HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2016-10-11CITY OF ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES
October 11, 2016
Present:
Chair Gilligan
Vice Chair Sparks
Commissioners: Guttridge and Hoard
Fire Chief Parsons
Excused: CC Liaison Gearhart
Call to Order:
Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1623 hours. Prior to the meeting the Board
had a tour of Central Fire Station, including a review of apparatus maintained at Central
Fire Station.
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda: Chief Parsons needed to leave the
meeting early so his report was moved to the top of the meeting’s agenda. No Board
member objected.
Fire Chief’s Report
Chief Parsons highlighted the following items from his September written report to the
Board. His full report will be included with these minutes.
The Department is fully staffed as of September 30, 2016. This includes 63 uniform
personnel plus 1 Administrative Coordinator position for a total of 64 personnel (the
deputy chief position is filled on a per diem basis).
Assistant Chief Mike Schnurle will retire on October 27, 2016. Chief Parsons expects to
promote two individuals in November: a lieutenant will be promoted to fill the vacancy
left by AC Schnurle’s retirement and an eligible firefighter will be promoted to fill the
lieutenant’s opening created by filling the AC position. A new firefighter will be hired in
January 2017 to fill the vacancy created by filling the lieutenant’s position. Four
additional Firefighters will also be hired early in 2017, funded by the SAFER grant that
the department was awarded in September 2016.
Budget Status: A summary of the 2016 program budget with YTD Revenues and
expenses was distributed with the Chief’s report and showed that 30% of the
department’s operating budget remains to cover expenses for the final quarter of 2016.
A small surplus is expected at the end of the year.
The Mayor’s 2017 budget was presented to Common Council the first week of October.
The 2017 proposed Department’s operating budget increased by 1.88%. The Chief will
be making a presentation to Common Council later in the week to review the
department’s 2017 operations. Included in the 2017 budget is funding for a full time
Deputy Chief to begin in December 2017.
Communications Tompkins County Emergency Communication and 911 Center
The Tompkins County emergency Communications Review and Oversight Committee is
reviewing its mission and drafting recommendations to the TC Public Safety Committee
for a revision of its mission.
Collegetown Fire Station – Kingsbury Architects have completed their study on
relocating the Collegetown Fire Station. The report was distributed to the BFC in
September. It includes a review of Central Fire Station as to the feasibility of expanding
the station to allow consolidation of the equipment and staff currently at Station 9 in
Collegetown.
Apparatus
No updates on the status of the two new pumpers ordered from Seagrave Fire
Apparatus, LLC . They are expected to be delivered late in 2016 or early 2017.
Training Reports Assistant Chief Tracy provided the Board with a summary of the
September YTD training activity for the department.
911 Memorial The Chief requested that the Board pass a resolution creating a
committee that will be charged with developing a plan for creating a suitable memorial
that incorporates the steel beam that was recovered from the World Trade Center site in
the aftermath of the attack on September 11, 2001. He indicated that he hoped the
Board could act as soon as possible to authorize the committee. He indicated that the
committee should include the following members: a representative from the Board of
Fire Commissioners, a member from the theca Paid Firefighters Union, a representative
from Neriton Volunteer Company 9, the Director of the City Planning Department, an
individual to be named by the Chief to chair the committee, and such other members
that the Committee and Board of Fire Commissioners determined should be included.
The Board will discuss this item under new business and take action at that time, if
possible.
Chief Parsons left the meeting at 1640 hours.
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of the September 12, 2016 meeting minutes was deferred to the next meeting
pending some additional changes.
Awards, Commendations, an Other Recognition Items:
None
Persons Wishing to Speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners:
Mr. Lyman Baker reported that Mr. Raymond Wheaton and he had spent 6 hours each
in the Ithaca City Cemetery, mowing and trimming the Firemen’s section. The area
looks very nice for Fire Prevention Week.
Correspondence:
Chair Gilligan reported on the bank statements from Tompkins Trust Company. The
September 30, 2016 Donation Fund statement beginning and ending balance was
$3,050.94. The September 30, 2016 Rescue Equipment Fund Statement showed an
opening balance of $1,847.05, interest earned of $0.12 for a closing balance of
$1,847.17.
Membership Changes:
Motion to Accept Simon Velasquez as a Member of the Ithaca Fire Department,
Neriton Company # 9-Resolution
By Vice Chair Sparks. Seconded by Commissioner Guttridge
RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners accepts Simon Velasquez as a
member of Neriton Company #9 of the City of Ithaca Fire Department.
