7.c Fire Chief Staff Report COVID-19 Update
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: May 19, 2020
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: COVID-19 & Department Update
COVID-19 updates:
❖ We have not seen a dramatic increase in our call volume at this time. During the beginning of this event we
saw a dramatic decrease in call volume for Scandia fire and also in the entire county. We are now seeing our
volumes returning to near normal levels.
❖ We are working on a FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program, to assist in recovering some of the funds
spent during this pandemic event. There is a $3,300 minimum threshold that it appears that we will meet at
this time.
❖ We have had to make changes and updates to our operating policies on a bi -weekly basis to stay as up to date
as possible in our response to calls and training during this event.
❖ Our supply of personal protective equipment is at a level that we can manage at this time though some items
are very hard to find or unavailable at this time. We are making item we have or can purchase meet our
needs.
❖ Training has been online or in small groups to limit our exposure risks to staffing levels.
Department updates:
❖ We have had some electrical issues on our primary fire engine. We have been working with our truck service
company and believe we have found the culprit.
❖ Our new recruits have finished their EMT training class and will be taking the national register test very
soon, as some of the testing sites are now opening back up.
❖ We have 2 new recruits starting June 1st. We are working on new ways of on-boarding these members due to
the new restrictions our normal mentorship group procedure is not recommended.
❖ The county’s annual radio user fees will remain unchanged for next year’s budget cycle.
❖ We will be investigating radio replacement options for 2021.
❖ The backup generator grant we applied for through the state with FEMA is still waiting on the review
process by FEMA. We have been told that due to the pandemic these items have been delayed due to staffing
reassignments.
❖ During the Governor’s mask donation drive the county received 7,018 homemade masks that they are
distributing to facilities within Washington County. This is where we sent all masks that were donated at the
fire station.
Fire Chief
Mike Hinz