HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2015-02-10CITY OF ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES
February 10, 2015
Present:
Chair Gilligan
Commissioners: Ellsworth, Sparks, Hoard
Others Present:
Fire Chief – Parsons
Information Management Specialist – Myers
Excused:
Alderperson and Liaison to Board – Fleming
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 1607 hours.
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of the January 13, 2015 Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Ellsworth: Seconded Commissioner Sparks
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 13, 2015 Board of Fire Commissioners
meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda:
Chair Gilligan requested the addition of an item under New Business entitled “Request
to Use Steamer in St. Patrick's Day Parade in Binghamton on March 7, 2015”
No Board Member Objected
Persons Wishing to Speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners:
Mr. Lyman Baker provided the following report to the Board:
Re: Work hours in Firemen’s section of the City of Ithaca Cemetery
Dear Board members,
Raymond B. Wheaton and Lyman E. Baker have patrolled the Firemen’s Section in the
Ithaca City cemetery for a total of 3 hours each during the Month of January 2015 and
February 10, 2015.
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
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Respectfully submitted,
Lyman E. Baker,
IFD Badge #3258
Correspondence:
Chair Gilligan reported that the bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company for the
donation fund dated January 31, 2015 had a beginning balance of $2,801.61 and an
ending balance of $2,801.61 reflecting no activity.
Chair Gilligan further reported that the bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company
for the Rescue Squad Donation fund dated January 31, 2015 had a beginning balance
of $1,844.67, and an ending balance of $1,844.79; it earned 12 cents interest.
Chair Gilligan noted that the annual tax report form for the Rescue Squad Donation
Fund for 2014 had been duly reported to IRS.
Membership Changes:
Chair Gilligan reported that there were no new membership applications to consider this
month.
Miscellaneous Reports:
Town of Ithaca: Chair Gilligan reported that he attended the February 9, 2015 Town of
Ithaca Board meeting, where he provided the (attached) quarterly report for the Board.
He noted that one item came up after he had given the report. It regarded the capital
project approved by the City of Ithaca for a pumper truck; the Town Supervisor reported
that he was not aware of the capital project request.
Chief Parsons responded that no action would be taken by the City on the purchase of a
new pumper truck until there is a new contract in place with the Town of Ithaca.
City of Ithaca:
Commissioner Hoard stated that he needed additional information from the department
before he could provide his quarterly report to the City of Ithaca.
Audit: The audit was reviewed and completed by Commissioner Ellsworth
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
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Department Reports:
Fire Chief Parsons highlighted the following items from his monthly report (which will be
attached to the minutes):
The department is fully staffed currently; until Asst. Chief LaBuff retires on February 22,
2015. He has been with the department for 40 years and will be greatly missed.
Two new fire fighters were hired January 20, 2015 to fill vacancies left by two
retirements.
Interviews will be conducted this week for Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Lieutenant
candidates.
January 2015 Statistics:
About 30 calls behind from 2014 (January 2014 had flooding)
Over the years statistics between the Town of Ithaca and City of Ithaca for calls have
changed; previously the City had 80% of the calls, the Town less than 20%. At the end
of 2014, the Town had about 29% of the calls. For January the Town of Ithaca calls
were 33% of the total. So, the call volume is leveling out for a community of their size.
15% of calls came in at the same time as other calls for the department, and a couple
weekends ago there were 3 calls at once.
Commissioner Sparks questioned whether the changes for response to calls
implemented at the 9-1-1 Center would affect the statistics for the City and Town.
Chief Parsons responded that the department’s response is based upon the need for
service, and the department is not responding to calls that are clearly non-life
threatening. The new response plan has seen the department responding to fewer
medical calls; however, the EMS calls are still growing more than the population with
the ambulance being a very necessary service in the community.
Commissioner Hoard arrived at 1619 hours.
Chief Parsons further noted that, nationwide, emergency care is becoming strained;
based upon the higher demand, and the need for greater efficiency with less staff.
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
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Fire/Police Report:
Mr. David Cornelius was unable to attend the meeting; however, he provided the
following report for the Board:
Fire Police training was held on January 20, 2015. The topic was OSHA Blood Bourne
Pathogens.
The Fire Police Unit, Jack Gould, provided traffic control for an accident on Rte. 13 near
Enfield Falls Road.
Our next training is scheduled for Tuesday February 17, 2015. The topic is CPR -
training/refresher course.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Cornelius
Old Business:
Volunteer Recruitment Items/Issues:
Chair Gilligan reported that the two new volunteer fire fighters have been provided with
their gear and will start training on February 14, 2015 at the fire department training
center.
