HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2010-06-08ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 8, 2010
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
III. ADDITIONS /DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Current year's revenue/ expenditure
IV. PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK TO BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
V. CORRESPONDENCE
VI. MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
VII. 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
C. FIRE POLICE REPORT
IX. OLD BUSINESS
Fire Police Rain Gear
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XII. ADJOURN
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2010
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Gilligan, Hoard, Kelly and Ellsworth
I. Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1803 hrs.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Add "Alderperson" to J.R. Clairborne. Comm. Kelly moved to approve the
Minutes from the May 11, 2010. Seconded by Comm. Hoard. Voted
unanimously.
III. Additions /Deletions to the Agenda:
Report on Meeting with the Mayor
Request from Fire Police for rain gear
VI. Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners:
Lyman Baker asked how the Board is progressing with raising the Volunteer
Relief Fund from $200 to a modern day rate.
V. Correspondence:
Minutes from Common Council
Bob Romanowski Cayuga Medical Report. The Board will pick someone to
go next year.
Statement from Tompkins Trust Donation Fund bank statement showed a
balance of $492.82. There was a $500,000 deposit made in error and the bank
corrected it.
VI. Membership Changes:
None
VII. Miscellaneous Reports:
Town Report — None
City Report — None
Audit — In progress. Will be completed by the end of meeting.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2009
PAGE 2
VIII. Department Reports:
A. Acting Chief /Deputy Chief Reports: (see complete written report in the
Minute book). Acting Chief Dorman offered highlights of his reports and
answered questions as follows:
Career Personnel — No change
The City has an Employee Recognition program. Three members of
Ithaca Fire Department were awarded: Lt. Roy Trask, FF Dean Hathaway
and Recruit Tom Pirko. The recipients recently held a Pub Ed at a three
year old's school and the child only a week later saved her mother's life
with the tools that she had learned at the Pub Ed.
Operating Budget Status:
The report on April balances was distributed to the Board.
911 Low Volume Calls — We may be appealing the response to the County
Administrator.
Assistance to Fire Fighter Grant:
Grants application time has opened up. We are looking into whether IFD
will apply. The current available grant is for 4 fire fighters. The first 3
years are paid by the grant. After that, it is all on the City.
Training Center Funding Project:
The favorable resolution of the Training Center land being designated as
"park land" has given IFD more confidence that they can put up the new
building. IFD has $75,000 toward a new building.
Mutual Aid:
Will be done quarterly.
Training:
All shifts are training on escape ropes.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2010
PAGE 3
Emergency Management MOU:
Cornell has signed the MOU
Support:
Doors at all stations have been locked to ensure station security. In the
near future, camera will most likely be installed. IFD is looking into
swipe cards. IFD has the money in the budget.
City Engineering Department has been working with IFD to replace
Station 6 generator.
Chair Gilligan asked what is wrong with the generator? Acting Chief
Dorman explained that it spits and sputters and it is 20 years old. It is time
to replace it.
Civil Service Fighter Fighter exam results should be available tomorrow.
The Department will be checking to see if the diversity recruiting efforts
paid off.
B. Fire Prevention Bureau: (see complete written report in Minute Book)
DC Parsons offered highlights and answered questions as follows:
The last round if inspections were completed at Cornell
There was a small fire behind the Short Stop Deli.
Comm. Kelly asked about the outcome of the dumpster fires from a few
months ago. Acting Chief Dorman stated that we haven't heard anything.
Acting Chief Dorman reported that Ithaca College had made an inquiry as
to the costs involved in the hazardous material call last month involving 3
students making bombs. The cost for restitution will be $1,400 divided
between the 3 students.
C. Fire Police: (see complete written report in the Minute book) Chair
Gilligan read the report in Dave Cornelius' absence:
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2010
PAGE 4
There was no training session or meeting in April. A meeting is planned
in May.
