HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2010-12-14ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 14, 2010
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
III. ADDITIONS /DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA '
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
A. Traffic Calming Devices — Wood /South Street
B. Fire Department Alarm Bell Thompson Park on Cayuga St.
C. City Charter Update
D. County Fire Advisory Board — Board status and representation from IFO
E. Guidelines for use of Donation Fund
F. Radios for Fire Police
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XII. ADJOURN
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
MINUTES
Present: Gilligan, Hoard, Kelly and Ellsworth ) 2- 0 °` r J
I. Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1804 hrs.
II. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Comm. Hoard to approve the
minutes of the October 12, 2010 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting.
Seconded by Comm. Kelly and approved unanimously.
III. Additions /Deletions to the Agenda:
Under Old Business:
Use of Donation Fund
Under New Business:
Resolution
IV. Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners:
Lyman Baker commented on the length of time that the traffic calming
devices on Wood and South street have been discussed by the Board with no
action by the City. He noted that it had been discussed for several years, even
before the current effort that dates back to 2007.
Lyle Neigh reported that he received a letter from the Tompkins County Clerk
indicating that his appointment to the County Fire Advisory Board was due to
end on December 31, 2010 and asked if he wished to be reappointed. Lyle
also reported that the Advisory Board had only met twice last year. He
indicated that he was interested in being reappointed and in the past this
reappointment recommendation had come from the Board of Fire
Commissioners. Dave Cornelius also received a similar letter that his term is
up at the end of December.
This matter will be discussed further under new busisness.
V. Correspondence:
Donations — Chair Gilligan reported that he clarified in a phone conversation
with Mr. Stanley Hawkins that his gift in memory of George Carver was a
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 2
general donation to the Department and not intended to be directed to the
MDA. The confusion arose because he had indicated that the contribution
was for the "Fill The Boot" fund raiser which in many Departments is used to
raise funds in support of the Department. In Ithaca, the paid fire fighters
union uses the "Fill the Boot" campaign as a fund raiser for the MDA.
Tyler Fire sent a note which included a $100 credit against a future purchase
in appreciation of having the Department as an excellent customer.
Statement from Tompkins Trust Donation Fund showed a balance of $462.82
as of October 31, 2010.
VI. Membership:
None
VII. Miscellaneous Reports:
Town — Met October 18, 2010 — Discussed BFC Commissioner vacancy,
2011 operating and capital equipment budget, as well as review of Department
call /activity reports — see written report in BOFC Minute Book.
City — None
Audit — Completed
VIII. Department Reports:
A. Acting Chief /Deputy Chief Report: (see complete written report in the Minute
Book). Acting Chief Tom Dorman offered highlights of his report and answered
questions as follows:
Personnel Staffing Levels:
1 Lieutenant retired
2 Fire fighters are on injury leave — The NY retirement system has made an
inquiry on one of them
1 AC is on extended sick leave. AC Lee LaBuff had open heart surgery. He looks
good and his spirits are good. The Department is now down to 4 AC's.
1 Fire fighter will be taking an extended leave of absence starting in February
2011 and ending sometime in 2012.
2 Firefighters will be retiring in December and replacements are unfunded.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 3
Acting Chief Dorman reported that the reduction in available staff will put the
Department in a difficult position with managing the overtime personnel budget.
He reported that as part of the effort to control overtime, they have started holding
the 3 hour staff meeting of officers every other month rather than every month.
The same has been done with the operations meeting.
YTD Expenditures are in line with the 2010 budget and the Department is hopeful
that overall that it will be under budget at the end of the year.
County Dispatch issues — the 911 /dispatch group (City and County
representatives) met on October 25, 2010. IFD, the Mayor and IPD talked about
problems and suggested solutions. A follow -up meeting scheduled for November
8, 2010 did not happen. The Dispatch Center will be installing a new CAD
(Automated Dispatch) system on December 61"
Grants and Donations — No Change in status- grant was awarded, but transfer of
funds has not occurred. Funding is for in- vehicle repeaters.
Training Center - There is partial funding. Money is still there. We have to
match the grant. DC Parsons explained that this is capital funding that we have
allocated.
