09-09-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION "V X DATE; ITEM NO: /Q 9 j ber'%!?1996 ■% Department Approval: Name Ron Moorse Title Citv Administrator Administrator Reviewed: Item Description: Carbon Monoxide Alarm Response Agenda Section: Administrator’s Repon Background-Increase in Carbon Monoxide Alarms The general public’s interest in and use of carbon monoxide detectors/alarms has increased substantially in recent years. Carbon monoxide detectors provide an alert if the level of carbon monoxide reaches a point at which it could be a health hazard. In the winter of 1995/96 the number of carbon monoxide alarms received by the Hennepin County Sheriffs Dispatch Center increased very dramatically. Public Safety Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarms When a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, the citizen generally calls 911. The general public safety response has been both a Police response and a full response by the fire department. This has substantially increased the amount of resources used by the fire departments. In an effort to manage the amount of resources required to respond to carbon monoxide alarms, various cities have requested that the Hennepin County Dispatch Center provide a set of response options, in addition to the full fire response, to match the needs and desires of individual cities, fire departments and police departments. In response, Hennepin County has set up three levels of response from which cities can choose. These are as follows; I.Police and fire service (and where illness is indicated, an emergency medical unit) responds to all carbon monoxide alarms. II.Police and fire duty officer service (only for agencies with "duty officer" program) to all carbon monoxide alarms. Any indication of illness results in a level 1 response. III. Police given routine radio call to contact complainant either in person or by phone and advise complainant on course of action. Any indication of illness results in level I response. It is important to note that under each of the response level alternatives, if any signs of illness are indicated. Police, Fire and an Emergency Medical Unit are dispatched. In responding to a carbon monoxide alarm, it is import?nt first to determine whether anyone in the building is experiencing the effects of carbon monoxide exposure. If so, it is very important '•1 — T* "if 2 :------