Fire Department The Vadnais Heights Fire Department provides fire protection, fire safety education, and emergency medical response to the community. Established in 1970, the Fire Department has served vital public safety and community service functions throughout its history.
Fire Chief Ed Leier directs the services of the Fire Department. He joined the Department in 2004 as its first full-time director. Ed can be reached by email at eleier or by phone at 651.204.6032.
Chief Leier oversees approximately thirty firefighters who serve on an on-call basis. In addition to call and training pay, firefighters receive a pension from the Vadnais Heights Firefighters’ Relief Association. Click here to view the Association’s annual report.
Fire Services Fire Department members are well trained and make a huge commitment to ensure the health and safety of the community. In addition, there are members who have specialized hazardous material training, preparing them to handle hazardous material incidents.
To promote the safety of the public, a significant investment has been made in the Fire Department. The Fire Department operates two fire stations and has eight vehicles. The vehicles include a ladder truck; heavy rescue unit; light rescue unit; grass rig; mini-pumper/rescue; and three pumper trucks.
A mutual aid agreement exists between about 20 fire department. Called the Capital City Mutual Aid Association, in our area the pact includes Vadnais Heights, Lake Johanna, Little Canada, White Bear Lake, and Maplewood. When one of these fire departments needs additional support, it calls on one or more of the other departments for assistance.
Commercial Fire Rating The efforts to improve fire safety are paying off. The City has recently improved its commercial fire rating from “four” to “three”. Two is the most desired rating.
Fire ratings are determined by ISO, the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information for the insurance industry. The ratings are based on criteria which includes a community’s handling of fire alarms, water supply, and other items.
Safety and Prevention
Ninety percent of fatal fires occur in our homes, according to Jerry Morri,
the City's Fire Marshal. "Taking measures at home to prevent fires is the
best way to save lives and property," says Morri. "It's important to
remember that you need a smoke detector on every level of your home,
including the basement, and one in every bedroom." Jerry can be contacted by
email at gmorri gmorri@cityvadnaisheights.com or by phone at
651.204.6033.
Install smoke alarms, and be sure to keep them in operable condition.
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Keep matches away from sources of heat, such as stoves and heaters.
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Matches and lighters are for adult use only.
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Do not leave candles burning unattended.
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Do not smoke in bed.
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Cook safely. Stay near your cooking and monitor it closely.
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Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Keep children and pets away from heaters. Turn them off when you leave home or go to sleep.
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Clean your dryer’s lint filter after each use. Also, make sure to clean underneath and behind your dryer at least twice a year. Make sure the dryer exhaust hose is also cleaned two times a year.
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Wood burning fireplaces should be inspected once a year.
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Keep extension cords in the open - not under rugs, over hooks, or through partitions or door openings.
Recreational Fire Ordinance People often enjoy sitting in the yards, having fun gathered around an outdoor fire. To keep you and your family safe, please pay attention to the recreational fire ordinance. Among other things, the ordinance says: “Recreational fires” are small fires for cooking or other recreational purposes and not for the purpose of disposing of any refuse or other material. Such fires shall:
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Be located no closer than 35 feet from a principal structure, 25 feet away from any other structure, and 10 feet from a lot line;
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Be located within a fire pit surrounded by rocks, concrete, or metal;
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Not exceed three feet in diameter or three feet in height;
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Not be allowed if wind is causing smoke to blow into other homes;
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Be constantly attended by a responsible adult;
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Be located near a readily available supply of water, such as a garden hose;
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Not be located within five feet in any direction from any combustible material;
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Be limited to one location on a parcel of property;
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Be subject to the fire marshal's authority to place a ban on recreational fires.
Law Enforcement
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement services to our community. Vadnais Heights contract for this service along with Arden Hills, Shoreview, Little Canada, White Bear Township, North Oaks, and Gem Lake.
The “contract communities” are assigned up to 53 deputies and other sheriff personnel. In addition to patrolling, services include investigation, traffic, records, DARE, crime prevention, and supervision. The City is also served by the Sheriff’s communications center, the Water Patrol, and the SWAT team.
Undersheriff George Altendorfer oversees the administrative functions. In charge of day-today operations is Lieutenant Mike Salter. Both can be reached at the Sheriff’s patrol station, 651.266.7300.
Neighborhood Safety Programs The community takes pride in its active and involved residents. Both the National Night Out and Neighborhood Watch programs help to support our strong neighborhoods. Information on these programs, crime-prevention, and other safety tips is available at http://www.natw.org and http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/sheriff/nno.asp.
• National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday evening in August. The evening events include visits by the
Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, and elected officials. Deputy Sheriff Dan Ruettimann coordinates this
program for the community. Dan can be reached at dan.ruettimann@co.ramsey.mn.us. Additional information
regarding National Night Out can be found at: http//www.co.ramsey.mn.us/sheriff/national+night+out.htm.
Emergency Management
In times of disaster and emergency, the City's emergency management plan will guide the response. The plan ensures that the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, City leaders and staff, and other disaster response organizations have a coordinated effort. Additional homeland security and emergency management issues can be found at the State's web site at http://www.hsem.state.mn.us.
Sirens
When civil defense sirens sound, the best advice is to seek shelter and turn on your radio to get the latest information. Seek shelter in your basement or an area with interior walls and no windows.
The sirens signal some type of emergency. Not limited to signaling a tornado, the sirens may be alerting the community to the possibility of a chemical spill, gas leak, or other natural or manmade disaster.
The siren has a loud, steady tone. Do not confuse the civil defense siren with the sound that signals a fire call. The fire call siren is a wavering tone that only sounds during daytime hours. Sirens are situated at the North Fire Station; and near the intersections of Snail Lake Road and Rice Street; International Drive and County Road E; Edgerton and I-694; and Owasso Blvd. and Rice Street.
Sirens are tested the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Severe Weather Shelter
The State's web site at http://www.hsem.state.mn.us/swaw/index2005.asp offers general information on severe weather. Guidelines for personal safety during severe weather
include:
• Head to your basement or an area with interior walls and no windows.
• Secure shelter is located in the Five Star Home Park for residents
living in that neighborhood.
• Vadnais Elementary School is no longer available for shelter when the sirens sound.
Ambulance
Ambulance service is provided by Allina Hospitals and Clinics. An ambulance is stationed at the City’s South Fire Station to speed the response time. Always remember to call “911” in times of emergency.
Animal Control The City contracts for this service from Animal Control Services, Inc., located at 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, 651-653-6404. For an emergency outside of regular business hours, call the Sheriff's Department at 651-484-3366.
Dogs and cats must be licensed after six months of age. A rabies and distemper certificate is needed to get a license. For information, email City staff member epeterson or call 651-204-6000.
Fire Department
Safety and Prevention
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