10-24-83 Public Safety Committee

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OInmmtfln itrpnri ?!n tic cdnmmnn mounrti atilt etig of finutli Nrnd: Public Safety Committee The Public Safety Committee was called to order at 5 :00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room by its Chairman Councilman John Harris on October 24, 1983. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Zielinski, McGann, Harris, • Crone, Taylor, Voorde, Beck, Serge,and Szymkowiak; Fire Chief Tim Brassel, Eugenia Schwartz, Jim Wensits, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Harris noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review two bills sent to the Committee for review and recommendation. Bill No 114-83 would appropriate $20, 000 from the Emergency Medical Services Fund for ham-mat equipment. Bill No. 115-83 would appropriate $30, 000 from Revenue Sharing also for ha.z-mat equipment. The Fire Chief noted that discussions in this area have gone on since 1980 with representatives of the Toll Road, Civil Defense, and the Chamber of Commerce. Discussions broke down with the Toll Road regarding equipment and manning procedures. The Chief noted that the City presently has over 1, 000 hours of outside training and 1, 000 hours of in-house training. It costs approximately $3,600 per individual to train and minimum of 4 individuals are needed for each team. The expensive part of the equipment deals with the breathing apparatus and communications equipment. The equipment proposed falls into three categories: 1) personal safety equipment (no-mex) , 2) manned communications equipment, i.e. four or five sets of communications, one additional fire department radio, and one mobile telephone; and 3) support equipment such as generators, lights, and chemical detectors. Approximately 22-23 men are involved with six people per shift. Chief Luther Taylor is in charge of the operation. One of each six team members is a paramedic. The Chief noted that the Indiana Poison Control Center is also involved with treatment procedures. • Councilman Crone questioned whether any additional pay is involved. The Chief noted that this would probably be an item under a special category for upcoming years. She was also informed that the entire amount was not coming out of the EMS Fund because $125,500 was encumbered which would leave a balance as of September 30, at $16 ,200. Councilman Voorde asked if the program was voluntarily and was informed that it was He stressed the need for inter-governmental cooperation agreements so that costs could be coordinated and liability addressed, especially with St. Joseph County and Mishawaka. Councilman McGann asked whether the team would go into the State of Michigan and was advised that Berrien County has a good haz-met team. Councilman $zymkowiak asked where the people lived and was informed that the volunteers are in several stations but that the vehicle would be housed at the Marion Street fire station. Following further discussion Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Harris to recommend bills 114-83 and 115-83 favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously. There being no further business the meeting •Aft ♦at.. wft•HIn• co.