Resource Recovery — Same —with City attorney for review.
City Charter Update — information sent previously to Alderman Dan Cogan.
Traffic Calming — Letter sent to Board of Public Works by Chair Gilligan
requesting review of devices.
Operations
A Shift was on duty the day of the basement fire on the Commons. IFD did an
excellent job in locating, containing, and putting out the fire. Three stores
(Petrunes, The Hemp Store and Brotchen) are still closed as a result of the fire.
Bids on the generator job for Station 6 have come in. They total $37,000. This
leaves the Department with money left over which is expected to be used for a
card entry swipe system on station doors and security cameras.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 4
Chair Gilligan asked if there is a date of completion. Acting Chief Dorman said
that they may need to re- execute a contract so the Department doesn't have a start
date yet.
Training — IFD hired Ednita Wright, PhD to conduct diversity training (4 — two
hour sessions for each shift). She will most likely be asked to return to do more
training in August 2011. The training received excellent feedback. Acting Chief
Dorman responded that Fire Police could attend this training as well.
B. Fire Prevention Bureau: (see complete written report in the Minute Book).
Deputy Chief Tom Parsons offered highlights of his report and answered
questions as follows:
Activity has been slowing down.
126 -128 State Street had a fire this month. It was ruled as accidental. The
Department responded to another fire this month that was small in nature and
intentionally set. Video surveillance caught the person and he was arrested.
Fire Boxes — 63 of the 225 boxes have been removed. The original letter sent out
to the customers stated that the transition would be complete by November 1,
2010. We are now looking at December 31, 2010. There area few property
owners that we haven't heard from yet.
C. Fire Police
Dave Cornelius stated that every third Tuesday will be the set meeting /training
night. Fire Police met briefly in September. Blood born pathogens will be
discussed at the next meeting /training session.
Acting Chief Dorman stated that he has received the State report on the Fire
Police and that AC Dan Tier has it.
Three of the Fire Police helped with the parade from 12:30 pm — 3:00 pm.
IX. Old Business
Donation Fund — Length of Service Award — Matching gifts for the City's length
of sevice recognition awards:
- AC Guy VanBenschoten — 35 Years - $75
- AC Mike Schnurle — 30 Years - $50
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 5
Comm. Kelly moved to match the gifts for length of service from the Donation
Fund. Comm. Hoard seconded. Voted unanimously.
X. New Business
Status of Fire Advisory Board — there was a discussion about the County Fire
Advisory Board. It was noted that this group has been relatively inactive over the
last several years. There was a discussion about the reasons for this and what the
role of the Advisory Board should be playing in the County.
There is also a County Chief's association that meets on a monthly basis and this
may be replacing some of the work originally intended to be done by the
Advisory Board in terms of addressing issues shared by all the County fire
departments. There was discussion about the appointment process with the
general feeling being that representation from the Ithaca Fire Department on the
Advisory Board should continue to go through the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Chair Gilligan stated that he would look further into the issue on the appointments
by the County and draft a letter, as appropriate regarding, the appointment of a
representative to the Advisory Board from the Ithaca Fire Department.
Turn Out Gear Resolution — National standards for fire fighter safety regarding
Turnout Gear require that it must be disposed of after 10 years from date of
manufacture regardless of condition. Lt. Chris O'Connor drafted a resolution to
cover current and future surplus disposal. In response to a question about whether
there was any market for selling this gear, Acting Chief Dorman explained that
no, there is not particularly because of the potential liability issue involved if the
gear is sold to another fire department. He said there may be a group in
Nicaragua that would be interested but a waiver of liability must be drawn up.
There are 4 rooms full of gear (boots, pants, etc.) that must be disposed of Ebay
is not an option for liquidating as this would also pose a liability issue.
