Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)
Regular MeetingNorwich, CT · July 9, 2014
Minutes
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday July 9, 2014
East Great Plain Fire Department
7:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present
Alderman William Nash
Alderman Mark Bettencourt
Alderwoman Sofee Noblick
Administration and Staff Present
Alan H. Bergren, City Manager
Gene Arters, Director OEM
Chief Frank Blanchard, Yantic Fire Department
Chief Aaron Westervelt, Laurel Hill Fire Department
Chief Tim Jencks, Taftville Fire Department
Lieutenant Chris Colonais, Yantic Fire Department
Police Chief Louis Fusaro
Chris Ferace, Norwich Police Department
Captain Pat Daley, Norwich Police Dept./East Great Plain
Chief Rob Patton, Occum Fire
Damian Rickard, American Ambulance
Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others
Chris LaRose, Norwich Public Utilities
Ron Stolz, Yantic Fire Department
Ken Leo, Yantic Fire Department
Scott Suplita, Norwich Fire Department
Paul O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department
Ed Martin, Laurel Hill Fire Department
Michael Aliano, American Ambulance
William Haddam, Taftville Fire Department
Marc Benjamin, Norwich Fire Department
Jerry Strange, Laurel Hill Fire Department
David Eggleston, Police Station Review Committee
Karen Neeley, Police Station Review Committee
Keith Ripley, Police Station Review Committee
Gary Schnip, G Schnip Construction
Henry Resnikoff, RFP Inc
Steve Becker
H. Tucker Braddock, Jr.
Claire Bessette, The Day Newspaper
I. Call to Order – Quorum
Alderman William Nash called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. There is a quorum present.
II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of June 11, 2014.
Alderman Mark Bettencourt motioned, seconded by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, to approve
the June 11, 2014 minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Safety Meeting Minutes
July 9, 2014
Page 2
III. Correspondence – The Police Station Project Review Committee Report.
Alderman Mark Bettencourt motioned to accept the Police Station Project Review Committee
Report, seconded by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick. The motion passed unanimously.
IV. Citizen Comment –
--Gary Schnip of G Schnip Construction – Mr. Schnip addressed the Public Safety Committee
to discuss some items that he wanted to clarify before the Police Station Project Review
Committee gave its report to the Public Safety Committee.
Mr. Schnip wanted to explain that the building and parking can be built above the 100 year
flood plain and even above the 500 year flood plain if they must.
He stated that the Police Station Project Review Committee didn’t include soft costs in their
cost budget information in their 3/27/2014 report so he believes the Buckingham site will
exceed the $30 million.
He also mentioned that as far as the number of stories on the building, there are 3 proposed.
One is between 2 parking decks which is also below street grade. The top floor is the
business end of the Police Department and the 2nd level would be the public level.
--Mark Benjamin of the Norwich Fire Department stated that on June 28, 2014 his truck was
broken into at Engine 2. Many tools were taken. There are many in the community
experiencing more trouble. Chief Scand looked into getting cameras for Engine 2. We need
secure parking. It is very unsafe for the responders and the public in the neighborhood.
V. Old Business
a) Dive Team – Chief Jencks stated that the paperwork is all set. Much of what was attached to
the agenda didn’t pertain to them.
b) By Yantic Fire Department (owned by Eds in Canterbury) – City Manager Alan Bergren stated
the owner was contacted. The owner stated he plans to demo the building and clean the
property.
VI. New Business
a) Police Station Project Review Committee Report – Alderman Bill Nash asked Committee Chair
Dave Eggleston to please give a summary of his report. Dave Eggleston stated that the
Committee looked at all the data. They compared the 2 sites that City Council asked them to
review. They compared them to the Buckingham site. They also did adjust for soft costs
during this comparison. The conclusion was that those concepts are very earl and just that –
concepts. A lot of work is still to be done. When you look at those 2 vs Buckingham,
Buckingham has the least amount of issues and will be the lowest cost solution, even though
all 3 have potential.
Public Safety Meeting Minutes
July 9, 2014
Page 3
Alderman Mark Bettencourt asked D. Eggleston if he is saying they should go forward with the
RFP process.
Dave Eggleston replied yes. It is possible to get many viable proposals or none but the
process must be done..
Vice Chair Karen Neeley added that the entire committee felt that no stone should be left
unturned. You need to open it up and do an RFP with specific needs that must be met.
Alderman Bill Nash thanked the Police Station Project Review Committee for their work on
this. It was appreciated that they all came together again to put this together in such a short
time.
Alderman Mark Bettencourt motioned, seconded by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, to endorse the
Police Station Project Review Committee recommendation and ask the City Council to go forward
with the RFP process for a new Police Station.
b) American Ambulance Service Agreement –
Greg Allard, Vice President of American Ambulance, proposed to extend the current contract with
the City another 6 years (current contract expires in 2018 and they are asking to extend to 2024).
They are purchasing a building and need to renovate and the local bank wants a firm agreement
with the City.