A request has been made for 9 Rain Gear Systems. The purpose of the
purchase is to protect the Fire Police from inclement weather. The cost of
each system is $166.98 for a total of $1,502.82 plus shipping.
Fire Police co- coordinator Dave Cornelius sent a letter to owner of the
State Diner to thank him and his family for the food that they provided to
the Fire Police during the last storm. Another letter was sent to the Ithaca
Journal to be printed in the Darts and Laurels section. It was a thank you
to all of the Hollrick residents who provided coffee, etc. during the same
storm to the Fire Police on duty on West Hill.
A letter will be sent by the Board to thank the volunteer Fire Police for
their efforts during the May 8, 2010 storm;.
IX. Old Business
Report on the Meeting with the Mayor:
Chair Gilligan and Comm. Hoard meet with Mayor Peterson and Alderperson
Clairborne on April 28, 2010 to discuss issues related to Department
Operations and the role of the Fire Commissioners.
Department Operations:
The search will begin for a new Fire Chief. The Board feels that it should be
involved in the search.
Traffic Calming:
Is there any way to document the wear and tear on the apparatus?
Long Term Planning for the Department.
Role of Volunteers in the Department.
The Board has a number of responsibilities in the City Charter.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2010
PAGE 5
Role of the board in long term strategic planning.
Filling the vacant position on the Board: The Mayor is receptive to
appointing someone to the position. She also suggested that the BOFC
Minutes be sent to her.
Role of the Board in relation to the Town and the City. The Board was left
out on the signing of the recent contract.
These are not short term issues and will take some time to address. A more
detailed summary of the items discussed is included in the Minute Books.
A resolution was suggested for the search of a Fire Chief. Chair Gilligan
asked Comm. Hoard and Comm. Kelly to draft a resolution.
DC Parsons explained that a committee has been formed and that the
communication should go to them.
Acting Chief Parsons explained that the search process is not an over night job
and that the search needs to begin.
DC Parsons explained that Human Resources will need to decide if the Fire
Chief exam will be given before or after the appointment.
X. New Business
Fire Police Rain gear request — as described in the Fire Police report.
Comm. Kelly asked if these costs have come up before and how was it
handled. It was explained that the money has been found before. Acting
Chief Dorman supports the purchase and will ask AC Dan Tier to look at
other options through IFD sources.
Comm. Hoard made a motion to approve. Comm. Kelly seconded. Approved
unanimously.
A motion was made to purchase the proposed foul weather gear for the Fire
Police. Every effort will be made to make the purchase this year. Voted
unanimously.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MAY 11, 2010
PAGE 6
XI. Executive Session:
The Board went into an Executive Session at 1907 hrs.
Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1930 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy L. Flynn, Clerk
Board of Fire Commissioners
(Minutes will be reviewed at the June 8, 2010 meeting)
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1 I j 2
Board of Fire Commissioners - Report to Common Council 2 June 2010
Thomas Hoard, Fire Commissioner
Board of Fire Commissioners Chair Bill Gilligan and I met with the Mayor and
Councilperson Clairborne on April 28 to discuss items of concern to the Board
including
a. Search for new fire chief
b. Diversity within the Fire Department
c. Role of the Board in relation to the Town and the City
d. Review of the Board's role in overall operations. The City Charter lists a number
of responsibilities of the Board, many of these are either no longer relevant or
are inconsistent with current practice.
Role of the Board in long term strategic planning for the department to address
the needs of the Community and the Fire Department.
f. Reports on operations- volumes, types, geographic distribution of calls, etc.
g. Removal of traffic calming devices on South and Wood Streets
h. Role of Volunteers
i. Filling a vacant position on the Board of Fire Commissioners
Followup on last spring's survey of Board and Committees that have volunteer
and appointed board members
To be sure, this is a long list, and pursuit of these matters may take more time than is
realistically available. However there is a general feeling among the Board Members
that we could be far more useful and of more value to the City and the Fire Department
in particular if we can clarify and /or resolve these issues.
