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From:noreply@civicplus.com <br />To:James VanEyll; Nola Dickhausen <br />Subject:Online Form Submittal: Fire Department Comment Card <br />Date:Thursday, May 11, 2023 1:38:42 PM <br />Fire Department Comment Card <br />First Name Bob <br />Last Name Erickson <br />Address 372 Westlake St <br />City Orono <br />State MN <br />Zip Code 55356 <br />Date 5/11/2023 <br />Orono Resident Yes <br />Comments I am very impressed with the high level of professionalism <br />displayed in the Orono Fire Department Draft Needs <br />Assessment. <br />Prior to reading it, I expected a good deal of local knowledge to <br />be included in it, based on Chief Van Eyll's considerable <br />experience, but I was totally amazed as I learned how deeply <br />complex the job of assessing fire protection needs in our area is. <br />State regulations, different service levels based on response <br />times, staffing challenges, equipment costs, building needs, and <br />more are outlined in detail, along with the pros and cons of <br />different options going forward. <br />Home fires have become a greater hazard to both firemen and <br />residents as a result of recent trends toward recyled materials in <br />the home. Synthetic carpets, vinyl flooring, vinyl siding, vinyl <br />windows, and recyled countertops, are all made primarily of <br />petroleum products. They burn more quickly than natural <br />products and produce toxic smoke in the process, requiring <br />firemen to wear protective suits that must be cleaned afterward. <br />I was disappointed to learn that the fire protection in our area is <br />rated at a Rural level, based on the length of the response times. <br />Most of our homes are in suburban areas, and the housing <br />densities are increasing. Look at all the new projects along <br />Wayzata Boulevard completed in recent years and currently <br />under construction. As a Planning Commissioner, I can tell you <br />that more high density projects will be coming in the future.