The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-BFC-2010-02-09ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 9, 2010 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 111. ADDITIONS /DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA IV. PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK TO BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS V. CORRESPONDENCE A. LETTERS FROM BILL BAKER V1. MEMBERSHIP CHANGES V11. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS: A. TOWN OF ITHACA B. CITY OF ITHACA C. AUDIT VIII. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A. CHIEF and DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTS B. FIRE PREVENTION - Codes Division - Fire Investigation Unit - Juvenile Firesetters Program - Public Education IX. OLD BUSINESS X. NEW BUSINESS A. GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM BOX SYSTEM B. 2010 GOLF TOURNAMENT XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION X11. ADJOURN Monthly Report of the Fire Chief to the Board of Fire Commissioners, for the February 9, 2010, meeting. Combined Chief's and Deputy Chief Operations Report LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration 1) Career Personnel Report PERSONNEL STAFFING LEVELS 1 Acting Chief 1 Deputy Chief 5 Assistant Chiefs 8 Lieutenants 53 Fire Fighters 68 On duty personnel 1 Recruit Fire Fighter 1 Fire Fighter on Injury Leave 1 Fire Alarm Superintendent 1 Office Manager 1 Administrative Assistant .05 Financial Clerk Total employees as of 02/02/10 — 73.5 Open positions — Chief b) Recruitment Committee See DC Parsons Report 2) Operating Budget Status a) Please see the updated account balances sheet for 2009. 3) County Communications and 911 Program a) Communications MOU between Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca: An internal City meeting was held on 2/9/10. Fire Chief's Report for February 2010 4) 5) 6) 8) Grants and Donations 09 FEB 10 Page 2 of 4 a) Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG): The Controller's Office is handling the transfer of funds or this grant (in- vehicle repeaters) b) Training Center Project Funding: Next steps include continued research to determine designation of land where training center is located. I have scheduled a meeting with the City Attorney, Director of Planning and myself to discuss this issue. Additional work will be required if this is dedicated as park lands. [Same as last month.] Resource Recovery Legislation The proposal remains at the City Attorney's Office for review. [same report as last month] Commissioner Romanowski continues to work on this project. Foreign Fire Insurance Distribution The City Attorney asked that this agreement be reworded to indicate the Town of Ithaca, the City of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights as the signees rather than the Town, the Cayuga Heights Fire Department and the Ithaca Fire Department. I will report on the status. Board Initiatives Outstanding Bob Romanowski continues to work on the Traffic Calming issues and the Charter update. The Mayor has formed an ad hoc committee on Charter and Code Revision. Our Charter revision recommendations will be going thru this committee. Operations 1) Mutual Aid Calls: See attached report 2) Selected Calls — On January 25, 2010, B Shift responded to a structure fire at Hudson PI apartments. The crew did an excellent job extinguishing the fire and limiting the fire damage to just two upper apartments with slight water damage to the lower two. 3) Support a) See attached mileage report Fire Chiefs Report for February 2010 09 FEB 10 Page 3 of 4 b) The turn out gear modification necessary for the Escape Rope System has been completed with only a few exceptions. We are waiting for the system hardware to be delivered (there is a back log from the manufacturer) and then we will train on the entire system. C) Station 9 /CUPD project — Cornell and the City will be forming a "scoping" committee soon 4) Training — see AC Sheldon's report attached Fire Prevention Bureau 1) Please see Deputy Fire Chief Parson's report of Fire Prevention Bureau activities for the month of June. Safety Section OPERATIONS DIVISION Response 1) Monthly Call Report See distributed reports for JAN 2010. 2) Emergency Management a) City- Cornell Hazardous Materials MOU: At the operational level, both parties are happy with the MOU, including respective attorneys. A final version has been developed which will be reviewed by team representatives at a meeting on 08 SEP 09. This should result in a version ready for final approval and signatures. (same report as last month) Support 1) Training Center Reports a) See report from AFC Sheldon. Fire Chief's Report for February 2010 Training 1) See report from AFC Sheldon. Recruitment and Retention 1) See DC Parsons report 09 FEB 10 Page 4 of 4 2) The FF Exam will be held on 06 MAR 2010. The City received over 350 applications. 