Alderman Mark Bettencourt states he has heard no complaints. They supply a good service. He
would like to dig up how other municipalities do this.
Alderman Mark Bettencourt motioned to recommend that the City Council go forward and accept
this extension of the contract between the City and American Ambulance. Alderwoman Sofee
Noblick seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
VII. Other – Ed Martin of Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department stated that the truck replacement
process for volunteers needs fixing. We are screwed up on the replacement schedule. The
system is broke even though it worked for 26 years. Now we’re in 34 year old trucks. The
danger they pose is not right. It may be possible to keep them mechanically sound but they
are structurally falling apart. Every year we wait and costs go up and the old trucks are costing
more to keep running. It’s over $600,000 today for a replacement truck that would have cost
around $200,000 in 2004. Once certain people got involved the system got screwed up. We
have needs that are special and can’t use a generic truck. We know what we need. Let’s get
back to a system that works. How many more plans do we have to give the Council?
VIII. Adjournment
Upon a motion by Alderman Mark Bettencourt, seconded by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, the
meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:27 pm
Respectfully submitted by Christine Averna
Agenda
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA
July 9, 2014
East Great Plain Fire Department
7:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order – Quorum
II. Approval of Minutes
a. Minutes of June 11, 2014
III. Correspondence – Report from the Police Station Review Committee
IV. Citizen Comment
V. Old Business
a. Regional Dive Team
b. By Yantic – Ed’s in Canterbury
VI. New Business
a. Police Station Review Committee Report
b. American Ambulance Service Agreement
VII. Other
VIII. Adjournment
Regional Dive Team Attachments
New London Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Police and Fire Emergency Services Interagency
Agreement
Groton City Police Department
Groton Town Police Department
New London Police Department
New London Fire Department
Old Mystic Fire Department
Taftville Fire Department
Waterford Police Department
WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute 7-148cc authorizes two or more municipalities
to jointly perform any function that each municipality may perform separately under any
provisions of the general statutes or of any special act, charter, or home rule ordinance.
WHEREAS, each of the participating municipalities recognize the benefits of joining
together for the performance of joint emergency services functions
WHEREAS, each of the participating municipalities find that entering into a joint
participation agreement is necessary for the delivery of more effective services to the
citizens of their respective municipalities; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned municipalities wish to cooperate in the joint performance
of general emergency services involving water search and rescue
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the municipalities signing this
compact by their respective chief executive officers, duly authorized upon approval as
set forth in said Connecticut General Statute, to the following:
1. The undersigned municipalities hereby delegate to the Police or Fire Chiefs
of their respective municipality the authority to determine when the provision
of emergency services personnel and resources involving water operations
best serves the purpose of this compact and benefits their respective
community.
2. The Police and Fire Chiefs of the respective agencies, and having
representation on the New London Marine Group, shall utilize this body as an
oversight board for the activities of the emergency services water operations
group. The marine group is authorized to administer the procedures attached
to this compact and may modify these procedures as necessary to insure
safe, efficient, and effective operations.
3. For the purposes of this compact emergency service water operations shall
be defined as; surface and/or underwater functions involving; evidence
recovery, search and rescue, detection, or protection and prevention.
4. The services performed under this compact shall be deemed to be for public
and governmental purposes.
5. That at all times when joint emergency services water operations are being
conducted, police and fire personnel assigned to the function shall be
deemed to be members of the authorized group and shall have the same
powers, duties, privileges, and immunities as are conferred upon the police
and fire personnel of the municipality in whose jurisdiction the group is
operating.
6. Each participating municipality agrees that it shall be responsible for all costs,
whether monetary or in the form of goods and services, it incurs as a result of
participation in this compact. Such costs may include but are not limited to;
a. The actual payroll, including overtime, for the agency’s personnel
participating in compact activities.
b. The replacement or repair cost for any equipment lost, destroyed,
damaged, or made unavailable as a result of participation in this
compact.
c. Fuel and maintenance costs for any vehicles or equipment
d. Training costs arising from participation in this compact
e. Workers compensation claims pursuant to Connecticut General
Statute 31-275 through 31-355a.
f. Awards for death, disability or injury to personnel participating in
compact related activities to the extent that such awards exceed
Worker’s Compensation coverage.
g. Survivors benefits pursuant to Connecticut General Statute 7-323e.
h. Heart and Hypertension claims pursuant to Connecticut General
Statute 7-433c.
i. Cost arising from agreement, contracts, or obligations the municipality
entered into prior to entering this compact.
7. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any participating municipality
negligently causing injury or damage shall indemnify and hold harmless the
other parties to this compact (and their employees and agents) from any and
all claims caused by such party’s negligence. In instances where the identity
of the negligent actor cannot be determined and/or where liability is
predicated upon joint venture, vicarious liability, or upon other similar
grounds, it is the intent of this agreement that each participating municipality
shall be liable only for its proportionate share of responsibility. All disputes
concerning appointment of liability hereunder shall be resolved by a single
arbitrator chosen by the parties. If the parties are unable to agree upon a
single arbitrator, then the court shall appoint the arbitrator.