Carried unanimously.
Miscellaneous Reports:
The City and Town of Ithaca quarterly reports are due in November. No report in
October.
Audit:
The audit materials were not available at the meeting. (Note: They were subsequently
reviewed and approved by Commissioner Hoard).
Department Reports:
FirePolice/ Company #9 Report:
Mr. David Cornelius was not able to attend the meeting, Chair Gilligan read his written
report to the Board which included the following items:
Fire Police Training was held on September 20th, the topic was radio Communications
and the new 2016 Emergency Response Guide to Hazardous Materials. The session
lasted 2 hours. Attending were: Dave Cornelius, Lyman Bakeer, Rob Longo, Jim
Rogers, Jack Gould, Gary Bordoni, and Bill Gilligan.
The next training is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18th.
The Fire Police Unit was activated twice in the past month. Once for a car fire on Rt. 96
just north of the hospital. Jim Rogers and Dave Cornelius responded. The second call
was for wires down on Wood St., Jim Rogers, Bill Gilligan, and Dave Cornelius
responded.
At our Company meeting I was asked to find out why the Fire Police are sometimes only
receiving credit for less than the scheduled 2 hour training session. We must come
from home to these sessions and we are counting on 2 hours of useful and valuable
training. Some of the sessions only last ½ hour. This hardly makes it worth our while to
drive in.
Company 9 Activity On Saturday, October 8, 2016, the following members of
Company 9, completed the Fall Clean-up of NYS Route 89 as part of the NYS adopt a
highway program. The following 7 members worked from 0800 to 0945: Victoria
Mattarell, Alex Karandeyev, Andrew Kelly, Morgan Howland, Rob Longo, Gary Bordoni,
and Bill Gilligan.
Twelve bags of trash were collected from the roadside
Submitted by
David Cornelius, Company 9 Captain
Old Business:
Volunteer Recruitment: No update. The Volunteer Committee needs to meet in the
near future to discuss various issues related to recruitment and retention of active
volunteers.
Role of Board of Fire Commissioners - Commissioner Guttridge reported that he had
a conversation with City Council member Seph Murtagh regarding the role of the Board
of Fire Commissioners. Council Member Murtagh indicated to him that it would useful
for the Commissioners to proactively make recommendations on how the Board could
play a more effective role in supporting the Fire Department and in working with the
Common Council.
Following up on the discussion from the September BFC meeting, Vice Chair Sparks
commented that he appreciated receiving the Kingbury report following the September
Board meeting.
Recognition-Award Guidelines and Procedures Input on the draft policy and
procedures will be sought from department staff and the union leadership.
Department Information sessions –
The Board will discuss with Chief Parsons additional topics for presentation sessions at
future meetings. The feasibility of holding a session for town and city officials will also
be considered.
911 Memorial
In response to the request by Chief Parsons, the following action was taken:
A Resolution to establish a committee to develop a plan for creating a 911
Memorial utilizing the steal beam from the World Trade center.
By Commissioner Guttridge. Seconded by Vice Chair Sparks
WHEREAS, the Ithaca City Fire Department has received a piece of the steal structure
from the World Trade Center buildings lost on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, there is a desire to determine the appropriate venue for displaying this item
and to create a memorial to those who lost their lives or were injured during this attack
and in the aftermath of the attack, for those who died or were injured while rescuing or
recovering the victims of the attack; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners authorizes the formation of a
special 911 Memorial committee to develop a plan for a memorial that incorporates the
steel artifact from the World Trade Center; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the initial membership on this committee will consist of the following
individuals:
A member from the B oard of Fire Commissioners
A representative from the Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters Union
A representative from Volunteer Company 9
The Director of the City Planning Department
An individual selected by t he Chief to Chair the Committee
Such other members that the Committee and Board determine as necessary to
complete the committee’s charge;
And, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 911 Memorial committee’s charge is to develop a project plan
that includes determining the appropriate site for the memorial, the design of the
memorial for displaying the steel artifact, an event or schedule for presenting the
memorial to the community, identifying the costs associated with preparing the
memorial and site. To develop a budget for the memorial as well as costs associated
with presenting the memorial to the community, and for maintaining it in the future. The
plan should also identify possible funding sources to cover these costs.
