Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES Wednesday June 13, 2012 Central Fire Department 7:00 P.M. Committee Members Present Alderman Mark Bettencourt (Arrived 7:25 p.m.) Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr. Alderwoman Sofee Noblick Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Chief Frank Blanchard, Yantic Fire Department Chief Aaron Westervelt, Laurel Hill Fire Department Gene Arters, Director OEM Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Lieutenant / Chief East Great Plains Fire Department Deputy Chief Bob LaChapelle, Occum Fire Department Chief Scandariato, Norwich Fire Department Assistant Chief Paul O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others John Bilda, Norwich Public Utilities Dan Auger, Taftville Fire Department William Hadam, Taftville Fire Department Marc Landry, Norwich Fire Department Damian Rickard, American Ambulance Nick Mathieu, Norwich Fire Department Scott Suplita, Norwich Fire Department Mark Sicuso, Norwich Fire Department Tracy Montor, Norwich Fire Department Andrew Cooke, Norwich Fire Department Tim Teper, Norwich Fire Department Brian Fee, Norwich Fire Department Mike Christoff, Norwich Fire Department Joseph Hebert, Norwich Fire Department Ray O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. It was determined a quorum was present. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of May 9, 2012. Alderwoman Sofee Noblick motioned to approve the May 9, 2012 minutes, seconded by Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. All in favor, the motion passed. III. Correspondence Letter from Scott A. Merchant, President, Norwich Fire Fighters Local 892, presented by Mark Landry. IV. Citizen Comment There was none. Public Safety Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Page 2 V. New Business John Bilda with NPU wishes to discuss the upcoming State Hurricane Drill. He is concerned that the City is not preparing. This drill will be focusing on how the City responds in an emergency situation. He feels that NPU as a public utility will be very much under the microscope. Chief Blanchard feels that it would be a good idea to hold a City-Wide drill to prepare for the drill, as well as testing the City’s preparedness for an emergency. City Manager Alan Bergren explains that the State informs the City of the emergency, in this case a hurricane, and activates the EOP. That is the script. Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr. agrees that it is a good idea for the City to assemble all the Department Heads and plan for the drill. It would be good to work out any kinks that may exist in the City’s new EOP plan. So the best plan is to meet on June 29 th and run a drill that would mirror an actual emergency. Emergency Management Director Gene Arters explains that the City Manager has chosen day 3 of the drill for the City to participate in. That will be after the hurricane. Chief Scandariato believes that the City should perform the entire storm activity. Using the analysis from Hurricane Irene it is possible to determine all the strengths and weaknesses of the City Departments as a whole. Alderman Mark Bettencourt agrees that a facilitator would be very helpful. Going forward and doing what has to be done for the State drill in July but having and internal drill later. Running a table-top to fully work the City systems. John Bilda states he will arrange a facilitator. City Manager Alan Bergren states that the table-top can be run in Mid-July. VI. Old Business a. Taftville FD Addition Alderman Mark Bettencourt states that this is a very important issue but there are major budget issues. He will not forget about it but for now it has to be put on hold. Alderwoman Sofee Noblick states that she is looking into CDBG funds for the next cycle. She will continue to keep the committee apprised. VII. Other There was none. VIII. Adjournment Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick. All in favor the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Christine Averna