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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1991-09-10 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 10, 1991 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Baker, Begg, Cornelius, Mayer, Neigh 1. Chairman Baker called the meeting to order at 1910 hours. 2 . Chairman Baker presented a plaque to former Commissioner Gloria Howell, recognizing and thanking her for her service to the board from 1988 through 1991 . Chief Olmstead will deliver a similar plaque to former Commissioner P. K. Reeves, who was unable to attend the meeting. 3 . Additions/deletions to the agenda: ( Incorporated as items # 12A and 12B) - Request from Co. 6 to use West Hill Station for an activity during Fire Prevention Week; - Request from Co. 9 for approval of a company activity during Fire Prevention Week. 4 . Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners : - Dan Maas, captain of Co. 9, thanked the board for granting permission for the company to paint the first floor of Station 9 . The project is now completed, thanks to efforts of company members, career fire fighters and bunkers . 5 . Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Neigh that the minutes of the August 1991 meeting be approved as written. Carried unanimously. 6 . Moved by Commissioner Mayer, seconded by Comm. Neigh that the audit dated September 10, 1991 in the amount of $33,620 . 00 be approved. Carried unanimously. 7 . The board noted receipt of the latest installment of "2%" checks for volunteer companies . The City Chamberlain made the distribution, as directed by the board last month. 8 . The board reviewed the draft of a proposed bunker disciplinary policy submitted by Deputy Chief for Operations Tom Dorman at the board' s request. Some commissioners asked for input from DC Dorman concerning appropriate sanctions for various types or frequencies of offenses . Chairman Baker appointed a committee of Commissioners Mayer and Begg to work with DC Dorman and Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch to refine the proposal and report back at the October meeting. 9 . Volunteer Coordinator Lynch proposed that, to streamline procedures and save the department money, approved bunkers who apply to join volunteer companies no longer be required to undergo a second department physical to certify their Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 9/10/91 Page 2 physical capability. Lynch pointed out that bunkers have already been certified, based on examinations by their own doctors, using a virtually identical form. Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the department waive the second required physical for bunkers who apply to become company members and that the pertinent forms be modified to more clearly indicate that the physician is certifying the candidate's physical capability to perform fire fighting duties . Carried unanimously. 10 . The board noted the deaths of the following two members of Co. 7 : Peter Fenner (5/31/91) Richard Sweet (6/14/91) Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the following candidates be approved for volunteer membership: Co. 1 Eric Edelman Co. 3 Mitchell Schroeder Co. 5 Kimberly Sweeney Mark Bansfield Stephen Dooley Heber Sambucetti Co. 9 Andrew Isidore Charles Jennings Deborah Vennos Dylan Willoughby Carried unanimously. 11. Moved by Commissioner Neigh, seconded by Comm. Cornelius that the board accept the bid of L. W. Bills Co. in the amount of $8,046 for a new alarm system decoder. The bid was the sole one received; $10,000 had been budgeted. Carried unanimously. 12 . Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Begg that a request from Co. 7 to use 907 and Station 7 ' s apparatus room on October 27, 1991 for the annual Fall Creek Kids Halloween Parade and Party be approved, subject to the normal availability of equipment. Carried unanimously. 12A. Commissioner Mayer, on behalf of Co. 6, requested the company be permitted to use West Hill Station, 906 and 944 for an Open House on Saturday, October 12, 1991, during Fire Prevention Week. Because of a conflict with the Tompkins County Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Day, the requested date was changed to the following Saturday, October 19 . Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Neigh that the request be approved, subject to the normal availability of '-t Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 9/10/91 Page 3 equipment. Carried unanimously. Chief Olmstead suggested that in the future companies check the department's master calendar when planning events . 12B. On behalf of Co. 9, captain Dan Maas requested board approval of a company project during Fire Prevention Week. For as many as three days, the company will staff an information table in front of Willard Straight Hall, with apparatus nearby when possible. Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the event be approved as a department activity and that 909 or 939 be detailed to the event, subject to availability. Carried unanimously. 13 . The board reviewed a suggestion, submitted by Co. 7 secretary George Diemond, to modify the form which companies submit on behalf of needy members seeking assistance from the "2% Firemen's Relief Fund. " He suggests that the request be handled through the company' s "Sick Committee" or the secretary, rather than the company captain, since such requests are confidential . Commissioners agreed it is time to study this and other possible modifications to the form. Moved by Comm. Mayer, seconded by Comm. Begg that a committee of Commissioners Mayer and Cornelius be established to study the matter and recommend possible changes at the October meeting. Carried unanimously. 14 . Chief ' s Report: - Monthly reports : presented. The Chief noted that, while there have been a flurry of sign-ins, volunteer response recorded on the report is still not up to what it should be. These figures do not yet reflect the impact of an increased number of bunkers responding. - Related to the volunteer response issue, there was considerable discussion concerning dispatching procedures, with many complaining about inconsistency in putting out calls for volunteers, rope rescue team members, etc. Commissioner Cornelius sits on a county committee studying the dispatch issue; at his request, Comm. Neigh will provide information on dispatch models discussed in recent issues of Fire Engineering. - The Chief reported no progress in discussions with Cornell Life Safety to replace or reimburse the department for a portable UHF radio, which was borrowed, then stolen. One final letter to Life Safety and Public Safety will be sent, warning that, if necessary, the City will pursue the matter in Small Claims Court, as a last resort. Z Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 9/10/91 Page 4 - The Vacancy Review Committee has denied the department's request to fill the Municipal Training Officer' s position. There are strong indications that abolishing the position will be proposed during 1992 budget deliberations this fall. As of the day of the meeting, the Chief had heard no response from the city concerning the proposed 1992 department budget submitted. He briefed the Town Board on budget matters at its September 9 meeting. There are some indications that the fire department will be "the target" in the upcoming city budget discussions . - Chief Olmstead reported no luck in scheduling interviews with consultants for the Space Needs Study, since the two members of the committee representing Common Council had not responded concerning their availability. The board requested that the Chief schedule the appointments, involving those who are available and that the Space Needs Study be implemented promptly. - The Chief reported that 944 has been out of service for repair of a windshield molding problem covered under warranty and predicted the vehicle would be back in service within the week. 15. Other - none. 16 . At 2050 hours, the board moved into Executive Session to discuss the status of a disciplinary matter and a request from a needy member. The board resumed open session at 2107 hours . Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the disciplinary matter be referred to the Deputy Chief for Operations, with power to act, and that limitation of visitors be considered as one possible sanction. Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Cornelius, seconded by Comm. Mayer that the city Chamberlain be authorized and instructed to pay from the Active Firemen's Relief Fund reimbursement and outstanding bills in the amount of $628 . 85 for a needy member of Co. 7 . The meeting was adjourned at 2010 hours . R pectfully submitted, reux.,..„. 2... Q30Y.Q.A_.■ Lyman E. Baker, Chairman