3) Summaries of Service Hours: Attached are reports showing active volunteer duty hours for JAN 2010 and year -to -date Respectfully submitted, J. Thomas Dorman Acting Fire Chief Attachments IFD Volunteer Service Hours Date /Time Between {01/01/2010 07:00:00} And {02/01/2010 07:00:00} and Starting Date /Time >= {01/01/2010 07:00:00} and Ending Date /Time < IFD City {02/01/2010 07:00:00} Date Time Staff Name Code Hours 01/25/2010 _ -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- - - -- 01/25/2010 20:50:00 3883 Cornelius, Dave VS Volunteer Service 3.00 ---------------- ---------- --------------------- Staff Member Totals: 3.00 Types: F =Fire, M= EMS /Medical, R= Rescue, O =Other 02/03/2010 15:33 Page 1 IFD Mutual Aid Responses by Department (Summary) Alarm Date Between (01/01/2010) And (02/01/2010) Type of Aid Count 55001 Brooktondale Fire Department Mutual aid given 1 1 55002 Cayuga Heights Fire Department Mutual aid received 1 1 55011 Lansing Fire Department Mutual aid received 1 1 55018 Trumansburg Fire Department Mutual aid given 1 1 02/03/2010 15:35 Page 1 IFD Training Class Summary by Category Class Date Between ( O1 /01 /2010) And {02/09/2010) Category Number of Classes Hours 01 -03 -0006 EMT Refresher 3 68.00 01 -04 -0021 Ice /Cold Water Rescie - Technician 2 32.00 O1 -05 -0034 Principles of Building Construction: Combustible 1 12.00 01 -05 -0035 Principles of Building Construction: Noncombustibl 1 12.00 01 -11 -0051 Fire Service Instructor I 1 40.00 01 -11 -0066 Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operation 4 61.00 O1B Firefighter duties and training 2 1.33 O1B001 Shift Commanders meeting 1 2.00 O1C Responsibilities 5 1.25 O1C001 NIFRS Codes 4 4.00 01C002 Code Pal system use 1 3.00 0 1D Fire department organizational structure 1 0.50 OID02 Contract Overview 2 3.50 OIE Personnel policies 1 0.50 02 -06 -0016 Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part 1 1 21.00 02 -06 -0017 Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part II 1 21.00 02A02 Chimney Fires 4 5.50 02CO2 Wind Driven Fires - NIST 4 6.50 OAR Public Education 1 1.00 C Building and Protection System Familiarization 4 4.00 05C Emergency response 1 0.25 05D Scene safety 1 0.50 12I Ice /cold water rescue 1 2.00 12IO2 Cold Water/Ice Rescue Drill 2 5.00 13B01 Water Removal - Squeagy 3 1.50 20A Principles of EMS 2 0.42 20B CPR 1 2.00 23B01 Weekly Equipment & ApparatusChecks 6 18.00 23D driving practice 2 3.00 25D Water systems and local conditions 1 0.25 25G Preparing for conflagrations/heavy fire 1 1.00 25H01 PIA of Fire Incident 1 2.00 EMS -004 ACLS refresher 1 8.00 OF Officer Development 1 2.50 OS -006 ISMS, E947 1 40.00 WMD -001 Event Security Planning for PSO 1 16.00 Totals 70 402.50 veteran 'VoCunteer 'Firemen's Association, Znc. of 2thaca, W� 607 - 272 -2560, 607 - 272 -4159 Fax 638 Elmira Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 -8745 2/9/10 BFC 310 W. Green St Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Board, It is my understanding that the Town of Ithaca has finally turned over to the city all current and previous 2% money that had been held. I'd like to ask the board to encourage the city to distribute the Vet Firemen's share without delay. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. President www.ithacavffa.org "Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association, qnc. of 2thaca, W� 607 - 272 -2560 2/9/10 BFC 310 W. Green St Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Board, 607 - 272 -4159 Fax As you know the Vet Firemen's Relief Fund currently has an amount to be given out of $200. If you compare today's $200 to $200 back in 1919 when the Vet's was formed I believe you'll find that it's a lot less value. An example is on www.dollartimes.com which says ' "$1.00 in 1919 had about the same buying power as $13.09 in 2010." I'm sure this varies with whatever source one would use. I'd like to ask that the board discuss and consider raising the amount to be given out to $500. By raising the amount to $500 it would help those in need of the assistance that much better and would bring the amount more into today's money. I believe it's the least we can do. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Bill Baker President www.ithacavffa.org CITY OF ITHACA 310 West Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 -5497 OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF Telephone: 607/272 -1234 Fax: 607/272 -2793 February 5, 2010 Board of Fire Commissioners Ithaca Fire Department 310 W Green St Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Board Members: The following is the Fire Marshal's report for January 2009. Code Enforcement Division: The Codes Enforcement Division received 35 complaints in the month January. Seven of the complaints were forward to the Building Department for Housing Violations. One complaint was forwarded to the Town of Ithaca for action. There were 12 complaints closed out, and 53 complaints remain open for January and previous months. The Code Enforcement Division performed 116 Fire Safety and Property Maintenance Inspections or Re- inspections, 1 Fire Alarm Tests Witnessed, 1 Alternative Suppression System Tests Witnessed, and 1 Hydrostatic Sprinkler System Tests Witnessed. There were 268 violations cited. The Code Enforcement Division issued: 17 operating permits for assembly occupancies; 1 operating permit for a lumberyard; I 1 certificates of compliance for fire and property maintenance inspections; 1 certificate of compliance for alternative fire protection systems; and 3 certificates of compliance for fire alarm system installations. Fire Investigation Unit: There were two fire investigations performed in January. The first fire investigation was for a fire at 33 Hudson Place, in the City of Ithaca; and the second was for a fire that occurred at the Hans Bethe House on the Cornell University Campus. Public Education: There were 2 Child Safety Seat Inspections, L nd 2 fire drills witnessed by the department in January. `An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment[ to workforce diversification." n IL Fire Marshal's Report for January 2009— Page 2 Parking Tickets There were no parking violations issued in January. The Fire Prevention Bureau is updating is ticket books to reflect the increase in parking fines. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Law On August 26th 2009, Amanda's Law was signed by Governor Patterson, which had been approved by a majority vote of the NYS Legislature. Amanda's Law amends Subdivision 5 -a of section 378 of executive law, as amended by chapter 202 of the laws of 2006. The amended law requires carbon monoxide alarms be installed in all new and existing dwellings; one and two family homes; all multiple dwelling units; all boarding houses; dormitories; and fraternities and sororities. Carbon monoxide detectors required by the law are required only where the dwelling unit has appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or has an attached garage. The law has good intent and will reduce carbon monoxide poisonings or illnesses that occur every year in New York, however the technology used with carbon monoxide alarms makes them prone to false alarms. It is anticipated with more alarms being installed in homes, apartments, and other types of dwelling units, that we will see an increase in call volume responding to carbon monoxide alarms. The Fire Prevention Bureau is working on public education materials and efforts to inform and educate the community about the new law and the use of carbon monoxide alarms. Public education will be one avenue that we will use to help control the frequency of false carbon monoxide alarms. Respectfully Submitted, e C Thomas Parsons Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Marshall including all salaries and wages, equipment and supplies and for the maintenance, heating, lighting and ordinary repairs of buildings. E. To make and promulgate from time to time such rules, regulations and bylaws as it may deem necessary and expedient for the government and discipline of the Department not inconsistent with this Charter or the ordinances of the City of Ithaca or of the laws or Constitution of this state or of the United States. F. To be trustees of all moneys now constituting the Active Firemen's Relief Fund, together with 1/2 of all moneys that may hereafter be received by the City of Ithaca as a Fire Department tax on premiums on policies of foreign and alien fire insurance companies pursuant to §§ 9104 and 9105 of the Insurance Law (except the amount payable under the provisions of such law to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York), together with any other moneys, gifts or property whatsoever acquired for relief or benefit purposes, to be accumulated as a relief fund for sick, indigent or disabled fire fighters, with power to draw upon such fund for temporary relief and benefits only, as said Board shall determine. Said moneys shall not be used for any other purposes, except that the Board may, at any time, distribute such Fire Department tax moneys so received equally among each of the volunteer fire companies of the City for the use and benefit of the Ithaca Fire Department and the company or companies comprising the same so long as the balance of said relief fund shall be at least the sum of $90,000. Said Board shall have full power and authority to invest such funds in any investments legal for trust funds under the laws of the State of New York. At the close of each fiscal year and at such other times as the Common Council shall require, said Board of Fire Commissioners, as such trustees, shall submit to the Common Council