Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, March 17, 2022 6:00 PM West Allis Police Department 11301 W. Lincoln Ave. REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Kopplin called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Amy Heron, Lev Baldwin and Kurt Kopplin Excused: Commissioners Mark Manthei and Danielle Romain Also Present: Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Lieutenant Jesse Schwark - Fire Department; Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the February 17, 2022 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Heron to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Heron, Baldwin and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler discussed the two incidents contained in AC Scharfenberg’s report. The first incident was a garage fire that was determined to have happened when the owner used a portable heater to warm the pump to the hot tub. In discussion of the second incident, Chief Pooler stated that this was part of a mutual aid call for Brown Deer regarding an active shooter incident. Chief Pooler discussed the outcome of this incident stating that WAPD were also on-scene regarding this situation. Chief Pooler also reviewed the mutual aid tables as well as the benchmarks included in AC Scharfenberg’s report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler noted that only two months into the year, the EMS run volume is approximately 60 calls ahead compared to date in 2021. Chief Pooler discussed with the Commissioners an unusual and rarely used technique to control a major bleeding incident. He stated that crews used a tourniquet on a patient to control bleeding after the patient’s dialysis fistula popped. He noted that normal attempts to stop the bleeding were not effective and this technique was successful and allowed the patient to be transported quickly to the hospital without continued loss of blood. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler stated that EMS revenue collection is off to a good start for 2022 and it is expected to continue as the year progresses. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. QPR Performance Report - February Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 5. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that February training included a number of exercises and presentations. He stated that WE Energies presented electrical safety training to the department as downed wires are a frequent hazard at fire incidents. Additionally, he noted that all crews had the opportunity to participate in RIT (rapid intervention team) training in a city-owned vacant structure slated for demolition. Chief Pooler stated that this type of real-life City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 search and rescue scenario training is crucial to increasing firefighter survival skills. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Request for approval: Five (5) probationary firefighters to permanent roster Chief Pooler requested that the following probationary firefighters be approved and placed on the permanent roster effective April 5, 2022: Ø PFF Cory Baker Ø PFF Brandon Chastain Ø PFF James Hauser Ø PFF Deonte Pettis Ø PFF Taylor Stark A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Baldwin to approve this request. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Heron, Baldwin and Kopplin Nay: 0 7. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 8. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that DC Suarez Del Real is working with the City’s communication department to create different safety messages via social media PSA’s. He stated that some of the safety topics include firework safety, disposal of smoking materials and smoke/co detectors upkeep and responsibility. Chief Pooler stated that the FPB has started to send out pre-inspection notifications to property owners with a checklist of common issues that may warrant a violation. He stated that in doing so, it will assist the property owner to be ready for the inspection and to self-correct any issues prior to the formal inspection. Chief Pooler stated that property owners will also be sent a letter reminding them of the City’s false alarm fee imposed after three false alarm calls to their property. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the MIH division continues to work with those City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 patients who fall into HUG (high utilizer group) relative to frequent calls to 911. Chief Pooler stated that one patient in particular has been challenging regarding 911 calls, and the MIH staff are working with this person to resolve the issues. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 11. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 12. Communication: Retirement of firefighter Chief Pooler stated that Firefighter Scott Baumgardt will retire from the department effective 0800 hours on March 22, 2022. He stated that FF Baumgardt is a 30-year veteran of the department having joined the department in January of 1992. The Commissioners thanked FF Baumgardt for his service to the City and the department. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 13. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 14. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell spoke to a number of points included in this report, however, first he informed the Commissioners that only two days would be needed to conduct police officer interviews in April instead of three. After a brief discussion, the Commissioners agreed to the Tuesday and Wednesday dates, April 12-13, 2022. Commissioner Kopplin requested that the recording secretary inform Commissioners Manthei and Romain about this change. Chief Mitchell stated that the Citizen’s Police Academy program started up on March 16th and that there were 21 citizens in attendance. Chief Mitchell shared with the Commissioners that recently Governor Evers announced that every law enforcement agency in Wisconsin would receive a grant from the State funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act. He stated the WAPD was awarded $191,000 but are awaiting guidelines as to how this funding can be appropriately used by the department. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Patrol Bureau Activity Report Chief Mitchell noted a robbery incident that took place at T-Mobile and discussed with the Commissioners how the department was able to track the suspect’s car which was eventually discovered abandoned, however, the stolen merchandise was recovered in the vehicle. Chief Mitchell stated that a suspect has been identified but not arrested at the time of the February report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Communications Report Chief Mitchell stated that the dispatch center hiring process continues to be a challenge. He noted that currently there are five open positions in this area. Chief Mitchell stated that a survey of surrounding dispatch centers appears to indicate a lower pay scale in West Allis. Chief Mitchell stated a salary compensation study process has been discussed with City officials. After a brief discussion amongst the Commissioners, Chief Mitchell and CAO Rebecca Grill about this study, the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 17. Community Services Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 18. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell spoke briefly about a property located on 52nd street that has had numerous shots fired incidents over the past year. He stated that investigation into these incidents is ongoing and the department is working with the landlord regarding the current tenants. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Tavern Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 20. Training Unit Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department’s Spring 2022 Inservice programs started in February and will cover a wide range of training initiatives as well as general refresher instruction for all sworn employees. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 21. PFC Financial Report This report was presented and placed on file. 22. Discussion: PFC Resolution to the State Senate regarding land locked municipalities Commissioner Heron shared with the other Commissioners that she is suggesting the board, along with the assistance of CAO Grill, work to create a resolution to send to State Legislators focused on the need to begin serious discussion regarding the impact that age-old landlock issues are creating for not only West Allis but other municipalities in the same situation. Commissioner Heron stated that she is very concerned about the current budget restraints as explained to her by CAO Grill and potential for the fire department’s consolidation with a surrounding department prompted her to suggest this action. CAO Grill noted that she is drafting a resolution of the same nature for Common Council and offered to assist with the PFC resolution as well. Discussion ensued amongst the meeting members regarding this suggestion as well as discussion regarding the budgetary restrictions and potential solution if the State begins to take a serious look at the issue the city is facing. Chief Mitchell made mention that the potential threat of lost jobs relative to Police and Fire department staffing levels usually inspires some level of conversation. Commissioners in attendance agreed to move forward with the creation of this proposed resolution and suggested the process be revisited at either the April or May PFC meeting. G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 4/26/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 17, 2022 All meetings of the {bdName} are public meetings. In order for the general public to make comments at the committee meetings, the individual(s) must be scheduled (as an appearance) with the chair of the committee or the appropriate staff contact; otherwise, the meeting of the committee is a working session for the committee itself, and discussion by those in attendance is limited to committee members, the mayor, other alderpersons, staff and others that may be a party to the matter being discussed. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The City of West Allis does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, age, marital or veterans' status, sex, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT NOTICE Upon reasonable notice the City will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and to enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity provided by the City. LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STATEMENT It is the policy of the City of West Allis to provide language access services to populations of persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who are eligible to be served or likely to be directly affected by our programs. Such services will be focused on providing meaningful access to our programs, services and/or benefits. City of West Allis Page 8 Printed on 4/26/2022