HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2017-04-25Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes
April25,2017
Present:
Chair Gilligan
Vice Chair Sparks
Commissioners Hoard and Sallinger
Fire Chief Parsons
lnformation Management Specialist - Myers
Excused:
CC Liaison Gearhart
Commissioner Guttridge
Call to Order:
Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1603 hours.
Additions to/Deletions From the Aqenda:
Chair Gilligan requested the addition of the following item to the agenda, no Board Member
objected.
Resolution to Purchase Firemen Stick F for Display at the City Cemetery Fire
Fiqhter's Memorial Site
By Commissioner Sallinger: Seconded by Commissioner Hoard
WHEREAS, lthaca Retired Assistant Chief Raymond Wheaton, who is member of the IWFA
and Volunteer Company I has submitted a request for funding from the Board of Fire
Commissioners Donation fund to purchase 144 Flags; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Wheaton and lthaca Veteran Volunteer, Lyman Baker will be
placing these flags at the City Cemetery's Fire Fighte/s Memorial and grave sites, as part of
their on-going volunteer effort to maintaan this site and honor those who gave their lives in
service to the community; and
RESOLVED, That the lthaca Board of Fire Commissioners, authorizes the City Chamberlain to
issue a check drawn on the Board's Donation Fund for $203.15 to Gettysburg FIag Works for
the purchase of 144 Flags to be used at the City Cemetery
Carried Unanimously
Special Order of Business:
Ithaca Fire Department - Strateq ic Planninq Process Discussion:
Today is the initial meeting of the Board to discuss the development of a strategic plan for the
city of lthaca fire department. Chair Gilligan referred members to the 1986 strategic plan for the
fire department to begin the discussion.
Chief Parsons provided an overview of the history of the fire department with the town of lthaca.
ln an effort to increase the town's contribution for fire protection services to the city as well as to
increase the coverage area in the town of lthaca, two new fire stations were built in the town of
Ithaca and several stations were closed in the city. However, that did not resolve the core
issues between the town and the city related to career staff, a volunteer coordinator, the
recruitment program, and bunker program, and their contribution for fire protection services. ln
1990, the city hired a volunteer coordinator, and shortly after that a training officer; due to
WHEREAS, the cost of obtaining these flags from Gettysburg Flag Works is 9203.'15; now,
therefore be it
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes Aptil25, 2017
budget cuts those positions were very short-lived. Since then, there have been some increases
and decreases in fire department staff based upon the local and national economy.
Discussion followed about the need to use the past plan to begin the discussion, and include
information about what is currently occurring in the county with the EMS program.
Chief Parsons proposed educating board members on the following topics as a way to begin the
planning process:
NYS Fire Laws related to establishment of fire departments/fire districts
Labor standards
Acceptable standards practice
National Fire Prevention Association (how apparatus is built, uniforms designed,
staffing of stations, etc.)
Evaluation of past improvements and needed improvements
Are resources being deployed in the best way (should there be a mix of career
and volunteers
Combination fire departments (i.e. Cortland, Geneva, Manlius, Tully, etc.) - this
is a very challenging environment with one department usually being more
dominant than the other; board members need to understand that type of
department in order to have a discussion about it
How tax exempt properties affect provision of fire protection services in both the
town and the city
What are some expected changes in the next fifteen years - how are both the
city and town going to be expanding as far as development, and other factors
that will affect the provision of fire protection services by the city of lthaca Fire
Department.
Obtain the perspective of the chief and fire department personnel about whether
a volunteer company could be grown - what are the needs for it
Changes in society related to decrease in volunteer numbers; the volunteer fire
department being the hub of a community in the past for social gatherings and
auxiliary members that provided hospitality services to the volunteers fighting
fires and the community in general. Could a new volunteer structure be created
that would speak to the past history of how important the hospitality role was in
supporting fire fighters; is there or will there be an opportunity to establish similar
model(s) in both the town and the city
The difference in call volume now versus 20 years ago
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o ls the career component of the fire department detracting volunteers; possible re-
establishment of the bunker program
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes Aptil25, 2017
Who else would provide useful input and perspective to the Board in the
discussion and development of a new strategic plan; there needs to be a broader
representation of individuals from the community participating in this process,
including town board members and common council members
lnsurance requirements, what equipment levels should be based upon
population, commercial areas, and square mile coverage
Making sure that this effort moves forward past December 31, 2017 if the Board
is dissolved and consolidated into a new Public Safety and lnformation
Commission; what does the Board want to make sure is maintained in the future,
particularly the volunteers, and distribution of the 2% monies
ls the fire department needed or should it diversify into a more medical
department; people are living longer, and ambulance service is increasing
Follow traditional model for operations of the fire department or a non{raditronal
method, the non-traditional model equals smaller equipment
Public education on why a large fire truck responds to a medical call in addition
to the ambulance instead of smaller vehicle
Chief Parsons proposed the establishment of a committee with members beyond just the Board
of Fire Commissioners to develop a list of priority issues, then focus discussions on them to
determine a course of action. The first step would be to work on a mission statement, and then
brainstorm ideas with committee members. From that work, a list of questions could be
developed, and those questions grouped into central themes to link with the mission statement
for the strategic plan. He is also interested in whatever the Board does here to have a life
beyond Decembet 31,2017 . This is going to be very valuable and incredibly important work to
ensure the fire department is able to meet the needs of both the town and the city. The town of
Ithaca will need to be involved and provided with regular updates.
Chair Gilligan stated that the Board would continue this discussion at its regular meeting in May.
He will also prepare that agenda in the format proposed by Commissioner Guttridge at the last
meeting. That should provide a longer time for the Board to discuss this topic. He suggested
scheduling a regular additional meeting of the Board, maybe the fourth Tuesday, at 4:00 p.m., to
work on the strategic plan. This can be discussed further at the May meeting.
Adiournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1716 hours.
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Sarah L. Myers,
lnformation Management Specialist
William Gilligan,
Chair
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