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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1993-02-26 . BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 26, 1993 (Special Meeting) CORRECTED MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Baker, Bargher, Begg, Grinnell, Hamilton, Common Council Liaison Barbara Blanchard, Town Supervisor Shirley Raffensperger 1. Chairman Baker called the meeting to order at 1715 hours. Commissioner Begg stated that the meeting was a special meeting rather than an open meeting and the main purpose was to get the input of the city representative, and a town representative regarding the staffing/overtime issue. 2 . Chairman Baker asked Shirley Raffensperger and Barbara Blanchard to discuss their feeling and concerns regarding staffing. For clarification Shirley Raffensperger wanted to know what the current staffing of the department was. Tom Dorman stated that a full staff should consist of 52 firefighter positions and 10 officers. At the current time only 50 of the firefighter positions are funded and 49 of the 50 are filled as of Friday, February 26, 1993. There are presently 3 positions that are authorized, but not funded; 2 firefighter and the Municipal Training Officer. The problem of proper training is a concern that was discussed. Although the town has been supportive of having the Municipal Training Officer position filled as a first priority, it was assuming that there would be a full staff. With all of the budget cuts the town had anticipated cuts, and without a full staff looking at the entire staffing problem makes sense. Other possibilities regarding training were discussed; Common Council liaison Barbara Blanchard suggested looking into hiring an outside contractor to instruct the training. She feels that if the board could come up with any reasonable proposal without involving another paid position it would be seriously considered by Common Council. Commissioner Hamilton suggested that the function of the Municipal Training Officer could be divided among current staff members. At the present time the training is being conducted by staff members, but they are limited due to the overtime budget. Combining training with surrounding villages was also suggested. In this case the training would ,have to be "general" training rather than specific training for the needs of Ithaca Fire Department. Board of Fire Commissioners Page 2 Special Meeting 2/26/93 Regarding renewing the City/Town contract Commissioner Grinnell suggested that the agreement not be rewritten, just fine tuned to the needs at the present time. Dave Cornelius stated that if anyone was interested in knowing how and why the present staffing levels were picked he would be willing to discuss it with them. Commissioner Begg suggested that the board get more involved with the operations of the department by dividing problem areas and having one person dedicated to being involved in that area. This will help to keep all lines of communication open while also helping the board to be aware of operations. It was suggested that there be a town liaison as well as a common council liaison. Shirley Raffensperger agreed that it was a good idea to have someone representing the town, and would try to find a town liaison. Chairman Baker asked the board to think about the areas that would need to be divided up among board members and come to the March meeting prepared to assign members to those specific functions. It was also suggested that if any volunteers, or people from the city and town have any areas which they feel the board should be involved please submit those suggestions to the board for consideration. 3. The meeting was adjourned at 1830 hours. Re ectfully submitted, L an E. Baker Chairman /glp Correction from Special Meeting February 26, 1993 In order to properly express the views of the Town Supervisor Shirley Raffensperger, it was requested that the second paragraph of item #2 in the minutes be changed to read as follows: " The problem of proper training is a concern that was discussed. Although the town has been supportive of having the Municipal Training Officer position filled as a first priority, it was assuming that there would be a full staff. With all of the budget cuts the town had anticipated cuts, and without a full staff looking at the entire staffing problem makes sense. "