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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1992-01-14 R T • BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 14, 1992 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Baker, Begg, Cornelius, Mayer, Neigh 1 . Chairman Baker called the meeting to order at 1908 hours. 2 . Additions/deletions to the agenda: - Commissioner Neigh: Discussion of the volunteer recruitment freeze; Comm. Begg: Presentation of position paper on new entry-level company (both incorporated under item 12 ) . - Commissioner Cornelius : Letter of disclosure presented; request to companies to submit copies of annual 2% reports and reports of use of city appropriations for 1991 (both incorporated under item 14) . 3. Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners : - Commissioner Mayer suggested and the board informally agreed that persons also be permitted to speak to the board during the later discussion of item 12 . - Fire fighter Chris Katz presented a letter to the board, asking that the board consider reimbursement to him for more than $600 worth of personal property stolen from his car the night of the Farm and Cayuga Street fire on 1/6/92 . After discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Neigh that this matter would be discussed in executive session as a needy member item, and that, if it was determined not to qualify as such an item, that such determination would be announced and the matter would be dealt with in open session. Carried unanimously. To facilitate consideration, the board agreed to hold the executive session, scheduled for the end of the meeting, immediately following completion of item 3. - Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters Association president Judd Leonard asked that letters of appreciation be sent to all entities involved in the Farm and Cayuga Street fire on 1/6/92 (this is already in process) ; that one large water jug be purchased and kept at Central station for use at incidents (two jugs were on 944, which was out of town and out of service at the time of the fire) ; and that, in the case of future prolonged incidents, the duty officer be empowered to authorize purchase of food and soda to be sent to the scene. (The Chief responded that the jugs had improperly remained on 944 when it was removed from service and that, in fact, these concerns are operations matters and not matters of board policy. ) Leonard also noted that a • Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 1/14/92 Page 2 reimbursement request to the union was included under item 7, that the soda prices charged are those that would be charged from the machine, and that the union would be agreeable to an alternate arrangement, if desired, in cases such as this . - Fire fighter Stuart Carpenter reported that he has looked into establishment of an interest-free account, which could be used as a repository to reward those whose information leads to the arrest of those involved in the car thefts the night of the Farm and Cayuga Street fire. 15 . (Taken out of order) At 1928 hours, the board moved into executive session to discuss the matter brought up under item 3 and a request from a needy member. At 1939 hours, the board returned to open session, and it was moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Neigh that the needy member' s request would not be a proper expenditure from the 2% firemen's relief fund and should be submitted to the member's company or the Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firemen' s Association for consideration. Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Neigh that bills for lost or damaged personal property must be submitted through the member's company, that it is not properly a needy member item, and that the request be returned to Fire fighter Katz to follow proper procedure. Carried unanimously. 4 . Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10 and the special meeting of December 30, 1991 be approved as written. Carried unanimously. 5 . Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Neigh that the audit dated January 14, 1992 in the amount of $14 , 168 . 71 be approved. Carried unanimously. 6 . Membership changes : None. 7 . Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters Association be reimbursed from the donation fund in the amount of $190 . 86 for soda and refreshments purchased for the Farm and Cayuga Street fire on 1/6/92 . Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Neigh that Tops Markets be paid $148 .64 from the donation fund for Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 1/14/92 Page 3 refreshments purchased for the Farm and Cayuga Street fire on 1/6/92 . Carried unanimously. 8 . Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the proposed standardizing resolutions for MSA and Motorola be approved as written. (Proposed resolutions attached. ) Carried unanimously. 9 . Commissioner Mayer distributed a draft of the proposed new "Application for Relief Form. " It was the consensus of the board that a statement confirming indigent status and officially requesting relief needed to be added before the final draft is presented to the board in February. 10 . Commissioner Begg updated the board on status of discussions with regarding the Varna Fire Department' s request related to employee parking at Cornell . After discussion, it was moved by Comm. Neigh, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the board ask Chief Olmstead to contact the University' s traffic bureau to clarify the policy. Carried unanimously. 11 . Volunteer Coordinator Lynch asked for reaction concerning the nearly final draft of the Volunteer Handbook, circulated among the commissioners . Commissioner Begg had not yet received the document for review. After discussion, it was agreed that all comments would be due by one week before the February meeting (approximately February 1) . 13. (Taken out of order) Chief 's Report: - Monthly reports : presented. The Chief reported the number of calls for 1991 has held about even to that for • 1990 . - Farm and Cayuga Street Fire, 1/6/92 : Critique was scheduled for 1/22/91 at 1900 hours. (This has since be changed to Saturday, 2/1/92 at 0930 hours . ) One of the primary concerns to be addressed will be the element of control at the fire and functioning of the accountability system at the incident. Commissioner Cornelius also expressed his appreciation to all who participated, whose efforts saved his house, adjacent to the scene of the blaze. - Internal restructuring: Chief Olmstead briefed the board on some internal modifications, including that he is serving as administrative MTO until the time when the department is allowed to fill the vacant Muncipal Training Officer position. The department is also instituting a program budget, beginning in preliminary form for 1992 . Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 1/14/92 Page 4 - Space needs study: Purchase orders have been written, with aspects of the study to be split between the two consultants interviewed. 12 . There was lengthy and extensive discussion about the Chief Olmstead`s proposed modifications to the volunteer system, advanced at the December meeting. Commissioner Begg presented her position paper in support of the proposed ninth company, but other reaction from commissioners and volunteers was generally negative, most maintaining that we should seek to reform the present system instead of instituting a new one. Commissioner Neigh noted that companies no longer have any control or authority over facilities and that Co. 5 would welcome increased control . Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded ( for discussion) by Comm. Mayer that the department canvass active volunteer and career members seeking reaction to the Chief ' s proposal, to whether the current eight companies should be consolidated into one (with the rest remaining social only) , or whether the situation should remain as is . Rejected 3-2 (Comms . Begg and Cornelius in favor; Comms . Mayer, Neigh and Baker opposed) . Commissioner Mayer suggested that companies be reformed, based on location and that they be given authority over the facility in which they are located. (No vote was taken. ) Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the chairman appoint a committee to begin working on a minimum performance standard for companies. Commissioner Begg advanced a friendly amendment, without objection from Comm. Neigh, that this standard should, in part, establish that a company must maintain a minimum number of active volunteers to remain an active company. Carried unanimously. Chairman Baker appointed Commissioner Neigh (chair) and Comms . Begg and Cornelius to serve on this committee. Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Begg that the volunteer recruitment freeze be lifted effective 4/1/92 . Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the Recognition Banquet be discontinued. Approved 3-2 (Comms . Begg, Mayer and Baker in favor, Comms . Cornelius and Neigh opposed) . Moved by Commissioner Begg that the board authorize Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 1/14/92 Page 5 implementation of an immunization program to cover volunteers and bunkers, as recommended by Chief Olmstead. Seconded by Comm. Neigh, only upon the condition that the department will seek additional city funding to support the OSHA-mandated program. (Reimbursement may be sought after expenses are incurred. ) Carried unanimously. 14 . Other: - Commissioner Cornelius submitted his annual disclosure of non-prohibited interest, regarding his employment by the Tompkins County Trust Co. , as required under General Municipal Law. - As treasurer of Co. 1, Commissioner Cornelius also submitted the company' s annual report on use of city money and 2% funding and suggested that other companies be directed to do the same. Though it was the board's consensus that this should be done, no formal vote was taken. At 2208 hours, it was moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Begg and carried unanimously that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 4ryta4--, E_ Lyman E. Baker Chairman • BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ITHACA FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MEETING January 14, 1992 Proposed Resolutions 1 . Standardizing resolution for Motorola Radio Equipment. A. Please forward the following resolution for the Standardization of Motorola Radio Equipment onto Common Council for approval . This is an annual action that the City is required to take and is identical to the Police Department Standardizing Resolution. Whereas, the Board of Fire Commissioners has been requested by the Fire Chief to standardize on Motorola Radio Equipment to be used by the Ithaca Fire Department, and to authorize the Chief to purchase approved equipment from the manufacturer, or a representative thereof, and Whereas, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City for reasons of efficiency, compatibility and economics to approve such standardization, as more fully spelled out in the following items : 1. The City of Ithaca Fire Department presently has all Motorola radio equipment. 2. The Tompkins County Emergency Control Center presently has all Motorola console and communication equipment. 3. This action will minimize the inventory of repair parts which would have to be maintained for the service of said radio equipment. 4 . Labor costs for maintenance and service of a standard type of equipment will be less than of required to service different types of • radio equipment. 5 . Present Motorola radio equipment has been satisfactory to the uses of the Ithaca Fire Department. Page 1 • • Board of Fire Commissioners, Regular Meeting, 1/14/92 6 . Standardization provides the need for only one service contract for its entire radio system, whereas additional contractual agreements would be required for other types of equipment; now, there, be it RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 103, Subdivision 5 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York this Board of Fire Commissioners hereby requests the Common Council of the City of Ithaca to authorize the standardization of Motorola radio equipment as the type of equipment to be used and purchased by the City of Ithaca Fire Department during the year 1992 . 2 . Standardizing resolution for MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Equipment. Please forward the following resolution for the Standardization of MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Equipment onto Common Council for approval. Whereas, this Board of Fire Commissioners has been requested by the Fire Chief to standardize on MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Equipment to be used by the City of Ithaca Fire Department, and to authorize the Chief to purchase approved equipment from the manufacturer, or a representative thereof, and Whereas, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City for reasons of efficiency, compatibility and economics to approve such standardization, as more fully spelled out in the following items : 1. The City of Ithaca Fire Department presently has all MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and equipment. 2 . The City of Ithaca Fire Department is a authorized repair facility for MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. 3 . This action will minimize the inventory of repair parts which would have to be maintained for the service of said breathing apparatus. 4 . Labor costs for maintenance and service of a Page 2 • Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 1/14/92 Page 5 implementation of an immunization program to cover volunteers and bunkers, as recommended by Chief Olmstead. Seconded by Comm. Neigh, only upon the condition that the department will seek additional city funding to support the OSHA-mandated program. (Reimbursement may be sought after expenses are incurred. ) Carried unanimously. 14 . Other: - Commissioner Cornelius submitted his annual disclosure of non-prohibited interest, regarding his employment by the Tompkins County Trust Co. , as required under General Municipal Law. - As treasurer of Co. 1, Commissioner Cornelius also submitted the company's annual report on use of city money and 2% funding and suggested that other companies be directed to do the same. Though it was the board's consensus that this should be done, no formal vote was taken. At 2208 hours, it was moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Begg and carried unanimously that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 41tIzA,-, 93cti6L---- Lyman E. Baker Chairman Board of Fire Commissioners, Regular Meeting, 1/14/92 standard type of equipment will be less than that required to service different types of breathing apparatus . 5 . Present MSA breathing apparatus has been satisfactory to the uses of the Ithaca Fire Department. 6 . All members of the Ithaca Fire Department are trained exclusively in the proper use and operation of MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus . now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 103, Subdivision 5 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York this Board of Fire Commissioners hereby requests Common Council to authorize the standardization of MSA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Equipment as the type of equipment to be used and purchased by the City of Ithaca Fire Department during the year 1992 . CC: 1992 Budget File Chrono Page 3