Fire Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA FIRE COMMITTEE Monday, January 8, 2018 Municipal Complex, Committee Meeting Room, 3rd Floor MINUTES Members Present: Bob Brimmer, Chair; Jim Owens, Tom O’Rourke Staff Present: Eric DeMoura, Fire Chief Herbert Williams, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Mixon Mr. Brimmer called the meeting to order at 9:03 am. 1. Approval of Minutes from the April 3, 2017 meeting Mr. Owens moved for approval of the minutes; motion seconded by Mr. O’Rourke. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Public Comments Mr. Kevin Cunnane, 3032 River Vista Way, Mt. Pleasant, SC stated he will release a written statement of the comments he made at the October 2017 Council Meeting. Mr. Cunnane expressed his opinion that the Town of Mount Pleasant (TOMP) should make the Fire Department a higher priority. He stated that even with the increase in population, the Fire Department had cut Ladder Companies over the last five or ten years. Mr. Cunnane stated the TOMP had used the Fire Department’s use of Quick Response Vehicles (QRV) to handle the initial care of medical calls, as an excuse. Mr. Cunnane said even though it was a great idea, the TOMP was closing part of the Fire Department to booster the aid for Charleston County. Mr. Cunnane stated that better staffing by the Fire Department, would provide a better result. Mr. Cunnane said he believed that over time, the Fire Department had been considered as an afterthought. He went on to say it was time that TOMP looked at bolstering it and bringing it up to a level, in line with the size of the Town. Mr. Cunnane stated that a rosy picture is painted by Accreditation and ISO, but the reality on the ground is very different. He emphasized the first  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 2 of 13 step is recognition, that even though the Firefighters are working as hard as they can, under the conditions, the TOMP could do better by them. Mr. Gary Santos, 1690 Greystone Bouvard, Mount Pleasant SC stated he had been former chairman of the Fire Committee twice and he believed that TOMP had the best Fire Department around. Mr. Santos said that MPFD had a stellar record and contrary to what Mr. Cunnane said, there was no historical data to support it. Will Haynie, 316 Mallard Court, Mt. Pleasant, SC complemented the way the first response teams had performed during the past extreme weather event. He praised all first responders and said to his knowledge, there were no calls for emergencies from citizens, that were not be met. Mr. Haynie stated that any deficiency or need for the Fire Department should be brought before the Fire Committee. He explained the make-up of the Fire Committee included Mr. Jim Owens, former chairman of the Fire Committee. Chairman Bob Brimmer, who had spent years deeply involved in planning for the TOMP. Mr. Haynie stated that due to Mr. Brimmer’s experience, if the Town’s growth or plans were not matched with resources, training or funding for the Fire Department, he would be quick to recognize it. Mr. Haynie stated that Tom O’Rourke probably knows more about government financing than anyone currently serving. He stated that if the Fire Department needed or wanted more in training or funding of personnel, it should be brought up before the Fire Committee. Mr. James D’Avolia, 1328 Whisker Pole Lane, Mt. Pleasant, SC stated the Fire Department is a professional organization that supports and defends life in Mt. Pleasant, when they are here. He said that he believed that MPFD had as much training as they needed or as much as they believed they should have. Mr. D’Avolia raised the concern that no one knows what will happen in the future and plans need to be made to prepare for “what if” scenarios. If there is a fire in Mount Pleasant and another alarm or emergency comes in, the resources have been eliminated, and lives are threatened. Mr. D’Avolia express concern that even though the Fire Department’s training and personnel were great, they did not have the resources to provide for Mount  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 3 of 13 Pleasant, in case there were two large scale emergencies, that occurred simultaneously. 3. Fire Department overview presentation Chief Williams gave a verbal overview of the structure of Fire Department as a Power Point presentation of the information was shown. The presentation is attached, and it included the following information. a) Location of Fire Departments b) Organizational Chart c) Call Volume d) Daily Staffing e) Capital Projects f) ISO Qualifications and Rating g) Commission on Fire Accreditation International Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 4 of 13 Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 5 of 13 Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 6 of 13  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 7 of 13 4. Discussion regarding interagency agreement with Awendaw Fire District Deputy Fire Chief Mike Mixon introduced and explained through a Power Point presentation, a proposed plan for consolidating Mount Pleasant Fire Department with Awendaw District 5. The presentation of the proposed consolidation plan is attached. Deputy Chief Mixon explained the expected benefits of the plan for the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. After his explanation, he told the Fire Committee that MPFD was seeking the Committee’s comments and approval for initiating discussions with the Town of Awendaw officials. Mr. O’Rourke inquired as to the effect of the Kings tract of land on the proposal. Deputy Chief Mixon explained that the Kings tract of land is north of Bulls Bay and this proposed plan would only effect land south of Bulls Bay. All Fire Committee members expressed concern that they did not want to become Awendaw’s Fire Department. Mr. O’Rourke inquired as to when Fire Agreements were reviewed. Deputy Chief Mixon replied they are reviewed annually. The Fire Committee approved of the MPFD advancing  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 8 of 13 talks with the Town of Awendaw officials regarding the proposed Consolidation Plan of Awendaw District 5. Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 9 of 13 Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 10 of 13  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 11 of 13 5. Insurance Services Office (ISO) Update Chief Williams announced that the results of the September 2017 ISO Evaluation, had been released and that MPFD’s ISO Rating had improved from low Class 3 to a high Class 2. He informed the Fire Committee that at the prior ISO Evaluation in 2014, the MPFD had been rated Class 3. They had received 71.24 out of 100 points in 2014. The ISO Evaluation that was completed in September 2017, resulted in the MPFD receiving a Class 2 rating. The Fire Department’s score had increased to 87.85 out of a possible 105.5. Chief Williams informed the Fire Committee that 90 points would have made MPFD a ISO Class 1 Fire Department. Chief Williams stated that even though he was very proud of a high Class 2, the Fire Department would continue to strive to improve. Mr. Brimmer asked what it would take to get MPFD to a ISO Class 1 Rating. Chief Williams stated it was the goal of MPFD to receive a Class 1 Rating and he felt it was obtainable, by addressing several areas that factored in the score. One significant increase would be if they received permission to increase the area at Station 4, which in turn would increase fire personnel. He also stated that areas in the Fire Prevention Division could be reviewed and possibly improved. With a few factors improved, Chief Williams said he felt it would increase our score by few points. An increase of 2.15 points would raise MPFD’s ISO Rating to a Class 1. The current change of ISO Rating from Class 3 to Class 2, would create a significant impact on decreasing the cost of property insurance, both personal and commercial, for citizens of Mount Pleasant. This new rating would become effective April 1, 2018. Chief Williams requested to make an announcement before the Fire Committee adjourned. Chief Williams announced that he would retire from the Mount Pleasant Fire Department on June 8, 2018. He said he had served the Town of Mount Pleasant for almost 32 years and had served the MPFD for the last 12 years as Fire Chief. Chief Williams informed the Fire Committee that he felt the Fire Department had a great foundation and had great personnel to move it further, but after many years of service, he felt it was  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 12 of 13 time to retire. Chief Williams pledged his support to the Town of Mount Pleasant and the Fire Department, to make the transition process flow as smoothly as possible. After a standing ovation, Mr. O’Rourke stated that after many years of knowing Chief Williams, he regarded him as one of the finest men he had every known. He stated Chief Williams was faith based and always made decisions for the benefit of his people. Mr. O’Rourke commented that Chief Williams was one of the greatest people he had ever had a chance to work with. He commended Chief Williams for being able to leave public life, with all his character intact. Mr. Owens asserted that he felt Chief Williams was a man of character and a man of faith. He praised Chief Williams for leading by example and said that he was an exemplified example of placing service before self and he was well thought of and well loved. Mr. Brimmer commented that he had known Chief Williams personally as a great family man who was proud of his wife and son. Mr. Brimmer agreed with the Fire Committee that Chief Williams’ work as a Fire Chief and his service for the Town has been exemplary, but his example as a man of faith and as a professional, exceeds that. Mr. Brimmer declared that public service truly mattered, especially when performed with integrity and professionalism. He stated the Chief Williams had maintained the delicate balance of keeping the citizens of Mount Pleasant safe while being a responsible administrator for the Fire Department. Mr. Gary Santos, 1690 Greystone Bouvard, Mount Pleasant SC stated that he had served two terms as chairman of the Fire Committee and he had many good memories of Chief Williams. He recalled wanting to start Fire Committee Meetings with prayer and Chief Williams stepped forward and volunteered to do the invocation. Mr. Santos wished Chief Williams the best in is retirement. 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:51 a.m.  Fire Committee Minutes January 8, 2018 Page 13 of 13 Minutes submitted by: Terri Chadwick 01/12/18