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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1997-11-10 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 10,1997 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Lyman Baker and Paul Alexander; ABSENT: Commissioners Cynthia Yahn and Alvin Nelson. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs. II. Corn. Baker made a motion to approve the October 14, 1997 meeting minutes with noted corrections. Seconded by Corn. Alexander. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: All additional items will be covered in other areas of the agenda. IV. Persons wish to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: -Lyle Neigh reported on his recent attendance at an Arson Seminar at the New York State Academy of Fire Science. He is particularly concerned regarding information he learned about something called "spoliation" and its impact on fire investigation. This refers to the possibility of several investigators being involved and each different investigator removing pieces of evidence from the fire scene. Since each investigator might not have access to each other's pieces of evidence, the investigation is basically nullified. He feels this could have very serious consequences and the City Attorney and District Attorney's offices should be made aware of this problem. He also points to the need for training, particularly in the legal aspects of fire investigations. Board members asked Lyle to draft a letter to the City Attorney and District Attorney to explain this information and how he feels they may be of help. V. Correspondence: - Chairperson Romanowski read letters he received from Companies#2, 3 and 6 regarding the second request for support of contributions toward the stipends paid for bunker training. They were not supportive and listed reasons such as not being paid to be a volunteer- that there are many volunteers who provide services above and beyond what's expected; and that the City should provide enough funding in the operating budget to cover bunker training. There still has been no response regarding stipends from Companies 4, 5, 7, 9 nor the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. VI. Membership Changes: ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 10,1997 PAGE 2 Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the following membership changes: - Add Jeffrey Goldberg to Co. 5; -Add Howard Cauwels as a Bunker; - Add Elliott Silverman to Co. 9; - Add Theodore Lyu to Co. 9. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. WI. Miscellaneous Reports: - Comm. Alexander made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of $14,497.74. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. -Chairperson Romanowski provided a written report of his meeting at the Town of Ithaca on November 6, 1997- see report in Minute Book; -Chairperson Romanowski also provided a written report of his attendance a the Neighborhood Meeting held at Station 6 on October 21, 1997-see written report in Minute Book; - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board (was held the same night as B&A Committee of Common Council) -no minutes have been published yet,but Lyle Neigh gave a brief summary of items discussed at the meeting: RE: E-911 - Dispatchers are reporting few, if any, problems. The call distribution between police agencies, fire and ambulance calls was predicted. The County is hoping to begin providing New York State-wide training that would eventually become a national standard; Jack Miller feels his budget request is in pretty good shape. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief,Volunteer Coordinator and Training) - See written report in the Minute Book. Chief Wilbur highlighted his report with the following items: LIFE SAFETY Administration: 1. 1998 Operating Budget- the 0%budget submittal,plus another$4,950 cut was approved. This is the same budget as 1997 that includes contractual increases -equipment and other lines were cut to accommodate the increases; 2. Capital Budget was approved as previously reported; 3. Career Personnel-reported in Deputy Chief's report 4. RRP evaluation and status - a neighborhood meeting was held at ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 10,1997 PAGE 3 2. Capital Budget was approved as previously reported; 3. Career Personnel- reported in Deputy Chief's report 4. RRP evaluation and status -a neighborhood meeting was held at Station 6 to discuss the changes in the operations at West Hill station. 5. West State St. Parking Lot 6. Training Center-The Board will review the Concept Proposal Plan for Joint Operations of the Ithaca Fire Department Training Center that the Chief provided and will consider an endorsement. 7. Fire Advisory Board Appointments -recommendations will be made under Old Business. Fire Prevention Bureau: 1. Chapter C Committee report was distributed to Common Council on October 27, 1997; 2. Cause &Origin Report (see report from AC Wheaton) Safety: 1. The Health & Safety Committee will meet on November 11, 1997. OPERATIONS Response &Support reports - see written report from Deputy Chief Dorman in Minute Book. Training: 1. Training reports for September& October 1997 from AC Wheaton in Minute Book; 2. New Member Training-Chief Wilbur reported that we are ever attempting to fine-tune the program-we are now going to utilize the State training program-see Volunteer Coordinator's report. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit and Service/Duty Unit reports -see written report from Volunteer Coordinator Lynch in Minute Book. Chief Wilbur also reported that the Volunteer Company contracts have been approved by Common Council and we are awaiting the signed copies. IX. Old Business - Chairperson Romanowski reported he is continuing work on the Board Policies and Procedures manual- any Board member willing to help, should contact him. -Parking lot update- already reported in Chief's Report; ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 10,1997 PAGE 4 - Chairperson Romanowski reported on the Board of Fire Commissioner's Award ceremony that was held at the Common Council meeting - Award went to the entire A shift for their work last year on the EcoVillage Fire; - Chairperson Romanowski also reported on the Board recognition award to Company 6 for 125 years of service that was presented at their banquet last week; - Chairperson Romanowski recognized the assistance of Chief Wilbur, Deputy Chief Dorman,Volunteer Coordinator Lynch, Admin. Secretary Chris Wilbur, and a special recognition to Veteran Volunteer Fireman Ray Foote for their efforts in putting together the information and certificates for the above noted awards. At this time,Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to approve reimbursement to Ray Foote in the amount of$5.00 for purchase of a frame for the Co. #6 award. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. -Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to recommend the following appointments to the Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board: W. Lyle Neigh- Delegate for term 01/01/97- 12/31/99; David Cornelius-Alternate for term 01/01/97- 12/31/99; Brian H. Wilbur- Delegate for term 01/01/98- 12/31/00; J. Thomas Dorman-Alternate for term 01/01/98- 12/31/00. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. -Comm. Baker inquired about the local law regarding operation and maintenance of Fire Department Facilities. Deputy Chief Dorman replied that it was only a technicality in the law- that Fire Department facilities have always been the responsibility of the Fire Department-there is no change. X. New Business: -Co. 6 Recognition-already reported above; - At the recommendation of Deputy Chief Dorman,Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to award the Central Roof Replacement bid to J & B Installations (Capital Project#336). Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. - At the recommendation of Deputy Chief Dorman, Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to award the Hose Replacement Bid to Saulsbury Fire Equipment (Capital Project#300). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. XI. Executive Session-not needed ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 10,1997 PAGE 5 Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes to be considered for approval at 12/09/97 meeting.