'Given the extensive recreation facilities...'

Here's a fascinating e-mail dialogue to which I've been privy, in part by CC...first, an e-mail to me (CC'd to Olmsted County Sheriff Steve Borchardt, among others) from former county attorney Ray Schmitz, regarding the public safety training facility proposed for Olmsted County...pictured at right in the facility in Edina:

I'm not sure about the facts and usage of the facility in Olmsted County but your editorial today implies that it is unique, a quick look suggests that there are at least two others within 90 miles of Rochester, the Scott County facility also got bonding money this session. 

www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_top/2_facilities/

www.startribune.com/local/south/17522509.html

That elicited this response from Borchardt to Schmitz, cc'd to me among others:

Ray,

You are correct.  There will be two other burn facilities within 90 miles of Rochester.  Of course, they are about 150 miles from Rushford, Caledonia, Mabel, Preston, etc.  And, there are no efficient routes to get to that side of the TC from SE MN so the drive is prohibitive.  90 miles is too far for the accessibility that is needed for the number of firefighters we have.  I have a map of the locations of the various facilities around the state and the types of components at each but I don't have access to it from home.  I'll send it along on Monday.

The concept is for these kinds of facilities situated around the state within a one hour drive of everyone.  Actually, in my view that will be insufficient for the fire folks as even a one hour one-way commute is going to be prohibitive for many of them.  So, I expect in 10 - 15 years you'll see these kinds of facilities every few counties.  The closest burn facilities are Edina and the new one erected in Savage.  Both are too far away to serve any of the SE agencies.

Having said that, I expect that we will on occasion host agencies from beyond SE MN.  The Governor, when he included our project in his capital budget proposal, requested that we be willing to serve agencies across the southern tier.  We will make every effort to comply with that wish; however, I think the reality will be that the Rice, LeSueur, Nicollet, Redwood county folks will go to Scott county.  Further west, I expect they'll look toward Marshall.

Establishment of a statewide network of these facilities is in its infancy.  Currently they are being situated where there are local partners that are willing and able to contribute the 50% share.  I expect that within the next decade you will see the one-hour drive cachement area concept developed across the state.

If you are implying that this constitutes unnecessary duplication; its not.  These guys need the access to get the repetitions.  Given the extensive recreation facilities that every town is willing to tax themselves for, we can afford a $1.5M burn facility every 50 miles or so to support these volunteers.

SB

Comments

[Alex Marcheson]

lighted candle

[ray schmitz]

Mr Furst, my comment was directed to the editorial writer who, I suggested, may have got it wrong when he said that it would draw from across the state. First responders need training facilities, whether we can afford a 6.5 million facility in Olmsted and and 9.5 million one in Scott, and more across the state is best left for another discussion. Ray Schmitz