Chairman Gilligan and I felt that this meeting was a good first step, and we appreciate
the time that the Mayor and Councilperson Clairborne gave us.
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
June 8 'h, 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 May 2009.
Code Enforcement Division:
The Codes Enforcement Division received 16 complaints in the month May. Two of the
complaints were forwarded to the Building Department for Housing Code Violations.
There were 7 complaints closed out, and 32 complaints remain open for May and
previous months.
The Code Enforcement Division performed 145 Fire Safety and Property Maintenance
Inspections or Re- inspections. The Division also witnessed 4 Fire Alarm Tests, and 3
Hydrostatic Sprinkler System Tests. There were 72 violations cited.
The Code Enforcement Division issued: 35 operating permits for assembly occupancies;
1 operating permit for hazardous occupancy, 5 certificates of compliance for fire and
property maintenance inspections; 5 certificates of compliance for fire alarm systems, 2
certificates of compliance for fire sprinkler system compliance, and 4 certificate of
compliance for fire alarm system.
Fire Investigation Unit:
There was one fire investigation performed in May at 13 South Ave in the City of Ithaca.
The cause of the fire was determined as incendiary.
Public Education:
There were 2 Child Safety Seat Inspections, 4 Public Education Activities performed; and
3 Fire Drill witnessed by the department in May.
Parking Violations
The FPB issued 14 parking violations in May. 6 were for handicap parking violations, 1
was for prohibited parking areas, and 2 were in a prohibited fire zone.
`An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." is
� w�
Fire Marshal's Report for May 2009— Page 2
Respectfully Submitted,
C Thomas Parsons
Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Marshal
Monthly Report of the Fire Chief to the Board of Fire Commissioners, for the June 8, 2010,
meeting. Combined Chiefs 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
52 Fire Fighters
67 On duty personnel
1 Recruit Fire Fighter
1 Fire Fighter on Injury Leave
1 Fire Fighter on Administrative Leave
1 Fire Alarm Superintendent
1 Office Manager
1 Administrative Assistant
05 Financial Clerk
Total employees as of 06/01/10 — 73.5
Open positions — Chief
b) Recruitment Committee
The new Fire Fighter Civil Service list was certified on 6/2/10.
2) Budget Status
a) Account balances for 2010 are included.
b) A Capital Project to replace the Heavy Rescue (944) was submitted for $870,000.
C) 2011 Operating Budget guidelines should be available by the meeting
Fire Chief s Report for June 2010
3)
4)
5)
6)
County Communications and 911 Program
08 JUNE 10
Page 2 of 4
a) Communications MOU between Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca: We
have filed a formal complaint with the County concerning the inability of the
current system to record low volume 911 calls. (same as last month) We have
received an answer and may be appealing the decision.
We have filed a number of complaints concerning what appears to be missed
alarms at the Dispatch center. To date, we have not received any report from the
County.
Grants and Donations
a) Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG): All of the paperwork to receive this grant
for in- vehicle repeaters is filed. We are awaiting transfer of the money. We will
be preparing a specification for bid.. [same report as last month]
b) Training Center Project Funding: I have met with the City Attorney and the
Director of Planning. We continue to research this issue.. [same report as last
month]
Resource Recovery Legislation
I am waiting for the appointment of a new Assistant City Attorney before resubmitting
this proposal. [same report as last month]
City Charter Update
I have forwarded the Board's report on Charter Revisions to Alderman Dan Cogan, Chair
of the Charter Revision committee.
