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Maple Grove Fire Chiefs and new 2013 Maple Grove Apprentice Firefighters

Maple Grove Firefighters Complete Initial Fire Training
June 12th, 2013 Maple Grove, Minnesota …This year spring might have been delayed, but Maple Grove’s apprentice firefighters are right on time with the completion of their initial firefighting training.

Maple Grove provides training in fire response and hazardous materials emergencies through a shared services effort with our neighboring fire departments. New recruits receive training that meets nationally recognized standards and prepare new firefighters to complete testing administered by the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board.

Many residents do not realize that most communities in Minnesota, including much of Hennepin County, are served by fire departments staffed by volunteer or part-time firefighters. The City of Maple Grove has a department staffed with a group of dedicated citizens who provide fire and emergency response. Assistant Fire Chief Tim Bush notes, “This is a great way for people to contribute to their community. We hire new firefighters that may have no previous experience in firefighting. We provide initial firefighting and emergency medical training through in-house programs.”

Hosting an internal fire academy allows our students to work with the people, tools, and fire vehicles they will see when they complete initial training. Assistant Chief Bush states, “We bring together a talented group of instructors from our shared services group to lead training sessions. This allows us to provide training with a variety of instructors that truly are subject matters for each phase of training. We are able to provide the best level of training at a significant savings to our communities, because we share the costs of providing the training.”

Recruits from Maple Grove attended training with new firefighters from nine departments in Anoka and Hennepin Counties. They attended either morning or evening classes, depending on their available time. According to Fire Chief Scott Anderson, “The majority of our firefighters also work full-time. They have jobs and families, so we need to be able to provide training that fits into the schedules of their lives.”

Maple Grove is currently accepting applications to find the next group of new apprentice firefighters. Although the fire department has openings for both day and night available responders, the biggest challenge in Maple Grove is finding people that are available during the day time. Fire Chief Scott Anderson says, “We need to find the people that are home during the daytime and can respond quickly if we have an emergency in the city. We’ll train you and we’ll challenge you and we’ll keep it fun.”

Applications are accepted through Friday, August 2nd, 2013. Information can be found at www.MGFire.info.

Contact:
Tim Bush – Assistant Fire Chief
Maple Grove Fire Department
763-494-6303
http://www.MGFire.info
tbush@maplegrovemn.gov

With summer time approaching, the Maple Grove Police Department would like to remind residents that we have a social host ordinance that prohibits persons under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcohol, even within a private residence. This ordinance holds persons criminally responsible for hosting events or gatherings where persons under 21 years of age possess or consume alcohol regardless of whether the person hosting the event or gathering, supplied the alcohol.

A national study shows that 61% of underage drinking took place in a home of someone else, while 31% of underage drinking occurred in their own home. Sixty-five percent of underage drinkers get alcohol from adults such as their parents, guardians, family members, or unrelated adults. (www.centurycouncil.org)

By sharing this information we hope to raise the level of awareness of our ordinance in order to help prevent underage drinking. We believe by working together we can create a community that is safer and healthier for our youth. For more information please visit www.maplegrovemn.gov, click on City Ordinances, and review city ordinance 4-40 or contact Maple Grove Police Crime Prevention at 763-494-6134 or crimeprevention@maplegrovemn.gov.

Applying for a job with the City of Maple Grove? Are you having trouble successfully submitting your application? The Human Resources Department has several resources to help you out through the Current Job Openings link on the City website. If you are applying for a position with us, be sure to read the Online Employment Application Guide, which provides step-by-step instructions to help you through the application process and answers many of your questions. Incorrect or blank areas in your job application may disqualify you from the position you are applying for so please be sure to complete the application in its entirety.

Here are a couple of things to remember when applying for a job with the City of Maple Grove:

1. Initially, you will create a username and password – please remember these  since you will log in to your account with this information each time you need to check the status of your application or you receive an email from HR to schedule an interview online. If you’ve created a NeoGov account by applying with another city or county, you will use your previous account information. Please be sure you edit and update your basic information before you submit an application to us.
2. Fill out your individual information and be sure to save your application frequently. You now have created your contact information.
3. To apply for a specific job posting, you will click on the job title of the position you are interested in, then click on the ‘Apply’ link. You will then login with your applicant username and password.
4. You will be guided through a series of sections including agency-wide questions and supplemental questions before reaching the ‘Confirm and Send Application’. Be sure to save your information frequently and answer all questions completely to be considered for the position.
5. You will be able to attach any documents including a cover letter and resume to your online application. If you are a veteran who is requesting Veteran’s Preference, please attach your DD214 to be considered for this preference.

If you have any questions during the application process, please review the ‘Online Employment Application Guide’ first. If you still have questions or problems, call the Human Resources Department at 763-494-6015.

Water, water everywhere …

A word to the wise, or an Albatross around one’s neck?

 You wouldn’t expect there to be a shortage of it in the Land of 10,000 Lakes; however,  communities in the metro area, most notably White Bear Lake, are experiencing water supply problems. Groundwater pumping has been associated with wetland impacts and well interference in other communities. The Metropolitan Council website states that the current approach to water supply is not sustainable, and recommends expanding the use of the Mississippi River to slow the depletion of groundwater resources. Water conservation is the other approach recommended for mitigating the ominous signs of groundwater modeling.

