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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2015-12-08City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 8, 2015 Present: Chair Gilligan Vice Chair Sparks Commissioners Hoard, Ellsworth Fire Chief Parsons Information Management Specialist Myers Call to Order: Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1600 hours. Approval of Minutes: Approval of the November 10, 2015 Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Vice Chair Sparks: Seconded by Commissioner Hoard RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 10, 2015 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. Persons Wishing to Speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners: Mr. Lyman Baker provided the following report for the Board: “RE: City of Ithaca Cemetery Firemen’s Section Work hours Dear Board, Raymond B. Wheaton and Lyman E. Baker have worked 6 hours each maintaining the Ithaca Fire Department Firemen’s Section in the Ithaca City Cemetery. Work hour total of 72 hours for each of us during the 2015 year. Annual Remembrance Present: Ithaca Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioner Thomas Hoard Sons of Union Veterans Past Commander Danny Wheeler Retired City of Ithaca Assistant Fire Chief Raymond B. Wheaton Ithaca Fire Department Volunteer Firemen Lyman E. Baker Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes December 8, 2015 2 Everyone gathered on Monday December 7, 2015 at the City of Ithaca Cemetery – Firemen’s Section to hold a ceremony for the 109th year of remembrance of the tragic fire that occurred at the Alpha Psi Lodge in 1906. Seven people lost their lives; four Cornell Students and three City of Ithaca Fire Department Volunteer Firemen. The firefighters were crushed by falling stones from the building’s exterior walls. There was a frost on the ground, it was 27 degrees outside; the chimes began to ring at 7:00 a.m. A prayer was read, a wreath was presented, taps were played, and heartfelt thoughts were shared. Everyone then left for the duties of the day. Respectfully, Lyman E. Baker, Ithaca Fire Department Badge #3258” Chris Hamilton, President of the Local Fire Fighters Union, addressed the Board regarding the annual distribution of 2% monies. He stated that the minutes from the Board’s October 15, 2015 meeting reported that a check was presented to Company #9 in the amount of $39,000 for the Firemen’s Relief Fund. He explained that according to the law that money is to be used for the benefit of both the local Volunteer Fire Company and the Local Fire Fighter Union. On behalf of the local Fire Fighter’s Union, he would humbly ask that in the future, when funds from the 2% monies are distributed, to remember the Local Fire Fighter Union. The Union provides funds for the maintenance of the ready rooms at all of the company stations. According to the City of Ithaca Charter, one of the roles of the Board of Fire Commissioners is to distribute the 2% monies, so he would ask that the Board consider the role of union when distributing those funds. The members of the Local Fire Fighters Union would also be happy to assist the Board as it reviews the City of Ithaca Charter in relation to the role of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Chair Gilligan responded that New York State rules place limits on where that funding can be distributed. The Board can discuss this matter, as well as review the rules. Correspondence: Chair Gilligan reported that the bank statement from the Tompkins Trust Company for the donation fund dated November 30, 2015 had a beginning balance of $2,651.61 and an ending balance of $2,651.61, reflecting no activity. Chair Gilligan reported that the bank statement from the Tompkins Trust Company for the Rescue Squad donation fund dated November 30, 2015 had a beginning balance of $1,845.86 and an ending balance of $1,845.98 reflecting .12 interest earned. Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes December 8, 2015 3 Membership Changes: Chair Gilligan reported that a new volunteer fire member application was received from Gary Bordoni; he has volunteered in years past. His application was accepted by Company #9 at their last meeting. Their acceptance of his application was provisional pending review of the interview committee. Fire Chief Parsons met with Company #9’s Commander and Captain Cantone, and they recommended that Mr. Bordoni be approved as a Volunteer Member of the Fire/Police Unit for Company #9 – pending a successful background check and physical. Approval of Application for City of Ithaca Volunteer Fire Company #9 Fire/Police Unit - Resolution By Commissioner Hoard: Seconded by Vice Chair Sparks RESOLVED, That Gary Bordoni’s application for membership to the City of Ithaca Volunteer Firemen Company #9 as a member of the fire/police unit be accepted pending the successful outcome of