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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BFC-1998-08-11 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 11,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Cynthia Yahn,Paul Alexander and Alvin Nelson(arrived at 1815 hrs.);Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor. I. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 29, 1998 Special Meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda-None IV. Persons wish to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners on matters other than items related to the Public Hearing-None V. Correspondence: -Chair Romanowski read a letter he received from Joe Scaglione,POWER President,expressing concerns related to fire protection on West Hill. Chief Wilbur also received a copy of his letter and will respond to it. The Chief and Board members feel he is directing his frustrations to the wrong group and that IFD is doing the best we can with the resources we Jiave been allowed. VI. Membership Changes: -Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the following resignations: Jack Chiu-Co. 9 Brian Fannin-Unaffiliated bunker Bastian Freund-Unaffiliated bunker Brian Moravec-Unaffiliated bunker Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: -Chair Romanowski-Town of Ithaca Report-see written copy in the Minute Book. - Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$11,113.01. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board-no report. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief,Volunteer Coordinator and Training) - see also written reports in the Minute Book. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 11,1998 PAGE 2 Chief Wilbur highlighted the reports: LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration 1.) Operating Budget Status-current information not available due to vacations of City Hall personnel; 2.) North Country Reimbursement-NYS SEMO office was contacted and we have been advised that they have no idea when reimbursements will be sent out. Chief Wilbur also reported that the Town of Bangor Fire Dept. hosted a thank you party for all mutual aid departments-several IFD personnel attended and were presented with a plaque of appreciation and t-shirts. All had a fine time. 3.) 175th Anniversary-AC Wheaton and Sen. Invest. Lyle Neigh presented the first of a three-part series on the history of IFD at the DeWitt Historical Society- part two is scheduled for Aug. 22nd. Plans for the golf tournament(Sept. 5th) are in progress. 4.) Career Personnel Report-see attached. 5.) 1999 Budget-nothing new since budget submittal-making plans for a special campaign in support of our "special" request- all other alternatives are unacceptable,the impact is significant. Chief Wilbur encouraged all members of the department to participate in a phone and letter writing campaign and "seize the moment". 6.) 2% funds have all been distributed. 7.) Capital Projects-Water Rescue project is short$10,000 for unknown reasons- may return to B&A to request funds to finish the project; Bridge Loading Study- $3,300 is needed to conduct the study-Engineering Dept.is not willing to take on the project without the funding-may ask B&A for funding;Confined Space Rescue-the funding of this program is in front of us again due to the recent death of a Bolton Point employee-we do not have all the proper equipment and could have been cited for a violation by the State for our involvement in this rescue. May also be going back to B&A for funding. Fire Prevention Bureau 1.) Cause &Origin-see written report in Minute Book; 2.) False Alarm Ordinance-The Chief requested the Board to authorize a task force be set up with representatives from the community to research this issue. Referred to New Business. Safety 1.) 2 in,2 out-work on the new policy continues. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response 1.) See attached report from DC Dorman; ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 11,1998 PAGE 3 2.) Fire Department Access-work in progress 3.) Dispatch Consolidation-an effort is in process to determine the feasibility of consolidating all fire, EMS&police dispatching-would not be located at Central Fire Station-negative impact on IFD: lose ability to be face to face with dispatch, positive impact on IFD: we would gain floor space at Central. Consolidation relates to 800 MHz Trunking (see next report); 4.) 800 MHz Trunking-the County Fire Coordinator is pursuing a project that would upgrade the county communication system-a huge project but potential benefits need to be seriously considered as they address day-to-day complaints made regarding the current system. Support 1.) See attached report from DC Dorman-one important item is that our new hose has been received and accepted! 2.) 942 Status -With lots of new and expanded programs and specialized equipment needed for each,we are having a problem with storage and retrieval of equipment from vehicle#944 when it is needed;therefore a study has been commissioned to determine whether or not 942 can be utilized in some way to. solve that problem. Training 1.) See monthly training report from DC (MTO) Dorman. Volunteers Lyle Neigh and Ernie Jackson engaged the Board and the Chief in a discussion about the lack of training for Class II volunteers and how they are required to attend "x" number of trainings in order to be considered active. The result of the discussion was to consider the idea of temporarily suspending the requirements until a better solution could be reached. Any ideas should be discussed at the Company Captain's level with recommendations made to the Board. Chief Wilbur again noted the difficulty in doing everything there is to be done in the Department due to the lack of personnel. Two key positions have been lost in the last few years (specifically one Deputy Chief's position, and the Municipal Training Officer's). So therefore,the Chief and Deputy Chief are required to spread the load of 4 positions into 2 positions and it is becoming difficult to get everything done that needs to be done. 2.) Bunker Basic Training 1998 continues in its 2nd week-2 participants have dropped out for various reasons,leaving 6 new bunkers. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit & Service/Duty Units: See attached written reports from Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch. (Commissioner Yahn left the meeting at 1845 hrs.) ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 11,1998 PAGE 4 IX. Old Business: -After a short discussion,Comm. Yahn made a motion to authorize Chairperson Romanowski to sign,on behalf of the Board,the agreement with the Ithaca Vet Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. for long term storage of the 1896 Steamer. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. -At the request of Chair Romanowski,Chief Wilbur will check the availability of funding in the 1998 budget to fund uniforms for active volunteers and bunkers. This will be on the agenda for the September meeting. X. New Business: -After discussion,the Board authorized the Fire Chief to form a False Alarm Task Force and to put an advertisement in the Ithaca Journal to solicit community representatives. The Board will have a representation(possibly Comm. Yahn),a representative from the Town of Ithaca and others as deemed appropriate by Chief Wilbur. XI. Executive Session-Not needed. XII. At 1850 hrs.,Comm.Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, _ c 4 r Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the September 8, 1998 meeting) aolddo SIxx3'IJ A.LIJ