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<br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: 3/24/2025 <br />Item No.: 5.b. <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br /> <br /> <br />Item Description: Accept Donation from the Granite Foundation to Help Fund a Rescue <br />Vehicle <br />1 <br />2 Background <br />3 The Roseville Police Department requests that the City Council approve the acceptance of a $50,000 <br />4 donation from the Granite Foundation to assist with the purchase of a rescue vehicle. The need for this <br />5 specialized rescue vehicle was identified during the after-action review of the West Owasso active <br />6 shooter incident in April 2022. During this event, an armed suspect fired over 200 rounds at Roseville <br />7 officers, critically injuring Officer Ryan Duxbury. Officers had to self-evacuate without specialized <br />8 equipment or protection, exposing them to continued gunfire. In addition to officers being targeted, fire <br />9 personnel were also shot at, and paramedics were unable to safely enter the scene to provide lifesaving <br />10 care. This left first responders in an extremely dangerous position and significantly delayed medical <br />11 treatment for the wounded officer. <br />12 The recent tragic deaths of first responders in Burnsville and Minneapolis further underscore the urgent <br />13 need for improved emergency response capabilities. Additionally, FBI reports indicate that assaults on <br />14 law enforcement in the U.S. reached a 10-year high in 2023, with firearm-related assaults at their <br />15 highest level in a decade. In response, multiple metro-area law enforcement agencies have purchased <br />16 similar rescue and armored vehicles, though no agency in Ramsey County currently has one. This <br />17 vehicle would be considered a regional asset and RPD would assist any of our neighboring or nearby <br />18 agencies in the event of a major incident where rescue operations were needed as part of our mutual aid <br />19 agreements. <br />20 Unlike a BearCat SWAT vehicle, which is primarily used for tactical operations and high-risk warrant <br />21 service, the Sprinter Rescue Van is specifically designed for rapid emergency response and medical <br />22 evacuations. This unmarked vehicle would be deployed by front-line patrol officers to safely transport <br />23 first responders and medical personnel into dangerous situations and evacuate injured victims. It offers <br />24 greater mobility, protection, and immediate medical access in critical incidents where every second <br />25 counts. <br />26 The vehicle will also be equipped with bullet-resistant panels to provide protection for responding first <br />27 responders and/or medical personnel. The interior of the van will have an open design, allowing for the <br />28 quick and efficient loading of injured parties while ensuring a layout that facilitates patient treatment. <br />29 <br />30 To support this effort, The Granite Foundation has pledged $50,000 towards the purchase of the vehicle, <br />31 which has a total estimated cost of $180,000. The Roseville Police Foundation is actively fundraising to <br />32 cover the remaining $130,000, and RPD plans to allocate forfeiture funds to cover any remaining costs. <br />33 The Granite Foundation, a local family foundation, has been a longtime supporter of public safety <br />34 initiatives in Roseville. For over 15 years, they have helped fund essential public safety equipment and <br />35 programs. Past donations included funding for all-terrain search and rescue vehicle, a mobile fingerprint <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />Qbhf!5!pg!558 <br /> <br />