Carried Unanimously
New Business:
Resolution for Assistant Chief Michael Schnurle on his retirement
By Commissioner Hoard: Seconded by Commissioner Guttridge
WHEREAS, Mike Schnurle, Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Ithaca Fire
Department will retire on October 27, 2016, after thirty-six years of outstanding
and meritorious service to the City of Ithaca and the City of Ithaca Fire
Department; and
WHEREAS, Mike was hired as a Fire Fighter with the City of Ithaca Fire Department on
October 27, 1980; and
WHEREAS, Six years after he officially started as a career fire fighter, Mike was
promoted to the position of lieutenant for the City of Ithaca Fire Department on April 16,
1986; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his outstanding firefighting skills, commitment, leadership
skills and proven professionalism, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Fire
Chief on May 25, 2001, a position he held until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, throughout his thirty-six years of service with the City of Ithaca Fire
Department, Mike has served the people of this community to the very best of his ability
with dedication, professionalism, and skillful leadership abilities; and
WHEREAS, Mike has always been willing and able to provide assistance to anyone in
need, and been a great teacher and trainer for other firefighters; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the Members of the City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners,
do hereby extend to Mike Schnurle our sincere and grateful appreciation for his
dedicated service to the City of Ithaca Fire Department, our congratulations on his well-
earned retirement, and our best wishes to his for continued success, happiness, and
good health in the years to come.
Carried Unanimously
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1724 hours.
______________________________
William Gilligan, Chair
MEMORANDUM
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
b)
LIFE SAFETY DIVISION
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Ithaca FD
Alarm Date Between {01/01/2016} and {09/30/2016}
Incident Type Period Comparisons
Incident Type 01/01/2014
to
09/30/2014
01/01/201
5 to
09/30/201
5
01/01/2016
to
09/30/2016
01/01/2013
to
09/30/2013
100 Fire, Other 6 86 5
111 Building fire 32 2929 17
112 Fires in structure other than in a building 1 10 0
113 Cooking fire, confined to container 17 1713 19
114 Chimney or flue fire, confined to chimney or flue 3 20 0
116 Fuel burner/boiler malfunction, fire confined 1 00 1
118 Trash or rubbish fire, contained 1 42 5
121 Fire in mobile home used as fixed residence 0 01 0
130 Mobile property (vehicle) fire, Other 0 11 2
131 Passenger vehicle fire 9 96 10
132 Road freight or transport vehicle fire 1 20 2
134 Water vehicle fire 1 00 1
138 Off-road vehicle or heavy equipment fire 0 20 0
140 Natural vegetation fire, Other 4 313 2
142 Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 1 05 2
143 Grass fire 2 15 0
150 Outside rubbish fire, Other 3 54 4
151 Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire 6 105 8
154 Dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire 3 45 4
160 Special outside fire, Other 5 04 4
161 Outside storage fire 0 10 1
170 Cultivated vegetation, crop fire, Other 0 12 1
200 Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat other 1 00 0
212 Overpressure rupture of steam boiler 0 00 1
221 Overpressure rupture of air or gas pipe/pipeline 0 01 0
231 Chemical reaction rupture of process vessel 0 01 0
240 Explosion (no fire), Other 0 10 1
251 Excessive heat, scorch burns with no ignition 6 12 0
300 Rescue, EMS incident, other 8 84 12
3001Gorge Rescue, EMS incident, Ground Evacuation 2 13 1
3002Gorge Rescue, EMS incident, Low Angle Rope Assist 0 20 1
311 Medical assist, assist EMS crew 18 1818 18
320 Emergency medical service, other 40 6376 44
321 EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 1559 15251434 1439
322 Motor vehicle accident with injuries 55 7865 80
323 Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped)12 1214 14
324 Motor Vehicle Accident with no injuries 27 2529 24
331 Lock-in (if lock out , use 511 )4 01 0
3311Lock-in / Knox Box Access Required 1 13 0