New Business:
Resolution Authorizing Use of 1896 Steamer by the Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters
Association
By Commissioner Sparks: Seconded by Commissioner Ellsworth
WHEREAS, members of the Ithaca Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, I.P.F.F.A.
have requested to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Binghamton, New York on
Saturday, March 7th, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the members of the I.P.F.F.A participating in the parade will be off duty
during the parade; and,
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association, I.P.F.F.A, has requested
the use of the 1896 American LaFrance Steamer to be pulled in the parade; and,
WHEREAS, the I.P.F.F.A will hire a team of horses and driver to pull the Steamer in the
Parade; and,
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
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WHEREAS, the Steamer is currently housed and on-display under the stewardship of
the Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Association (IVVFA) at their facility on the
Elmira Road under the terms of a long-term agreement between the Board of Fire
Commissioners and the IVVFA, and
WHEREAS, transportation of the Steamer to and from Binghamton will be done by off-
duty personnel using an appropriate gooseneck trailer and truck not affiliated with the
Fire Department; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners of the City of Ithaca hereby
approves the I.P.F.F.A request to use and display the 1896 American LaFrance
Steamer on March 7, 2015, in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Binghamton, NY; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the I.P.F.F.A will coordinate with the Ithaca Veteran Volunteer
Firemen's Association to make arrangements to pick up the Steamer at a mutually
agreeable time within the week preceding the parade and return it to the IVVFA Elmira
Road facility sometime during the week following the parade, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the I.P.F.F.A shall be financially responsible for all costs, including
but not limited to liability insurance, for any damages to the steamer, for the team of
horses and their driver.
Chair Gillian read the request from the Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association
(IPFFA) to the Board for the record:
“On behalf of the membership of the IPFFA, I would like to formally request the use of
IFD’s 1896 LaFrance Steamer for the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Parade in Binghamton,
Saturday March 7, 2015. If use of the Steamer is approved, the Union will bear all
financial responsibilities for hiring of the horse team and driver to pull the Steamer, to
and from Binghamton by off-duty personnel using an appropriate gooseneck trailer and
truck NOT affiliated with the Fire Department, and any required liability insurance for the
Steamer. Essentially, this is a repeat performance of last years St Patrick’s Day parade
which was well received by all in attendance.
Currently, the many aspects of the planning for this event are in place and solidified.
Thanks to the efforts of Tom Basher, many of the details of this event are already
defined, such as: the parade permit has been submitted and based on last years
positive reviews, the parade organizers have repositioned our group closer to the front;
additional green ties have been ordered to ensure all personnel marching will proudly
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
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represent the Irish heritage; there are roughly 18 members that have verbally committed
to marching in the parade; Aimee Shaughnessy, the owner of the two black Percheron
horses, is locked in for the event and excited to rejoin our group; and the Binghamton
FD has once again graciously offered space within their Central Fire Station so that we
can store the Steamer inside Friday night where it will be out of the weather and
secured. As was the case last year, the plan is to return the Steamer to Ithaca at the
conclusion of the parade on Saturday.
Please accept my apology for this late request. I was under the impression that the Fire
Chief would be presenting this request to the Board of Fire Commissioners on the
Unions’ behalf as he had done last year for the two parades, but I have reasons to
believe that is not the case. Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance at tonight’s
meeting due to a previously scheduled family event.
Lastly, I’d like to further extend the invitation to any Veteran Fireman or Company 9
member who has yet to receive the invite. Tom Basher has reached out to several
members of both organizations to extend the invite with the hopes of having their
involvement. Should there be any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to
call or email at your earliest convenience. I look forward to hearing the Board of Fire
Commissioners’ decision on this request.
Sincerely,
Trevor M. Peyus, President
Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association
IAFF Local 737
Commissioner Sparks expressed his support for the request; especially since all the
costs will be paid by the Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association. He further noted
that having the liability insurance on the steamer is good, unfortunately the steamer is
irreplaceable.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the insurance coverage for the steamer, and
the need to make sure the invitation to participate in the parade is shared with all the
members of both the Veteran Volunteer Fire Association and Company #9. Chief
Parsons stated that if members of Company #9 wish to attend, they can make a request
to use a department vehicle for travel to and from Binghamton.
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes February 10, 2015
7
Chair Gilligan stated that he spoke with Trevor Peyus, and other members interested in
participating in the upcoming “Ithaca Festival” parade (including members from the
Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Company #9). He discussed the need
with Mr. Peyus for the IPFFA to pay something towards the cost of participation in the
parade. He noted that last year the Board was not as willing to cover the cost
associated with the parade, and that may be true again this year. He would encourage
everyone to support the department’s participation in the “Ithaca Festival” parade, and
to seek donations to cover the costs.
