The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-BFC-1995-09-18 • • BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 MINUTES PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS JENNINGS, BAKER, ROMANOWSKI, NELSON AND YAHN; COMMON COUNCIL LIAISON PAM MACKESEY I . The meeting was called to order at 6:05 P.M. II . The purpose of this meeting is to review the 1996 Fire Department Budget request. III . Chief Wilbur provided the Board with several pieces of information including: - Entire budget summary - 2 versions: Version 1: 6 additional personnel (16.3% increase) Version 2 : no additional personnel (11.25% increase) - Equipment request - individual sheets for equipment that costs $500 or more. - Summary sheets for 400 account series. The Chief's summary discussion included the following: - He's fairly certain that the budget will be trimmed to about a 4% increase (although no one has specifically stated the percentage increase) ; - He feels very strongly about the need for more personnel - although he doesn't think the City will be favorable of the request; - Volunteer and bunker recruitment will be ongoing even though recent volunteer recruitment has been unsuccessful and the bunker program has never been completely full. We will challenge I .C. and C.U. to assist in recruiting more student bunkers; - We will refocus our volunteer recruitment to younger people - local high schools, community centers, etc. ; - The Chief will be contacting the President regarding the Americorp program - community service for college tuition; - He feels the department has suffered from reduced strength since the decline in numbers of volunteers - this is not a local issue - it's a nationwide problem; - The Department has lost 2 high level positions since 1993 - one Deputy Chief and one Assistant Chief position. The proposed Deputy Chief for Fire Prevention and the Administrative Assistant for Finance positions would enable the Chief to spend his time leading the department instead of dividing his time in managing the finances of the department and code enforcement - the current Board of Fire Commissioners 2 Special Meeting September 18, 1995 staffing does not allow him to do this; the 4 Firefighter positions would augment current staffing as well additional help in the Fire Prevention Bureau; - The increase in staff development is a continuation of our most recent effort in improving training and training facilities . IV. The following discussion dealt with the staffing proposals: - Comm. Romanowski talked of staffing and the types of calls the Fire Department answers - false alarms (malfunctioning systems, systems set off by contractors, etc. ) and EMS calls account for the majority of our business. He feels changing dispatching procedures, special privileges for volunteers with blue lights, better control of traffic conditions would be helpful . Comm. Romanowski feels the Assistant Chief is justified to free up the training officer to do just that task and he understands the need for the Administrative Assistant; however, he does not feel that he has received enough justification for 4 new Firefighter positions. Chief Wilbur addressed some of his concerns - use of blue lights is controlled by law; the Chief feels very strongly that we should not get out of the EMS business for a variety of reasons - saving lives is a Fire Dept. responsibility, large companies are coming into communities and taking over the EMS business - we could lose control of local views of service, charges, etc. ; and we are looking at local ordinances regarding excessive false alarms or systems that malfunction time and time again. Development of fee charging and fines could take a considerable amount of time that isn't available at the current time. The new Firefighter positions would add consistency and continuity to the Fire Prevention Bureau which is sorely lacking now. If they were assigned to work Mon.- Fri . during the day it would also give us more coverage during this most critical time when volunteers can't arrive quickly or at all due to work constraints. Chief Wilbur will provide more written justification. - Comm. Yahn suggested that if it could be proven to bring in a large amount of income through fines and charges for services, we could more easily justify the new positions . - Comm. Romanowski inquired as to why are we asking for an Assistant Chief - why not a Lieutenant or Firefighter for the Fire Prevention Bureau position. Chief Wilbur stated that the position has a high level of responsibility in that decisions made are a result of interpretation of various code authorities and essentially make