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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-01-12 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker, Paul Alexander,Alvin Nelson and Cynthia Yahn. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. -At this time, members of B Shift arrived (along with IPFFA representatives Joe Bargher and Gary Farwell). Chief Wilbur asked that FF Shawn Flynn be recognized and commended for a heroic effort in saving a woman from choking on December 11, 1998 as reported by Acting Lieutenant Jim Crowley. Chief Wilbur read Lt. Crowley's account of the incident. Chief Wilbur asked also that FF Otis Jackson be recognized and commended for a heroic effort in assisting to rescue people trapped on a second floor balcony during a fire at Chestnut Hills Apartments on December 19, 1998 as reported by Lt. Michael Schnurle. Chief Wilbur read Lt. Schnurle's account of the incident. Board members, and all in attendance, congratulated the two firefighters and recommended that further recognition be made public at the City of Ithaca Common Council meeting to be held on February 3, 1999. II. Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 8, 1998 meeting as written. Seconded by.Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: ` - Chair Romanowski asked for a short executive session to discuss a request of a needy member; - A request from FF Gary Farwell for funds from the donation account to assist with Central Fire Station kitchen renovation was referred to the New Business section. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Chair Romanowski spoke for Ernie Jackson who is currently on his way to Florida -Ernie asked him to relay the following: -Will there be training for Fire Police on the use of the new radios? (Comm. Alexander will see that Fire Police know how to use the radios); - Concern regarding C&O trainings that were canceled - doesn't want missed trainings due to cancellations to affect volunteers' status; (Deputy Chief Dorman indicated that the training that was canceled was not C&O - it was Fire Behavior and canceled due to only 3 people signed up for the p ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 PAGE 2 class;and that this would not affect status for volunteers); V. Correspondence: - Donation from Comm. Baker (balance of clothing bill to donation fund); - Receipt and acknowledgement from Chief Wilbur for a donation of$2,000 from the Fraternal Order of Elks to purchase public education materials. VI. Membership Changes: Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the additions of: - Ethan Erlich-Unaffiliated Bunker - David Stotz-Co. 6 -Joseph Shultz -Co. 9 Comm. Nelson seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Comm. Nelson made a motion to accept the resignation from: - Chris Petrizzi-Co. 2 Comm. Alexander seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Comm. Yahn made a motion to remove Ian Whitcomb from the rolls of Cataract Hose Co. #7 due to lack of fulfilling commitment to the company according to their bylaws. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. The Board approved the removal of the following who have left the department or the area: - Arthur Chenail - Co. 5 - Susan Skodon- Co. 5 VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Chair Romanowski provided his Witten report to the Town of Ithaca (see copy in Minute Book); - There will be no audit until later in the month; - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board: Comm. Baker made a motion to accept the letter of interest from John Ward to serve as alternate to the Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board for another term. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief, Volunteer Coordinator and Training): Chief Wilbur highlighted his report (see written report in Minute Book): ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 PAGE 3 LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration 1.) No news to date regarding reimbursement for North Country mutual aid; however, the City of Syracuse has reimbursed the City of Ithaca in full for the Labor Day storm. 2.) New hires-The hiring process to fire 3 new fire fighters and 1 to fill the vacancy, is in full swing. Many hoops to jump through- assuming all goes well, anticipate hiring during the week of Feb. 22, 1999. 3.) The MOU with the Town of Ithaca regarding the addition of three new fire fighters is in process. 4.) Special Duties Statement related to 3 new fire fighters is being developed - Union and Administration meeting weekly since November to develop criteria for these positions. 5.) Career Personnel Report- see attached report from DC Dorman. 6.) Capital Projects- see attached report from DC Dorman. 7.) Donation Fund Administration will be assigned to Eileen Camp in the office. Fire Prevention Bureau 1.) Rabinor Decision-Chief Wilbur discussed the ramifications of the denial of the City's appeal- full impact has not yet been defined - City Attorney's office, IBD and IFD meeting to determine. 2.) Other Local Code Initiatives - Affect of Rabinor Decision on other areas of code enforcement-potential of negative affects on,potential revenues. 3.) Fire Investigation Unit- report next month. 4.) Eagles Club Donation- received$2,000 from Eagles Club, at request of AC Wheaton, to support public education efforts. Safety 1.) Air Quality Testing-AC Vliet managing a project for analyzing air quality at Central Fire Station- Buck Labs of Cortland is performing the work. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response • 1.) Letters of commendation- Otis Jackson & Shawn Flynn 2.) Trench Rescue Project-CU developing capability due to Lake Source cooling project- with equipment coming directly to IFD. 3.) Monthly call report-see attached report from DC Dorman. Total calls for the year are up as usual. 4.) Severe Weather Advisory Bulletin- Ac VanBenschoten and Lt. Burbank have developed a flyer which will be included in city tax bill receipts. Support 1.) See attached report from DC Dorman. 2.) Steamer Project- moving forward - schedule was laid out and work plans were made. A plan to move the Steamer, when ready, from Station 7 to the Vets , ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 PAGE 4 using a team of horses! 3.) SCBA Replacement Project-need is still acute-continuing efforts by Lt. Tier to replace-may take to Council for special consideration. Training 1.) See monthly training report from DC Dorman. 2.) Public Safety Critical Incident Management Program - AC VanBenschoten is planning a program that will involve several City departments, with expansion to Town and County departments and agencies to follow. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit 1.) See attached report from Vol. Coord. Lynch. 2.) Volunteer Residency Requirements -work with the City Attorney's office continues regarding requirements of General City Law. Service/Duty Unit 1.) See attached report from Vol. Coord. Lynch. Deputy Chief Dorman highlighted his report: - Tower Ladder- DC Dorman, Lt. Schnurle & FF Irish conducted an inspection on Dec. 17& 18; final inspection is due Jan. 25 & 27 and delivery is expected the 1st week in February. There is a warranty bond -however, it is hoped not to have any problems. - Bids are out for the 2 new pumpers;pre-bid conference on January 22nd; bid opening on February 2. DC Dorman will have a recommendation for purchase at the February meeting. -Central Fire Station kitchen renovations are moving along nicely -new dishwasher,sink & counter -nice job by A shift. -Training Tower Project-will begin the 1st week in February; - Community Service Group -Cornell students staying at Central Fire Station before classes start (this Sunday for 3.days) to do a variety of community service projects. -There will be a more comprehensive training report next month. Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch highlighted her report: - Minor personnel changes; - Bunker numbers remain the same; - Basic Training scheduled for February 2 - March 23 - PPA's will be held on February 6 -not sure how many still interested; - Bunker recruitment to begin shortly; - Volunteer Co. Contracts- problem with Appendix B - that provision agreed to r ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 PAGE 5 be delayed; - Reports for 2%monies-Town of Ithaca requesting copies of reports-must submit when reports sent to State; -One for One volunteer recruitment program will take place on January 26, 1999. - Volunteer Incentive Program- reports due February 1st. Chair Romanowski asked if Board of Fire Commissioners participation can be included in incentives for volunteers? FF Farwell asked if this could appear to be a conflict of interest. Chair Romanowski indicated he is not interested in individual incentives -only for company eligibility- that monies should go to active firefighters first. Bill Gilligan distributed incentive guidelines for 1999 -streamlined record keeping. IX. Old Business -None X. New Business: - Discussion regarding Ithaca College's lack of contribution for Fire Protection- Comm. Yahn reported that Common Council continually asks about this issue. Chair Romanowski reported he is aware the Mayor and Town Supervisor Valentino are going to be requesting a meeting with President Williams to discuss this issue. The Board indicated a desire to have a representative as well as the Fire Chief included in this meeting and directed Comm. Yahn to write a letter to the Mayor requesting this. The Board also discussed upcoming negotiations with the Town of Ithaca for fire protection and the need to appoint a negotiating team. Chair Romanowski indicated the Town invited him to be an observer with their Committee. Comm. Alexendar indicated a desire to be a part of the City negotiating team. - Fire Fighter Gary Farwell requested the Board to contribute$200.00 to the renovation of Central Fire Station kitchen. He discussed the items that still need to be purchased -silverware, dishes,coffee pot, etc. After discussion, Comm. Baker made a motion to authorize $300.00 from the donation fund to be used for Central Fire Station kitchen refurbishment, with the specific items to be purchased left up to the group working on the project. Seconded by Comm. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. XI. At 1935 hrs., Chair Romanowski requested the Board to move into Executive Session to discuss a request of a needy member. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 12,1999 PAGE 6 - At 1941 hrs., the Board resumed open session. Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve a request of a needy member and authorize the City Chamberlain to pay from the Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firemen's 2% fund the amount of$200.00. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Comm. Baker asked if the necessary signatures from the IVFFA's Board members were included with the request as stated in the City Charter. Chair Romanowski indicated he would get clarification from the Vets. (Clarification received the next day). Carried unanimously. XII. At 1942 hrs. Comm. Nelson made a motion the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (The minutes will be reviewed for approval at the February 9, 1999 meeting)