8. For grant and funding initiative purposes, the Police or Fire Chief of the lead
agency within the participating group, or his/her designed, shall act as the
representative and fiduciary for the group. Lead agency responsibility may be
transferred to another participating agency upon the unanimous written
consent of all of the Police and Fire Chiefs for the departments participating
in this compact.
9. Not later than five (5) years from the effective date of this agreement, the
effectiveness of this agreement shall be reviewed by the body that approved
the agreement for each municipality.
10. Any participating municipality may withdraw from this compact by giving thirty
(30) days written notice to all the other participating municipalities. Withdrawal
of one or more participants shall not void the compact so long as two or more
participants remain active in this compact.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this compact
this____________________, 2014.
________________________
Marian Galbraith
City of Groton
Chief Executive Officer
________________________
Mark Oefinger
Town of Groton
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________
Daryl Finizio
City of New London
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________
Edward Haberek, Jr.
Town of Stonington
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________
Alan H. Bergren
City of Norwich
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________
Daniel Steward
Town of Waterford
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________
Carli Strand, Jr.
Old Mystic Fire District
Chief Executive Officer
New London Marin Group Regional Dive Team
Connecticut General Statute 7- 148cc
Sec. 7-148cc. Joint performance of municipal functions. Two or more municipalities
may jointly perform any function that each municipality may perform separately under
any provisions of the general statutes or of any special act, charter or home rule
ordinance. Each participating municipality shall approve any agreement entered into
pursuant to this section in the same manner as an ordinance is approved in such
participating municipality or, if no ordinances are approved by such participating
municipality, in the same manner as the budget is approved. The terms of each
agreement shall establish a process for withdrawal from such agreement and shall
require that the agreement be reviewed at least once every five years by the body that
approved the agreement to assess the effectiveness of such agreement in enhancing
the performance of the function that is the subject of the agreement. As used in this
section, "municipality" means any municipality, as defined in section 7-187, or any
district, as defined in section 7-324, located within the state of Connecticut.
Dive Attachment 2
New London Port Area Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Standard Operating Procedures
Composition
The New London Marine Port Area Group Regional Dive Team is compromised of
existing police and fire public safety dive teams and individual certified divers from the
municipalities of; Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich, Stonington, and
Waterford.
Missions
The New London Marine Port Area Group Regional Dive Team is tasked with four core
missions involving a surface or underwater environment:
1. Rescue of individuals in imminent danger of serious injury or loss of life
2. Locating and recovery drowning victims
3. Locating and recovery of evidence articles
4. Conducting underwater detection, response, and protection operations for
federal, state, and local public safety departments.
Organization, Duties and Responsibilities
The regional dive team shall be comprised of the following:
1. Administrative staff
a. The commanding officer will be from the administrative lead agency. The
commanding officer will perform all administrative tasks required of the
regional dive team along with records of training and deployments. The
commanding officer will be responsible for reviewing equipment and
training needs and presenting reports to the New London Marine Group.
The commanding officer will be responsible for authorizing the team’s
activation and deployment. The commanding officer will also convene and
document after action reviews following deployment. When deployed with
the team, the commanding officer will serve as a liaison to the command
organization.
b. The regional dive team’s police executive officer may be assigned from
any participating police agency where they hold a supervisory position.
The police executive officer will undertake operational control of the
regional dive team’s activities during deployment for police incidents. The
police executive officer will be responsible for assisting in the review of
equipment and training needs and presenting these reports to the New
London Port Area Marine Group. The police executive officer will be
responsible for documentation of the team’s activities during deployment.
c. The regional dive team’s fire executive officer may be assigned from any
participating fire agency where they hold a supervisory position. The fire
executive officer will undertake operational control of the regional dive
team’s activities during deployment for fire incidents. The fire executive
officer will be responsible for assisting in the review of equipment and
training needs and presenting these reports to the New London Port Area
Marine Group. The fire executive officer will be responsible for
documentation of the team’s activities during deployment.
2. Work Team Dive Supervisors
a. The work team supervisors may be assigned form police or fire services.
These members will be required to successfully complete supervisory
training as directed by the administrative staff. The number of work team
supervisors will be determined by the number of active members. A ratio
of one (1) supervisor for every four (4) divers will be maintained. These
supervisors will direct the activities of a team of up to four divers in the
water.
3. Team Divers
a. The regional dive team members may be assigned by police and fire
services. They will undertake the water missions during a deployment.
4. Medical Technicians
a. The regional dive team will have on staff a minimum of two (2) members
who are trained to provide medical aid to victims incurring injury specific to
the water environment. These members will be required to successfully
complete all training of the team’s regular qualification and training
requirements in addition to a specific medical course of study as directed
by the administrative staff. The medical technicians will maintain any
requirements that are identified as a result of the medical certification.