7) Traffic Calming
No updates
Operations
1) Mutual Aid Calls:
2) Selected Calls —
No Report
3) Support
Quarterly Report
Fire Chief's Report for June 2010
a) No report
08 JUNE 10
Page 3 of 4
b) All shifts are continuing training on the Escape Rope System. We are
waiting for the system hardware to be delivered for final implementation
(there is a back log from the manufacturer).. [same report as last month]
C) Station 9 /CUPD project — Cornell and the City will be forming a
"scoping" committee soon.. [same report as last month]
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) Quarterly Call Report
2) Emergency Management
No Report
Support
1) Training Center
a) Quarterly Report
Fire Chiefs Report for June 2010
Training
1) Quarterly Report
Recruitment and Retention
1) See DC Parsons report
2) Summaries of Service Hours:
Quarterly Report
Respectfully submitted,
.. Thomas Dorman
Acting Fire Chief
Attachments
08 JUNE 10
Page 4 of 4
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
Fire Central
310 West Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
June 7, 2010
RE: Alfred S. Robinson / Lakeview Cemetery
Alfred S. Robinson, Ithaca Fire Department Badge #755, joined 10/12/1903 and was
killed 12/07/1906 in a Cornell University Fraternity house fire ( The Chi Psi ).
Alfred is buried in Lake View Cemetery. Lake View Cemetery Co. Inc. is having financial
difficulty in yearly maintenance costs for the cemetery. They are seeking money for
mowing, trimming.
Would the Ithaca BFC consider donating $25 dollars or more for the up keep of a fellow
firemen who lost his life December 7, 1906 ?
Attached please fine the request and a Ithaca Journal article telling of the tragic fire.
Thank You,
Lyman Baker, IFD Badge #3258
Lake `view Cemetery co., 1 nc
P.O. Box 491
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14851 -0491
(607)277 -0802
Jim Diemond
Dear Friends and Family,
President
It's that time of year again that we would like to thank you for your generous
contributions last year. Your continued support helps pay for the maintenance and
up keep of the Lake View Cemetery. As a reminder, the Lake View Cemetery runs
Danielle Waight
totally n your donations and a voluntary work force to keep us going. We have
Vice President
made _any improvements to the care and up keep of the cemetery; the new Section
H of strictly cremations is complete and we are very proud of the work Scott
Goodrich has done for us. If you haven't been to the cemetery in the last couple of
years, please come and see it for yourself.
&WRY cormbid
Secretary
The cemetery has come a long way in the past few years, but without your help we
will never be able to carry on. We understand that hard times are upon all of us, but
please remember Lake View Cemetery this year and donate as much as you can.
We put every penny into the upkeep and improvement of the cemetery.
Diane Diemond
Treasurer
We would like to provide you with a weekly average breakdown of just the mowing
maintenance costs for the cemetery:
Mowing:
Gas: $90 /wk (30 gallons per mowing)
Scott Goodrich
Weed Eaters: $45 /wk (15 gallons per mowing)
'uperintendent
Tractor: $45 /wk (15 gallons per mowing)
Total $180 /wk
The amount of $180 /wk reflects just the cost of fuel needed to maintain the
R. Jack Bacon cemetery. This does not include what we have to spend on grass seed, parts and
Board Member supplies to keep the mowing up and running on a weekly basis. We would love
to plant new trees, junipers, pines and get rid of all the sumac trees that cause so
much damage to the cemetery, but financially we are unable to do this. If at all
possible, please try to adopt a week or more worth of mowing, weed eating and
Dino Marinos supplies at cost of $200 per week. Any donations and all donations are a great help.
Board Member
We are still in need of Lot owners to help manage the operations of the cemetery by
serving on the Board. In addition we are always in need of volunteers to work in
Fleet Morse the cemetery. If you are interested please contact the Secretary, Sonny Carubia via
Board Member e-mail at Sonrael3gaol.com or by telephone at (607)277 -1425.
I would also like to invite you to our annual Lot owners meeting which will be held
Diane Harrison on May 16, 2010 at the Cemetery office, 605 East Shore Drive, at 2:OOp.m. Please
Board Member come and join us.
Please take the time and make a donation today. Your tax deductible donations are
greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
1-- r-D.,l
m Diemond
resident
---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - --
Please help the continued efforts to maintain a private cemetery as opposed to
bec ming a state run cemetery.
