7/7/2009