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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1996-08-13 a %( ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 13, 1996 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Alvin Nelson and Cynthia Yahn; Commissioner Baker- Excused Vice Chairman Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1605 hrs. II. Minutes of the July meeting were not available for approval. III. Additions/Deletions to the agenda: - Due to a conflict with primary elections for the September 10 , 1996 meeting, the Board of Fire Commissioners will hold their meeting in the upstairs ready room at Central Fire Station, or in the apparatus room if necessary. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Volunteer Ernie Jackson addressed the Board regarding the volunteers' desire to utilize monies in the volunteer retention line of the Fire Department budget to purchase uniforms. After a lengthy discussion, it was determined that this is an appropriate use of these monies, and that a Committee of the volunteers will be formed to tend to the details of determining who is eligible,sizes, ordering information and projected costs. - Lyle Neigh reported on his recent trip to the Ohio Arson School that was held in Columbus, Ohio. Lyle has attended this school for several years and reports that it is very educational and information he receives there reinforces most of what we are currently doing. This year the school offered seminars on electrical fires and automobile fires. He also brought back very good hand-outs that he will share with the Cause & Origin Team. -Jim Crowley, President of the Ithaca Paid Fire Fighter's Association addressed the Board to respond to some comments made at last month's meeting by Volunteer David Cornelius. His comments were made apparently in response to a letter to the editor that Jim had written regarding the Ithaca Fire Department accepting service from volunteers from outside departments. Jim is concerned that use of these volunteers could jeopardize the safety and operations of IFD in that those volunteers would not be "Ithaca" trained and would not be familiar with our equipment and procedures. He state his letter was in no way intended to diminish the role of the Ithaca volunteers; only to reinforce the fact that the department is in dire need to increase the levels of career staff. Jim also went on to say the IPFFA does not in any way encourage or condone anti-volunteer behavior and that he would be interested in participating in some type of forum that would include all aspects of the department to increase lines of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners August 13, 1996 Page 2 communication. V. Correspondence: -Central NY Firemen's Assoc. Summer Publication of"Trumpet" - Letter to Lyman Baker from Senator Seward regarding Emergency Services Revolving Loan Fund -Chief Wilbur reported that he forwarded that information to the City Controller, Dominick Cafferillo for further exploration of availability of those funds to the City of Ithaca; - Memo from City Chamberlain Debra Parsons regarding distribution of 2% monies. Chief Wilbur suggested that sometime before the next distribution, the Board might formulate a policy with regard to inquiries about 2% monies. Persons concerned or interested in the distribution of these funds should only be inquiring of one person . The Board will consider this sometime in the future. -Letter to Co. #7 Captain Richard Lathrop dated 06 AUG 96 from Chief Wilbur regarding possible uses of Station#7. Comm. Yahn suggested that anyone who has a stake or idea about the use of Station#7 should be in touch with Council Person Roey Thorpe. Chief Wilbur indicated the Board should come to a decision regarding their recommendation on the disposition of Station#7 probably by the end of this Fall. Comm. Romanowski is concerned about the continued viability of Company 7. VI. Membership changes -none VII. Misc. Reports: - Comm. Yahn made a motion to pay from the Rescue Squad Donation Fund a bill in the amount of$38.00 to pay for processing of CPR cards. Comm. Nelson seconded the motion. It was noted that funds have been deposited to this account from donations for giving CPR classes to various groups. The motion carried unanimously. - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - minutes of the July 29, 1996 meeting were received. - Comm. Yahn reported that she spoke to Common Council regarding the Americorp program and that the Resource Reallocation Project is underway. - Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$16,019.94 Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners August 13, 1996 Page 3 and Capital Projects in the amount of$2,255.40. Seconded by Comm. Romanowski. Carried unanimously. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief,Volunteer Coordinator, and Training) Chief Wilbur provided highlights of the written reports (see minute book). -RRP is on schedule. The Town of Ithaca Board has not yet taken action on the plan. The Chief and Deputy Chief Dorman met with the Town Supervisor, Comm. Romanowski, City Controller Cafferillo and two other representatives from the Town this morning and it was decided that a full presentation of the plan would be given at the October 7, 1996 full Town Board meeting. He indicated that there is still some concern expressed regarding adherence to the City/Town contract. The Chief feels that as we are not providing less service to the Town,and the fact that the City has completely closed one fire station, and one Town of Ithaca Fire Station is not in service during daytime hours only, that the level of service to the Town of Ithaca probably is greater at this point in time. Chief Wilbur also noted that at that time he will be able to offer a two month analysis of how the plan has been working up to that point. He indicated that Town Supervisor Catherine Valentino made a reference to the need for an increase in career personnel. The 1997 Fire Department budget will also be presented at that time. - Budget-Chief Wilbur reported that the Mayor has asked department heads to present budget scenarios that show a 0% increase and one that shows a 4% decrease in spending. After a lengthy discussion of past budget requests that weren't approved, the addition of the Americorp program, and mandates such as OSHA "2 in,2 out" that we have no control over, Comm. Yahn made a motion as follows: The Board of Fire Commissioners is acutely aware of budgetary problems; however, the Board of Fire Commissioners would like to go on record that a 4% budget reduction scenario for 1997 is not acceptable, practical or advisable in order to assure that the Ithaca Fire Department continues to fulfill their mission to serve the needs of the City and Town of Ithaca; and that they strongly oppose a 4% reduction and respectfully requests that the Fire Chief be directed to not pursue a 4% reduction as a function of time and energy. Comm. Nelson seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. The Board agreed to have a budget work session on August 27, 1996 at 1800 hrs. At Central Fire Station. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners August 13, 1996 Page 4 -Vision Statement- Chief Wilbur read his vision statement (see attached) for the department to the Board. He indicated this is a working document and would like to work on a shared vision statement with a committee that would include representatives from all aspects of the of the Fire Department-internal and external customers. - Volunteer Services Division (see written report) - Chief Wilbur indicated that as a result of the last department-wide meeting,he feels there is a need to have a meeting with volunteers and bunkers on a quarterly basis to keep up to date on information dissemination and answering questions and concerns. We finally received a letter confirming our Americorp grant. The department was very anxious to receive this information as the training program and bunker/volunteer commitments have begun. The bunker program, for the first time ever, is full. This seems to reinforce the point that providing a free room in exchange for service is not enough for college students - there needs to be some monetary value to keep up with high college costs. The Americorp program has required a hugh investment in time, energy and resources. Marcia Lynch reported that she feels this is the most solid group of bunkers that we have ever had, and even with the very short notice on the Americorp program,we have not softened our standards in any way to accommodate the group. Unfortunately, the Americorp program will probably not be renewed as it is totally tied to the current national political situation. Marcia and Chief Wilbur both spoke of approaching the educational institutions and asking them to contribute to a "scholarship" fund that may be used in a similar fashion as the Americorp program monies. This would have a direct benefit to the colleges as the monies would be returned to them. Comm. Yahn stated that she feels the effort put into this program is a very eloquent use of our resources and this should fit very well into the Mayor's stated budget priorities of addressing community needs. Marcia also reported that the volunteer incentive letters will be mailed tomorrow. IX. Old Business - none X. New Business - none XI. Executive Session - not needed Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners August 13, 1996 Page 5 XII. At 1950 hrs.,Comm. Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, / Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes will be submitted for approval at 09/10/96 meeting