Oversight
The New London Port Area Marine Group shall have administrative oversight of the
regional dive team. All of the municipalities participating in the regional dive team have
representation on the marine group.
The New London Port Area Marine Group will be responsible for conducting regional
dive team needs assessments, and conducting after action reviews.
The New London Port Area Marine group will be responsible for appointment of the
regional dive team’s administrative staff.
Regular monthly briefings will be provided to the New London Port Area Marine Group
by members of the regional dive team’s administrative staff regarding the team’s status
and activities.
The New London Port Area Marine Group is represented at DEMHS Region IV by its
chair/co-chair. In this body the marine group carries the designation of RESF 20. The
representative to Region IV shall be responsible for reporting on regional dive team
requirements, activities, or operations.
Administration
The regional dive team administration shall be comprised of three (3) personnel who
hold supervisory positions in their respective public safety agencies. The composition of
the administrative team will consist of a lead agency administrator, a police supervisor
and a fire supervisor.
The lead agency administrator shall be responsible for; training exercises, funding
opportunities, equipment, logistical needs, records, operational reviews, and team
deployment authorization. The lead agency administrator will be designated as the
team’s commanding officer.
The fire and police members of the administration will be responsible for operational
supervision and activities during team deployment. The police and fire members of the
administrative team will be designated as the team’s executive officers.
Administrative positions will be subject to review every two years conducting by the
New London Port Area Marine Group. The team’s administration may be retained
following a review or replaced at that time. If an exigent circumstance exists where a
replacement is required prior to the review period, the vacant position will be filled as
quickly as possible as an interim measure by the chair/co-chair of New London Port
Area Marine Group until such time as a regular review takes place.
Operational Command
As soon as possible following the activation of the regional dive team an incident will be
identified as either a “fire” or a “police” incident. In most cases this will be determined by
what type of call for service the team’s deployment is based upon.
Once the call type has been identified the lead operational command position will be
from the responsible emergency service agency. In the case of a “fire incident” the
regional dive team’s fire department executive officer will be the operational lead and in
the case of a “police incident” the regional dive team’s police department executive
officer will be the lead.
In either case the none-lead executive officer will serve as an assistant to the lead. The
operational lead is responsible for the team’s activities and directing the deployment of
all of the members of the regional team during an incident.
(See Addendum A for list of Call Type/Operational Lead Agency)
Command Post Operations
The regional dive teams operational lead executive officer, either fire or police, shall be
responsible for establishing a command post during team deployment where none
exists, until such time as relieved.
In the case of an established command post or a unified command the team’s
commanding officer shall serve as the regional dive team’s liaison. In this capacity the
liaison is responsible for passing information and instructions between the regional dive
team’s operational lead, and the command post.
The commanding officer and executive officers of the regional dive team may designate
a dive team member as their representative to a command post where they are unable
to be present.
Deployment
The New London Port Area Marine Group Regional Dive Team may be deployed for
individual or mass casualty operations which are a result of natural or man-made
incidents, or disaster recovery. Deployment may include surface operations such as
swift water rescue or underwater operations such as drowning victim recovery.
The Waterford Police Department shall serve as the communications center for all
regional dive team service requests and deployment. The emergency communications
center is a 24/7 staffed facility.
Upon request for the regional dive team’s deployment, the team’s commanding officer
will authorize the Waterford dispatch center to utilize the Ever-Bridge notification system
to alert the team’s members. The message will contain an activation notification along
with a deployment location.
The Waterford dispatch center will make direct land line contact with any dispatch
center responsible for a volunteer fire agency which has members participating in the
regional dive team. This notification will indicate that the regional dive team has been
activated and the incident location.
Requests for the regional dive team’s activation and deployment will only be accepted
by a requesting public safety agency.
Upon notification the regional dive team members should respond to the identified
location along with all issued equipment. Upon arrival the dive team member’s
deployment and tasking will be determined and coordinated by the operational
executive officer.
The regional dive team trailer and equipment, which is housed at the Waterford Police
Department, shall be deployed to a location upon receipt of the Ever-Bridge notification.
In the case of a pre-planned event where the regional dive team has been requested,
the regional dive team’s administrative staff will attend any pre-event briefings and
establish a deployment plan complete with regional dive team member assignments,
and logistical requirements for the duration of the event. The administrative staff will
also brief the New London Port Area Marine Group on the event and the teams
expected activities.
A written document detailing the team’s deployment and activities shall be completed
by the operational executive officer for the incident/event not more than 14 days
afterwards. This record shall be retained at the regional dive team commanding officer’s
department. This document may be presented and reviewed during the New London
Port Area Marine Group’s monthly meeting.
(See addendum D for sample report)
An after action review for members of the regional dive team will be conducted by the
administrative staff within 14 days following an event. The team’s commanding officer
shall be responsible for convening the review. This review will be open to all members
of the regional dive team. Should any requirements or needs be identified during the
review, then written documentation, completed by the commanding officer, which lists
the information will be forwarded to the New London Port Area Marine Group, and
presented by the administrative staff.