a detailed accounting of such fund. [Amended 8 -5 -1992 by L.L. No. 3 -1992] G. To be trustees of all moneys now constituting the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Relief Fund and to pay the interest thereon to the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of Ithaca annually. Said Board is further authorized to pay from the principal of such fund from time to time such amounts as it may deem necessary or desirable for the relief of any sick, indigent or disabled member of the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of Ithaca, but the total amount so paid to any one member shall not exceed the sum of $200. Such expenditures from principal shall be made, however, only upon the written recommendation of the Board of Trustees and President of said Association. Said Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of Ithaca is hereby authorized to adopt any further regulation or restriction relating to the expenditure of the principal of such fund not inconsistent herewith as it may deem desirable for the preservation of the fund and for the purpose of limiting properly the amount to be withdrawn and the use thereof. Said Board of Fire Commissioners shall also pay to the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of Ithaca on March 1 and September 1 of each year 1/2 of all moneys received by the City of Ithaca pursuant to the provisions of § 9104 of the Insurance Law of the State of New York as a Fire Department Tax on premiums on policies on foreign and alien fire insurance companies, except the amount payable under the provisions of such law to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. Said Board shall have full power and authority to invest such funds in any investments legal for trust funds under the laws of the State of New York. [Amended 8 -5 -1992 by L.L. No. 3 -19921 At the close of each fiscal year and at such other times as the Common Council shall require, said Board of Fire Commissioners and said Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of Ithaca, New York, shall submit to the Common Council a detailed accounting of such fund. H. To divide the employees of the Fire Department into platoons and prescribe the tours of duty for said employees. Such tours of duty shall be in accordance with § 1015 of the Unconsolidated Laws, except that, in the event of conflagrations or riots or other emergencies, said employees shall remain on duty, subject to the orders of their superiors, and shall receive an extra allowance based on their salary if they are required to perform their duties during such period of emergency at a time when they usually would be off duty or receive compensatory time off as provided in S 1015 of the Unconsolidated Laws. [Amended 8 -5 -1992 by L.L. No. 3 -19921 § C -97 Limitation of expenditures. • Close • Print • Basic View Said Board of Fire Commissioners shall in no year expend a sum or incur any indebtedness in excess of the amounts appropriated by the Common Council for the use of said Fire Department and the amounts made available pursuant to the Local Finance Law, and such Commissioners shall be personally liable for any expenditure or indebtedness incurred In excess of such appropriations. § C -98 Fire Chief and other personnel. • Close • Print • Basic View ('I i f` ;'Z C tp (� MT I .j� MA`•h. 4� C r •� �S ti r' ii k� Iryf � lj c;f i.i I�� I !b iii �0 04 O,-- m Cl FD o o L o cnn � T o o p o r a� p o a° rD n rD a� o Uw o � 1 � T o o � w n 0 0rD� p o - 1- ; N a o 0 w ° o' C G rt o OQ n ® G12 O Ctoq Q w P O CL n j1 p pq 1 O O' O Y p �*. rn ryp I'D O O v' '�' •� 'V cn o o• `C m ro O G G. O tn 0 RD 0 n n ( 0Q O n 0 O n -O O M R. rD C• (D Q-' r7 0 �•. w .'"S' fD hit fD o�✓ CJQ w t G 0 � by D n O q O x p 0QV o rt ryry�nn� O PD p' cn C Q vni UQ � rb rb RIt p C rn w rn a 0 n O � OOdC--Q o �c�xi o cn o �c O n A� CD n a' o u, o O �. O 4 �C 7� o O 1 0 0 0 `O C9 R7 n O n n t7 o rn n rr I�• O `C V -t n O O n o ` re O `C O n v v M O o 0, � n O o �_ Sy rt O O n Q.. w O n a p o1� � �. n � �* o o o o� o �� a oa O O O O O rn a CIQ O o n o rn(D n w rn � Q (D Ro r(DS O O O fD � A: (D 'rS rn (D CD O vi O i Q.• '" W O td � �• a+ O(D O N Y Q O O FD (D O n 9 P1 CD D' O 0 1W O O .P * Cn p CTi v 17� O O p I , 0 �•� NATf0jV9 rD I O ti nt O z x �'' �� o a O w n ti s o In � 0,- I 11.1101i, 0 111 f f' G�v��on r o 0 O'Q S n r -+ td 2 O/Q p� v. O. O n w (-y O��+' H n a O rD p fD O •+, rn zQ ogv0d o < FL v rt O O C-L O 'Z zt O Al F� rD b a �' P4 o• ta rD a oho N N IZ �{. 1•d • l� � o of h ti � O ;Z4 p ral (D zt CO) rD Hi ' r J tl WK OYRPTAN `VaugJI `aaar7S uaar9 JsaAI JIoJ :o#` Z `bZ junf Xql --ruT uuoi uoperlsaffaa acP u�P�!� uilldi��.471.��mfh.pd. a, a G r �t� ,�jf k. fn1E'�ci +mss rtrC f��l�'�Yi f 'LlL ,4End s is x'-€ Ala t ;}! YAK, aMiIJ1iS r • i a. C .. 1 • ci Qj t1 • • f • �� • u Ou Y • • .. .. •• • •• • 1 - PI 'Lei cy- C�) U �t