Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2009 MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE MEETING MEMBERS PRESENT ALDERMAN MARK BETTENCOURT ALDERMAN JON JACARUSO ALDERMAN WILLIAM NASH ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF PRESENT ALAN H BERGREN, CITY MANAGER ALSO PRESENT WERE: BOB JACKSON, DISPATCHERS UNION PRESIDENT KEN SCANDARIATO, CHIEF NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT GENE ARTERS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ROLAND LAMBERT GREG DROZYNSKI, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT SCOTT MERCHANT, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT DOUG SMITH, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT JENNIFER CROSBY, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT DEREK OUILLETTE, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT LEON MARTIN, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT CORY BADER, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT MARC D CADY, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT JOSEPH HEBERT, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT PAUL O’CONNELL, YANTIC FIRE DEPARTMENT RON STOLY, YFCC JERRY STRANGE, LHVFC TIMOTHY JENCKS, TAFTVILLE FD ED MARTIN, CHIEF, LHVFC RAY O’CONNELL, YANTIC DAN AYERS, TFP GREG SMITH, NORWICH BULLETIN CAPTAIN TIMOTHY MENARD, NORWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT MICHAEL A DZIAVIT, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT TIMOTHY TEPEIZ, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT MARK SICUSO, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT MARK ESPINOZA, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT LAUREN T CASADY, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT ALLYN FITCH, NORWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT PATRICK DALEY, CHIEF EAST GREAT PLAINS FD I. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Alderman Mark Bettencourt. It was determined that a quorum was present. Page 1 of 4 II Alderman Jon Jacaruso motioned to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2009 meeting. Motion was seconded by Mark Bettencourt. Motion passed unanimously. III. Correspondence. -A spreadsheet detailing the bids, budgets, and shortfalls for Large Diameter Hose and Asset Inventory Costs, with a Draft Ordinance Appropriating funds from the general fund surplus to purchase large diameter hose for the Fire Departments of the City of Norwich was submitted by City Manager Alan Bergren. -A memorandum from City Manager Alan Bergren to the Public Safety Committee members with Possible Dry Hydrant Locations and aerial maps of the locations. IV. Citizen Comment Scott Merchant, President of the Norwich Fire Department read a statement regarding proper staffing at the dispatch center and dispatch report. V. New Business Chief Ken Scandariato has researched the issue of weak lo-band radio frequency. He states that the problem is birds on the antennas causing interference. He also states that there seems to be nothing that can be done immediately to resolve the issue but that we're looking into options. VI. Old Business a. Evaluation of Equipment & Deployment: Fire Chiefs report (Chief Blanchard) Dry Hydrant Locations: Alderman Jon Jacaruso asks what the rough costs are. Several from the audience replied. Roughly about $5,000 each. There may be State grants, and there were Dry Hydrant Kits that may still be available. So it will cost roughly $35,000 for all. There are also Legal Easements that will need to be acquired for the properties where they place the dry hydra nts. Next discussion question involved time to install. About 1 – 2 days for actual installation. Where can we get grants from? Is it considered a capital improvement? City Manager Alan Bergren thinks it may be a capital improvement. Alderman Jon Jacaruso made a motion requesting the City Manager to follow up on the above discussion and questions. Alderman Mark Bettencourt seconds. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously. Next discussion covers a letter dated October 29th regarding Equipment, Consolidation, Replacement and Dispatch. Alderman Jon Jacaruso acknowledges the citizen safeguarding by all, and thanks them very much for their thoughtful collaboration that went into the attached discussion letter. Alderman Mark Bettencourt thanks City Manager Alan Bergren for his help, stating he is the glue holding everything all together. Alderman William Nash acknowledges everyone’s great job and vision. Looking forward to moving forward. Alderman Jon Jacaruso refers to the packet and the dispatch issues. Alderman William Nash acknowledges that adding another person will not fix this. The problem needs more than just another body. Alderman Jon Jacaruso opens the discussion on the Ladder Truck replacement or reallocation. Can