both his background check and physical. Carried Unanimously Miscellaneous Reports: A. Town of Ithaca: No report B. City of Ithaca: Vice Chair Sparks reported that he presented the City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Quarterly Report to Common Council at their December 2, 2015 meeting. The report will be attached to minutes of this meeting. C. Audit: The audit was reviewed and approved by Commissioner Hoard Department Reports: Fire Chief Parsons highlighted the following items from his monthly report, which will be attached to the minutes: No change in personnel No vacancies Fire Fighter Ernest Williams will retire December 16, 2015 Asst. Fire Chief Guy VanBenschoten will retire February 23, 2016 Vacancy request forms have been submitted to the Mayor and the Human Resources Department to fill the vacancies created by the two retirements. He is assuming he will receive permission to fill both vacancies, so will plan to hire two new fire fighters in February 2016. The promotion to fill Asst. Fire Chief VanBenschoten’s position will be made after his retirement. Vehicle maintenance costs are running higher than expected due to the repairs necessary for the operation of the older apparatus Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes December 8, 2015 4 The Town of Ithaca decided that after January 1, 2016 they will no longer require the City of Ithaca Fire Department to conduct fire safety inspections at Cornell University and Ithaca College. They will, instead, rely upon the inspection services of New York State. The volume of call responses is about the same number as last year; if they stay on their current course, the total number of calls for the department for 2015 will be around 5,100; call volume is still busy for this time of year. There are two volunteer fire fighter applications pending review; an interview for one was held today, and they hope to schedule the interview for the other next week. Both applications should then be ready for review by the membership committee. Bid packages for the department’s new fire engine have gone out; the bid opening is scheduled for January. After the bid is reviewed, and a determination is made as to who the bid should be awarded to, it will come back to the Board of Fire Commissioners for approval. The Town of Ithaca unanimously approved the purchase on November 23, 2015. Once the Board of Fire Commissioners acts on the bid, it will be about a year before the apparatus will be here. Vice Chair Sparks asked the Fire Chief to share with the Board the information he provided to Common Council at the December 2, 2015 meeting. Chief Parsons explained that the Fire Department is proposing the creation of a City of Ithaca ordinance concerning the establishment of food truck regulations specifically related to their use of propane. Regulation of food trucks is not currently captured under New York State Building and Fire Codes, nor under the Vehicle and Traffic Law. So, like many other municipalities across the nation, the City of Ithaca is concerned about safe use of propane on these vehicles. The City of Ithaca Fire Marshall is currently working with officials from the City of Rochester, which has already established their own food truck regulations, to come up with a plan for the City of Ithaca Fire Department to follow. The action that Common Council took at their meeting last week gave their approval to the Fire Department to proceed with the necessary research of what such regulations would include and how the program would be monitored. It also included approval of the research needed to identify what the financial impact would be to food truck vendors with the implementation of the regulations. The Fire Department is very mindful of the potential financial burden/impact such a program would have on food truck vendors. Once the research has been completed and proposed guidelines/regulations and potential financial impacts have been ascertained, a presentation will be made for the Board of Fire Commissioners. The intent of the establishment of regulations for propane use on food trucks is to avoid potential disasters. There have been several disasters where food trucks have exploded because of the close concentration of food trucks using propane at special events. Chair Gilligan questioned how many food trucks in the City of Ithaca would be impacted by such a program, and whether it pertains only to the City of Ithaca. Fire Chief Parsons responded that it is about 30 trucks and trailers per year. Once the regulations have been established and approved by the City, they will be shared with the Town of Ithaca. He also noted that the Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes December 8, 2015 5 program would most likely be implemented with a three year phased in approach due to the potential financial impacts for vendors to comply with the requirements. He encouraged