3312Lock-in / Force Entry Required 1 00 1
341 Search for person on land 0 00 1
1Page10/28/2016 14:01
Ithaca FD
Alarm Date Between {01/01/2016} and {09/30/2016}
Incident Type Period Comparisons
Incident Type 01/01/2014
to
09/30/2014
01/01/201
5 to
09/30/201
5
01/01/2016
to
09/30/2016
01/01/2013
to
09/30/2013
350 Extrication, rescue, Other 2 22 0
351 Extrication of victim(s) from building/structure 1 01 0
352 Extrication of victim(s) from vehicle 0 02 3
353 Removal of victim(s) from stalled elevator 8 1211 9
354 Trench/below-grade rescue 0 01 0
3561Gorge Rescue, High-angle Extrication 2 04 3
360 Water & ice-related rescue, other 1 01 1
361 Swimming/recreational water areas rescue 0 00 3
363 Swift water rescue 1 00 1
365 Watercraft rescue 2 03 1
381 Rescue or EMS standby 1 71 4
400 Hazardous condition, Other 37 5643 39
410 Combustible/flammable gas/liquid condition, other 1 73 6
411 Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 10 1410 7
412 Gas leak (natural gas or LPG)50 6371 55
413 Oil or other combustible liquid spill 6 34 3
420 Toxic condition, Other 0 10 0
421 Chemical hazard (no spill or leak)2 23 2
422 Chemical spill or leak 3 21 1
424 Carbon monoxide incident 21 1611 17
440 Electrical wiring/equipment problem, Other 10 1113 14
441 Heat from short circuit (wiring), defective/worn 5 32 4
442 Overheated motor 7 66 4
443 Breakdown of light ballast 0 12 2
444 Power line down 35 3032 18
445 Arcing, shorted electrical equipment 14 177 12
451 Biological hazard, confirmed or suspected 0 11 0
460 Accident, potential accident, Other 2 12 2
461 Building or structure weakened or collapsed 1 10 0
463 Vehicle accident, general cleanup 2 45 6
471 Explosive, bomb removal (for bomb scare, use 721)1 01 0
480 Attempted burning, illegal action, Other 0 00 1
481 Attempt to burn 0 10 0
500 Service Call, other 95 14176 118
510 Person in distress, Other 16 118 9
511 Lock-out 10 67 7
512 Ring or jewelry removal 0 10 0
520 Water problem, Other 17 2519 8
521 Water evacuation 3 209 7
522 Water or steam leak 16 2613 10
531 Smoke or odor removal 4 28 6
2Page10/28/2016 14:01
Ithaca FD
Alarm Date Between {01/01/2016} and {09/30/2016}
Incident Type Period Comparisons
Incident Type 01/01/2014
to
09/30/2014
01/01/201
5 to
09/30/201
5
01/01/2016
to
09/30/2016
01/01/2013
to
09/30/2013
541 Animal problem 1 11 0
542 Animal rescue 1 21 1
550 Public service assistance, Other 17 137 16
551 Assist police or other governmental agency 10 1820 19
552 Police matter 3 63 3
553 Public service 5 69 4
554 Assist invalid 9 57 12
555 Defective elevator, no occupants 1 10 1
561 Unauthorized burning 12 65 12
571 Cover assignment, standby, moveup 1 14 0
600 Good intent call, Other 40 4961 52
611 Dispatched & cancelled en route 8 68 4
6111Dispatched & cancelled en route - By Dispatcher 9 1614 7
6112Dispatched & cancelled en route - By Bangs 200 157242 180
6113Dispatched & cancelled en route - By CUEMS 45 4430 47
6114Dispatched & cancelled en route - By CU EH&S 126 109147 77
6115Dispatched & cancelled en route - By IC Safety 73 5082 57
6117Dispatched & cancelled en route - By MA Dept 4 813 1
6118Dispatched & cancelled en route - By IPD 9 89 12
6119Dispatched & cancelled en route - By Other Police 0 11 0
621 Wrong location 3 20 0
622 No Incident found on arrival at dispatch address 31 2527 16
631 Authorized controlled burning 0 21 4
641 Vicinity alarm (incident in other location)1 00 0
650 Steam, Other gas mistaken for smoke, Other 1 11 0
651 Smoke scare, odor of smoke 10 912 11
652 Steam, vapor, fog or dust thought to be smoke 4 34 4
653 Smoke from barbecue, tar kettle 0 11 2
661 EMS call, party transported by non-fire agency 1 21 1
671 HazMat release investigation w/no HazMat 32 2938 19
700 False alarm or false call, Other 16 933 8
7001False alarm or false call, Other - Medical Alarm 61 4559 40
710 Malicious, mischievous false call, Other 9 34 10
711 Municipal alarm system, malicious false alarm 2 02 4
713 Telephone, malicious false alarm 1 10 1
714 Central station, malicious false alarm 25 2322 38
715 Local alarm system, malicious false alarm 4 41 1
721 Bomb scare - no bomb 0 10 0
730 System malfunction, Other 22 1325 22
731 Sprinkler activation due to malfunction 11 1210 8
732 Extinguishing system activation due to malfunction 1 00 2
