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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-03-09 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9,1999 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Lyman Baker, Pau l Alexander, and Cynthia Yahn. ABSENT: Commissioner Alvin Nelson Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 1999 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Letter from Assistant Chief Wheaton for permission to purchase flags from Donation Account: add to New Business; -Request for reimb. from Donation Account for refreshments for Swearing in ceremony: add to New Business; -Resolution to purchase Supplied Air Respirators: add to New Business. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: -Comm. Baker inquired as to the increase for 911 service: is it true that Cornell University only has to pay based on 75 phone lines? The answer is yes, that is true for all businesses that have more than 75 phone lines. V. Correspondence: - Letter from Groton Fire Department offering to purchase 1972 Seagrave: Deputy Chief Dorman reported that after discussing the offer with the Deputy Controller, it was recommended that both ladders be put out to bid together. Groton will receive a copy of the bid package when it goes out, and they will be able to bid again at that time. - Letter and $50 donation from Ithaca Vet Volunteer Firemen's Association in memory of Jay Leech. Chair Romanowski read the letter and associated history of Mr. Leech who has been a member of the Vets for over 70 years. - 1998 2% Fund reports were received from Companies#2, 4, 6, & 9; 1998 City Monies report was received from Company#6. - Chair Romanowski was reappointed as a Corporate Representative to the Cayuga Medical Center for the term 04/99 - 04/01. - Chair Romanowski read a note from Board Clerk Chris Wilbur thanking the ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9,1999 PAGE 2 Board for their gift. VI. Membership Changes: - Comm. Baker made a motion to add the following members: James Wheal-Co. 4 Glenn Palmieri- Co. 5 Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. The Board also noted the death of Co. 2 member Jay Leech. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: -Chair Romanowski provided his written report to the Town of Ithaca (see copy in Minute Book); -Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of $5,705.42. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - no report. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief, Volunteer Coordinator and Training) (see complete written reports in the Minute Book) Chief Wilbur highlighted his report: LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration 1. Mutual Aid Reimbursement-nothing received as yet-however, have been told we will only receive approx. $30,000 (out of approx. $80,000 requested) -we have requested info. on discrepancy. 2. New Hires - Swearing in ceremony was held on Feb. 26, 199 - was well received. Basic training begins March 15, 199 at NYS Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls. 3. Town MOU related to new fire fighters - work continues -copy of current draft is attached -has not yet been reviewed by City Attorney and still needs Council approval. Chief Wilbur also reported that a whole new City/Town contract will be negotiated this year and current language in the MOU will be potentially advantageous in our argument to ask for more firefighters (as it relates to their desire/need to keep station 6 active). 4. Career Personnel Report- see attached report from DC Dorman; FF George Garrett has announced intention to retire effective March 31, 1999. A request was made today to the City Vacancy Review Committee who approved hiring a replacement. Efforts will be made to select a replacement as soon as possible. • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 3 5. Capital Projects -see attached report from DC Dorman. 6. Operating Budget Account Status-see attached report from Admin. Assist. Camp. She is working on different formats to see how best to reflect our budget activity. 7. Ithaca College-paying for fire protection-a very preliminary meeting was held with the Mayor,Fire Chief and President Williams (Cathy Valentino could not attend due to an illness). There were no doors shut, Pres. Williams indicated she would have to approach the Trustees and that any possible funding would probably be tied to staffing. Note: the Mayor did include Comm. Yahn in the meeting prior to meeting with Pres. Williams as requested. Fire Prevention Bureau 1. Rabinor Decision-staff and Board members received copies of a news article written by Bldg. Comm. Eckstrom which he prepared for the local Landlord's Assoc. newsletter. Work continues to remedy the legal problems caused by this decision. 