Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES September 4, 2024 Vol. 7, Page 616 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom August 7, 2024 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Attendance was in person and by Zoom. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Commissioners Tylar Young, Joe McElroy, Doug Benedetto, Gregg Cogswell, and Glenn McLeod, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung, Drakeville VFD Fire Chief Tomasz Kalinowski, Torringford VFD Commissioner James Potter, and Fleet Manager Emil Castro. No one participated via Zoom. Commissioner Darlene Battle was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Firefighter Swearing in Ceremony Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Justin Maksymuik, Torrington Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshal. Sr. Vice Commander Daniel Matthews of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of CT. District 5 (VFW) Seicheprey Post 296, who also serves as a Lieutenant for the Torrington Fire Department, told the Board how the VFW has many programs that support our veterans, active-duty heroes, their families, and the community. He presented the Fire Department with a FAST Rescue Board. The Board is designed for versatility and ease of use. It is used primarily for Rapid Intervention in firefighter rescue, it can be used in confined spaces, and all other areas of patient packaging and extrication. In addition, it has the FAST Floatation Device, making the board suitable for water and ice rescues. Public Comment On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. Accept Minutes On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from June 5, 2024. Commissioner Cogswell abstained. Policy Subcommittee – Fire Department Administrative Policy 306.1 On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, on the recommendation of the Board of Public Safety Policy Subcommittee, the Board voted, with Commissioner Benedetto opposed to approving the Torrington Fire Department Administrative Policy 306.1, Emergency Medical Response. This was previously approved by the Board of Public Safety Policy Subcommittee on July 30, 2024. Commissioner Cogswell explained to the Board this Policy is in response to the Fire Department's response to EMS calls, providing intervention and support before Trinity’s arrival, and to assist while they are there. He said the Subcommittee worked with the Fire Chiefs and the Union President to understand the calls that the Fire Department responds to and why. He stated the Subcommittee will continue to review the calls that the Fire Department responds to on a quarterly or biannual basis to see if changes need to be made. He reminded the Board that this is an ever-evolving process. Commissioner Benedetto asked if the conversations involved Trinity, Commissioner Cogswell said they did not, it is a City policy and involves the Fire Department. Commissioner McElroy added that the Subcommittee did consider Mr. Ganung’s comments. Commissioner McLeod told the Board the Subcommittee members had questions for the Chiefs and the Union. He thanked them for their input and will adjust accordingly and will support this policy. Commissioner Benedetto said that he supports the Policy Subcommittees' work. Commissioner McElroy said the Chief and the Union explained the priority calls to the Subcommittee, with consideration of Mr. Ganung’s comments. Commissioner Cogswell told the Board that the Subcommittee will have a larger conversation about EMS in the City. Trinity EMS Service and the partnership with the Fire Department will be reviewed. Commissioner Benedetto asked Mr. Ganung if this policy would cut down on mutual aid, Mr. Ganung said this policy wouldn’t cut down on mutual aid because the Fire Department cannot transport patients. Unlimited Washing, Detailing of City Vehicles On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement for unlimited car washing which includes twice-yearly detailing services to Torrington Car Care dba Platinum Car Wash of Torrington, for $250/vehicle, having been previously approved by City Council on August 5, 2024. Funding for these services will be from multiple department's budget line items, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated July 21, 2024. Additional Purchase Rekor Video Detection System- Torrington Police Department Traffic Division On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to award the purchase of the additional two Rekor Video Detection Camera Systems to Utility MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 617 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom August 7, 2024 Communications, Inc. of Hamden, CT in the amount of $43,354, previously approved by the City Council on August 5, 2024. This purchase will be funded from the New Equipment account, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated August 1, 2024. Police Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s reports for May and June 2024. Fire Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s reports for May and June 2024. EMS Provider Reports On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity reports for May and June 2024. Tabled: Business by the Policy Subcommittee On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to table business by the Board of Safety Policy Subcommittee. Business by Volunteer Fire Departments On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. Tomasz Kalinowski, Drakeville Fire Chief told the Board they now have two lieutenants, Lt. Jon Maver and Lt. Chris Beyus. He took a moment to thank the Board, Chiefs, and the Torrington Fire Department for their relationship and support over the last year. James Potter, Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, provided the Board with the latest updates from the department. He also said that the Car show will be this Friday, August 9, 2024, if it rains it will be moved to the following Friday, August 16, 2024. Business by Department Heads On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Police Chief Baldwin, Fire Chief Borden, and EMS Manager Jeff Ganung gave the latest updates from their departments. Commissioner McLeod asked where the Fire Department was in getting a new Extractor, Deputy Chief Tripp said that it is out for bid and will hopefully have it for the next meeting. Commissioner McLeod asked what was happening with the recruits for the Fire Department not completing the academy, or leaving before probation ended, and if the City is getting reimbursed. Chief Borden said the Fire Department loses a few recruits here and there, some are due to not having a pension. The latest recruit turned in his resignation to follow his passion and expand his own business. As for reimbursement, that is on a prorated basis, a letter is sent, and then it will be forwarded to Corporation Counsel for follow-up. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and Members of the Board of Public Safety. Commissioner Cogswell thanked Lieutenant Matthews for the Fast Board. He also said that he likes seeing the community step up. Commissioner Benedetto thanked Lieutenant Matthews for the Fire Department. Commissioner McElroy commended the Fire Department for handling the Wall Street fire. He also thanked Lieutenant Matthews. He also thanked the Police Department for everything they do in supporting the community. Commissioner Young asked the Policy Subcommittee to start working on setting goals and objectives for rating the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs. Adjournment On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK