Public Safety Commission

Public Safety Commission FIRE DEPARTMENT April 28, 2025 **Hybrid** Police Department - Round Room -----------Meeting Minutes---------- 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Ford called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 2. ATTENDANCE MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Darnell Ford Commissioner Anthony Mangiafico Commissioner Tony Gennaro Commissioner Linda Salafia Commissioner Kelly Sweeney MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Fire Chief Dave Albert Deputy Fire Chief James Ehman Police Chief Erik Costa 3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Commissioner Ford made a motion to accept the minutes from March 24, 2025. Commissioner Salafia seconded and all voted to accept the minutes as presented. 4. PUBLIC HEARING 5. CORRESPONDENCE  None 6. MONTHLY REPORT  Chief Albert gave the monthly report: o 321 calls for the month o Significant calls included:  Responded to a large fire in Portland – total loss  New Britain station coverage provided for a three alarm fire  River Call – kayaker  Responded mutual aid a few times to South Fire District Page 1 of 4   Events:  Attended all required monthly meetings  Started planning for July 4th fireworks  Entire command staff & fire marshals attended leadership training  Met with the Mayor & Senator Lessor for Newfield Street funding  Entry-level firefighter application opened & closed – 244 applicants  Testing to be held mid-May  Assistant Chief position opened & closed  Oral board interviews held last week  Chief interviews to be held next week  Recruitment table done at Cross Roads Church for entry-level firefighter  Emergency Response plan meetings held with the Police Department, Emergency Management, & city directors for various buildings  Worked with HR & revised job description for the Alarms Technician position. Current job description is from twenty years ago.  Ken Skomro, the current Alarms Tech., to retire in September  Job description will be going to GCC  Meeting held with Finance, Purchasing, & the Mayor’s Office regarding Cross Street firehouse needs, engine 3 to order, & the training building  Easter Bunny came to visit the firehouse – arranged through Park & Rec.  Budget presentation done  Follow up meeting held with the ISO rep  Currently one point away from being considered an ISO Class 2  Wesleyan Recruitment participation  Had a meeting with Wesleyan CFO  Asked for funding for equipment o Training/Monthly EMS:  Annual live burns training held with all three fire departments  This was Westfield Fire Departments first participation  Two day active shooter drill held  Commissioner Ford commended all involved on a great job & how all collaborated together so well  Video presentation to be held next month  Annual hose training done  Building walk throughs done  Dive training  Started confined space training 7. OLD BUSINESS o Overtime  Overtime has picked way up  (1) light duty long term  (1) military deployment 6-9 months with another deployment coming up  Comp. injury just came back – was out three months  (2) upcoming FMLA’s Public Safety Meeting – April 28, 2025 minutes Page 2 of 4   Ct. Paid Leave  Chief Albert stated that this a great benefit but the problem is that the state implemented it during the fiscal year and it comes with a cost that was not budgeted for. The department is running minimum manning most shifts. o The Chief went on to state that the overtime budget line will probably need an appropriation to close out the year.  All unnecessary spending has been cut o Apparatus updates:  Truck 1 was out of service for about a month with a blown head gasket  Cost of repair was approximately $11,000.00  Truck is out of service again for the aerial device  Engine 3 replacement on hold at this time o HQ Renovation project:  Project finished  Department photo to be done soon  Ribbon cutting to be held mid-May with an open house o Cross Street project:  Concept design plans received  Bond meeting held – on hold but will revisit this summer  Project cost $300,000.00 or less o Training Building:  Waiting on funds o Newfield Street property:  Submitted Urban Act Bond request to Senator Lessor today for five million dollars o City Wide EMS:  870 calls with one mutual aid ambulance 8. NEW BUSINESS o Wesleyan meeting o meeting held for equipment - sonar & small boat requested o Dive Team funding o Connected with a Regional Organization at the Active Shooter event who can assist with regional dive team funding o Meeting to be held next week Public Safety Meeting – April 28, 2025 minutes Page 3 of 4  9. Other Matters Not on the Agenda: 10. Public Hearing Reopened – Other Matters 11. Monthly Summary of Action Taken by the Telecommunications Committee o Currently at 18 dispatchers – full staffing is 21 o 6,922 incidents for the month with a total of 2,003 9-1-1 calls 12. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Ford entertained a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Gennaro so moved, Commissioner Salafia seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Ruffino Recording Secretary NEXT MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2025 Public Safety Meeting – April 28, 2025 minutes Page 4 of 4