we make it work with three trucks by moving them around to where they’re needed? With this being the busiest department (the Central Fire Station) and there are paid firefighters which helps them respond quicker, would it work if they relocate one of the other ladder trucks here for a while to get the paid firefighters trained on it? We can’t afford a replacement. Alderman Mark Bettencourt adds to the discussion that with the very old ladder truck needing to be retired, that means there are only 3 in service. If any of those needs servicing then there would only be 2 in service. He believes it is necessary to consider replacing the 4th ladder truck so there are always at least 3 in operation at any given time. Chief Ken Scandariato believes now is the time to get the best rates on a new ladder truck. They take a year to build. He believes it is necessary to replace the ladder truck that they’re retiring in order to keep the public safe. He says this department needs 2 dedicated ladder trucks. Alderman William Nash asks the attending firefighters to show him why it is necessary, give him enough particulars to he can approach the public, the taxpayers. c. Limited access road gates. Repair/replace – update from City Manager. City Manager Alan Bergren states that the person slated to discuss this item is not present. b. Infrastructure Strategy Plan – Fire Chief’s meeting with NPU – Report and discussion on planned upgrades to the public water system. City Manager Alan Bergren felt that they were thorough and asks for the Chief’s report. Chief Martin felt that it was an excellent plan and it gives them somewhere to start. Alderman Mark Bettencourt says we will move forward. Chief Ken Scandariato says now we have priorities and a very professional plan laid out. Alderman Mark Bettencourt spoke about the possibility of the new stimulus package and hopes to get the chance to utilize it. Chief Jencks states that Phase I is to check the priorities of the plan. Motion by Alderman Mark Bettencourt for a five minute recess, seconded by Alderman Nash and passed at 7:50 p.m. At 7:55 p.m. meeting called back to order by Alderman Mark Bettencourt d. Chief Scandariato report on dispatch. Discussion Chief Scandariato explains that he has performed a 2 year study on dispatch and their radio system. He states that it’s not just the dispatchers – everyone is now taking a very objective look at this issue so they can make it work – now and into the future. He speaks of Protocols, Environment, and Philosophy – these all need to be evaluated. Alderman Mark Bettencourt lets Chief Scandariato know he is taking the issue very seriously. These have been issues for some time. Alderman William Nash suggests that maybe the Fire Department and the Police Department dispatchers need to be severed. Chief Scandariato states that they need more time. That they are working towards a more feasible plan so as to address the current problem with a solution that will continue working well into the future. Alderman Jon Jacaruso wants the needs prioritized so as not to lose sight of what really needs to be addressed. Alderman Jon Jacaruso motions to ask the City Manager to request the Chief of Police to draw up an outline detailing exactly what the appropriate staff needs are and what would be done to support the new staff. A solid number on how much more staff would be needed. He speaks to the need for proper Staffing, Environment, Organization, and Protocol. Motion seconded by Alderman Mark Bettencourt. The motion passed unanimously. It was stated, the police chief agrees that dispatch is understaffed but that staff is not the only problem. Alderman Mark Bettencourt states that it’s necessary to think outside the box. He is concerned that major problems could occur while time passes. VII. Other Alderman Jon Jacaruso asks why there were changes to the hose spreadsheet. City Manager Alan Bergren states that the additional funds were needed to cover the Hose Reel. Alderman Jon Jacaruso also asks about the Draft Ordinance. He is concerned that with our current economy, is it realistic and wise to use the general funds this way considering there are other accounting needs and requirements? City Manager Alan Bergren states that according to the comptroller this usage of the funds will not affect the general fund too adversely. This is an emergency need and is necessary to the public safety. He also stated that this cannot be done again. Alderman William Nash motions to request the City Council adopt the draft. Alderman Jon Jacaruso seconds the motion. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously. VIII. Alderman Jon Jacaruso motions to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Alderman William Nash seconds the motion. Hearing no additional business, the motion to adjourn passes unanimously.