Board members to view “You Tube” and “food truck explosions” to see the disasters that result from the improper use/storage of propane on food trucks. B. Fire/Police Report: Mr. David Cornelius provided the following report for the Board: “Fire Police training was held on November 17, 2015. The topics were: Harassment and Violence in the Work Place; Cascade Refresher and equipment location on the apparatus. He did not believe the fire police were activated during the past month. Company #9 members did a roadside clean up on Rt. 89. Their next training is scheduled for Tuesday December 15, 2015. The topic is CPR recertification with Lt Basher. Respectfully submitted, Dave Cornelius” Old Business: A. Volunteer Recruitment Items/Issues: Chair Gilligan reported that the application process discussed last month went in to effect so hopefully new applications will be soon be submitted. B. Role of Board of Fire Commissioners: Chair Gilligan stated that he would e-mail Board members information about some of the work done by a sub-committee in the past. The work involved reviewing the City of Ithaca Charter regarding the Board of Fire Commissioners and highlighting areas that are no longer in effect or applicable for one reason or another. The work was done a few years ago, but nothing was done with it. It should, however, provide a starting point for work by the Board in January. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1623 hours. _____________________________________ ___________________________________ Sarah L. Myers, William Gilligan, Information Management Specialist Chair City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners  Report to Common Council for Third Quarter of 2015    This report, for the third quarter of 2015, supplements the Board of Fire Commissioners  minutes posted on the City of Ithaca Website (go to Government, Boards & Committees, Board  of Fire Commissioners, View Available Minutes).    Included with this report are: Station 9 (Collegetown). The report from Kingsbury Architects on the feasibility of relocating the Collegetown Fire station to another location on East Hill has been received by the city and is under review by the Director of Planning, the Mayor, and the City Attorney. Board of Fire Commissioners. The BFC meeting agendas/minutes (dating back to October 1987) are posted on the City Website. The link is: http://www.cityofithaca.org/367/Board-of- Fire-Commissioners. There are currently two openings on the Board of Fire Commissioners. A city position has been vacant since January of 2014. One of the town-designated positions is also open as of June 30, 2015. Commissioner Ellsworth has indicated that he is no longer able to serve on the Board pending appointment of his replacement. As noted previously, given the Board’s role in overseeing the operation of the department and the effort to increase the effective use of volunteers in the department, it would strengthen the Board if the individuals appointed had experience/knowledge/skills in one or more of the following areas: human resources/workforce/volunteer recruitment/ working with volunteers/ organizational uses of social media/website development/organizational development/Marketing/previous experience with the fire service. A priority for both positions would be to seek individuals with the aforementioned skills who would also enhance the diversity of the Board and reflect the community served by the fire department. The time commitment for a board member is approximately 1-3 hours per month. The Board meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 4 pm at Central Fire Station. Volunteer Program Development. There are currently 16 active members of Volunteer Company No. 9 who serve the department. There are two applications pending. One individual submitted his resignation in September as he was planning on moving out of the area. The draft volunteer handbook will be reviewed and revised in 2016. Other Items & Items in progress: Upgraded software in 2015 for the 911 system may allow changes in the dispatch protocols used for dispatching the fire department to EMS calls. The upgrade is also expected to enhance emergency communication capability between agencies. Resource recovery/False Alarm Policy. Currently on hold pending review with the City Attorney. County Fire-Disaster -EMS Advisory Board– no new action on this issue. Training Center Facility Project –no construction has been authorized due to the training site being located on land designated as City Park land. City-Town Fire Service Contract – Approved by City/action pending by Town. Charter review. Evolving role of the Board of Fire Commissioners remains a topic of interest. Respectfully Submitted, Robert Sparks, Vice Chair, Board of Fire Commissioners December 2, 2015      MEMORANDUM To: Board of Fire Commissioners From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief Date: November 10th, 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 October 31st, 2015 – 64 a) Vacancies  None b) Retirements:  Firefighter Ernie Williams has informed me that he will be retiring on December 16th, 2015 c) Hiring/Promotions Page 2 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report November 10th, 2015  FF Velado and Cacciotti graduated on October 8th from the NYS Academy and returned to complete about ten more weeks of in-house training before being ready to go on shift. 