( $ O $50 ( ) $75 ( ) $100
( ) $250 ( ) $500.00 ( )$1000-00 () Other $
Name:
Address:
City, State & Zip: Z f %
FIRER HTER MEMORIAL
ca 9 s. brav
From left, Ithaca Am Department De SIMON WHITI R / Scar Plato
Wheaton hold a brief �Y �� Chief Tom Dorman, retired vohutteer firefighter Lyman fiaker ,f� Chief Ray
ceremony Mondatr of duty.
Monday was the Wilyd amiv rof the fke at l hoass of lour lrefl tars.
1FD remembers 3 killed in 1906 fraternity blaze
Msaverurb ra
scam
Staff Water
ITHACA— Afewhardysouls
braved the early morning frost
Monday to pay tribute to those
who lost their lives braving fines.
ActingFire CbWT Nomas Dor-
man joined retired Fire ChiefLy-
man Baker and Assistant Fire
Chief Raymond B. Wheaton Jr.
at the Ithaca City Cemetery to
layawreathatthememorialcom
memorating all Ithaca firefight-
ers who have died in the line of
duty.
The ceremony was held on the
103rd anniversary ofthe biggest
tragedy ever to befall the Itha-
ca Fire Department -- the 1906
fire at Cornell University's Chi
Psi fraternity house that kilted
four students andthreefirefight-
ers.
Volunteer firefighters Esty J.
Landon, 34, Alfred S. Robinson,
30 and john C. Rumsey, 23, were
crushedtodeathwhenoneofthe
building's cornice:, fell. Robinson
saw the cornice falling and tried
to pull Esty and Landon out of
the way.
Their names are carved in a
memorial stone alongside the
large firefighter monument. It
was dedicated three years ago in
a ceremony attended_bq mem-
bersofthechilsifraternity,who
continue to recognize the tragi0
event throughout chapters na-
tionwide.
Wheaton and Baker have re-
turned every year since, and said
they will continue to do so.
Thomas Gerald Ryer A 53,
another Ithacia firefighter killed
in the line of uty, is also memo.
rialized on the stone. In 1893,Ry-
erson was accidentally run over
by a team ofhorses, driven by his
son, as he was trying to hook up
anotherteemo(horsestoasteam-
er.
During the Weeremony on
Mondtq,. I4yatn read from the
memosiill's inscription, which
says: "Enter -love bath no one
than tl* that he lay down his life
for biro Aiends."
th'W all those who have giv-
en up anon lives in service.
"We know these are tough
times for many in this communi-
ty, but it was more difficult for
thesef aniiteswholosttheirsons,''
he added.
REQUEST TO AMEND § 348 -20 of the City of Ithaca Code
Whereas, The Ithaca Fire Department has been approached by property owners of one and two
family homes to install a residential fire sprinkler system in their home, and
Whereas, The Board of Fire Commissioners and the Ithaca Fire Department encourages the
installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in homes, and
Whereas, § 348 -20 of the City of Ithaca Code, Standpipes and automatic sprinklers, requires
that "All such pipes must be provided with a suitable valve outside of the building which shall
be under the exclusive control of the Board (Board of Public Works) ", and
Whereas, this is interpreted by the plumbing inspector that a separate service line is required
to be brought into the building so the domestic water can be shut off separate from the fire
sprinkler service if someone doesn't pay their water bill, and
Whereas, the cost of installing separate water service to a building is an expensive component
of a residential sprinkler system, and
Whereas, under the Residential Building Code of New York State, a fire sprinkler system is
permitted to be installed and under a specific configuration to be attached to the domestic
water service after it enters the building, and now therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Board of Fire Commissioners ask the Board of Public Works and the Common
Council to amend City of Ithaca Code § 348 -20. [Standpipes and automatic sprinklers] to allow
for a residential fire sprinkler system installed in one and two family occupancies to be exempt
from this section of the code.