Northeast Metro Business VHEDC 2018 | Page 66

PUBLIC SAFETY SHERIFF AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS A safer community is the product of an engaged community – with neighbors, businesses, leaders, and public safety agencies working together. In Vadnais Heights, law enforcement services have been provided by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department for over 50 years under a contract agreement shared with six neighboring communities: Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, and White Bear Township. The Sheriff’s Public Safety Services Division is responsible for providing patrol, investigative, waterway and community services. The Community Support Services Unit promotes a safer community through volunteerism, outreach, and educational programs. Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Ling Becker says this about the VHFD’s top fire rating of Class 2: “On behalf of the local business community, I commend the Vadnais Heights Fire Department for its continued dedicated service. As a result of their efforts, we are a safer community not only for our businesses but also for all residents. Additionally, this top rating may mean lower insurance for everyone.” Programs and activities include: Crime Prevention, Neighborhood Watch, Coffee with a Cop, Hot Dog with a Deputy, Scouting Day, School Safety Patrol, D.A.R.E., Night to Unite, Citizen Academies, Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and more. The Vadnais Heights Fire Department (VHFD) shares a top fire rating of Class 2 with only seven other fire departments in Minnesota. (No fire department in the state is rated higher.) The VHFD partners with the Sheriff’s Department to protect Vadnais Heights and neighboring 66 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile communities. VHFD has a mutual aid agreement that answers fire and medical calls for Vadnais Heights, Arden Hills, Shoreview, North Oaks, White Bear Lake, Little Canada and Maplewood. The fire department operates two stations in the City – southern and northern locations – and is equipped with eight state-of-the-art vehicles: a ladder truck; heavy rescue unit; light rescue unit; grass rig; mini-pumper/ rescue; one tanker; and two pumper trucks. It employs five full-time staff and nearly 40 part-time, paid-per- call firefighters who respond to approximately 1,000 annual calls (2.75 calls/day). Through its inspection program, VHFD has worked to establish Vadnais Heights as a Heart Safe Community. Inspectors locate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the City and gain the permission of the AED owners for emergency use. The department also provides free heart-safe CPR training to the business and residential communities. Allina Hospitals and Clinics, assisted by VHFD, provides emergency medical assistance (EMS). Sheriff: RamseyCountySheriff.us VHFD: cityvadnaisheights.com/177/Fire EMS: allinahealth.org/ems