2) Budget Report a) 2015 Budget: Budget Summary – see accompanying report b) On November 4th, the Common Council approved the City Budget. There were no changes in career staffing. The operating budget included in adjustments in some accounts, but there was slight change from the 2015 operating budget. There was a decrease in debt service as some of the bonds for apparatus purchased 15 years ago have been paid off. Included in the Capital Projects is $455,000 for Heavy Rescue Replacement/Refurbishment and $500,000 for the design of a new Fire Station. 3) County Communications and 911 Programs: a) No Report 4) Grants and Donations a) On April 23rd, 2015, the City of Ithaca receiving a grant to fund the replacement of our 15-year-old Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. The grant award was for $413,000, with the City required to provide a 10% match. Assistant Chief Tier is reviewing different brands of SCBA on the market, and will be developing bid specifications. b) In May, the Triad Foundation awarded $24,000 grant to the Ithaca Fire Department. The grant was used to purchased a firefighting skid unit, which is used for wildland firefighting, and for fighting fires in remote areas which are hard to reach with a fire department pumper. The unit was delivered in October and installed on vehicle 943. The unit was put in service last week. 5) Collegetown Fire Station a) Kingsbury Architects has completed their study on relocating the Collegetown Fire Station to another location on East Hill, as well as the cost of repair work that is needed for the current fire station. The study is under review by the Director of Planning and Development, the City Attorney, and the Mayor. Page 3 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report November 10th, 2015 LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Fire Prevention Bureau 1) Code Enforcement Division: The following is a list of October Activities - Complaints Received: 21 Referred to the City Building Division 16 Referred to the Town of Ithaca 1 Investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau 4 Inspections: 64 City Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 47 Town Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 0 City - Sprinkler Inspections 4 City - Alternative Fire Protection Systems 0 City - Fire Alarm Inspection 12 City - Standpipe Flow Test 1 City – Fire Pump Flow Test 0 Permits or Certificates: 41 Operating Permit – Assembly Occupancy 18 Operating Permit – Hazardous Occupancy 0 Operating Permit – Lumber Yard 0 Operating Permit – Elevator 0 Operating Permit – Fireworks 0 Certificate of Compliance - Occupancy 10 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Alarm 10 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Sprinkler 2 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Pump 0 Certificate of Compliance – Fire Standpipe 1 Certificate of Compliance - Alternative Suppression 0 2) Fire Investigation Unit: There were no fire investigations performed by the Fire Investigation Unit in October. 3) Public Education and Special Events Public Education Events: 4 Fire Drills Witnessed: 0 Child Safety Seat Inspections: 3 Page 4 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report November 10th, 2015 OPERATIONS DIVISION Response 1) October 2015 Responses - 461 Incidents 2) City of Ithaca: 306 Incidents (66.38%) Fires: 5 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 113 Hazardous Conditions: 21 Service Calls: 21 Good Intent: 47 Alarms/No Fires: 99 Severe Weather: 0 Town of Ithaca: 151 Incidents (32.75%) Fires: 3 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 82 Hazardous Conditions: 6 Service Calls: 6 Good Intent: 27 Alarms/No Fires: 27 Severe Weather: 0 Mutual Aid: 4 Incidents (0.87%) Fires: 2 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 0 Hazardous Conditions: 0 Service Calls: 1 Good Intent: 1 Alarms/No Fires: 0 Severe Weather: 0 Simultaneous Incidents: 100 Incidents (22%) 3) Emergency Management: No Report 4) Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report Support Page 5 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report November 10th, 2015 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 15 Active Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Police 3) Requests from Company Members to become active: None MEMORANDUM To: Board of Fire Commissioners