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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2012-05-11BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MINUTES MAY 8, 2012 Present: Commissioners Gilligan, Hoard, Ellsworth, Baker and McGonigal. I. Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1605 hrs. II. Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the April minutes was made by Comm. Hoard. Seconded by Comm. Ellsworth. Approved unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: Two new BOFC members were welcomed to the Board — Lyman Baker and George McGonigal. Presentation of 50 year certificate will be postponed due to the recipient not being present. IV. Persons wishing to speak to the Board: Jack Gould from Company 6 asked what the difference is between an active volunteer member and a non- active volunteer member. He stated that he is under the impression that if you are a Fire Police that you are "active ". Chair Gilligan responded that the topic is still under study. V. Correspondence: Bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company donation fund had a beginning balance of $2,126.38 and an ending balance of $958.51. The ending balance reflects purchases made by Fire Police for supplies. VI. Membership Changes: None VII. Miscellaneous Reports: Town — Report in packet City — Report in packet Audit — Completed VIII. Department Reports A. Fire Chief Reports (see complete written report in the Minute Book). Chief Tom Parsons offered highlights from his report and answered questions as follows: Chief Parsons stated that the process for the fire fighter civil service 2013 exam committee has begun. The three new recruits are finishing up training at the NYS Fire Academy. Vacancies: Deputy Fire Chief: The Civil Service Commission has issued a list of candidates to consider. There is one internal candidate and two external candidates. Administrative Coordinator: The Common Council has approved the request to reclassify the Office Manager's position to an Administrative Coordinator position. The City's Vacancy Review Committee has approved filling the position, pending the approval of the Civil Service Commission. 2013 Budget: Last month the Mayor announced that the budget message will be coming out in about two weeks; however it has not been released. The City has already identified a shortfall of 3 million dollars in next year's budget. It is expected that very significant reductions in personnel costs will be needed to balance the budget. County Communications and 911 Program: The consultant hired by Tompkins County who is reviewing the 911 Center Operations has provided all departments with a survey for department members to complete. The surveys will be returned to the consultant, and they will be considered as part of his final report. There was one fire investigation at 304 E. Falls Street. The cause of the fire was a halogen light bulb that came in contact with a curtain. B. Fire Police Report (see complete written report in the Minute Book). David Cornelius offered highlights from his report and answered questions as follows: The Fire Police Unit held a training session on April 17, 2012. The topic was a slide presentation created by the gas and electric companies that showed how to deal with various gas emergencies. FF John Powers also discussed the chemical make -up of the various gases so that the attendees better understood why some gases settle to the ground, while others rise. There were 8 members in attendance. The next training session will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The subject is to be determined. David will be unable to attend this upcoming session. On the night of the big storm, four Fire Police members, Jack Gould, Jack Bordoni, Rob Longo and Dave Cornelius responded to a call for wires down on Seven Mile Drive. They were there for approximately 3 hours. They used their new lighted traffic cones in place of flares and they seemed to work well. IX. Old Business: Role of the BOFC and Volunteers in the Department: The City Attorney is looking at the Charter and state laws regarding volunteer fire service. He is expecting to have a law school intern, who will be working in his office over the summer, help with this research which will be used in drafting an opinion for the BFC. Lyman Baker asked if the intern will review the 1992 Volunteer Handbook. Chief Parsons responded that he thought it was in the information that was sent to them. Chair Gilligan stated that the reason that the BOFC asked the Volunteer Companies for rosters is so that the BOFC can understand people's involvement with the Companies and identify individuals with a stake in the review process. Posting of BOFC Agenda /Minutes on the City website: Chair Gilligan stated that the most recent Agendas and Minutes are on the website and he would like to see more past Agendas and Minutes on the website. Chair Gilligan indicated that a donation from the Finger Lakes Runners Club in the amount of $100 should have been included in the total amount designated for use by the Fire Police for equipment and materials. This would increase the total amount approved by the BOFC from $1,500 to $1,600 for the Fire Police use. Motion to approve the increase was made my Comm. Hoard. Seconded by Comm. Ellsworth. Voted unanimously. The Fire Police have their own checking account. It is separate from Company 1's regular accounts, but established under their taxpayer id number. X. New Business: Comm. Ellsworth asked how people keep track of the road closures due to construction. Chief Parsons responded that the Department receives emails of closures. He added that the DOT said that the roads should be done by next week. Chair Gilligan stated that the June 12, 2010 meeting time needs to be changed to 4:00 pm. That time is OK with all involved and will become the summer meeting time for the months of June, July and August. XI. Executive Session: None Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1705 hours. Respectfully submitted, Randy L. Flynn, Clerk Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be reviewed at the July 10, 2012 )