League of Women Voters Roseville Fire Department 2003 and Beyond

Home

had two station wagon "ambu- property owner or tenant, the value lances."The League committee was of the building, and the volunteers told that in 1964, the Police responding to the alarm. Department made 285 ambulance A second fire station was built in runs at no charge. 1967-68 at 2105 N. Fairview Of the 32 volunteer members of the Avenue, and in 1976 a third station Fire Department in 1965, almost all was built at 2335 North Dale Street lived in Roseville but many did not in the eastern part of Roseville. work in the village. There was a Rosedale shopping center had been Fire Chief who was responsible for approved in 1970, increasing the the care and condition of all fire- need for fire protection in the west- fighting equipment. There were also ern side of the city served by the a 1St and 2nd assistant, two captains, Fairview site. By 1973, there were two lieutenants, a fire marshal and 60 volunteer firefighters for a popu- an assistant fire marshal, each elect- lation of approximately 35,000 peo- ed annually by the department ple. members.All of these volunteer In March 1978, the North Suburban positions were paid for each call. Area Chamber of Commerce There were no full-time Fire requested the assistance of the local Department positions. The highest- League of Women Voters in evalu- ranking volunteer at a fire was ating the need for "paramedic serv- responsible for the actions of the ices" in the area, and asked the department. Firefighters were alert- League to bring the topic before its ed to fire calls on a radio receiver in members for discussion.At the their homes. Men living or working 1978 Annual Meeting of the League near the fire station went to the of Women Voters of Roseville, department to drive trucks; others Maplewood, Falcon Heights (also answering the call went directly to serving Little Canada), it was decid- the fire. They were paid per hour of ed to study emergency medical firefighting, including the after-fire services in Roseville.A committee cleanup of excess water and smoke was formed and met weekly for extraction.Whether men were several months. They interviewed allowed to leave work for a fire many providers and representatives depended on the employer.At that from Roseville and various sur- time, firefighters were required to rounding communities to compare be between the ages of 21 and 65, services. Information was also able-bodied, and not to be appoint- obtained from a variety of sources ed to the department after their 36th including people with expertise in birthday. There was a six month the field of life support systems. probationary period. Training was Methods of payment for such serv- conducted two nights each month, ices were also studied. with a practice drill at least once a month. The committee designed consensus questions, which were taken to the The Chief and assistants were in full membership in the autumn of charge of enforcing laws dealing 1978 with a report based on their with fire protection and could findings. From the results of this inspect all premises that might pre- procedure, recommendations were sent a fire hazard. Records were made to the Roseville City Council. kept by the Chief regarding the In February of 1980, the City starting time of the alarm, the loca- Council arranged for Advanced Life tion of the fire, the name of the Support (ALS) ambulance service League of Women Voter RoMaFH 2 Roseville Fire Department 2003&Beyond