04-12-04 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Health and Public Safety Committee The April 12, 2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:27 p.m. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa,Coleman, and Kirsits;Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Battalion Chief for Special Operations James Lopez,Assistant Chief for Inspections and Prevention Howard Buchanon,II, Terry Bland of the South Bend Tribune,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 21-04 which would appropriate $16,000 from Fund#291 addressing the Indiana River Rescue Fund. Battalion Chief for Special Operations James Lopez made the presentation. He noted that the revenues in this fund are generated by the City's River Rescue Instructors teaching a minimum of two(2)40-hour classes each year to public safety officers throughout the country. The funds would be used for travel,instruction and the equipment outlined on the attachment to the Bill. Battalion Chief Lopez noted that this year there would be three(3)schools in light of demand for the programs. Each program has thirty-five(35)students and 8-12 instructors. Approximately$1,000 is spent by each person who comes to the schools,which revenue benefits the entire community. Chief Lopez noted that they have taught over 2,000 students since the program began in 1987. This year there were seventy(70)spots available,and they were all taken in 57 minutes. There are currently over 400 people on the waiting list for this year's three(3) schools. In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello,Chief Lopez noted that the balance in the account is approximately$27,000.00. It is anticipated that the year-end balance will be between$25,000 to$30,000. Eleven(11)South Bend Firefighters will participate as Instructors,and Instructors from Indianapolis and the Department of Natural Resources will participate. Council Member Puzzello noted that the South Bend Fire Department has won many awards. Chief Lopez noted that the fire department was recently awarded the Higgs-Langley Award as the best in the country. Council Member Kelly stated that the South Bend Fire Department is"doing a great job". Assistant Chief Howard Buchanon,II, spoke in favor of the Bill. He noted that the program has two(2)of the best instructors around,namely Battalion Chief James Lopez, and Battalion Chief Al "Buddy"Kirsits.