06/20/12 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 20, 2012 43 version of "Scrubbing Bubbles" which is called "Disinfectant Foam Cleaner" which was the cleaning solution used in this instance. The cleaner's packaging has a precautionary statement which states the product is an eye irritant, can be harmful if absorbed through the skin, harmful if inhaled, and to avoid contaminating personal clothing. Once the connection on the air -pack was made, air rushed into the face -piece which he inhaled, causing Capt. Sheets to get what he claimed was a "face full of bubbles ". After this, he requested Firefighter Brian Koloszar, a subordinate to him on Rescue 1, to repeat the "experiment ". Firefighter Koloszar complied with his request and proceeded to inhale a facemask full of the caustic agent. The air -pack used for this "experiment" was not assigned to Capt. Sheets; rather it was assigned to personnel on Engine 1. At no time did Capt. Sheets notify anyone on Engine 1 or personnel other than Firefigher Koloszar that he'd contaminated the air -pack. The officer of the oncoming shift (A- Shift) on the 21 st of April, when checking in his equipment, was overcome by fumes coming from the second stage regulator. Captain Sheets is trained as a Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus Technician who is responsible for repair and maintenance of the departmental SCBA units. He was trained and certified in 2008. Captain Sheets stated to me that he "always" uses "Scrubbing Bubbles" to clean the SCBA units. MSA and Scott air -pack representatives have advised the SBFD that "Scrubbing Bubbles" or any similar cleaning products should never be used to clean these units. In fact, Scott representatives picked up the air -pack that Capt. Sheets sprayed immediately after we informed them that this situation happened. They suggested that this particular air -pack had to be inspected by the company before they would allow anyone to use it further. A replacement was brought the next day. Capt. Sheets was negligent in his duties by using a cleaning solution not recommended by the manufacturer to clean arguably the most important piece of safety equipment provided by the department. He did not use good judgment by placing himself at risk of injury by inhalation of a caustic substance, and used extremely poor judgment by putting one of his immediate subordinates ( Koloszar) at the same risk by suggesting he do the same. He was additionally negligent in his failure to notify anyone that he'd contaminated the Engine 1 SCBA with a caustic substance, and thereby caused another member of the SBFD to be exposed to poisonous fumes. Captain Thomas Sheets was in violation of the South Bend Fire Department Duty Manual Sections 300.00 (2) and 300.00 (7), Rules of Conduct. COUNT I. Violation of Duty Manual Section 300.00: Rules of Conduct 2. The deliberate or gross neglect of duty, any act of incompetence, knowingly interfering with the assigned task or duty of another, or failing to submit any necessary reports in accordance with department policy. Reports will be truthful, accurate, and complete. COUNT II. Violation of Duty Manual Section 300.00: Rules of Conduct 7. Using departmental property other than for its intended use, or abusing, damaging, or losing it through negligence. Firefighters who have knowledge of damaged departmental property will report the circumstances to their supervisor without delay; failure to operate departmental vehicles in a careful and prudent manner or failure to obey state laws or departmental orders pertaining to such operation. FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — MAY 2012 Fire Chief Stephen Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for the month of May, 2012 compiled by the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. Chief Cox stated that this month's statistics are very consistent with last year's. Mr. Cottrell stated if there were no objections, the Board would accept the report for filing as presented. A summary is as follows: