HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2017-09-12Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2017
Present:
Chair Gilligan
Vice Chair Sparks
Commissioners Hoard, Sallinger, Guttridge
Fire Chief Parsons
CC Liaison Gearhart
Information Management Specialist – Myers
Call to Order:
Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1603 hours.
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda:
Chair Gilligan requested the addition of the following item to the agenda under Old
Business:
“A Resolution by the City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners in Opposition to
Common Council Action Dissolving the Board of Fire Commissioners and Eleven (11)
Other City Boards and Committees”
No Board Member Objected.
Awards, Commendations, and Other Recognition Items:
None
Persons Wishing to Speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners:
No one appeared to address the Board.
Correspondence:
Chair Gilligan provided information on the following items:
Tompkins Trust Bank Statements:
Donation Fund: Beginning and ending balance for August 2017 remained unchanged at
$2,794.76
Rescue Squad Donation Fund: Beginning balance on August 1, 2017 was $1,848.37,
ending balance on August 31, 2017 was $1,848.49 - reflecting .12 interest.
Correspondence from Kevin Roach, FASNY Consulting Company, that included a
donation of $80.70 for IFD’s car seat program. A “thank you” letter, on behalf of the
Board, will be sent to Mr. Roach.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
2
Mr. Lyman Baker provided the following written report regarding work hours at the
Firemen’s Monument in the City Cemetery:
“Dear Board,
Raymond B. Wheaton and Lyman E. Baker have worked 6 hours each in the City of
Ithaca Cemetery at the Firemen’s monument mowing and trimming the grass.
The trees have dropped lots of leaves in that area, so quite a bit of raking has been on
going also.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lyman E. Baker, IFD #3258”
Consent Agenda Items:
Approval of the August 8, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Guttridge: Seconded by Commissioner Hoard
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 8, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners
meeting be approved with noted corrections.
Carried Unanimously
Highlights from Department Reports:
Chief Parsons provided his monthly written report (which will be attached to the
minutes) to the Board via e-mail yesterday. Since the Chief has been delayed in getting
to today’s meeting, Chair Gilligan highlighted the following items on his behalf for the
Board:
The Chief met with the City Controller, Mayor, and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff in August
to review the department’s budget submission. There were some minor adjustments
but nothing significant to what was initially submitted. It looks like the increases in
personnel costs will need to be offset with decreases in the department’s operational
and contract accounts.
The Mayor will present his budget on October 1, 2017. Board members requested a
copy of the budget meeting schedule for their review and information.
The City of Ithaca Fire Department was awarded a $22,673 grant from FEMA to fund
the purchase and install two new gear washers. The department will need to apply
$2,267 from this year’s budget to cover the required 10% matching funds.
There is no new information about the possible renovation of the Collegetown Fire
Station or construction of a new fire station at an alternate location.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
3
Fire/Police Report:
Mr. Cornelius provided the following written report for the Board:
“The August training consisted of a training film on Heat Emergencies and we practiced
setting up our large pink Emergency Ahead sign. The following people attended: Dave
Cornelius, Andrew Adams, Gary Bordoni, Lyman Baker, Jack Gould, Rob Longo,
Morgan Howland, Bill Gilligan and Jim Rogers.
The Fire Police Unit was requested for last Saturday’s 5 & 10 K fun run. I believe
Lyman Baker, Jack Gould and Morgan Howland participated. I think there were a
couple of other storm damage calls that the Fire Police Unit responded to. I forgot to
write down the specifics.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Cornelius”
Miscellaneous Reports:
Town of Ithaca: Chair Gilligan reported that he attended the Town of Ithaca Board
meeting last evening to provide the quarterly report. The report will be attached to
minutes
City of Ithaca: No report
Audit: The audit was reviewed and approved by Vice-Chair Sparks.
Old Business:
Volunteer Items/Issues:
No changes to report, and there are no current applications on file for review.
911 Memorial Committee:
No report
Strategic Planning for Ithaca Fire Department - Sub-committee report:
Chair Gilligan reported that since the last meeting of the Board, he and the Chief met,
Commissioner Guttridge was unable to attend the meeting, and the Chief is working
with Sr. Staff to develop and move forward with the plan. The Board still needs to
address the issue related to development of the task force that will involve external
members from the community from both the city and the town. As the status of the
Board is resolved, then work should be able to proceed as needed.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
4
Discuss IFD Funds Under Board of Fire Commissioner’s Spending Authorization:
Chair Gilligan reported that the City Chamberlain provided reports for the last five years
for most of the trust accounts, and they show there has not been a lot of activity over
that time period. He hoped the report for the donation fund might show some activity
about what it was used for in the past, related to the recent request for use of those
funds to purchase a memorial headstone for a fireman buried in the Firemen’s
Monument section of the City of Ithaca cemetery. Unfortunately, there wasn’t
information within that past five year reporting period.
