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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1998-01-12 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Lyman Baker, Paul Alexander,Alvin Nelson and Cynthia Yahn;Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1802 hrs. and welcomed Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor to the meeting. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 9, 1997 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Under new business - discuss Single Company Initiative IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Lyle Neigh addressed the Board regarding his frustrations of broken furniture, missing dishes/flatware from Station 5. He brought a broken chair along for demonstration. He indicated that this has been an ongoing problem and he wants the Board to be aware that Co. #5 can no longer pay for replacement furniture,etc. He also indicated that there is no evidence of who may be responsible so he can't place blame. Bill Gilligan spoke of similar problems at Station#6. After discussion, the Board asked Lyle to write a letter describing the situation, along with any recommendations, and send it to Chief Wilbur as this is an internal matter. Chief Wilbur indicated that it is very important that he be informed of problems in a timely manner due to the various components of the department and the transient nature of some of the components. - Bill Gilligan asked for an update on volunteer uniforms. Chair Romanowski indicated that he had checked last week with Lt. Tier- things are trickling in,but not yet complete. V. Correspondence: -CNY Firemen ' Assoc. regarding 1998 convention; -CNY Firemen's Assoc. regarding meeting to be held January 31, 1998; - Holiday greeting card from Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Assoc.; - Letter from Ray Foote returning check for picture frame - Vets are donating; - Letter from Comm. Baker regarding the current status of volunteers; - Letter from Chief Wilbur to Firefighter Carlton Smith regarding work he did on Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners January 12, 1998 Page 2 engine 905. VI. Membership Changes: Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the additions to the volunteer roster: -Tamarra Strawn-company not yet assigned -William Munn- Co. #3 -Michael Collins-unaffiliated bunker - David Zanni -Co. #3 -Spencer Temkin-Co. #9 -Richard Black-Co. #3 -Chris Genson-Co. #9 -Erik Larsen-Co. #9 -Karen DeAngelis - Co. #9 -James Trauth-Co. #9 - Diana Domenech- Co. #9 -Wendelein Oswald - Co. #9 -Tina Cao-Co. #9 Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. Vol. Coord. Lynch remarked that Co.#9 did a fabulous job in their recruitment effort. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: -Town of Ithaca Report-see written report from Chair Romanowski in Minute Book; -Chair Romanowski reported that he conducted a telephone survey on December 18, 1997 of Board members for the following resolution submitted by Deputy Chief Dorman: Whereas,Simon Ladder Towers, Inc. (LTI) was the only manufacturer to bid on the replacement tower ladder; and, Whereas, the tower ladder proposed by LTI is compliant with specifications issued by the Ithaca Fire Department; and, Whereas, the Ithaca Fire Department has researched the proposal and determined that the LTI unit is the best available for our needs, therefore be it Resolved,the Board of Fire Commissioners awards the Tower Ladder purchase to Simon Ladder Towers,Inc. with funding from Capital Project#316. The vote was unanimous of all Board members with Comm. Yahn voting yes, if a Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners January 12, 1998 Page 3 retainer is in place. -Comm. Yahn reported that she had collected data and had discussions regarding the State St. Parking Lot situation with Council members Blumenthal, Marcham and Mayor Cohen. Chief Wilbur will be presenting information to the Planning &Development Committee as well as to the Budget & Administration Committee of Common Council. - Chair Romanowski reported that only two volunteer companies donated $40.00 toward stipends for volunteers who participated in bunker training and that other companies expressed reasons why they wouldn't contribute (Co. #9 indicated a willingness to donate;however did not submit a check). He would like to have a discussion and a policy developed regarding this situation-he will place this on the agenda for the February 1998 meeting under New Business. - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board -no meeting,no report. -Audit-the City Controller's office indicated that there will not be an audit until January 27, 1998. VIII. Department Reports (Chief, Deputy Chief,Volunteer Coordinator and Training): Chief Wilbur summarized his report(see written report in Minute Book): LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration: -Common Council