Proposed Resolution
For adoption at the 09 Nov 10 Board of Fire commissioners meeting:
Whereas the Ithaca Fire Department has accumulated a large quantity of used personal
protective equipment (PPE), and whereas all of this equipment will never be issued to
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 6
members of the Ithaca Fire Department because it was all manufactured more than 10
years ago and thus must be retired in keeping with FFPA 1851 and
Whereas the Ithaca Fire Department shall continue to accumulate stocks of outdated PPE
every year, therefore let it
Be resolved that the above described equipment be declared surplus, that it be also
understood that future accumulations of outdated PPE shall also be surplus and that
The Ithaca Fire Department shall dispose of current and future accumulations of outdated
and surplus PP# in any legal and financially responsible manner as it sees fit to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher O'Connor
Fire Lieutenant
Comm. Hoard moved to approve resolution. Comm Kelly seconded. Voted
unanimously.
FASNY sent proclamation certificates to each Company. Companies 1, 2, 5, and
6 have representatives in attendance and can pick up their certificates at the close
of the meeting. The other companies will be notified that the certificates are
available. Company 8 has been inactive for many years and has no members,
Lyman Baker will take the certificate for this Company to be held by the Veteran
Firemen's Association.
Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1908 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy L. Flynn, Clerk
Board of Fire Commissioners
(Minutes will be reviewed at the December 14, 2010 meeting)
Monthly Report of the Fire Chief to the Board of Fire Commissioners, for the December 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
9 Lieutenants
50 Fire Fighters
66 On duty personnel
1 Fire Fighters 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 12/05/10 — 71.5
Open positions — Chief
Lieutenant Dave Burbank retired on 11/3/10 and two Fire Fighters will retire before the
end of the year. FF Lenore McGarry was granted a Performance of Duty Retirement. We
met with the Vacancy Review Committee on 12/13/10 to request hiring of two Fire
Fighters. I will provide a verbal report.
b) Recruitment Committee
No report
Fire Chief's Report for October 2010
2) Budget Status
3)
4)
5)
:01
a) Account balances for 2010 are included.
County Communications and 911 Program
14 DEC 10
Page 2 of 3
a) The County went "live" with the new Spillman CAD system on 12/6/10.
Although the County is working very hard to correct problems, there remain
significant difficulties especially on the Fire side of Dispatch. DC Parsons has
spent countless hours working to resolve issues with the new system.
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: The City Planning Committee is considering
this project at their December meeting.
Resource Recovery Legislation
No report
City Charter Update
I have forwarded the Board's report on Charter Revisions to Alderman Dan Cogan, Chair
of the Charter Revision committee. [same report as last month]
7) Traffic Calming
No updates
Operations
1) Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report
2) Selected Calls —
a) On 11/20/10, C Shift quickly extinguished a fire in the wall at 12 John St. The
cause of the fire was determined to be an improperly installed gas fireplace.
b) On 12/2/10, A Shift rapidly knocked down and extinguished a significant fire
at 414 Madison St. The building had extensive damage and the occupants had to
be relocated.
Fire Chief's Report for October 2010 14 DEC 10
Page 3 of 3
3) Support
No report
Fire Prevention Bureau
1) Please see Deputy Fire Chief Parson's report of Fire Prevention Bureau activities
Safety Section
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Response
1) Quarterly Call Report
2) Emergency Management
We continue research into the emergency response aspects associated with natural gas
well drilling. This work is for the entire County. [same report as last month]
Support
1) Training Center
a) Quarterly Report
Training
1) Quarterly Report
Recruitment and Retention
1) See DC Parsons report
2) Summaries of Service Hours:
Quarterly Report
Respectfully submitted,
J. Thomas Dorman, Acting Fire Chief
O
r
O
N
Of
w
m
W
O
z
U)
U
C
O5
cu
m
O
U
U
E
(6
O
W
O
m
O
W
a uadx P ^
P P 3 N I 1: to N v� LO
}uaoiad
co
O CO O
N W h
aJU DIb9 Cl) I O O
a
OOSZL °
long }saj 000411 I I o
o 0 o
� I OSbZI uol }gas I o° o0
} .c / a0l gas i o
-f
� OObZI uol }oag
dlysjagwaW
M O
U) OSU L P c
noaans 6ululoil
I I M
OOEZL Nv MR C,�4 COD P _
0 0
O d N P O
}l1aW06DUDW
^ I N
/oua6iaw � 3 LO
M
N h M O ° O �' IC-
v OSZZ L w h N^ I O
`n uol }0as }�oddn$ =� `� v M cv o v v ri
Cd
m
M oozzL �� LO
u01409S asuodsaa N
i M
CD
V N
N OSLZI M o a �! ° ^p
uo N l ( i I I I Co
Lo
Lo
C) O �
co co a a
OOLZL n3ain8 v
uol}uaAOAd Gild o
I I h
° ° P O O P N
M M 'O P O P M P Ln
o OSOZL 6uluuold o ^ o Lq o r M
'8 Uoi }DJ}SIUILUpV
o
sJagwnV o
lol�lolo
» l�Iol °I I °I I nlol �I �I olo o ^ o
}Un0 I-0
NO O O V P V O O O O v'J O O uJ O
N a P V M O ° O P O O LO o O O
co O O
C's o m N M O
4a6Pn8
O O
W
I^ I I 10
w LL v' cl I n �I wl nl I=
'al u
Q O O O U o i
I
�
o
U
N
N
O
O1
N
N
co
U
O
V
O
K
Ol
�
V
P
h
a
co
,NN
(1)
10
Ln
tA'
N
tf}
EH
V}
U) >,
C
of
>
cry
0
m
co
Q
a
co
N
O
c`)
N
o
V
10
N
N
C,
69-
b4
p
.d.
0\'}
OtA'
O
co
O
M
0 w
O
Z
O
w
w
N
v
�
N
O`O
r"
co
,—
^
'V
n
.o
�'
^
co
Off.
O
p0
co
b�N4
o
co
10
Go
Ln
_
F-�
69-
_
0
h
Ro
a
o
Ro
R
R
Ro
w
N
a
M
10
R
O
CNN
Ro
p
610\
N
N
O
O
O
O
CO
W
O
co
w
of
10
'�
10
M
O
CO
N
Ln
'LV
a
co
E—
C6
V
V)
Cli
O
�
N
N
`o
_
CV
cli
LU
=
N
O
W
O
00
O
O
O
-4
p
O
p
O
O
N
�
.p
b
V
w
0
O
tfl'
b09'
69-
O
th
^
O
O
Op
O
O
C.
A
10
m
o
N
°
�+
o
o
Lo
LO
h
10
o
ol
n
o
a
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
M
..::
Q ....':..
O
J
O
0
U
N
O
L
U
>
N
m
w ::':':':':'
O
N
LO
N
>
_O
O
tL
.�
C
Z .::: ":
w '..:::
O
O
T
)
O
D
U
O
N.
O
O
'::'::'::
Z
I
—
O
U
U
(
w
Q
O
Q
p
w
w :':::'.
!Y ::':;;':
I
p
06
O
cn
N
0
O
O
I
O
'L
�
O
O
w
N
O
O
c
o
N
O
U
U
U
cL
7U
I
'y
�
N :::�::
N I
ii
O
2
O
C
C
-C
O
O
N I
O
2
S
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
1 December 2010 Report to Common Council
1. Fire Department Budget
a. No increase in salaries - contracts under negotiation.
b. No funding for 2 firefighters who are retiring
c. Retiring lieutenant's position will be filled by moving a lieutenant from Codes
Enforcement back to shift assignment
d. Fire Chief position budgeted for % year, starting in July 2011 (Acting Chief Dorman to
retire in November 2011). Fire Chief Search Committee has not met as yet.
e. Alarm superintendent budgeted for 3/4 year; position scheduled to be eliminated in 4"'
quarter of 2011
f. Currently 2 firefighters our on disability leave, and 1 firefighter on administrative leave.
Acting Chief Dorman is trying to recruit two firefighters; one to cover for a leave of
absence and one to have available if an opening comes up,
g. Assistant Chief Lee LeBuff is on medical leave after recent heart surgery. We do not
know his return date.
2. Personnel Changes
a. Lieutenant Dave Burbank, the voice of the Fire Department has retired after almost 25
years with the Department. You'll still see him around town with a huge camera, and see
his amazing photographs in the Ithaca Journal and elsewhere.
b. Firefighters Carl Smith and Tom Whitmore are retiring in December. Tom started with
the Department in 1986 and Carl in 1990.