Chief Parsons stated that he was very proud to be part of the “Ithaca Festival” parade
last year, and expressed his thanks to the members who participated in the parade.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
Adjournment:
On a motion the meet adjourned at 1642 hours.
______________________________ _______________________________
Sarah L. Myers William Gilligan
Information Management Specialist Chair
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of Fire Commissioners
From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief
Date: February 10, 2015
Re: Fire Chief’s Monthly Report to the Board of Fire Commissioners
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Administration
1) Career Personnel Report
PERSONNEL STAFFING LEVELS
1 Chief
1 Deputy Chief (per diem)
6 Assistant Chiefs
8 Lieutenants
47 Fire Fighters
63 Uniform Personnel
1 Administrative Coordinator
Total employees as of November 30th, 2014 – 63
a) Vacancies
There are currently no vacancies
b) Retirements:
Assistant Chief Lee Labuff will be retiring on February 22nd, 2015, after 40
years of service to the Ithaca Fire Department
c) Hiring/Promotions
Page 2 of 4 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report February 10th, 2015
On January 4th, 2015, Firefighter Gary Farwell was promoted to Fire
Lieutenant.
On January 20th, 2015: Louisa Cushman Goodsell and Robert Shepherd
started work with the Ithaca Fire Department. They fill vacancies caused by
the retirements of Firefighter Michael St. Denis, and Lt Roy Trask.
I will be interviewing Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Lieutenant candidates this
week in anticipation of the retirement of Assistant Chief Labuff.
2) Budget Status
a) 2014 Budget: Budget Summary – see accompanying report
3) County Communications and 911 Programs:
a) No Report
4) Grants and Donations
a) The 2014 Assistant to Firefighters Grant Application was submitted on December
5th, 2014. The grant request is to fund the replacement of our 15 year old Self
Contained Breathing Apparatus. We expect a response to our application
sometime this spring or early summer.
LIFE SAFETY DIVISION
Fire Prevention Bureau
1) Code Enforcement Division: The following is a list of November Activities -
Complaints Received: 14
Referred to the City Building Division 10
Referred to the Town of Ithaca 1
Investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau 3
Inspections: 65
City Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 49
Town Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 3
City - Sprinkler Inspections 5
City - Alternative Fire Protection Systems 1
City - Fire Alarm Inspection 7
Page 3 of 4 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report February 10th, 2015
City - Standpipe Flow Test 0
City – Fire Pump Flow Test 0
Permits or Certificates: 26
Operating Permit – Assembly Occupancy 8
Operating Permit – Hazardous Occupancy 0
Operating Permit – Lumber Yard 0
Operating Permit – Elevator 1
Operating Permit – Fireworks 0
Certificate of Compliance - Occupancy 11
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Alarm 5
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Sprinkler 0
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Pump 0
Certificate of Compliance – Fire Standpipe 0
Certificate of Compliance - Alternative Suppression 1
2) Fire Investigation Unit:
There were no fire investigations performed by the Fire Investigation Team in January.
3) Public Education and Special Events
Public Education Events: 0
Fire Drills Witnessed: 0
Child Safety Seat Inspections: 6
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Response
1) January 2015 Responses - 394 Incidents
City of Ithaca: 258 Incidents (65.48%)
Fires: 7
Overpressure/Rupture 1
EMS/Rescue: 100
Hazardous Conditions: 17
Service Calls: 24
Good Intent: 26
Alarms/No Fires: 83
Severe Weather: 0
Town of Ithaca: 133 Incidents (33.76%)
Fires: 0
Page 4 of 4 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report February 10th, 2015
Overpressure/Rupture 0
EMS/Rescue: 89
Hazardous Conditions: 3
Service Calls: 5
Good Intent: 15
Alarms/No Fires: 21
Severe Weather: 0
Mutual Aid: 3 Incident (0.76%)
Fires: 0
Overpressure/Rupture 0
EMS/Rescue: 0
Hazardous Conditions: 0
Service Calls: 2
Good Intent: 1
Alarms/No Fires: 0
Severe Weather: 0
Simultaneous Incidents: 59 incidents (15%)
2) Emergency Management : No Report
3) Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report
Support
1) Training
Quarterly Report
2) Training Center
Quarterly Report
3) Apparatus and Facilities
No Report
Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
1) Summaries of Service Hours: Quarterly Report
2) There are currently 17 Active Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Police
3) Requests from Company Members to become active: None
Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Ithaca Town Board
February 9, 2015
The following is a summary of the Board of Fire Commissioners quarterly report to the Ithaca
Town Board for the fourth quarter of 2014.
