Consider entrance into a Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement - MnWARN

Over the years, the City of Ramsey has been positioned well to respond to emergency situations. With Mutual Aid agreements in the Fire and Police divisions, we are able to call on the necessary resources in the event of a disaster.

As a Public Works Department we have been able to secure a mutual Aid agreement with the City of Elk River to share services in the event of a storm event and in 2008, the City was successful in receiving a grant to purchase 800 MHz radios to improve our ability to communicate with the Police and Fire Departments during an emergency.

During the strategic planning session that was held on January 23rd, there was also discussion about the City Council's desire to look for ways to share services and consider options for contracting services or functions. Both of these planning session goals would be furthered by considering the attached MnWARN mutual Aid agreement

Both the Police and Fire Department was consulted with this direction and support the direction.

Whereas, the overall purpose for entering into an agreement of this nature is to secure the resources that the City of Ramsey needs during an emergency situation, it also allows for the employees that have been trained and are licensed to operate water or sewer facilities or heavy equipment, to respond to emergencies in other communities.

There is no requirement to respond when requested, but if we do respond to a situation like the flooding in 2008 in southeast Minnesota or the tornado in Hugo, we will be reimbursed for the time and materials that are spent from the time we leave the garage to the time that we return.

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Staff recommends approval of the agreement naming the City Administrator as the Authorizing Official.

Motion to approve the attached Mutual Aid agreement naming the City Administrator as the Authorizing Official.