There was a lengthy discussion on the various funds which the Board is currently
responsible for authorizing expenditures. These include several small trust accounts
related to the fire department, the Rescue Squad Account, the Donation Fund, plus the
Active Firemen’s Relief Fund, and the Veteran Firemen’s Relief Fund.
Commissioner Guttridge pointed out that rather than attempting to find additional
transactions from these accounts and attempt to create guidelines that may or may not
be followed in the future if the Board no longer existed; it would be more useful to
determine the extent of the Board’s authority to authorize the expenditure or donation of
the funds to another entity, i.e. could the Board authorize a specific amount to be set
aside to be used for maintaining the Firemen’s Memorial in the City Cemetery, or could
the Board transfer funds to the IVVFA for this purpose. Another option would be to
transfer funds to the department’s operating budget.
It was discussed that clarification on the Board’s authority to act on this would require
input from the City Controller and the City Attorney.
In response to a question raised by Commissioner Salinger it was clarified that the
primary funds supporting Volunteer Company 9 is the 2% funds. Interior and Exterior
volunteer fire fighters are provided most of their equipment by the Department, but Fire
Police equipment needs are primarily supported on the 2% funds, including the
purchase of a vehicle for the Fire Police.
New Business:
Because Commissioner Sparks would need to leave the meeting early to attend the
Tompkins County EMT Task Force, the Board moved to consider the following action
item:
Resolution to Approve Distribution of Funds from the Active Firemen’s Relief
Fund
By Commissioner Sallinger: Seconded by Commissioner Hoard
WHEREAS, there is a $37,374.28 surplus over the required $90,000 balance in the
active Firemen's Relief Fund; now, therefore be it
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
5
RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners authorizes the City Chamberlain to
distribute the amount of $37,374.28 from the Active Firemen's Relief Fund surplus to
Neriton Volunteer Fire Company #9.
Carried Unanimously
Old Business (Continued):
Continue Discussion of Transition Plan and items/issues to be addressed as part of
Common Council’s plan to eliminate the Board of Fire Commissioners as of January 1,
2018 and establish a Public Safety and Information Commission.
The following item was discussed as part of the Board’s consideration of the Common
Council’s action to dissolve the Board of Fire Commissioners:
A Resolution by the City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners in Opposition to
Common Council Action Dissolving the Board of Fire Commissioners and Eleven
(11) Other City Boards and Committees
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2017 the Ithaca Common Council passed a local law effective
January 1, 2018 dissolving the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioner and 11 other City
Boards and Committees; and
WHEREAS, this change to the City Charter and Code must be approved by a public
referendum, on November 7, 2017 prior to being enacted; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners has participated to the extent allowed by
the Common Council in discussions regarding this change which will place some of the
responsibilities of the Board for oversight of Fire department operations under the Public
Safety and Information Commission, some under the City Chamberlain, some with the
Common Council, and some with the Board of Public Works, and makes no provision
for issues related to the volunteer component of the department and formation of new
Volunteer Companies or a bunker program; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Public Safety and Information Commission is to provide
the Common Council, appropriate committees, thereof, the City’s quasi-judicial boards,
and City staff with advisory research, public input, and analysis for matters related to the
Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Police Department, emergency preparedness, public
information and communication, drug abuse, gorge safety, the Ithaca Commons, noise,
and special events; and
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
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WHEREAS, the focus of the Board of Fire Commissioners has been on overseeing and
supporting the operation of the Ithaca Fire Department since the Incorporation of the
City of Ithaca, and the Board has been actively involved in the development and
operation of the Ithaca Fire Department as it has grown and transitioned from a
completely volunteer department in 1823 to one that now operates essentially as a
career department with full-time paid fire fighters and officers, with a small contingent of
volunteers serving as Interior/Exterior Fire fighters and Fire Police assisting the career
core of the department; and
WHEREAS, there are complex and critical issues facing the Department and the City
and Town of Ithaca served by the department, including development of a strategic
plan, that will need to address issues including the possible relocation or renovation of
Station 2 in College town, the possible relocation of the department’s training facility, the
growth and development within the city and town placing increased service demands on
the department, the service provided by the Fire Department to the Town of Ithaca, the
ongoing oversight of the Volunteer component of the Fire Department, the potential for
shared and consolidation of service with other departments in the county, and providing
regular citizen oversight on the operation of the department by individuals
knowledgeable about the fire service; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Public Safety and Information Commission has such broad
responsibilities that it will not be able to focus on the complex issues of the Fire
Department, the Board of Fire Commissioners does not feel that it is in the best
interests of the Community served by the Ithaca Fire Department, to eliminate the Board
of Fire Commissioners without having a strong and supportive infrastructure in place,
consisting of the following elements:
1. A website that more clearly identifies volunteer opportunities in the City
including all the Current Boards & Committees and articulates the issues
addressed by the various Boards and Committees.
2. An on-line volunteer application (or a modified paper application) that allows
individuals to identify their skill set and areas of interest and their willingness to
serve as volunteer experts on various topics.
3. A database to track volunteer applications including those who wish to serve
on the various Boards and Committees and those who are willing to serve as
expert advisers. Potentially these individuals could be available to assist any of
the approximately 27 Volunteer Boards/Committees (or the 19 if the
reorganization effort moves forward) on an as needed basis
4. Provision of templates for meeting agendas
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
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5. Consider more formal periodic reports to one of the Common Council
Committees by the Volunteer Boards and Committees
6. Semi-annual meetings of one or two representatives from each of the
Volunteer Committees and Boards to discuss with members of the Common
Council issues and concerns and perhaps identify issues that could be given to a
working group of volunteers to address
7. Providing Orientation /leadership training for Committee Chairs and for new
Volunteer members of a group.
8. Convene a group, to assist the Mayor in vetting potential volunteer members
of Boards and Committees
9. Do a broad based survey of city residents to determine what their interest and
availability is to volunteer to provide service with the city as a member of one of
the four commissions
10. Bring together working group sessions of existing volunteers to discuss and
make recommendations on the above items and address other common issues
facing their respective Boards and Committees;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners is opposed to the
proposed change to the City Charter and local laws eliminating twelve of the existing
Boards and Committees and urges voters to reject this proposal when they cast their
ballot on November 7, 2017.
Vice Chair Sparks stated that he likes the resolution, and feels that it is very well written.
Vice Chair Sparks left the meeting at 1640 hours so he could attend, as the Board’s
representative, the Tompkins County EMT meeting.
Chair Gilligan explained that the Board does not have to pass the resolution at today’s
meeting.
Commissioner Guttridge asked if Chair Gilligan was hoping for a different outcome for
the Board – meaning that it not get dissolved.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
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Chair Gilligan responded the he is hoping that this resolution will result in a different
discussion and outcome. He stated that he would reach out to the local media to share
his opinion on the proposal to disband the Board of Fire Commissioners at the end of
the year. He feels that there should be more public awareness of the plan and the
referendum item that will be on the ballot for consideration and vote by the public at the
November general election.
Chief Parsons arrived at the meeting at 1642 hours.
Chair Gilligan stated that he is concerned about the possible lack of 36 citizens to
participate on an ongoing basis with the new commission structure, plus the fact that
they are advisory with no authority and special task forces will need to be created that
can meet as needed on specific topics, with their recommendations coming back to the
commission for further consideration. He further stated that the City of Ithaca Fire
Department has very broad issues and topics that warrant its own board. He would
have liked more opportunity for discussion about the proposal and would have liked to
have seen members of Common Council and the Working Group meet with all the
current boards and committees to discuss what changes could be made to make better
use of staff and Common Council time in the current structure for boards and
committees.
Commissioner Sallinger stated that he likes the resolution; it talks about everything the
Board has been discussing and he is going to support it.
CC Liaison Gearhart thanked the Board for putting the resolution together. He thinks
the recommendations listed with bullets are good and would be a great point where
further discussion could occur. He can see where this list could be a blue print for
supporting the new commission structure. He doesn’t think these ideas get lost if the
resolved is to urge people to oppose the new law. If that is not successful the resolution
still provides good recommendations for work to be done in the future. For example, the
idea about the city website is well made, and there are ongoing needs that would be a
good starting point to bring a group together to focus on what they would like it to
contain and look like. He feels that work between current board members and/or new
commission members and appropriate staff can occur to insure that the website content
meets each commission’s needs. He noted that the work of the Board of Fire
Commissioners has been very important in the past and needs to continue in the future.
Commissioner Hoard voiced his opinion that the resolution was well laid out; however,
he is not sure how persuasive it will be with either Common Council or the public as
they vote on the referendum item in November.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
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Chair Gilligan acknowledged that the item will be on the ballot; however, he is not sure
that there has been enough outreach and education to the public about the referendum
item and what the result will be if it is approved by the voters in November.
CC Liaison Gearhart and Commissioner Guttridge both expressed their feeling that the
closer it gets to November that the more attention there will be paid to this item by the
public because of outreach that will occur between now and then.
Commissioner Hoard asked whether there were any other boards and committees that
plan to oppose the proposal.
CC Liaison Gearhart responded that there are some; however, none of them have gone
so far as to write a resolution opposing the proposal. He is disappointed that some
committees have done absolutely nothing in reaction to the proposal. He is encouraged
that the City has a group (the Board of Fire Commissioners) to not only frame
opposition in resolution but to do it in a way that is helpful to the organization and the
City. The bullet points in the resolution are helpful to follow in order to reach goals with
some strong action items to take care of regardless of the vote on November 7th.
Chair Gilligan asked if any Board member would want to make a motion on the
resolution today; or would they be interested in considering the resolution further for a
vote at the October meeting. He noted that the October meeting would be the last
meeting before the November election and a vote on the referendum item.
CC Liaison Gearhart stated that, in his mind, he sees how many of the bulleted items in
the resolution could fit into the ongoing structure of a commission and attached
working/ad hoc groups. He stated that the Resolved clause may be counter-productive
because many items in the whereas clauses could be done in the new structure. Was
that the intent or to help the City lay a path forward about what changes to make with
the new structure.
Chair Gilligan responded that a lot of the bulleted points should have been discussed
last year and perhaps implemented; then if that was not successful then the City could
proceed to current proposal for the four new commission structure.
Commissioner Guttridge noted that the resolution does provide the framework for what
needs to continue to and to happen in the future; he agreed that it would have been nice
to have already had it being done to see whether there were improvements that might
not have resulted in the current proposal.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
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CC Liaison Gearhart explained that those involved in developing the current four
commission proposal are very interested in the pathways that current boards and
committees may or may not provide to them for inclusion in the new structure so that
their work and goals may continue on with the new commissions. He noted that the
resolution contains very helpful items that members of the new commissions should
work on in the future; however, with the way the current resolution is written is says
don’t let the new structure happen.
Chair Gilligan responded that he feels these items should happen one way or the other
and happen under either structure.
Commissioner Guttridge requested clarification; regardless of whether the referendum
is approved in November, the bulleted items still need to occur. He hopes that the items
are followed because it will show, in writing – for future reference, that not all of the
boards and committees were dysfunctional.
Chief Parsons stated that he has not had time to review resolution; it arrived at noon
today, and he has been in back-to-back meetings all afternoon. He would like to read it
and think about it although the board can vote on it today, if it wants. Specifically,
regarding what should have/could have been done and to understand them completely
and he would like a chance to respond to those comments at the October meeting.
Chair Gilligan responded that would be alright with him, and Commissioner Guttridge
noted that it would still leave a month before the vote on November 7th.
Chair Gilligan explained that the Disability Advisory Council has not gone as far as this
resolution does. They did provide recommendations, for example, they want on
representative on each of the commissions to have a disability and for those four
members to meet regularly to share information between commissions. They also
lobbied for a position for a single person whose primary responsibility would be the ADA
Coordinator for the City of Ithaca. That position would serve as a resource for each of
the commissions, as well as any task force. However, because of the budget impacts
that a new position would create, it won’t be able to be done in 2018.
CC Liaison Gearhart shared that the creation of the position of ADA Coordinator might
provide an opportunity for a shared service between the City of Ithaca and Tompkins
County.
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 12, 2017
11
Chair Gilligan stated that one of his concerns about the new commission structure is
that with all the current public attention and work of the city on the opioid and drug
epidemic he is very concerned that they will occupy a significant amount of the Public
Safety and Information Commissions time and work. The City of Ithaca Fire
Department has some pretty significant issues; however, he is not sure if they will rise to
the level of attention the others do. He is comfortable acting on the resolution at the
October meeting, and agreed that there would be almost a month before the election to
get the word out.
Chief Parsons thanked the Board for the opportunity to review and comment on the
resolution before voting on it at the October meeting.
Chair Gilligan shared his opinion that a variation or a version of the proposed resolution
is the right thing to do and going with the new commission structure is not.
Chief Parsons updated the Board on information he received from the Cayuga Heights
Fire Chief. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding it.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1703 hours.
__________________________________ ______________________________
Sarah L. Myers, William Gilligan,
Information Management Specialist Chair
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of Fire Commissioners
From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief
Date: September 12th, 2017
Re: Fire Chief’s Monthly Report to the Board of Fire Commissioners
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Administration
1) Career Personnel Report
PERSONNEL STAFFING LEVELS
1 Chief
1 Deputy Chief (Per Diem)
6 Assistant Chiefs
8 Lieutenants
51 Fire Fighters
67 Uniform Personnel
1 Administrative Coordinator
Total employees as of August 31st, 2017 – 68
a) Vacancies
x None
b) Retirements:
x None
c) Hiring/Promotions
x None
d) Injuries
Page 2 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
x There is one firefighter and one lieutenant who are off duty due to injuries. It
is anticipated that both will be recovered and back to work by October or
November.
2) Budget Report
a) 2017 Budget: Budget Summary – see accompanying report
b) 2018 Budget: I have submitted a budget proposal as requested by the Mayor.
The Mayor directed that department heads provide a budget proposal that limits
department ’s budget growth to 1% equipment and contractual accounts.
The following items in the budget have been increased: 1) Salary Accounts due
to salary step increases; 2) Protective Gear; and 3) Apparatus Parts and
Maintenance.
Funding for the following items have been eliminated in my proposal: 1) Funding
for the Deputy Fire Chief Position; 2) Funding to replace some of our aging
portable radios and pagers; and 3) Funding for Fire Hose Replacement of one
engine. Over-target-requests have been made to the Mayor for all three items that
were taken out of the budget.
I met with the City Controller, the Mayor, and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff in
August to review the budget documents I submitted. There have been some minor
adjustments but as of now, nothing significant to what I submitted.
The Mayor will present his budget to Common Council on or about October 1st.
As it looks in its current form the increases in personnel costs will need to be
offset with decreases in our operational and contractual accounts.
3) County Communications and 911 Programs:
No Update
4) Grants and Donations
a) Earlier this year, I applied for an AFG grant to fund the replacement of our
turnout gear washer. The existing washer is over twenty years old. On
September 7th, I was notified by FEMA that we are receiving a $22,673 grant to
purchase and install two new gear washers. We will apply $2,267 from this
year’s budget to cover the required 10% matching funds.
5) Collegetown Fire Station
Page 3 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
a) I have submitted two capital projects for the 2018 budget. The first project is to
renovate the current East Hill Fire Station. The second project, assuming the
first project is not approved, is to build a new fire station at a different location.
I don’t expect a decision on either of these projects until this fall at the earliest.
b) The City’s Planning and Economic Development Committee of Common
Council discussed at their August meeting the options for relocating the current
East Hill Fire Station. The options include, relocating the fire station to property
on Maple Ave that is currently owned by Cornell University, which is being used
as a parking lot, or closing the East Hill Fire Station and relocate the its’ assets to
an expanded Central Fire Station. No action was taken by the Committee, but
discussion will continue at either the September or October Planning and
Economic Development Committee Meeting.
5) Apparatus
a) No Update: I have submitted a capital project for the 2018 budget to replace our
18 year old ladder truck. This vehicle is schedule to be replaced in 2019. If
approved the truck would be ordered in 2018, but not delivered or paid for until
2019.
5) Fire Training Center
No Update
LIFE SAFETY DIVISION
Fire Prevention Bureau
1) Code Enforcement Division: The following is a list of Activities for August 2017:
Complaints Received 34
Referred to the City Building Division 19
Referred to the Town of Ithaca 2
Investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau 13
Inspections: 108
City Fire Safety & Property Maintenance 24
City - Permit Required City Fire Safety 41
Town Fire Safety & Property 0
City - Sprinkler Inspections 8
City - Alternative Fire Protection Systems 1
City - Fire Alarm Inspection 29
City – Standpipe Hydrostatic Test 0
Page 4 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
City - Standpipe Flow Test 5
City – Fire Pump Flow Test 0
City – Elevator 0
Permits or Certificates: 72
Operating Permit – Assembly Occupancy 11
Operating Permit – Large Assembly Occupancy 7
Operating Permit – Hazardous Occupancy 0
Operating Permit – Lumber Yard 1
Operating Permit – Elevator 7
Operating Permit – Fireworks 0
Operating Permit – Install or Modify FPS 7
Certificate of Compliance – Commercial Insp. 6
Certificate of Compliance – School 0
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Alarm 12
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Sprinkler 4
Certificate of Compliance - Fire Pump 0
Certificate of Compliance – Fire Standpipe 4
Occupancy Posting Certificate 12
Certificate of Compliance - Alternative Suppression 1
2) Fire Investigation Unit:
There were no fire investigations in August.
3) Public Education and Special Events
Public Education Events: 4
Fire Drills Witnessed: 0
Child Safety Seat Inspections: 10
4) The City Common Council approved new regulations for food truck safety. The new
regulations require all food trucks operating in the City of Ithaca to obtain an operating
permit. The food truck operators will be required to attend fire safety training prior to
receiving an operating permit. In addition to the required safety training, food truck vendors
will be required to meet certain fire safety requirements, phased in over a three year period,
that include standards for propane gas storage and plumbing, ventilation of cooking fumes,
and the installation of a hood fire suppression system above cooking appliances.
Page 5 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
OPERATIONS DIVISION
1) Emergency Response:
August 2017 Responses - 498 Incidents
City of Ithaca: 355 Incidents (71.29%)
Fires: 5
Overpressure/Rupture 0
EMS/Rescue: 128
Hazardous Conditions: 21
Service Calls: 18
Good Intent: 72
Alarms/No Fires: 111
Severe Weather: 0
Other: 0
Town of Ithaca: 139 Incidents (27.91%)
Fires: 3
Overpressure/Rupture: 0
EMS/Rescue: 72
Hazardous Conditions: 5
Service Calls: 3
Good Intent: 28
Alarms/No Alarm: 27
Severe Weather: 1
Other: 0
Mutual Aid: 4 Incidents (0.80%)
Fires: 0
Overpressure/Rupture: 0
EMS/Rescue: 1
Hazardous Conditions: 0
Service Calls: 0
Good Intent: 3
Alarms/No Fires: 0
Severe Weather: 0
Simultaneous Incidents: 105 Incidents (21.08%) .
2) Emergency Management:
No Report.
Page 6 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
3) Mutual Aid Calls: Quarterly Report
4) Mutual Aid:
I received a letter from the George Tamborelle, the Chief of the Cayuga Heights
Fire Department, expressing his concern about how the Ithaca Fire Department
uses Cayuga Heights Fire Department for mutual aid. Chief Tamborelle
described how it is having a negative impact on his department. I’ve attached a
copy of his letter to this report. Chief Tamborelle has requested that the Ithaca
Fire Department not request the Cayuga Heights Fire Department for Mutual Aid
until after we have requested a response for off-duty career firefighters to come
back to work. I met with Chief Tamborelle last week, and we discussed his
concerns. In summary, asking his volunteer members to standby either in their
station or to respond to the City is becoming more difficult. He explained that his
members are not as willing to leave their jobs or come from their homes to do
standby, however if they are needed to respond to emergency incidents that they
are happy to respond.
In response to Chief Tamborelle’s request, I’ve directed our shift officers to not
call Cayuga Heights Fire Department to standby for the Ithaca Fire Department
and that in the event we need additional staffing due to our response mutual aid
outside of Ithaca, or a high number of emergency calls, that they should call in off
duty career and volunteer firefighters.
I have also asked the Tompkins County 911 Center to provide me a list of
response plans where the Ithaca Fire Department is designated as a primary or
first alarm response outside the Ithaca Response Area. It is my opinion that
without the ability to rely on mutual aid from our neighboring departments to
standby for us, that we should not provide automatic mutual aid outside of the
Ithaca Fire Department Response Area for unconfirmed emergencies or automatic
alarms. In support of our neighbors, the Ithaca Fire Department will not hesitate
to respond to active incident that stresses a department’s resources with a
confirmed fire or rescue emergency.
Support
1) Training
Quarterly Report
2) Training Center
Quarterly Report
Page 7 of 7 - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report September 12th, 2017
Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
1) Summaries of Service Hours: Annual Report
2) There are currently 13 Active Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Police.
3) There are no new applications for membership.