Included with this report are:
The Fire Chief’s Report given at the January 13, 2015 BFC meeting. This includes the
Fire Marshal’s Report & Fire Prevention Bureau activity.
The department call activity reports for January 1- December 31, 2014. Total calls 5,164.
The financial operations summary through December 31, 2014.
Fire Department Operational Staffing (December 31, 2014).
As of December 31, 2014 the active Fire Fighting staffing totaled 61 (on duty staffing- 1
Chief, 6 Assistant Chiefs, 7 lieutenants, & 46 Fire Fighters) plus 1 Deputy Chief on per
diem. In addition there is 1 Administrative Coordinator for a total of 62 personnel.
As of December 31, there are 2 vacant positions in the Department – A current fire
fighter will be promoted to fill the open Lieutenant position in January and 2 new fire
fighters will be hired in January.
Capital Projects
2015 Capital budget includes replacement of 1 fire engine.
2014 Fire Department Budget – The department finished 2014 approximately 100,000 under
budget.
2015 Fire Department Budget - The Department operating budget for 2015 is approximately
20,000 lower than the 2014 budget.
Board Agendas & Minutes for 2014
The BFC meeting agendas and minutes have been posted on the City Website. Agenda’s for
meetings in 2014 can be found on the City’s website under the section for the Board of Fire
Commissioners. The link to all available minutes (dating back to October 1987) :
https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=297404&dbid=13
Volunteer Program Development
Two volunteers will begin training February 14, 2015 to become active members in the
department as class I interior firefighters. A third volunteer has completed his scene support
training and will provide fire ground support. (Attached is a copy of the interior fire fighter
training schedule).
The Fire Police hold monthly training sessions and the interior volunteers participate in training
with the career staff.
The draft volunteer handbook will be reviewed and revised in 2015. An effort is underway for a
more active recruitment campaign to begin in 2015.
Other Items & Items in progress:
1 The department call activity was somewhat higher than in previous years. Technical
Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Ithaca Town Board
February 9, 2015
issues with the County 911 system precluded implementing the proposed new protocol
to reduce the number of non-life threatening EMS calls that the department is dispatched
to. Upgraded software for the system, may make it possible to implement the changes in
protocol in 2015.
2 Charter Review- the BFC continues to review and discuss changes in the charter relating
to the role and responsibilities of the Board of Fire Commissioners. We anticipate
working with the Common Council’s City Administration committee on this issue.
3 Resource recovery/False Alarm Policy – Currently on hold following preliminary review
with the City Attorney.
4 County Fire-Disaster – EMS Advisory Board– no new action on this issue.
5 Training Center Facility Project – this is still under consideration, no construction has
been authorized due to the training site being located on land designated as City Park
land.
6 City-Town Fire Service Contract - The Board of Fire Commissioners is concerned about
the organizational impact and impact on the Community served by the Ithaca Fire
Department if there is a significant change in the current agreement between the City and
the Town.
7 There has been a vacancy on the Board since January 2014 .
Highlights for 2014: Commissioners – Ellsworth (Town), Hoard (City), Gilligan (Town), Sparks
(City), 1 Vacancy- (City) .
Line Staffing: Assistant Chief /Training officer filled by promotion of R. Tracy. The lieutenant
position in the Fire Prevention Bureau was reclassified as an Assistant Chief /Fire Marshall
position – filled by G. Haines-Sharp. There were 3 vacant positions in the department at the
beginning of the year and 3 retirements in 2014 – (2 FireFighters and 1 Lt.) . Four new fire
fighters were hired in 2014 and 2 vacancies at the end of 2014 were filled with 2 new recruits
that started in January 2015. The vacant Lieutenant position was filled by promotion of G.
Farwell. There is a pending retirement (Feb. 2015) of Asst. Chief LaBuff.
Apparatus/Equipment – a new water/ice rescue rigid hull inflatable boat was acquired by in June.
Notable incidents - major and prolonged flooding in sections of Ithaca in January 2014. Truck
crash into Simeon’s Restaurant.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Gilligan
Chair, Board of Fire Commissioners
City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Common Council
Summary of Calendar Year 2014
The following is a summary of the Board of Fire Commissioners meetings and
actions during the 2014 Calendar Year. It includes summaries of certain Fire
Department activities during that year. If additional information is desired, the
Board’s monthly meeting minutes and the Fire Chief’s monthly reports to the Board
are available on the City web site under Boards and Committees, Board of Fire
Commissioners. The Department’s Activity Reports of 2014 are attached to the 13
January 2014 Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes.
