Hi,
I am Co-President of our Neighborhood Association. The City is planning on closing our fire station in our neighborhood and plan to move it a mile or two away. We need some help.
Here is a little back ground:
Mankato, MN
Population 35,000
2 colleges (1 state college), multilevel housing, rail road yard, airport.
Full-time/volunteer combo department. Assist on medical calls with local Gold Cross Ambulance
We have had a fire station in our neighborhood since the 1960's I believe. It is getting old and can no longer handle todays heavy trucks. It is in need of a face lift and remodel at a minimum.
One option the City would like to do is close it and build a new one 1.5 miles away. There was one near this location that they recently shut down for I have no idea what reason. They also plan to build another fire station in the "newer" part of town where growth is expected, which make sense, but does affect us in increased response times.
The City claims response times are 6 minutes. This is NOT always a 4-crew truck. I was told by one city council official that "It only takes one person to drive a truck"
. From my understanding response times used to be 3 to 4 minutes.
As a former volunteer firefighter I am sure the firefighters want/need a new station or at least a major remodel. I also believe the City should be increasing public safety by providing properly staffed stations. Building a new fire station that is not staffed full time does not suit the needs.
The City will argue using NFPA 1720 and that they have met the needs of the City. We will argue using NFPA 1710 that they are lacking. We would like the City to do a proper GIS mapping to provide a better plan as to where a station is needed. Taking into account concentration of calls, traffic levels, speeds, stop signs, terrain, future growth etc.
Can anyone provide any further assistance regarding this subject and how to approach the City as to save our station and fire fighters and keep our fire safety from being unchanged?
I am Co-President of our Neighborhood Association. The City is planning on closing our fire station in our neighborhood and plan to move it a mile or two away. We need some help.
Here is a little back ground:
Mankato, MN
Population 35,000
2 colleges (1 state college), multilevel housing, rail road yard, airport.
Full-time/volunteer combo department. Assist on medical calls with local Gold Cross Ambulance
We have had a fire station in our neighborhood since the 1960's I believe. It is getting old and can no longer handle todays heavy trucks. It is in need of a face lift and remodel at a minimum.
One option the City would like to do is close it and build a new one 1.5 miles away. There was one near this location that they recently shut down for I have no idea what reason. They also plan to build another fire station in the "newer" part of town where growth is expected, which make sense, but does affect us in increased response times.
The City claims response times are 6 minutes. This is NOT always a 4-crew truck. I was told by one city council official that "It only takes one person to drive a truck"

As a former volunteer firefighter I am sure the firefighters want/need a new station or at least a major remodel. I also believe the City should be increasing public safety by providing properly staffed stations. Building a new fire station that is not staffed full time does not suit the needs.
The City will argue using NFPA 1720 and that they have met the needs of the City. We will argue using NFPA 1710 that they are lacking. We would like the City to do a proper GIS mapping to provide a better plan as to where a station is needed. Taking into account concentration of calls, traffic levels, speeds, stop signs, terrain, future growth etc.
Can anyone provide any further assistance regarding this subject and how to approach the City as to save our station and fire fighters and keep our fire safety from being unchanged?
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