0100200300400DistrictIthaca Fire DepartmentAugust 2017 Responses - Incident Type by DistrictSpecial Incident TypeSevere WeatherAlarms/No FireGood Intent CallService CallHazardous ConditionEMS/RescueOverpressure/RuptureFire
050100150200250300350400Total CityTotal TownOutside IthacaMunicipalityIthaca Fire Department August 2017 Responses - Incident Type by MunicipalityOtherSevere WeatherAlarms/No FireGood Intent CallService CallHazardous ConditionEMS/RescueOverpressure/RuptureFire
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%City of IthacaTown of IthacaMunicipalityIthaca Fire Department August 2017 Responses by Municipality Outside IthacaTown of IthacaCity of Ithaca
Ithaca Fire DepartmentMunicipality, District, and Incident Type ResponsesJanuary-June 2017DistrictFireOverpressure/RuptureEMS/RescueHazardous ConditionService CallGood Intent CallAlarms/No FireSevere WeatherSpecial Incident TypeTotalPercentage of IncidentsCity of Ithaca0 0 1000 00010.20%City of Ithaca - Cornell Property50117211852980031162.45%City of Ithaca - Ithaca College001000201300438.63%City Cascadillla Creek Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%City Fall Creek Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%City Six Mile Creek Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%Town of Ithaca30695313111010521.08%Town of Ithaca - Cornell Property0 0 1005 30091.81%Town of Ithaca - Ithaca College00200101300255.02%Town of Ithaca - Six Mile Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%Town of Ithaca - Buttermilk Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%Town of Ithaca - Treman Gorge0 0 0000 00000.00%Outside Ithaca0 0 1003 00040.80%Total80201262110313810498100.00%DistrictFireOverpressure/RuptureEMS/RescueHazardous ConditionService CallGood Intent CallAlarms/No FireSevere WeatherOther TotalPercentage of IncidentsTotal City5 0 128 21 18 72 111 0 0355 71.29%Total Town3 0 72 5 3 28 27 1 0139 27.91%Outside Ithaca0 0 1003 00040.80%Total8 0 201 26 21 103 138 1 0498 100.00%
Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Ithaca Town Board
September 11, 2017
The following is a summary of the Board of Fire Commissioners quarterly report to the Ithaca
Town Board for the second quarter of 2017.
Included with this report are:
• The July 2017 Fire Chief’s Report given at the August, 2017 BFC meeting. This
includes the Fire Marshal’s Report & Fire Prevention Bureau activity.
• The department call activity reports for January 1- June 30, 2017. Total calls through the
second quarter were 2,525 (slightly higher than the 2nd quarter of the prior 2 years –
2,431 & 2,517 respectively).
• The financial operations summary through July 31, 2017.
Fire Department Operational Staffing (July 31, 2017).
• As of July 31, 2017 the active Uniformed staff totaled 67 (1 Chief, 6 Assistant Chiefs, 8
lieutenants, & 51 Fire Fighters plus 1 Deputy Chief on per diem). In addition there is 1
Administrative Coordinator for a total of 68 personnel.
• Included in the 67 uniformed staff are 4 fire fighters fully funded by a federal SAFER
grant (see grants below).
Budget - The 2017 Ithaca City budget approved by Common Council in November
2016, increased by slightly less than 2%, to $10,060,747 including debt service and employee
benefits. The 2017 budget includes funding for a full time deputy chief position beginning in
December of 2017. It is not anticipated that this position will be filled.
As of July 31, 2017 of the $6,298,082 operating budget (excludes benefit costs and debt service)
$3,447,374 (55%) of the approved funds have been spent.
The 2018 Budget has been submitted according to the Mayor’s directive that limited Department
budgets to a 1% growth for equipment and contractual accounts. This required elimination of
funding for the fulltime Deputy Chief’s position, funding for replacement of aging radios, and
Fire hose replacement on one of the engines. These items have been submitted as over target
budget requests. The Mayor’s budget will be submitted to Common Council about October 1,
20-17.
Training Facility As reported previously the Department’s Rope Rescue Tower and the burn
building were temporarily taken out of service to address some structural safety issues with them.
Short term repairs have been completed on the burn building and Stopen Engineering was
contracted with regarding more extensive repairs to extend the life of the burn building for
several more years. Work on the Rope training tower has not been completed.
The longer term status of the training facility and its location will be a topic included in the
development of the Department’s Strategic plan.