Committees and Liaison Appointments: Jana Taylor is the Common Council liaison to the Board of Fire Commissioners; Paulette Manos is the representative on the Board of Fire Appeals (not activated in several years); -Parking Issues-West State St. Parking lot and Dryden Road parking garage (bunker issue); -Training Center-Concept Plan for Joint Operations; -Career Personnel Report(from Deputy Chief Dorman); -Organization Development- Staff Assignments change - Program Analysis Committee (of Common Council); -Organization Development-Major projects of 1998 - see list. Fire Prevention Bureau - Cause &Origin Report-see written report from AC Wheaton in Minute Book; - Sprinkler System Inventory; - Chapter C inspections; Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners January 12, 1998 Page 4 Safety - "2 in -2 out" (Federal Dept. of Labor has issued its long awaited revision to 29 CFR 1910.134, the respirator standard. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response: - December 1997 incidents; - New York State Mobilization & Mutual Aid Plan Activation (North Country); Support - See written report from Deputy Chief Dorman in the Minute Book; - Station 7- Board is concerned that if Station 7 is sold,IFD will not benefit from the sale-wants clarification- more information at the February meeting. Training -See written report of December 1997 stats from AC Wheaton in the Minute Book; - New Member training- Essentials of Fire Fighting Course -see written report from Volunteer Coordinator Lynch in the Minute Book. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit- see report by Vol. Coord. Lynch in the Minute Book; Membership Unit- see report by Vol. Coord. Lynch in the Minute Book. IX. Old Business: - BFC Policies and Procedures manual- ongoing research; - Station 7 Status: Comm. Yahn reported that the speculated use by a Cornell Program fell through for lack of funding; and two other interested parties are no longer interested. She asked that whatever happens to the building, that Co. #7 would like to be notified as they still have a few items left in the building. Rick Lathrop,Captain of Co. 7, reported that the building has a great deal of work that should be done-more than IFD probably wants to take on-very expensive. X. New Business: - Preliminary discussion of 175 year celebration-City and Co. #2. Chair Romanowski read a letter written by Volunteer Pete Strizack of Co. #2 with random thoughts on the celebration. Chief Wilbur indicated that he feels there needs to be a strong committee involved in the planning process - it will take a tremendous effort to do it right. Given the huge list of major projects for 1998, there will need to be a very tight group to do all the work. There will need to be regular meetings (similar to the Monument Rededication Committee). Currently AC Wheaton and Co. 2 member Scott Taylor are working together- Pete Strizack Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners January 12, 1998 Page 5 has asked the Union for participation, they are still waiting to hear back from President Bargher. Chief Wilbur also indicated that the first item on the agenda for the Committee would be a budget, and where will the funding come from. In conjunction with the 175 year celebration, there was discussion of updating the Robinson History book of IFD. -Company Reports: As a result of the Board's memo to Companies dated December 12, 1997 requesting information, the following was received: Co. 2 report of 1997 City monies & 1997 2% monies (received 1/2/98); Co. 3 list of officers,tax exempt#, (Articles of Incorporation are not available), (received 1/13/98); Co. 4 list of 1998 officers, tax exempt#, and Constitution & By-Laws (received 1/13/98); Co. 7 list of 1998 officers and tax exempt# (received 1/9/98). Rick Lathrop reported that any companies needing to get a copy of their original charters-he has a name and address to send inquiries to. -Chair Romanowski inquired of Chief Wilbur regarding his memo to a committee regarding a Single Company Initiative. This was an idea that came out of the Company Captain's Group and Chief Wilbur asked for the meeting to learn more about their ideas. Chair Romanowski personally feels that companies should not be formed into one,in no way break up the company structure as it currently exists. -Letter from Comm. Baker asked for donations from Companies to aid the North Country effort by IFD. Chief Wilbur indicated that this might not be necessary as he anticipates reimbursement for all or most of our expenses through FEMA, State, and local municipalities that we are helping. Comm. Baker's request will be held until we know if there is a need. XI. Executive Session-not needed XII. At 1930 hours, Comm. Yahn moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners January 12, 1998 Page 6 Respectfully submitted, / Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the 02/10/98 meeting).