From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief Date: December 8th, 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, 2015 – 64 a) Vacancies  None b) Retirements:  Firefighter Ernie Williams will be retiring on December 16th, 2015  Assistant Chief Guy VanBenschoten has submitted a letter of his intent to retire February 23rd, 2016 c) Hiring/Promotions Page 2 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report December 8th, 2015  I have submitted requests to the Mayor and the Human Resource Department to fill the vacancies that will be created by the retirements of Firefighter Ernie Williams, and Assistant Chief Guy VanBenschoten. If the vacancies are approved to be filled, I expect to hire two new firefighters by the beginning of February.  Promotions to fill Assistant Chief VanBenschoten’s position will occur after his retirement in February. 2) Budget Report a) 2015 Budget: Budget Summary – see accompanying report 3) County Communications and 911 Programs: a) No Report 4) Grants and Donations a) No Update - On April 23rd, 2015, the City of Ithaca receiving a grant to fund the replacement of our 15-year-old Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. The grant award was for $413,000, with the City required to provide a 10% match. Assistant Chief Tier is reviewing different brands of SCBA on the market, and will be developing bid specifications. 5) Collegetown Fire Station a) No Update - Kingsbury Architects has completed their study on relocating the Collegetown Fire Station to another location on East Hill, as well as the cost of repair work that is needed for the current fire station. The study is under review by the Director of Planning and Development, the City Attorney, and the Mayor. LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Fire Prevention Bureau 1) Code Enforcement Division: The following is a list of November Activities - Complaints Received: 16 Referred to the City Building Division 10 Referred to the Town of Ithaca 2 Page 3 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report December 8th, 2015 Investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau 4 Inspections: 133 City Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 43 Town Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 83 City - Sprinkler Inspections 3 City - Alternative Fire Protection Systems 0 City - Fire Alarm Inspection 3 City - Standpipe Flow Test 1 City – Fire Pump Flow Test 0 Permits or Certificates: 31 Operating Permit – Assembly Occupancy 9 Operating Permit – Hazardous Occupancy 3 Operating Permit – Lumber Yard 0 Operating Permit – Elevator 4 Operating Permit – Fireworks 0 Certificate of Compliance - Occupancy 4 Certificate of Compliance - Educational 5 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Alarm 3 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Sprinkler 2 Certificate of Compliance - Fire Pump 0 Certificate of Compliance – Fire Standpipe 1 Certificate of Compliance - Alternative Suppression 0 2) Fire Investigation Unit: There were three investigations performed by the Fire Investigation Unit in November. The first investigation was for a fire at 413 W Seneca St in the City of Ithaca. The cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking materials. The second investigation was a fire at 114 S Plain St in the City of Ithaca. The cause of the fire was incendiary, and further investigation is being followed up by the Ithaca Police Department. The third investigation was for a fire at 320 Third St in the City of Ithaca. The cause of the fire was a malfunction in a laundry machine. 3) Public Education and Special Events Public Education Events: 1 Fire Drills Witnessed: 0 Child Safety Seat Inspections: 5 Page 4 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report December 8th, 2015 OPERATIONS DIVISION Response 1) November 2015 Responses - 443 Incidents 2) City of Ithaca: 323 Incidents (72.91%) Fires: 11 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 127 Hazardous Conditions: 18 Service Calls: 12 Good Intent: 57 Alarms/No Fires: 98 Severe Weather: 0 Town of Ithaca: 119 Incidents (26.86%) Fires: 1 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 71 Hazardous Conditions: 4 Service Calls: 4 Good Intent: 22 Alarms/No Fires: 17 Severe Weather: 0 Mutual Aid: 1 Incidents (0.23%) Fires: 1 Overpressure/Rupture 0 EMS/Rescue: 0 Hazardous Conditions: 0 Service Calls: 0 Good Intent: 0 Alarms/No Fires: 0 Severe Weather: 0 Simultaneous Incidents: 79 Incidents (18%) 3) Emergency Management : No Report 4) Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report Support Page 5 of 5 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report December 8th, 2015 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 15 Active Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Police 3) New Applications: There are two volunteer applications which are pending interview and Company 9 approval.