Strategic Plan for Fire Department - The Mayor has asked the Board of Fire Commissioners
to take the lead in developing a strategic plan for the Fire Department. The Board began
discussions of what the planning process would entail at its January meeting. Subsequent to the
January discussion, a meeting was held with the Mayor to clarify the scope of this effort and the
potential resources available to support the effort. A special BoFC meeting was held in April to
focus more closely on how to organize the planning effort. Previous Strategic plans developed
Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Ithaca Town Board
September 11, 2017
by the department have been distributed to the Board for review including the 1986 effort that
developed the plan for the current relationship between the City and the Town for Fire Services,
including the relocation of two fire stations from the City to the Town and increasing the Board
of Fire Commissioners from 3 to 5 individuals with the intent that this two positions would be
filled by individuals recommended by the Town Board. The group is looking at other strategic
plans from other departments and the NYS document on developing a strategic plan. The Board
is discussing the scope of the planning effort both in terms of the time span to be considered 5-10
-20 years, the breadth of the study – current service area or including issues of concern to other
fire districts in the County. We are also reviewing documents such as the ISSO report received
last fall and the Station 9 relocation study. A member of the BFC has been named to the County
EMS Task Force and the information from this group will be incorporated into our planning
process development. The Board recognizes that to develop a comprehensive plan will in all
likelihood require establishing a separate Ad Hoc group that will allow broad participation by a
variety of stakeholders and subject area experts on issues that need to be considered in the plan.
We also wish to make sure that this important effort will be structured such that the work
involved can continue even if the City makes changes to the role of the Board of Fire
Commissioners or consolidates its functions into one of four proposed commissions that are
under discussion by the Common Council. The Chief is working with senior department staff on
preparing them to participate in the planning process.
Boards & Committees Reorganization Working Group – The Common Council has passed a
resolution dissolving 12 of the City’s Boards and Committees, replacing them with 4
Commissions that will be established to cover the items and topics addressed by the groups being
disbanded. The proposed change to the city Charter and new ordinance will be voted on by City
residents during the November City elections. The Board of Fire Commissions is still discussing
issues and concerns with this action, but is also working on a transition plan for the new
structure.
Apparatus - No updates at this point. A Capital project for the 2018 budget was submitted to
replace the department’s 18 year old ladder truck. If approved, the truck would be ordered in
2018, but not delivered or paid for until 2019, which is when it is scheduled to be replaced.
Grants
The Department received a grant for $45,455 and has replaced its 20 year old air compressor for
filling SCBA tanks .
The department was awarded a $634,016 SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response) which is funding 4 additional career staff to the department for a 2 year
period. The positions are fully funded on the grant and require that no reduction from current
staffing levels occur during the grant period. At the end of the period the City will have to
determine if the positions will continue to be supported on the department’s operating budget.
The department recently received notice that it has been awarded a grant to purchase equipment
for cleaning turnout gear. This will increase Fire Fighter safety by more effectively removing
hazardous materials that can be trapped in the gear during fire/rescue operations.
Board of Fire Commissioners
Report to Ithaca Town Board
September 11, 2017
Board of Fire Commissioners
The BFC meeting agendas/minutes (dating back to October 1987) may be accessed from the
Board of Fire Commissioner’s section of the City Website at:
http://www.cityofithaca.org/367/Board-of-Fire-Commissioners
Volunteer Program Development
There are currently 15 active members of Volunteer Company No. 9 who serve the department.
Two of the three provisional members of the Company, completed the County’s Basic Exterior
Fireground Operations course (BEFO) in May. In addition a new member completed the
Cortland County 3 week “bootcamp” interior firefighter training session this summer will now be
able to provide service to the department.
An ad hoc committee consisting of 2 members of the Board (Commissioners Gilligan &
Guttridge), Chief Parsons, Assistant Chief /Training Officer Weinstein, plus a member from
Company 9 will continue working to address various volunteer issues including training,
recruitment, and retention.
Other Items & Items in progress
1 No update. There has been an improvement in the on-going issue with the CAD
(computer aided dispatch) system used by the 911 Center,
2 The Board is holding information sessions regarding departmental operations prior to the
beginning of the formal BFC meetings. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn
more about specific areas of department operations such as organization of department
into shifts, protocols for dispatching apparatus based on criteria established with County
911 center, EMS call response protocols, Hazmat operations, Code division work, Rope
rescue operations, water rescue, equipment and vehicles used by the department, etc.
3 Charter Review- the Board is continuing its discussion of the role of BFC. On hold due
to Common Council action eliminating the Board of Fire Commissioners.
4 Resource recovery/False Alarm Policy – Currently on hold pending review with the City
Attorney.
5 County Fire-Disaster – EMS Advisory Board– no new action on this issue.
6 Training Center Facility Project –The Training facility will be included in the strategic
planning process.
Respectfully Submitted, Bill Gilligan, Chair, Board of Fire Commissioners