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Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Regular Meeting

Norwich, CT · July 9, 2014

AgendaMinutes

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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