[quote name='usonian' timestamp='1302567425' post='434078']
Ladder 11 is emblematic of everything wrong with the Minneapolis Fire Department (disclaimer: this rant I'm about to go on is based 55% on my opinion, 45% on fact) (additional disclaimer: it's not all the MFD's fault, the Minneapolis City Council has been dysfunctional and ineffective since the 1970's).
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCx4YZt4hk"]First, here is an illuminating YouTube clip featuring the aforementioned L11. It's relevant to the rant.[/url]
Minneapolis (population 380,000) & St. Paul (population 285,000) share a border and are geographically similar in size, and the MFD and StPFD often support each other in mutual aid. Aside from that, the two departments couldn't be more different. Minneapolis has 19 stations(19 engines, 6 trucks, 2 heavy rescues, engines & trucks act as first responders for EMS which is provided by Hennepin County), St. Paul has 15 stations (17 engines, 6 trucks, 3 heavy rescues, 12 paramedic ambulances). The true difference lies in funding, governance, politics, and apparatus specifications.
Saint Paul has best-of-breed, custom designed, well spec'd apparatus. Minneapolis has whatever they can get based on the whims of the current city council when bids are sent out. Saint Paul runs 3 heavy rescues that are renowned for their specialties and aggressive firefighting tactics, Minneapolis just placed 1 of their 2 squads out of service. Saint Paul invests in public safety, Minneapolis is looking to cut fire & police staffing.
The video I posted of L11 trying to navigate city streets in its own response district shows the lack of foresight of the MFD. All MFD trucks until the 1980's were tillers...wouldn't that make more sense? There are 2 newer Pierce tillers in service, but, I'm not sure they're properly assigned because L11 sure could use one. Earlier in the 2000's, the chief at the time sold the council on the Quint concept, and the department bought several 100' quints to run as both engines & trucks. They weren't the worst things to roll of Rosenbauer's assembly line, but they just didn't work well. And, supposedly crews are unhappy with the size of the last few Pierce Engines. So, the city spec'd new engines on a Freightliner 4-door chassis. I know that Crimson Fire is well known for short wheelbase pumpers on Spartan (see Riverside County, CA) and HME (See Chicago) chassis, why didn't they ever even consider that route? Ugh...the MFD frustrates me from the perspective as a buff, and concerns me as a citizen of the greater MSP metro area.
[/quote]
I have long since stopped trying to decipher anything that Minneapolis, and and to a lesser degree St. Paul and some of the suburban departments, do.
Ladder 11 is emblematic of everything wrong with the Minneapolis Fire Department (disclaimer: this rant I'm about to go on is based 55% on my opinion, 45% on fact) (additional disclaimer: it's not all the MFD's fault, the Minneapolis City Council has been dysfunctional and ineffective since the 1970's).
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCx4YZt4hk"]First, here is an illuminating YouTube clip featuring the aforementioned L11. It's relevant to the rant.[/url]
Minneapolis (population 380,000) & St. Paul (population 285,000) share a border and are geographically similar in size, and the MFD and StPFD often support each other in mutual aid. Aside from that, the two departments couldn't be more different. Minneapolis has 19 stations(19 engines, 6 trucks, 2 heavy rescues, engines & trucks act as first responders for EMS which is provided by Hennepin County), St. Paul has 15 stations (17 engines, 6 trucks, 3 heavy rescues, 12 paramedic ambulances). The true difference lies in funding, governance, politics, and apparatus specifications.
Saint Paul has best-of-breed, custom designed, well spec'd apparatus. Minneapolis has whatever they can get based on the whims of the current city council when bids are sent out. Saint Paul runs 3 heavy rescues that are renowned for their specialties and aggressive firefighting tactics, Minneapolis just placed 1 of their 2 squads out of service. Saint Paul invests in public safety, Minneapolis is looking to cut fire & police staffing.
The video I posted of L11 trying to navigate city streets in its own response district shows the lack of foresight of the MFD. All MFD trucks until the 1980's were tillers...wouldn't that make more sense? There are 2 newer Pierce tillers in service, but, I'm not sure they're properly assigned because L11 sure could use one. Earlier in the 2000's, the chief at the time sold the council on the Quint concept, and the department bought several 100' quints to run as both engines & trucks. They weren't the worst things to roll of Rosenbauer's assembly line, but they just didn't work well. And, supposedly crews are unhappy with the size of the last few Pierce Engines. So, the city spec'd new engines on a Freightliner 4-door chassis. I know that Crimson Fire is well known for short wheelbase pumpers on Spartan (see Riverside County, CA) and HME (See Chicago) chassis, why didn't they ever even consider that route? Ugh...the MFD frustrates me from the perspective as a buff, and concerns me as a citizen of the greater MSP metro area.
[/quote]
I have long since stopped trying to decipher anything that Minneapolis, and and to a lesser degree St. Paul and some of the suburban departments, do.
Dave McClung
Arden Hills, Minnesota but....
my heart is also back in Northern VA, especially Alexandria.
All pictures are taken by me and subject to copyright.
No picture taken by me may be copied or linked without my
express permission.
Arden Hills, Minnesota but....
my heart is also back in Northern VA, especially Alexandria.
All pictures are taken by me and subject to copyright.
No picture taken by me may be copied or linked without my
express permission.
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