Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Meeting Laurel Hill Fire Department August 11, 2010 Committee Members Present Alderman William Nash Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. Committee Members Not Present Alderwoman Jackie Caron Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Chief Tim Jencks, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Chief Frank Blanchard, Yantic Fire Department Emergency Mgmt Dept Director, Roland Frechette Chief Aaron Westervelt, Laurel Hill Fire Dept. Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Lieutenant / East Great Plains Fire Department Ken Scandariato, Fire Chief Chief Robert Patton, Occum Fire Department Asst. Chief BJ Herz, Yantic Fire Department Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others Ron Stoltz, Yantic Fire Department Bill Eyberse, Yantic Fire Department Ray O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department Damian Rickard, American Ambulance Andrew Daigle, Laurel Hill Fire Department Steve Handleman, Laurel Hill Fire Department Patrick Fournier, Laurel Hill Fire Department I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman William Nash called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. It was determined a quorum is present. II. Approval of Minutes Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motions to approve the June 9, 2010 Public Safety Meeting Minutes with one correction. Motion was seconded by Alderman William Nash. All in favor, the motion passed. III. Correspondence Alderman William Nash asks if there is any correspondence. There is none. IV. Citizen Comment Alderman William Nash asks if there is any citizen comment. Roland Frechette discusses the scooter issues around town. There are age restrictions and protective gear laws that are not being adhered to. Many children are riding them in Taftville and around the City without helmets or protective glasses. They are not safe for the riders or the vehicles on the roadways. Public Safety Meeting August 11, 2010 Page 2 V. New Business a. Plain Hill Radio Tower – Chief Blanchard and Chief Scandariato discuss the issues surrounding the tower and the recent defective antenna connector. There is also concern about everyone that has access to the tower. The facility is not secure. They’re also not sure who has keys/access so security is an issue. Police Lieutenant Pat Daley believes the State may own the property however Norwich has been taking care of most of the repairs and upkeep. The discussion continued and ideas were discussed about ways to find out who owns the property and what agencies have access. b. Budget re-allocation for the EGP car replacement Patrick Daley requests a budget re-allocation for a first responder vehicle replacement. Their current car is not worth repairing any more. It is beyond its usefulness. The vehicle is used as a Command Vehicle on calls and is usually the first vehicle on the scene. Patrick Daley would like to re-allocate funds that were budgeted for gear. There were FEMA recapture funds that make this vehicle replacement possible. The vehicle has proven very useful since it is stocked with most items that a first responder could need. Including gear to enter a burning structure and search for survivors without having to wait. Grants are being looked into but none seem to be available. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motions to form a resolution to put before the council to reallocate the funds for the purpose of replacing the command car. Alderman William Nash seconds the motion. So moved. VI. Old Business a. Update on the SWOT report from the flood Alderman William Nash requests SWOT reports from each department. Chief Blanchard states they are not ready with the report yet. Alderman Nash requests reports from each independent department, not a global report. Patrick Daley states that those reports can be ready for the September meeting. b. Vergason Avenue Gate Chief Blanchard says that depending on the call and who’s responding the gate is still a problem. Patrick Daley states that it would need Council action to open it back up and that the public needs to be involved. Signage wouldn’t be enough (if the gate was left open and “Do Not Enter” signs put up). Public Safety Meeting August 11, 2010 Page 3  Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. states that he polled some of the Plain Hill Road residents and received mixed emotions about keeping the gate closed versus opening it. Many were promised the gate would remain. Chief Blanchard will keep moving forward with researching options. Alderman William Nash will call Chief Fusaro to discuss this in detail. VII. Other a. Alderman William Nash asks if there are any other items to be brought before the committee. Chief Scandariato requests a resolution be brought before the council to reallocate funds from (4) Level A HazMat suits for a much needed General Thermal Imaging Camera for the tower. The camera will cost more than the allocated HazMat funds however the camera is crucial. The remaining funds will have to come from equipment funds in the budget. The suits can wait until the next budget year since there are other departments who have some to work with. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motions to put together a resolution for the council to reallocate the funds from the (4) Level A HazMat Suits ($6400) towards one $9,000 Thermal Imaging Camera. Alderman William Nash seconds the motion. So moved. b. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. asks of all the fire departments, are we getting new people in? Yes from all. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. asks if the training is going well and if everyone is up to code and has everyone they need? When rolling out to a call do you have the required number of responders on the vehicles? Yes from all. People still want to volunteer and they don’t seem to have a shortage of volunteers. VIII. Adjournment Alderman William Nash motions to adjourn at 8:05 pm. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine E Averna