The year started with a very busy January. Calls to the Department exceeded any
January in the Department’s recorded history. There were over 400 incidents,
including eight structure fires. Heavy snowfall and resultant flooding at the north
side of the City resulted in significant personnel and equipment costs for the first
week and a half of the year. Fortunately the fires caused only moderate to slightly
more severe damage to property, and no fatalities. The auto‐carrier truck crash into
Simeon’s Restaurant in June, which resulted in a fatality and serious damage to the
building was an all‐hands event involving emergency personnel and other City
departments in a tragic and hazardous situation.
Volunteer Programs
Consolidation of volunteer companies into Company 9, which occurred in 2013,
appears to have been successful in its first full year.
Fire Police were active throughout the year, assisting at fire scenes, motor vehicle
accidents, downed electrical wires hazards, the flooding, and the Simeon’s scene,
keeping motorists, pedestrians, and curious onlookers away from these areas.
Fire Police have monthly training sessions, and Volunteer Interior Firefighters train
with the paid staff.
In February the Draft Volunteer Recruitment Handbook was reviewed with the City
Attorney. The Board will continue work on the Handbook in 2015, based on actual
experience with implementing the Draft Handbook on a test basis. An effort is
underway for a more active volunteer recruitment campaign in 2015.
The Board authorized the appointment of two new volunteers as members of
Company 9: John Ziegler and Benjamin Schaefer.
At the end of 2014 the Volunteer levels were 4 Active Volunteer Fire Fighters and 2
in training, and 10 Fire Police.
Paid Personnel Staffing
In January there were two new recruit hires and internal promotions, filling
vacancies from 2013. Lieutenant Rich Tracy was promoted to Assistant Fire
Chief/Training Officer, and Firefighter George Apgar II was promoted to Fire
Lieutenant, the position vacated by Lieutenant Tracy. Lieutenant Gillian Haynes–
Sharp was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshall in March, becoming the
first female shift commander in Department history. Firefighter Gary Farwell was
promoted to Lieutenant. Firefighter Shawn Flynn retired on 22 July, and Firefighter
Michael St. Dennis retired on 3 October.
As of December 31, 2014, the active firefighting staffing totaled 61 (on‐duty staffing:
1 Chief, 6 Assistant Chiefs, 7 Lieutenants, and 46 Firefighters), plus a full‐time
Administrative Coordinator and a Deputy Chief on per diem. In January 2015 a
current Firefighter will be promoted to fill an open Lieutenant position and 2 new
Firefighters will be hired.
2014 and 2015 Budgets
On 9 September the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Sutherland made a presentation to the
Board on the status of the 2015 budget. In the discussion Fire Chief Parsons noted
that improvements in infrastructure and equipment lag behind population growth
and deferred maintenance. One example is that in 2015 the Department will have
only three pieces of apparatus that are less than 15 years old. The available census
information does not reflect the growth in the City and Town in the past several
years; State aid is based at least in part on population, and therefore is not provided
commensurate with that growth. Chief Parsons and Chair Gilligan noted that shift
staffing of the Department is eleven personnel; at that level it becomes very difficult
for the Department to maintain required levels of service.
The Department finished 2014 approximately $100,000 under the budgeted amount
for that year. The 2015 Department operating budget is approximately $20,000 less
than the 2014 budget.
The Board is concerned about the organizational impact and impact on the
community served by the Ithaca Fire Department if there is significant change in the
current agreement between the City and the Town.
The Capital Budget for 2014 includes the replacement of one fire engine.
Other Items
On 9 September, the Board authorized transfer of $2,000 from the donation fund to
the Chief’s discretionary fund for needed small items. It also approved the
distribution of the 2% funds.
A $2,000 grant was received from the Triad Foundation in memory of former
Firefighter Alan Strickane. This grant will be used for equipment in the
Department’s service operations. A donation of $50 was received in memory of
former Firefighter Richard Lathrop, and $200 was received from NYSEG in
appreciation of the valuable assistance that the Department provides to NYSEG on a
regular basis; these two contributions will be posted to the donation fund.
The Board approved use of the Department’s antique steamer fire engine in the
Binghamton Saint Patrick’s Day parade, and in the Ithaca Festival Parade. At the
Ithaca Festival, Department personnel, volunteers, and Fire Police marched with the
steamer. The use of the steamer incurred no expenses for the City, but thrilled many
spectators in the parades and was great publicity for the Department.
A new water/ice rescue rigid inflatable boat was acquired in June.
There is a City vacancy on the Board (vacant since January 2014). The Board urges
that this vacancy be filled as soon as possible.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas D. Hoard
Vice Chairman
Board of Fire Commissioners
13 February 2015