Water Operations
The operational executive officer will be responsible for dividing the regional dive team
members into work teams at an incident site.
The regional dive team will provide a work team dive supervisor for every four (4) public
safety divers. Dive supervisors will receive specialty training for this position and may
either be selected from police or fire services.
The work team dive supervisor will direct the activities of the members assigned to their
work team and be responsible for identifying their assigned tasking along with the
team’s health or safety, any equipment requirements, and general status of their
assigned members.
The work team dive supervisor is responsible for communications between their work
team and the operational executive officer.
Medical Technicians
A minimum of two (2) regional dive team medical technicians will receive specialized
training as directed by the administrative staff in the subject area of water injuries and
treatment. The primary responsibility of these individuals is to provide any necessary
medical aid to the dive team members during training or deployment operations.
At least one (1) medical technician must be present for any training or deployment dive.
The regional dive team medical technicians must complete all dive training undertaken
by the team in addition to their medical training.
The regional dive team medical technicians must maintain any required medical
certifications. Failure to maintain the medical certification will mean immediate
suspension from the position pending a review by the administrative staff.
Vessels
The New London Port Area Marine Group members maintain vessels which have been
purchased with Department of Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding. These vessels
have been designed to support diving operations.
The vessels are:
1. South Eastern Marine Patrol (Waterford/East Lyme Police), 28ft. SEAARK,
berthed at the Waterford Town Dock, Niantic River, Waterford
2. South Eastern Marine Patrol (Waterford/East Lyme Police), 12ft rigid inflatable
with trailer, housed at Goshen Fire Department, Waterford
3. Groton Town Police Department, 27ft. Safe Boat, berthed at West Point, Groton
4. Mystic Fire Department, 32ft. Firestorm, berthed at the Stonington Town Dock,
Mystic River, Mystic
5. Stonington Police Department, 27ft. Safe Boat, berthed in Stonington Harbor,
Stonington
Upon notification of the regional dive team’s activation or during pre-event planning, if
the use of a vessel is required, the team’s administrative staff will notify the public
safety agency owning the vessel, and request its use.
Specialty Vehicles
The regional dive team may make use of specialty vehicles for operations. These are
not considered routine support assets but rather for specific events. These vehicles are
as follows:
1. South Eastern Marine Patrol (Waterford/East Lyme Police) PWC with trailer,
housed at the Waterford Police Department.
2. South Eastern Marine Patrol (Waterford/East Lyme Police) Polaris, 5 passenger
all terrain vehicle with trailer, housed at the Waterford Police Department
Upon notification of the regional dive team’s activation or during pre-event planning, if
the use of a specialty vehicle is required, the team’s administrative officers should notify
the public safety agency owning the vessel, and request its use.
Support Vessels
The New London Port Area Marine Group has representation from private industry
within its structure. This includes maritime assistance and salvage companies. Vessels
from these companies are available to the regional dive team when not involved in
other operations. The support vessels function is to undertake such tasking as the
movement of personnel and equipment, or assisting with search and rescue operations.
The following company is participating with the regional dive team in the support role:
1. Tow Boat U.S. Mystic – Owner, Jeff Dziedzic.
Safety
The regional dive team’s operational executive officers and work team dive supervisors
are responsible for the team’s members during a dive operation.
An operational or work team supervisor may not order the deployment of a dive team
member so as to create unacceptable risk to that member. No supervisor may order a
dive team member to perform a dive task that is outside that member’s scope of
training.
No regional dive team member will conduct dive operations outside the scope of their
training or experience.
All identified safety equipment (markers, lights, noise makers, lines) will be utilized
during regional dive team operations.
A minimum of five (5) regional dive team members will be required for a deployment.
This shall constitute three (3) divers, a tender, and a profiler who will be responsible for
a written record of events. No regional dive team member will be deployed in a solo
operation.
A safety officer will be designated at a scene by the operational executive officer. The
safety officer will be responsible for conducting an independent overall safety review of
the location, environment, ongoing operation, and equipment being utilized. At any time
the safety officer may suspend dive operations for observed unsafe conditions, and shall
immediately report the incident to the operational executive officer. The dive operation
shall remain suspended until such time as the safety violation can be corrected.
The safety officer shall be a none committed diver from the regional dive team or a boat
captain when the regional support vessels are in use.
Injuries
Any regional dive team member shall be responsible for reporting injury as soon as
possible to the following:
1. Regional dive team work team supervisor
2. Regional dive team administrative staff
3. Their respective public safety agency supervisor and/or human resources
department.
In the case of injury to a dive team member, the operational executive officer during the
team’s deployment shall prepare a written document, not more than 48hrs, after the
event detailing how the injury occurred. This document shall be retained at the regional
dive team commanding officer’s department. This document may be presented and
reviewed during the New London Marine Port Area Group’s monthly meeting.
(See addendum B for the regional dive team injury/exposure reporting form)
Equipment
The regional dive team will maintain equipment and a trailer at the Waterford Police
Department. This trailer will be deployed for all dive team service calls.
No equipment will be utilized which has an expired use/inspection date.
Equipment will not be utilized in such a manner as to exceed manufacturer’s
specifications.
Unsatisfactory or damaged equipment will be taken out of service immediately, and will
not be used in any manner for regional dive team operations.
All equipment utilized by a regional dive team member for training or deployment will be
inspected by the work team dive supervisor or administrative staff prior to that member
entering the water. If it is found that the equipment is unsatisfactory then it will be
removed and a replacement found or the dive team member removed from the
operation until such time as the equipment issue is resolved.
Established dive teams and individuals with existing equipment who are part of the
regional dive team will provide an inventory to the regional team’s commanding officer.
The equipment list will be retained as part of the regional dive team’s records.
It is recognized that specific brands of equipment may differ between members of the
regional dive team due to existing versus new purchases. However; all members of the
dive team will be similarly equipped in so far as an actual item during deployments.
Existing equipment as well as new purchases will be reviewed by the regional dive
team administrative staff so as to ensure that equipment has similar specifications in
the event of different manufacturers.
Members of the regional dive team may forward an equipment request in writing to the
administrative staff for review.
Any equipment damaged during the course of a regional team deployment will be
documented by the team’s member and forwarded to the administrative staff. The
damaged equipment will be reviewed and forwarded to the New London Port Area
Marine Group for potential replacement.
The regional dive team’s administrative staff will conduct an equipment needs review a
minimum of once per year and the report forwarded to the New London Port Area
Marine Group for funding options.
Training
Specialty training involving tasks specific to public safety divers will be offered to
members of the regional dive team. This training will be directed by the regional team’s
administrative staff.
Established dive teams and individuals with existing training, who are part of the
regional dive team, will provide previous training documentation for each member to the
regional team’s commanding officer.
All training records, existing as well as new, will be reviewed by the administrative staff
so as to ensure similar capabilities exist between each member of the regional dive
team.
All training records will be maintained at the regional dive team commanding officer’s
department.
No member of the regional dive team may be deployed in any situation where their
existing training doesn’t meet the assigned tasking.
All members of the regional dive team will be required to attend a minimum of six (6)
annual training events as specified by the administrative staff. The training dives will be
designed so as to represent potential deployment conditions and events.
Members of the regional dive team may forward a training request in writing to the
administrative staff for review. In addition vendors submitting unsolicited training
courses/announcements to any member of the regional team will be forwarded to the
regional team’s administrative staff for review.
The regional dive team’s administrative staff will conduct a training needs review a
minimum of once per year and the report forwarded to the New London Port Area
Marine Group for funding options.
(See addendum C for list of training requirements)
Application and Qualifications
Applicants to the regional dive team must hold a valid SCUBA certification by a
nationally recognized diving organization.
Applicants who are expected to perform operational dives for the regional team must be
current with dive operations having completed a minimum of twenty five (25) dives
since initial certification which must be documented. In addition a regional dive team
member must perform six (6) documented dives in addition to any scheduled training
dives in order to remain qualified.
Applicants to the regional team who are expected to perform operational dives will be
required to complete an annual swim and competency test as directed by the
administrative staff.
Existing dive teams and individuals who wish to join the regional team must submit any
training and qualification documentation to the administrative staff for review. The
review period shall be completed within 30 days.
Once accepted all regional dive team members must successfully attend and complete
all training assignments and courses as directed by the regional team’s administrative
staff.
The qualifications for a regional dive team member in regards to testing and training are
in addition to an existing dive team, individual, or agency requirement.
Separation, Suspension, and Removal
Any member of the regional dive team may ask for separation from the team. The
member does not have to specify the reason for the request. The request should be
submitted in writing to the team’s administrative staff. Upon receipt of the request the
member shall be removed from any operational and notification roster. A member
asking for separation, who is in good standing, may re-apply to the regional team after a
period of 90 days providing they meet all training and qualification requirements.
Any regional dive team member not meeting; training, documentation, or competency
requirements will be immediately suspended from any operational deployment and
notification roster. The reason for suspension will be reviewed by the administrative
staff within a 30 day time period. During this time the member and administrative staff
shall meet to conduct the review.
Where it is determined that conditions existed beyond the regional dive team member’s
control so as to cause the deficiency then the administrative staff may recommend and
direct remedial measures so as to ensure the member is compliant. The member will
remain suspended from operational deployment until such time as the deficiency is
corrected.
If it is determined that no cause exists for the member’s deficiency then they will be
immediately removed from the team. In this case the member shall be deemed as not in
good standing, and the member will not be permitted to re-apply.
While on any active or training deployment, or following an after action review,
information may be presented to the administrative staff which details a member’s
conduct during an operation.