policy for the department in the manner in which we enforce the code. - Comm. Jennings stated that he stands by his memo of September 10, Board of Fire Commissioners 3 Special Meeting September 18, 1995 1995; however he feels there is a need for daytime coverage and would support the Firefighter positions for Monday-Friday Special Duty Assignments as long as they could respond to a major incident. - Pam Mackesey stated that she feels Common Council could more readily accept new positions (fire-types) if they could be connected to increased revenues. - Comm. Baker asked if the positions would be bid on and would they be covered by overtime if not filled on a particular day. Chief Wilbur indicated that yes, the positions would be voluntary and bid upon - this would be negotiated with the Union; and no, he does not plan to fill them with overtime. After this discussion the Board voted on the various staffing alternatives as provided by Chief Wilbur: Option A: Yes-0, No-5. Option A failed. Option B: Yes-3 (Baker, Jennings, Nelson) No-2 (Romanowski, Yahn) Option C: No vote. Option D & E: Yes-2 (Romanowski, Yahn) No -3 (Baker, Jennings, Nelson) Option B carried. The configuration is as follows: - 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau - 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration - 4 Fire Fighters for M-F Special Duty Assignment The Board decided to submit the rest of the budget as Chief Wilbur has it prepared. He will let the Board know when meetings will be held with the City to discuss the budget. The Board will address any changes that have to be made as a result of these meetings at that time. Chief Wilbur will prepare position request justifications and develop a supporting package which he will send to the Board. The meeting adjourned at 7 :35 P.M. Respectfully su• itted, (24,b Charles Jennings Chairperson r �+ Staffing alternatives considered by the Administration and Board of Fire Commissioners are as follows: a) Request: 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration 4 Fire Fighters for Shift Assignment b) Request: 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration 4 Fire Fighters for M-F Special Duty Assignment c) Request: 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration 2 Fire Fighters for M-F Special Duty Assignment d) Request: 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration Voluntary Work funds for 4 on M-F using existing staff e) Request: 1 Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention Bureau 1 Administrative Assistant for Administration Voluntary Work funds for 2 on M F using existing staff The Board of Fire Commissioners,the Fire Chief,and the Deputy Fire Chief, agree that request(b) was the one that best served the safety of the department and the community and to include it in the 1996 budget request. Ir �`tm1 CITY OF ITHACA 310 WEST GREEN STREET ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 OFFICE OF TEL (607)272-1234 FIRE CHIEF FAX(607)272-2793 MEMORANDUM TO: Budget and Administration Committee FROM: J. Thomas Dorman, Deputy Fire Chief DATE: September 13, 1995 SUBJECT: Fire Department Apparatus Replacement The following is explanatory information concerning the attached resolutions for the purchase of new apparatus. LIGHT RESCUE (942) This vehicle is a 1989 GMC/Saulsbury Light Rescue Unit. It is basically a heavy pick up truck with a utility box mounted on the back. This unit has over 87,000 miles and has seen extensive service. The original replacement schedule envisioned this unit lasting approximately 5 years. The Fire Department staff has agreed to try a different style vehicle to replace the current 942 . We want to purchase a Suburban style vehicle, with the appropriate conversions, to function as the Light Rescue. The cost of the Suburban style conversion will be approximately $50,000.00 as compared to over $100,000. 00 for the current style unit. We need to emphasize that using the Suburban as a Light Rescue is a trial. It may, or may not, meet the extensive service demands of the Light Rescue. BAKER AERIALSCOPE (933) The current 933 Ladder Truck is a 1976 Baker Aerialscope on a Mack Chassis . The years, use and Northeast climate have caused this vehicle to deteriorate rapidly in the last few years . The original replacement schedule called for the existing ladder trucks to be replaced every 20 years, and thereafter all ladder trucks and pumpers to be replaced after 15 years of service. The 1972 Seagrave Ladder is being replaced in 1995 . The Department has researched and examined our Aerial Units on the basis of expected usage and cost. A few of the pertinent facts : 1 1 . The Department is aware of the financial implications of purchasing two (2) aerial units so close together. We have looked at ways to alleviate this problem and can not find any good solutions. Good, used Aerials are few and far between, and you are usually buying some problems . The used or older Aerials may work for reserve units that do not run as often as first line vehicles, but they can not withstand continual first line service. Also, the type of vehicle needed (see #2) is even harder to find in good used condition. Rehabilitating the current Baker Aerialscope is very expensive, approximately $500,000 . 