A tiered Water Conservation Rate structure went into effect in Maple Grove in 2012 pursuant to Minnesota State Law. A Bill that would have increased Maple Grove’s annual DNR permit fee by about $120,000, primarily through expansion of summer surcharge fees, was not adopted by the legislature this year. Such “pricing” pressures impose a psychological burden that may not necessarily be successful in affecting water use. Maple Grove’s 2012 use increased by about 0.5 billion gallons compared to 2011.

Evidence of drought conditions can be seen in the pond by the Towne Green band shell, where the water surface elevation has dropped about 4 feet since about 2001; and is down approximately 2 feet from last year. In general the local aquifer is in relatively good shape with respect to normal water table levels, but it will take several years of above normal precipitation to reverse the downward trend.

Maple Grove has implemented improvements that effect water conservation on a public scale. The water meter replacement project is coming along well, having replaced about 11,000 of about 16,000 meters. Leaking fixtures (toilets, water softeners, faucets and pipes) have been found and fixed along the way. Water main testing has detected about 20 leaks which are scheduled for repair this summer. Infiltration ditches put into use in the Arbor Lakes area in 2012, capture an estimated 300 MGY of storm water runoff annually for aquifer recharge.

You should check the moisture sensor of your irrigation system to see that is it working properly; there is little need to be applying water when it is raining, or has been raining like this April and May. Some lawns and gardens could do with less watering in general throughout the summer. If we all do our part to conserve, there is less likelihood of watering bans or other extreme regulatory measures. Water conservation kits are available through Public Works department.

Do you want to diversify the types of plants you have in your garden, but don’t want to spend a lot of money?  Or are you looking for an inexpensive way to start a garden.  If so the perennial exchange is the perfect thing for you!  On Saturday, June 8^th we will be hosting an exchange in the parking lot west of the playground at the Community Center!  So come on out with your excess perennials that have been in the ground for three years or more and exchange them for something new.  A few plants that are easily divided right now are: hostas, hydrangeas, coneflower, rudbeckia, phlox, forget-me-nots, sedum, day lilies and so many more!  New and experienced gardeners are welcome to trade their perennials at this fun and free event!

Maple Grove Community Center parking lot, west of the playground
Saturday, June 8th (rain or shine)
9:15 a.m. until we are done (plants usually trade quickly)
Call 763-494-6475 for more information.
Or email: summerintern@maplegrovemn.gov

Garage sales will soon begin throughout the city. We would just like to make some suggestions to those hosting garage sales to better protect yourself and your home.

1. Lock all the doors to your home and do not allow anyone into your house to use your bathroom or to try on any clothing.

2. Keep all money or loose change on you at all times – not in a lockbox where it could be left unattended.

3. Keep your cell phone on you at all times in case you need to contact police.

4. Keep your most valuable items near you so you can keep a close eye on them.

5. Acknowledge all persons who come to your sale, but do not answer any questions about alarm systems, security, or daytime/nighttime occupancy.

Are you starting to wonder if spring will ever come? So am I, but I’m confident that it will arrive in time for the annual boulevard planting on Saturday, May 18.

For more than 10 years, volunteers have planted the flowers in the medians of Elm Creek Boulevard and Weaver Lake Road. Public works employees prepare the soil, the flowers are delivered right to the gardens and in less than two hours on a Saturday morning, the medians are transformed from drab winter to beautiful spring.

150 people have already volunteered to help with the planting project this year but we need about 50 more volunteers. Groups and individuals are welcome as are supervised children age 10 and up. Volunteers need bring only a small garden trowel for planting. Planting begins at 7am on Saturday, May 18 and lasts less than two hours. Safety vests are provided for all volunteers as are treats for the volunteers once the planting is done.

Please consider volunteering for the boulevard planting – two hours of fun work for a summer’s worth of enjoyment every time you drive by “your” garden. Best of all, we’ll take care of the watering and weeding!

If you’d like to volunteer or for more information, please call 763-494-5956 or email dcoss@maplegrovemn.gov by May 10.

The Maple Grove Police and Fire Explorers would like to invite you to The Lookout Bar and Grill on Sunday, April 21 from 4-7pm for our spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Dinner (all you can eat), includes salad, bread, two pastas, and ice cream. Tickets are $10, in advance or at the door.

The proceeds help defer the cost of equipment and help send the Explorers to the State and National Explorer Competitions.

If you know of youth interested in either the police or fire exploring program or would like to buy tickets in advance please contact Officer Gross at ngross@maplegrovemn.gov.

Our Law Enforcement Training Facility will be open for public shooting beginning Saturday, April 13!

Walk-ins only, no reservations. Children ages 12-17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian only, I.D. required.

Handguns and 22 rifles only – must be cased or holstered. No tracer, armor piercing, or steel core ammo allowed. Ear and eye protection are required while shooting – some items, including targets are available for a fee. Closed-toe shoes must be worn.

Single-Lane Range fees:
$18/person; 45 minutes
$29/two people; 60 minutes

Open shoots:
Wednesday evenings: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturdays: 8:00am – 2:00pm

The LETF is located at 11370 – 89th Avenue N., Maple Grove, if you have any questions, contact the Range Coordinator at 763-494-6151.