Where it is found that a regional dive team member’s conduct was disruptive,
hazardous, or criminal in nature, then they shall be immediately suspended from the
team. The reason for suspension will be reviewed by the administrative staff within a 30
day time period. During this time the member, witnesses, and administrative staff shall
meet to conduct the review.
Where it is identified that training, counseling, or other measures can correct the
identified conduct then the administrative staff shall have the ability to implement said
corrective measures. The regional dive team member shall remain suspended from the
team until such time as the corrective measures have been satisfactorily completed.
If the review upholds the original information as presented, and the members conduct
was found to be unjustified, then the member will be immediately removed from the
regional dive team. In this case the member shall be deemed as not in good standing,
and the member will not be permitted to re-apply.
All separations, suspensions, or removal notification will be documented by the
administrative staff. Any identified remedial or corrective measures undertaken by the
administrative staff shall be documented and included with the member’s training
records. Written notifications detailing the circumstances for any separation, suspension
or removal will be sent to the affected regional dive team member as well as the New
London Port Area Marine Group.
Changes to Standard Operational Procedures
Changes to the standard operational procedures for the regional dive team may be
necessary due to; new memberships, updated information, new equipment, training
curriculums, or lessons learned from training and operational deployments.
Any proposed changes will be documented in writing by the team’s administrative staff
and presented to the New London Port Area Marine Group for review and approval.
If following the New London Port Area Marine Group review it is determined the
document requires changes to me made, updated copies of the operational procedures
shall be provided as soon as possible to any participating municipality and agency of
the regional dive team.
Authorization and Acceptance
The Co-Chairs for the New London Port Area Marine Group have reviewed the
Standard Operating Procedures for the regional dive team and authorize the
implementation of; the identified organizational structure, standards, certifications,
requirements, and rules and regulations as outlined in this document.
Signed
_____________________________ Date______________
Murray Pendleton
Chief of Police
Waterford Police Department
Co-Chair New London Port Area Marine Group
CT Region IV RESF 20
_____________________________ Date______________
Jeffery Dziedzic
Owner
Tow Boat U.S Mystic
Co-Chair New London Port Area Marine Group
CT Region IV RESF 20
New London Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Call Type / Operational Lead Agency
Addendum A
The following is a list of the emergency service response calls and the operational leads
during a regional dive team deployment.
Call Type Operational Lead Agency
Missing Person Police
Evidence Recovery Police
Body Recovery (Known or drowning victim Police
after 1 hour)
Boating Accident Police
Public Event/Prevention Police
Hazmat Fire
Swift Water Rescue Fire
Vehicle Entrapment Fire
Waterfront Building Fire Fire
Ice Rescue Fire
Animal Rescue Fire
Drowning Victim (For the first hour) Fire
New London Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Injury/Exposure Report
Addendum B
Name:___________________________ Department:___________________________
Report Date:_______________________ Date of
Injury/Exposure:_________________
Operational deployment or Training dive:
_____________________________________________________________________
_
Location Injury/Exposure occurred (Geographic location or address):
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____
Type of Injury/Exposure (Description of the Injury/Exposure and where it was located on
the body):
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____
How did the Injury/Exposure occur (Description of how the Exposure/Injury happened):
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__________
Max. Dive Depth: _______ft. Water Temperature: _______deg. Air Temp: _______deg.
Time in Water: _________min. Tank pressure: Begin ________lbs. End ________lbs.
Check all applicable at time of Injury/Exposure:
BC____ Wet Suit____ Dry Suit____ Dive Mask____ Full Face Mask____ Hood____
Gloves____ Boots____ Snorkel____ Weights_______ lbs.(amount) Regulator____
Octopus____ Pony Bottle____ PFD____ Harness____ Tender/Safety Line____
Surface Marker____ Underwater Noise Maker____ Safety Light____ Knife____
Shears____ Communication Device____
Description of any on-scene medical treatment:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___
Transported by Ambulance Y or N____
Name of any Medical Facility treating Injury/Exposure:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__
Name of Safety
Diver/Partner:______________________________________________
Name of Tender:________________________________________________________
Name of Dive Supervisor:_________________________________________________
Names of any
Witnesses:_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___
Signature________________________________ Date_________________
Supervisor Signature_______________________ Date_________________
New London Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Training Requirements
Addendum C
The following are the required training certification/course requirements for the
operational members of the regional dive team
Certification/Course Name
Public Safety Diver/Emergency Response Diver
Tender Operations
Dry Suit Operations
Full Face Mask Operations
Rescue Diver
Search and Recovery
Night Operations
Ice Diver
Swift Water Rescue
Confined Space/Wreck Diver
Deep Diver (100ft+)
Emergency First Response Diver
The following is the certification/course required of the work team and operational dive
supervisors
Certification/Course Name
Dive Team Supervisor
The following is the certification/course requirement of the regional dive team’s medical
technicians
Certification/Course Name
Emergency Medical Technician Diver
Training Dives
All members of the regional dive team are required to complete a minimum of six (6)
annual training dives. These dives will be held in varying weather and water conditions
and arranged to test a different potential operational requirement of the team on each
occasion.