00 and we will still have a 20 year old truck. Using a combination of the two older aerials ( 1972 Seagrave and 1976 Baker Aerialscope) will cause both units to deteriorate more rapidly and will also not give the Department the needed capabilities of the platform style aerial unit. 2 . As has been demonstrated over and over, most recently on West State St. , the Commons and other areas demand a platform type aerial unit to effectively get the job done. Other styles of aerial units will just not work. The combination of a straight type aerial (939, new in 1995) and the platform type aerial (933) work very well for the various structures throughout our district. Unfortunately, the platform style aerial unit is more costly than other types of aerials . 3. The current unit is rapidly deteriorating and will continue to need costly repairs or become unsafe to operate if it continues as a first line vehicle. It may last a few years in reserve status, but even that is questionable. We have several letters and comments from the manufacturer and DPW concerning the deteriorating condition of this vehicle. Finally, the $990,000. 00 figure will allow the Department to examine and purchase all styles of platform type aerial devices. We may not expend $990,000.00 depending on the style platform we specify, but any less would eliminate certain aerial platforms from consideration. As a note, we have a current Capital Project request for an engineer to evaluate the feasibility (and cost) of raising the overhead door height at Central Station and Station 9 . If this project is not funded, unfeasible or too costly, certain aerial platforms would automatically be eliminated since they would not fit in our Station doors . • 4-011:1114q,it As, A. n,•...'¢', 141,; foRATEO CITY OF ITHACA 310 WEST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 OFFICE OF TEL (607)272-1234 FIRE CHIEF FAX(607)272-2793 September 13, 1995 Resolution to establish a Capital Project for purchase of a new Light Rescue Vehicle Whereas, the Fire Department is currently operating a 1989 GMC/Saulsbury Light Rescue (942) , and; Whereas, this Light Rescue has been extensively used for 6 years, and; Whereas, the Fire Department Apparatus Replacement Schedule anticipated a 5 year service lifetime for the Light Rescue, and; Whereas, the Fire Department is attempting to experiment replacing the Light Rescue with a different type of vehicle, and; Whereas, the Common Council desires to provide the citizens and fire fighters with the best apparatus and equipment to perform the mission of the Department, therefore be it now Resolved, that a Capital Project account in the amount of $50,000. 00 be established for the specification and purchase of a new Light Rescue Unit to replace the 1989 GMC/Saulsbury Light Rescue. Approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners Date: p 01_13--/�?9.- By: fixrit,.? c_. .&://tg_ n r . 4ot 'c i4Aiv�..�ill ,4"ai r_1111171 -, CITY OF ITHACA 310 WEST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 OFFICE OF TEL (607)272-1234 FIRE CHIEF FAX(607)272-2793 September 13, 1995 Resolution to establish a Capital Project for purchase of a new Aerial Apparatus Whereas, the Fire Department is currently operating a 1976 Baker Aerialscope (933) as one Ladder Truck, and; Whereas, this Baker Aerialscope is approaching 20 years of service, and; Whereas, the condition of the Aerialscope is deteriorating, affecting the safe operation of this unit, and; Whereas, the Fire Department Apparatus Replacement Schedule calls for the replacement of the Aerialscope in 1996, and; Whereas, the Common Council desires to provide the citizens and fire fighters with the best apparatus and equipment to perform the mission of the Department, therefore be it now Resolved, that a Capital Project account in the amount of $990,000 .00 be established for the specification and purchase of a new aerial platform unit to replace the 1976 Baker Aerialscope. Approved by the Board of Fire Co issioners Date: 01-/ By: r1`1 can Z. • ec.� A