3Page10/28/2016 14:01
Ithaca FD
Alarm Date Between {01/01/2016} and {09/30/2016}
Incident Type Period Comparisons
Incident Type 01/01/2014
to
09/30/2014
01/01/201
5 to
09/30/201
5
01/01/2016
to
09/30/2016
01/01/2013
to
09/30/2013
734 Heat detector activation due to malfunction 6 66 11
735 Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 109 7164 80
736 CO detector activation due to malfunction 28 1622 14
740 Unintentional transmission of alarm, Other 18 4261 85
741 Sprinkler activation, no fire - unintentional 22 912 18
743 Smoke detector activation, no fire - unintentional 365 381396 372
744 Detector activation, no fire - unintentional 72 17270 188
745 Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 135 114103 123
746 Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 9 149 13
800 Severe weather or natural disaster, Other 0 80 3
812 Flood assessment 2 00 5
813 Wind storm, tornado/hurricane assessment 1 90 0
900 Special type of incident, Other 0 13 1
3873 3908Totals3863 3758
4Page10/28/2016 14:01
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
District
Ithaca Fire Department
January through September 2016 Responses -Incident Type by District
Other
Severe Weather
Alarms/No Fire
Good Intent Call
Service Call
Hazardous Condition
EMS/Rescue
Overpressure/Rupture
Fire
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Total City Total Town Outside Ithaca
Municipality
Ithaca Fire Department
January through September 2016 Responses -Incident Type by Municipality
Other
Severe Weather
Alarms/No Fire
Good Intent Call
Service Call
Hazardous Condition
EMS/Rescue
Overpressure/Rupture
Fire
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
City of Ithaca
Town of Ithaca
Municipality
Ithaca Fire Department
January through September 2016 Responses by Municipality
Outside Ithaca
Town of Ithaca
City of Ithaca
Ithaca Fire Department
Municipality, District, and Incident Type Responses
January through September 2016
District Fire
Overpressure/
Rupture EMS/Rescue
Hazardous
Condition Service Call
Good Intent
Call Alarms/No Fire
Severe
Weather Other Total
Percentage of
Incidents
City of Ithaca 57 2 995 165 144 331 719 0 2 2415 62.52%
City of Ithaca - Cornell Property 4 2 83 5 4 135 89 0 1 323 8.36%
City of Ithaca - Ithaca College 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.03%
City Cascadillla Creek Gorge 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.05%
City Fall Creek Gorge 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.03%
City Six Mile Creek Gorge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%
Town of Ithaca 20 0 526 32 40 90 101 0 0 809 20.94%
Town of Ithaca - Cornell Property 1 0 8 3 1 29 10 0 0 52 1.35%
Town of Ithaca - Ithaca College 6 0 49 6 3 91 57 0 0 212 5.49%
Town of Ithaca - Six Mile Gorge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%
Town of Ithaca - Buttermilk Gorge 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.08%
Town of Ithaca - Treman Gorge 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0.08%
Outside Ithaca 13 0 4 5 5 15 0 0 0 42 1.09%
Total 101 4 1673 217 197 692 976 0 3 3863 100.00%
District Fire
Overpressure/
Rupture EMS/Rescue
Hazardous
Condition Service Call
Good Intent
Call Alarms/No Fire
Severe
Weather Other Total
Percentage of
Incidents
Total City 61 4 1081 171 148 466 808 0 3 2742 70.98%
Total Town 27 0 588 41 44 211 168 0 0 1079 27.93%
Outside Ithaca 13 0 4 5 5 15 0 0 0 42 1.09%
Total 101 4 1673 217 197 692 976 0 3 3863 100.00%
Alarm Date Between {01/01/2016} And {09/30/2016}
Ithaca FD
IFD Mutual Aid Responses by Department (Summary)
Type of Aid Count
55001 Brooktondale Fire Department
1Mutual aid given
1
55002 Cayuga Heights Fire Department
6Mutual aid received
2Mutual aid given
2Automatic aid given
10
55004 Danby Fire Department
1Mutual aid received
5Mutual aid given
6
55006 Enfield Fire Department
2Mutual aid given
2
55011 Lansing Fire Department
3Mutual aid received
3Mutual aid given
6
55013 Newfield Fire Department
7Mutual aid received
1Mutual aid given
8
55015 Slaterville Fire Department
1Mutual aid given
1
55018 Trumansburg Fire Department
1Mutual aid received
10Mutual aid given
1Automatic aid given
12
Type of Aid Count
55019 Varna Fire Department
3Mutual aid given
3
10/28/2016 14:04 1Page