New London Marine Group
Regional Dive Team Incident Report
Addendum D – Sample Report
Incident Type: (Evidence, Drowning, Entrapment, Ice Rescue, etc…)
Date:
Location: (Address or Location)
Requesting Agency:
Activation Time:
Arrival Time:
Deployment Time: (Time that water operations begin)
Length of Deployment: (In hours and Minutes)
Dive Team Operational Executive Officer (s): (Operational lead and support roles)
Dive Team Command Post Liaison: (If applicable)
Dive Team Members Present: (List names)
Air Temperature: (In degrees)
Water Temperature: (In degrees)
Maximum Dive Depth: (In feet) (If a surface rescue indicate “surface rescue”)
Deployed Vehicle(s): (If applicable)
Deployed Vessel(s): (If applicable)
Victim(s): (If applicable) (Name, DOB, Address)
Evidence Item: (If applicable) (Description…Gun, Knife, Tool)
Narrative: (example)
On 00/00/00, the regional dive team was activated for an ice rescue on Smith’s Pond in
Waterford, CT. Waterford Fire was the requesting agency and reported that a 30year
old male had fallen through the ice and was partially trapped in the water.
Regional dive team executive officer Jones was assigned as the operational lead for the
incident and directed that two work teams be assembled to enter the water for the
rescue. These consisted of the following personnel…..
Waterford Fire had established a command post for the incident in the parking lot of
Smith’s Pond, and regional dive team commanding officer Harris was assigned as the
liaison.
The work teams entered the water and approached the 30 year old male victim. He was
found to be partially submerged with his upper torso out of the water.
A safety line was affixed to the victim by regional dive member Johnson, and once
attached the victim was pulled from the water. The victim was immediately treated on
the scene by Waterford Ambulance and transported to the hospital for follow up
treatment.
This concluded the dive operation with the total deployment time being 1 hour and 30
minutes.
Signed: Sgt. Frank Jones, New London Marine Group Regional Dive Team
Date: 00/00/00
Dive Attachment 3
POLICE A N D F I R E MUTUAL AID COMPACT
WHEREAS, Sections 7-277a and 7-310 of the General Statutes of Connecticut authorizes
mutual aid between the municipalities of the State in order to protect the safety and well-being of
a municipality; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the terms of said Sections be effectuated through a
compact between municipalities wishing to cooperate thereunder and to signify their individual
understandings of and willingness to participate in a program of mutual police and fire
assistance;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the municipalities signing this
compact by their respective chief executive officers, duly authorized, as follows:
1. Participation in this agreement does not bind any
municipality to respond to any given call for assistance.
2. Request for assistance shall be directed between Chiefs of Police or Fire
Services on other duly constituted authority acting herein under the authority of the chief
executive officers of the involved municipalities. The recipient of such a request may make
available for duty in the requesting municipality such part of the police a n d f i r e forces
under his control as he deems consistent with the safety and well-being of his municipality.
3. Responding personnel shall proceed to the indicated location expeditiously and
shall promptly place themselves under the indicated command officer of the requesting
municipality.
2
Responding personnel shall come equipped with the duly authorized equipment and uniform of
their respective police and fire departments necessary for immediate assignment, and unless
recalled earlier by the Police or Fire Chiefs or other duly constituted authority of the sending
municipality, they shall remain with the requesting municipality until released by the indicated
commanding officer of the requesting municipality. The requesting municipality shall record in
writing the date and time of arrival, assignment and release of responding personnel along with
the nature of all assignments made.
4. Any municipality providing assistance pursuant to this compact shall
record the names and time of dispatch of all personnel assigned in response to a request
for assistance. It shall further record the date of loan and return of any equipment
furnished. All such records shall be furnished to the receiving municipality upon request.
5. All personnel provided pursuant to this compact, while acting in response to
a request for assistance, shall have the same powers, duties, privileges and immunities as
are conferred on the police and fire personnel of the municipality requesting assistance.
6. Operational plans for providing mutual police and fire assistance shall be
prepared by the signatory municipalities and thereafter reviewed and updated at least annually
prior to the first day of October of each year.
7. Payment of Services. The parties hereto waive payment for any services
rendered under this agreement in accordance with Section 7-277a and 7-310 of the Connecticut
General Statutes. However, such parties do not hereby waive, amend, modify, release or effect
the terms, provisions or payment of any applicable insurance.
8. This agreement supersedes any previous agreements among the parties of like
import and effect.
9. Any municipality hereto may withdraw from this agreement upon sixty (60) day
written notice to the other participating municipalities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the aforementioned duly authorized representative of the following
municipality or institution which maintains police a n d f i r e s e r v i c e has set his/her hand and seal
on the day as indicated hereinafter approving the POLICE AND FIRE MUTUAL AID COMPACTS.
In the presence of: Town/City of:
By:
Chief Executive Officer
Date:
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