HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2015-03-10Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 10,2015
Present:
Chair Gilligan
Commissioners: Ellsworth, Sparks, Hoard
Others Present:
Chief Parsons
lnformation Management Specialist - Myers
Excused:
Alderperson/Liaison Fleming
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of the February 10, 2015 Boa of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes -
Resolution
Minutes were not distributed prior to meeting; they will be placed on the April agenda for
approval.
Additions to or Deletions from the Aqenda:
None
Person k e Board of Fire Commissioners:
Mr. Lyman Baker provided the following report for the Board:
Re. Work hours in City of lthaca Cemetery
Dear Board members,
Raymond B. Wheaton and Lyman E. Baker have patrolled the Firemen's section in the lthaca
City cemetery for a total of 3 hours each.
The headstones are quite impressive with 3 foot of snow on their tops.
Submitted by,
Lyman E. Baker-lFD #3258
Correspondence:
Chair Gilligan reported that the bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company for the donation
fund dated February 28,2015 had a beginning balance of $2,801.61 and an ending balance of
$2,801 .6'1 reflecting no activitY.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 1607 hours
Board of Fire Commissioner l\reeting Minutes Ilrarch 10, 20'15
Membership Chanoes:
Chair Gilligan reported that there have been no new applications for membership or changes in
volunteer status.
Miscellaneous Reports:
Town of lthaca: No report
Qjlyglllbala: No report
Awlili The monthly audit was reviewed and approved by Commissioner Ellsworth
Deparlment Reports:
Fire Chief Parsons' monthly report will be attached to the minutes. He provided the following
highlights from the report for the Board:
Retirements:
Assistant Chief Lee Labuff retired on February 24,2015, after 40 years of service to the lthaca
Fire Department.
Promotions:
Fire Lieutenant Robert Covert ll was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief on March 10, 2015. The
promotion fills the vacancy caused by Assistant Chief Labuff's retirement.
Firefighter James Wheal was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on March 10, 201 5. The promotion
fills the vacancy caused by Lt. Covert's promotion.
Tompkins County 9-1-1 Center has updated its communications systems and paging system
The updates will allow for more streamlined paging and fewer tones being transmitted when
dispatching any particular department.
Tompkins County 9-1-1 Center has installed a new recording system that will allow for better
auditing and review of incidents. The recording system was funded by a NYS grant.
This new recording system will make it easier and quicker for the lthaca Fire Department to
listen to the transcripts for their calls, so they can review them, and make improvements where
needed
Fire PreventionEueall
There are a lot of inspections taking place, and staff is gearing up for a very busy construction
season this year; it will be one of the busiest.
Fire investigations, there were no major fires in February
The call volume for January and February was busier by about 20 calls than the same time last
year; even though there have been no flooding problems as in 2014.
2
Chair Gilligan further reported that the bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company for the
Rescue Squad Donation fund dated February 28, 2015 had a beginning balance of $1,844.79;
and an ending balance of $1,844.90 reflecting .11 earned in interest.
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes March 10, 2015
3
Commissioner Ellsworth questioned whether the city is prepared for the ice thawing in creeks
due to a couple of warmer days this week. Fire Chief Parsons responded that city staff met this
morning, and will meet on weekly basis depending upon the rate of thaw. He further reported
that a climatologist in Binghamton explained to staff that warm weather does not necessarily
cause ice jams, it depends upon rain and warm weather. If the average daily temperature goes
above 42 we are more likely to experience ice jams. If the average daily temperature stays in
the 30's like today, and then gets cold at night (like maple syrup weather - gradual
thawing/freeze) then no jams would be anticipated. Right now, a lot of the ice is covered by
snow, once the sun hits it that should help with a gradual thawing.
Chief Parsons further reported that right now city staff is making preparations in case there is a
need to respond to an ice jam event, and they are monitoring the conditions at each creek.
They are hoping that the lake ice will thin out and thaw so that if the ice breaks away in the
creeks it will have a place to go. In addition, the City’s Water & Sewer Department is better
prepared than last year to use hoses to send effluent water through pipes to the streams to help
the ice melt, if needed. That process works well for Cascadilla Creek, but not so good for the
other creeks in the city.
Chief Parsons reported that Volunteer Fire Fighter Hayton had planned to take the Fire Fighter I
class; however, due to an injury he will have to postpone training until a later date. He might be
able to provide scene support if needed.
Chair Gilligan asked if any training was scheduled for the fire/police unit; Chief Parsons
responded not at this time.
Fire/Police Report:
Mr. David Cornelius provided the following report for the Board:
Fire Police training was held on February 17, 2015. The topic was annual CPR refresher
practice.
The Fire Police Unit was activated to provide traffic control at a house fire on North Cayuga
Street on March 6th. Rob Longo, Lyman Baker, Jack Gould, Jim Rogers, and Dave Cornelius
responded. The Unit was also requested by IPD on March 4, 2015 for traffic control on Fulton
Street due to a malfunction of the train crossing signals. Ray Canzler, Rob Longo, Jim Rogers,
Lyman Baker, Jack Bordoni, Jack Gould and Dave Cornelius responded to Central Station for
assignment. The call was cancelled, by IPD, prior to the unit leaving Central.