2. Other Local Code Initiatives - due to Rabinor Decision, code initiatives except the inspection program for places of public assembly, are still on hold. 3. Fire Investigation Unit- see attached Monthly Report from AC Wheaton 4. Fire Investigation Unit- Incendiary Fires -Sr. Fire Investigator James Crowley provided some disturbing local statistics particularly as they relate to juvenile fire setters. He discussed with the Board several problems with dealing with multiple agencies - lack of follow-up by one can mean the investigation stops or is stalled without the knowledge of the others. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed that a task force to include all county agencies be developed and that Jim should put together a proposal including projected costs, develop a framework and present it to the Board. Comm. Yahn reported she was involved in a similar local effort that addressed the problem of crack dealers not being arrested, and she would be willing to share her experiences and expertise in forming a task force of this type. Safety 1. Air Quality Testing at Central Fire Station- a fault in the exterior air vent control for the second floor was found -will be remedied and should address one of the recommendations of the report. • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9,1999 PAGE 4 2. NYS Dept. of Labor Safety Grant-no news at this time. 3. Safety Committee-see attached minutes of the Health & Safety Committee. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response 1. Trench Rescue Project-continues on schedule. Lt's Sheldon and Tracy coordinating; training later this month. 2. Monthly Call Report-see report from Deputy Chief Dorman. DC Dorman reported on some of the incident number reporting problems that continue. 3. City Disaster Management Plan- revised plan being distributed to dept. heads for review and comment. Once updated, will recommend adoption by reference by Common Council. After that,Town of Ithaca, Cornell Univ. & Ithaca college plans will be developed. FF David Reynolds continues to be responsible for plan development and preparation and deserves much credit for the effort invested. Support 1. See attached report from Deputy Chief Dorman. 2. Steamer Project-work continues. Vet Volunteers have been requested to help fund professional stripping of the wheels ($400-$500). Investing some money to shorten the time required to prep the Steamer may help to get project done sooner. Steamer may be ready to participate in 1999 NYS Fair Parade. 3. SCBA Replacement Project- due to other various projects, this project remains on the table. Training 1. See monthly training report from Deputy Chief Dorman. 2. Public Safety Critical Incident Management Program- 35 people have participated thus far. Additional sessions will be scheduled to have a broad base of people trained. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit and Service/Duty Unit Vol. Coord. Lynch's reports will be distributed under separate cover upon her return from teaching at the National Fire Academy this week. • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9,1999 PAGE 5 IX. Old Business - Discussion of 1999 Goals: Chair Romanowski read a list of goals prepared by Comm. Alexander: 1. To promote a positive image of the Ithaca Fire Department to the community which it serves. 2. Assist the Chief in communicating the needs and concerns of the Ithaca Fire Department by maintaining an open dialogue with the elected officials of the City and Town. 3. Continue to help develop a positive, united working relationship between all members of the Ithaca Fire Department whether paid, administrative,volunteer or retired. 4. Assist the Volunteer Coordinator in the efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of volunteers to the Ithaca Fire Department. 5. Develop an active dialogue with Ithaca College and the Ithaca Fire Department to.procure an annual financial contribution. 6. (added by Chair Romanowski) Discussion of City Charter as it relates to Board of Fire Commissioners duties. X. New Business - Comm. Baker made a motion to authorize$194.60 be paid from the donation fund for the purchase of flags for Central Fire Station (request submitted by AC Wheaton to purchase from Holly's Surplus). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. - Comm. Baker made a motion to accept the bid from LakeEffect Outfitters for Supplied Air Respirator System (as recommend by Lt. Tracy) in the amount of $9,621.67 (from 1999 Capital Projects budget). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. - Comm. Alexander made a motion to authorize$55.20 be paid from the donation fund to reimburse for refreshments purchased for the Swearing In Ceremony held on February 26, 1999. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MARCH 9,1999 PAGE 6 - - Comm. Baker submitted a letter regarding concerns about Y2K problems. Chief Wilbur is on the City Committee and reported there is an ongoing effort to collect information and remedy all problems identified. Comm. Baker also suggested that a request be made for statements of all bank accounts in December 1999. XI. Executive Session was not needed. XII. At 1910 hrs. Comm. Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, • Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the April 13, 1999 meeting) 3JI330 S,Ng3ZJ LLID •