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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1992-06-09 • BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9, 1992 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Baker, Bargher, Cornelius, Mayer ABSENT: Commissioner Begg 1 . Chairman Baker called the meeting to order at 1908 hours . 2 . Additions/deletions to the agenda: - Commissioner Mayer introduced Stuart Grinnell, appointed by the Town to fill the position Comm. Mayer will vacate, effective June 30 . Grinnell ' s appointment must still be confirmed by Common Council. - Chairman Baker asked for an additional item (incorporated as Item #14A) for discussion during executive session, concerning possible litigation. This item was withdrawn later in the meeting. - Donation from Cornell University (incorporated as Item #13) - After it was announced that Common Council Liaison Booth was absent from the meeting due to the death of his mother, it was moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the board express its sympathy. 3 . Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners : - Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters Association president Dave Burbank read a prepared statement clarifying the union's position concerning department staff vacancies . The statement indicated that the union "recognize(s) the importance of consistent, quality training for all members of the department, " and that, while the department would benefit from a full-time MTO, "it' s more important to fill vacant fire fighter positions . " 4 . Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 12, 1992 be approved as written. Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the minutes of the special meetings of May 19 and May 26, 1992 be approved as written. Carried unanimously. 5 . After discussion of the bill submitted by Proper's Fire Tech Associates, Inc. , for which payment was withheld at the May meeting, it was moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the board accept Mr. Proper' s report. Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the audit dated June 10, 1992 in the amount of $16,902 .56 be approved. Carried unanimously. 6 . Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Bargher that Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 6/9/92 Page 2 the board schedule a special meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 1992, beginning at 1300 hours, to consider approval of any applications for volunteer membership needed to fill the upcoming New Member Training class . Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the following applications for volunteer membership be approved: Co. 3 : Christopher Dubetsky Co. 4 : Michael Pagliaro Co. 5: Charles Griffin Jon Pearlman Co. 6 : John Gould Co. 9 : Michael Cooke Justin Norfleet Carried unanimously. 7 . Moved by Chairman Baker that the board send a letter of appreciation to outgoing Commissioners Cornelius and Mayer for their service to the Board of Fire Commissioners . Approved 2-0-2 (Comms . Cornelius and Mayer abstaining) . Chairman Baker also conveyed the board' s thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch for service as clerk of the board during the past year. After some discussion of options for filling the vacant clerk's position, it was moved by Chairman Baker, seconded by Comm. Bargher that a newspaper ad be run seeking a new clerk. Carried unanimously. 8 . Moved by Commissioner. Mayer, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that Comm. Bargher be appointed as an additional delegate to the Central New York Firemen' s Convention, under the same conditions as the appointment of former commissioner Neigh. Carried unanimously. 9 . Chief Olmstead distributed to the board a memo concerning the filling of existing staff vacancies ( 1 Municipal Training Officer and 4 fire fighters) . The Chief urged that the board "approach each position independently within the context of the participative decisions that were made on the course of the Ithaca Fire Department as established through the Fire Master Planning Process . " The Chief believes all currently vacant positions must be filled, and it is essential that we be allowed to continue with the staffing level increases previously identified and agreed to. Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the current staffing levels within the Ithaca Fire Department have begun to cause harm to the ability of the • Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 6/9/92 Page 3 Ithaca Fire Department to meet its objectives and fulfill its mission. Carried unanimously. The board also decided to seek a meeting with Common Council ' s Human Services Committee, then the Vacancy Committee to state its case. The board has been invited to address the Human Services Committee at its next meeting on June 22, 1992, beginning at 1930 hours . Union president - Burbank indicated that career fire fighters would also attend that meeting. 10. Commissioner Mayer presented a proposed resolution concerning in-service training, initially prepared for the special meeting of May 19 : that the Board of Fire Commissioners direct that all in-service training sessions meet the criteria established for OSHA training, so that the intent of the board, that volunteers need attend any 6 sessions to retain active fire fighter status within the department, is not changed. In addition, the Board requires that current training reports be presented to the board on a monthly basis, these reports to include a total of training sessions attended by each volunteer fire fighter. After discussion, Commissioner Mayer withdrew his proposal, indicating that, in light of the department' s staffing situation, implementation would not appear feasible. 11 . Donation fund request form (committee report) : Tabled until the July meeting. 12 . Chief ' s Report: - Monthly reports : presented - Staffing vacancies : discussed earlier - OSHA citations : Chief Olmstead detailed the citations resulting from the inspection of department facilities and records in April . Among them were several which will have a significant impact on training for all active personnel . All career and active volunteer personnel will be required to complete 36 hours of mandated training, as follows : Hazard Communication Plan ( 3 hours) ; Emergency Action Plan (3 hours) ; Exposure Control SOP and Plan (9 hours) ; Hazardous Materials Response Plan (21 hours) . Several sessions concerning each topic will be offered, and the changes will increase New Member and Bunker Training from 54 to 90 hours . Physicals : A Request for Proposals has been Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 6/9/92 Page 4 distributed concerning the OSHA-required periodic physicals for department members . - Incentives : Individual incentive reports have been distributed for review and comment. Voucher will be submitted in time for the next board audit June 23 . - 911 : The Chief described developments to date, cautioning that he has serious reservations about the process, particularly concerning the actions of county legislators and administration. He suggested the board should consider whether it wishes to take an official position. Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the board request a copy of the E-911 report; further, that it be stressed that this report is for distribution to board members and will not be considered a confidential document. Carried unanimously. 13 . Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the board accept the annual $500 . 00 donation from Cornell University and that a letter of thanks be sent. Carried unanimously. 14 . At 2150 hours, the board moved into executive session to discuss two needy member requests . At 2214 hours, the board resumed open session. Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the board table the requests for further review, and that the chairman appoint a subcommittee to develop an index of past board directives concerning the use of 2% relief funding. Carried unanimously. Chairman Baker appointed Commissioners Bargher and Mayer to that subcommittee. 15 . At 2215 hours, it was moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Bargher and carried unanimously that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 14tAi £_Q(2-/!n Lyman E. Baker Chairman