Our next training is scheduled for Tuesday March 17, 2015. The topic has not yet been
determined.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Cornelius
Board of Fire Commissioner Meeting Minutes March 10,2015
Executive Session:
No executive session was needed
Adiournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1625 hours
Sarah L. Myers
lnformation Management Specialist
William Gilligan
Chair
4
Old Business:
Volunteer Recruitment ltems/lssues:
Chair Gilligan reported that the Central New York Volunteer Firemen's Association is organizing
their annual recruitment event for the end of April. Company #9 had some discussion about the
event, but no discussion about a formal recruitment effort at that time. They feel that people
interested in becoming volunteers need to understand completely what the process entails to
become an active volunteer member. ln some cases the training occurs fairly soon after
recruitment; other times training may not occur for some time. He and the members of
Company #9 would like to meet with the Fire Chief to discuss training, the volunteer firemen's
handbook, and the recruitment process. He doubts there will be anything in place by the end of
April for the event noted above. A recruitment push should be made for volunteers to become
interior fire fighters and to provide scene support. ln addition, recruitment for volunteers for the
fire/police unit is needed.
New Business:
There was no new business on the agenda for discussion.
CITY OF ITHACA
310 West Green Sreet lthaca, New York 14810-1497
OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEI:
Telephone: 6o7n72-1234 bt>r: 6o7272'2793
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of Fire Commissioners
From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief
Date: March 10th,2015
Re: Fire Chief s Monthly Report to the Board of Fire Commissioners
ADMINISTRATIVE DTVISION
Administration
1)Career Personnel Report
PERSONTNEL STAFFING LEVELS
Chief
Deputy Chief (per diem)
Assistant Chiefs
Lieutenants
Fire Fighters
Uniform Personnel
1 Administrative Coordinator
Total employees as of February 28th,2015 - 63
a) Vacancies
As of Feburary 28th,2015 there is one vacancy for Assistant Fire Chief
1
1
5
8
47
62
a
b)Retirements:
o Assistant Chief Lee Labuff retired February 24th5 2015, after 40 years of
service to the Ithaca Fire Department
c) Hiring/Promotions
I
Page2 of 5 - Fire Chief s Monthly Report March 10th,2015
Fire Lieutenant Robert covert II was promoted to Assistant Fire chief on
March 10th, 2015. The promotion filli the vacancy caused by Assistant chief
LaBufPs retirement.
Firefighter James wheal was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on March 1Oft,
2015. The promotion fills the vacancy caused by Lt. covert's promotion.
Budget Status
a) 2014 Budget: Budget Summary- see accompanying report
3) County Communications and 911 Programs
a) Tompkins County 911 has updated its communications systems and paging
system. The updates will allow for more streamlined paging and fewer tones
being transmitted when dispatching any particular department.b) The 911 Center has installed a new recording system that will allow for better
auditing and review of incidents. The recording system was funded by a NYS
grant.
4) Grants and Donations
a)The 2014 Assistant to Firefighters Grant Application was submitted on December
5fi,2014. The grant request is to fund the riplacement of our 15 year old self
contained Breathing Apparatus. we expect a response to our application
sometime this spring or early summer. There are no updates on the status of our
application as of this date.
LIFE SAFETY DIVISION
Fire Prevention Bureau
1) Code Enforcement Division: The following is a list of February Activities -
Complaints Received: 25
Referred to the City Building Division
Referred to the Town of Ithaca
Investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau
Inspections: 57
City Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 50
Town Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 0
o
o
2)
t9
2
4
t
Page 3 of 5 - Fire Chiefls Monthly Report March loth, 2015
City - Sprinkler Inspections 2
City - Alternative Fire Protection Systems 0
City - Fire Alarm Inspection 5
City - Standpipe Flow Test 0
City - Fire Pump Flow Test 0
Permits or Certificates: 37
Operating Permit - Assembly Occupancy 17
Operating Permit - Hazardous Occupancy 0
Operating Permit - Lumber Yard 0
Operating Permit - Elevator 1
Operating Permit - Fireworks 0
Certificate of Compliance - Occupancy 10
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Alarm 6
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Sprinkler 3
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Pump 0
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Standpipe 0
Certificate of Compliance - Alternative Suppression 0
2) Fire Investigation Unit:
There were no fire investigations performed by the Fire Investigation Team in February.
3) Public Education and Special Events
Public Education Events:
Fire Drills Witnessed:
Child Safety Seat InsPections:
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Response
1) February 2015 Responses - 406Incidents
0
0
0
City of Ithaca:291 Incidents (71.67%)
Fires:
Overpressure/Rupture
EMS/Rescue:
Hazardous Conditions:
Service Calls:
Good Intent:
AlarmsA'{o Fires:
Severe Weather:
6
0
1r4
8
23
JJ
107
0
-\
Page 4 of 5 - Fire Chief s Monthly Report
Town of Ithaca: 1 1 1 Incidents (27 3a%)
Fires:
Overpressure/Rupture
EMS/Rescue:
Hazardous Conditions:
Service Calls:
Good Intent:
AlarmsAllo Fires:
Severe Weather:
March loth, 2015
0
0
70
0
3
14
24
0
2)
Mutual Aid:4Incident (0.99%)
Fires: 3
Overpressure/Rupture 0
EMS/Rescue: 0
HazardousConditions: 0
Service Calls: 0
Good Intent: 1
AlarmsA{o Fires: 0
Severe Weather: 0
3)
Simultaneous Incidents: 8 1 incidents (20%)
Emergency Management: No Report
Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report
Support
l) 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
Page 5 of 5 - Fire Chief s Monthly Report
There are currently 17 Active Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Police
Requests from Company Members to become active: None
March 1otl',2015
2)
3)