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<br /> <br />Department Reports <br />A. Allina Health <br />Mr. Dave Matteson, Allina Health, provided an overview of the 911 EMS system and referenced <br />Allina’s annual report that had been provided electronically to the group. Allina is the largest <br />EMS provider in the state with about 70 ambulances system-wide and also provides outsourced <br />EMS dispatch for some areas of Minnesota. Their North Metro Operations provides ambulances <br />to New Brighton primarily from their base in Mounds View, and posts at the Fridley Fire Station <br />on Old Central Avenue and in Shoreview near I-694 and Victoria Avenue. During peak times, <br />14 ambulances are staffed out of the Mounds View base with only about 7 during the quieter <br />overnight hours. Allina has recently acquired 13 new ambulances; old ones are being donated to <br />other organizations and developing countries. <br /> <br />Commissioner Malone inquired about the recent measles outbreak as reported by the MN <br />Department of Health. Mr. Matteson replied that they have educated their field-based clinicians <br />about signs/symptoms and reminded them of appropriate personal protective equipment but he is <br />not aware of any cases presenting yet in their system. <br /> <br />There was also discussion about the heroin epidemic, and specifically overdose deaths related to <br />fentanyl and carfentanil. Director Paetznick advised that the department is again discussing the <br />need to obtain naloxone (Narcan) to be carried by officers for field deployment of overdoses. <br /> <br />B. Public Safety Update <br /> <br />Director Paetznick advised that he and the Deputy Director are currently attending the Minnesota <br />Chiefs of Police (MCPA) Executive Training Institute (ETI) annual conference in Saint Cloud <br />this week. One of the presentations from this morning was a timely discussion about the pros <br />and cons of allowing police officers to view camera footage of critical incidents before providing <br />a statement to investigators. The panel included nationally recognized subject matter experts <br />from the Force Science Institute and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) <br />Legal Officers Section. <br /> <br />The department experienced its first homicide in nearly three years with the April 14th incident. <br />The victim’s sister, who is also the girlfriend of the suspect, was provided with information <br />about Survivor Resources, a local organization that assists surviving family members of <br />decedents. Internally, the department held a critical incident stress debriefing for the police <br />personnel involved in the response and investigation. This was coordinated by the Metro Critical <br />Incident Stress Management (CISM) team, a volunteer group of first responders (police, fire, <br />EMS, and dispatchers) who provide peer support. The agency also reminded officers of their <br />access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources both through the City’s insurance <br />provider, HealthPartners, and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office which has a dedicated EAP <br />Deputy who provides services to public safety agencies countywide. <br /> <br />The 2018 municipal budget process is already starting with a review of the City’s Capital <br />Improvement Plan, which includes all of the fleet for the department. <br /> <br />The department is in the midst of a firefighter hiring process with the continuing candidates <br />participating in the physical agility testing on May 5th. We intend to hire them around June 1st. <br />Also, we are developing a hiring process for the part-time Public Safety Officer (PSO) position