3. Fire Advisory Board (Tompkins County Fire, Disaster, and EMS Advisory Board). Lysle
Neigh reported that this board has been inactive for years, and has requested that the Board
of Fire Commissioners and Common Council request reactivation by the County.
4. Wood and South Street Traffic Calming Devices. The Board of Fire Commissioners has
written to the Board of Public Works to request removal or modification of traffic calming
devices.
December 7, 2010 at the Ithaca City cemetery at eight fifteen AM. It was 27
degrees, light snow falling and windy.
Raymond Wheaton, Danny Wheeler, Harry Ellsworth, Lyman Baker and Jean
Baker, observed a moment of silence for the three firemen that were killed
December 7, 1906 at the Chi Psi Fraternity and one paid teamster that was run
over by his team of horses. Plus the four brothers of the Chi Psi Fraternity.
Lyman Baker read the 23 Psalm, The Lord is my shepherd and then Raymond
Wheaton read the names of Firefighters who died in 2010. They are
Howard Teeter-- - - - - -- 12/17/2009
Ray Foote------- - - - - -- -2/11 /2010
Frank J. Morgan - - - - -- 2/13/2010
Gordon R. Wilkinson- 2/17/2010
Joseph N. Bronkay --- 3/22/2010
Joseph M. Salino ------ 4/13/2010
Joseph F. Jamarusty -- 9/27/2010
Joseph F. Longo--- - - - -11 /12/2010
Robert Michnor --------- Career Firefighter
President Theodore Roosevelt sent condolences from the White House.
Alfred Slater Robinson - -- IFD Company 3 - -IFD Badge #755 - Joined 10/12/1903
John Cooper Rumsey --- IFD Company 4 - -IFD Badge # 428- Joined 12/8/1902
Estes J. Landon - -IFD Company 5 - -IFD Badge # 649- Joined 11 A 0/1902
Thomas G. Ryerson IFD Company 2- - -Paid Teamster -IFD.
Danny Wheeler, Past C in C of the Sons Of Union Veterans played Taps.
The FireFighters Monument is located off Cornell Avenue and University Avenue
in the City of Ithaca.
The Chi Psi can be viewed on your computer on PDF: The Cornell Fire story.
By,
Lyman Baker, December 7, 2010
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
December 14th, 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 November 2010.
Code Enforcement Division:
The Codes Enforcement Division received 16 complaints in the month November. There
were 3 complaints forwarded to the City of Ithaca Building Department. There were 30
complaints closed out, and 16 complaints remain open for November and previous
months.
The Code Enforcement Division performed 116 Fire Safety and Property Maintenance
Inspections or Re- inspections. The division also witnessed 14 Fire Alarm Tests, 1 Fire
Pump Commissioning Test witnessed, 2 Alternative Fire Suppression Tests witnessed;
and 7 Hydrostatic Sprinkler System Tests witnessed. There were 247 violations cited.
The Code Enforcement Division issued: 19 operating permits for assembly occupancies;
15 certificates of compliance for fire and property maintenance inspections; 1 operating
permit of a hazardous occupancy; 2 certificates of compliance for alternative fire
suppression systems; and 7 certificates of compliance for a fire alarm system.
Fire Investigation Unit:
There were two fire investigations performed in November. The first was for a fire that
occurred at 12 John St in the Town of Ithaca. The cause of the fire was improperly
installed chimney. The second investigation was for a brush fire that occurred at 1221
Trumansburg Road in the Town of Ithaca. The fire investigation was forwarded to the
Department of Environmental Conservation, as the cause of the fire involved open
burning that was not supervised by the resident.
Public Education:
There were 4 Child Safety Seat Inspections; 2 Fire Drills Witnessed; and 3 Public
Education Activities performed; by the department in November.
`An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification."
4L 00
Fire Marshal's Report for November 2010— Page 2
Municipal Box Alarm System
As of this date, about 75 of 225 Municipal Fire Alarm Boxes have been removed from
service. The process continues to take much longer than we had expected. The deadline
for property owners to have their fire alarms to be disconnected from the system has been
extended until January 13th 2011.
Respectfully Submitted,
l
C Thomas Parsons
Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Marshal