HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-06 Health & Public SafetyHeaith and Public Safety Committee
2006 South Bend Gommon Council
The November 15, 2006 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of
the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council
Member Karen L. White at 4:33 p.m., in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members White, Puzzello, Kuspa, Kelly
and Varner; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Area Plan Director John Byorni, Fire Chief
Luther J. Taylor, Assistant Chief of Operations Jim Lopez, Assistant Chief of
Services Rick Switalski, Battalion Chief of Special Operations Greg Metzger,
Battalion Chief on Instruction Mark Nowicki, Battalion Chief of EMS Randy
Magdalinski, John Schalliol, Dan Inks, City Controller M. Catherine Fanella,
Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Juanita Dempsey of the Board of Public Safety,
an Ivy Tech representative; Jamie Lao of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member White noted that the Committee Members include Council
Members Varner, Kuspa, Puzzello, and herself as Chairperson.
Council Member White noted that the Committee meeting was called to receive
updates from the South Bend Fire Department an the proposed Training Facility,
the proposed Promotional Program and the DROP Program.
South Bend Regional Public Safety Training Center:
Fire Chief Luther Taylor introduced individuals from the Fire Department, the
Board of Public Safety and the Ivy Tech representative which have been involved
in many of the fire department programs which will be discussed today.
Chief Taylor then provided aloose-leaf ring binder to those present entitled
"South Bend Regional Public Safety Training Center, Lincolnway West and U.S.
31, South Bend, Indiana (copy attached). He noted that it sets forth documents
for a proposal by the South Bend Fire Department and the District 2 Fire Training
Council.
Assistant Fire Chief of Operations Jim Lopez then made a power-point
presentation which highlighted:
• The Executive Summary
• The proposed Training Center fieatures and capabilities
• The proposed Training Center site
• Renderings of the proposed Training Center
• Stakeholder and community support
• District 2 Fire Training Council
• State Firefighter Training System
Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2006
Page 2
* Cost analysis
John Schalliol of the South Bend Regional Airport noted that the property in
question has been approved by the FAA.
Battalion Chief on Instruction Mark Nowicki noted that the proposed training
center could provide a combination of focal, regional and national institutional
training programs.
Chief Taylor noted that $1.7 million is the proposed cost for the training tower.
The City of South Bend, the airport and St. Joseph County are discussing
budgeting $250,000 each for the basic infra structure. Fund # 288 would also be
tapped far the project. He noted that his staff is very excited about the proposal
and sees the need #or it to address fire safety needs on a regional level.
Mr. Gilot Hated that such a proposed cost sharing would be a good example of
leveraging dollars.
Mayor Luecke added that a discussion with the public officials of the seven (7}
counties in District 2 would also take place.
The Ivy Tech representative stated that they are excited about the proposed
project, Hating that they are now involved with fire science programs.
Promotional Pro ram fior the South Bend Fire De artment.
Fire Chief Luther Taylor noted that Council Member White and City Attorney
Leone have been involved in the ongoing discussions on the development of a
promotional program for the South Bend Fire Department, He then provided a
multi-page handout entitled "Labor Management Committee Working Together-
Promotion Process" which he highlighted key portions {copy attached}.
Battalion Chief on Instruction Mark Nowicki stated that there have been several
meetings of the Labor Management Committee on this topic. IPSP has been
used since 2000 with 30% written, 30°1° oral and 40% assessment center
exercises.
Chief Taylor noted that the program would be reviewed on a regular basis.
Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes of November 15, Zdd6
Page 3
DROP and Its Effect on the South Bend Fire Department:
Assistant Fire Chief of Services Rick Switalski then highlighted portions of the
multi-page handout entitled "South bend Fire Department Deferred Retirement
Option Plan" {copy attached}.
Chief Switalski noted that the cost for DROP in 2007 will be $1,919,657.37. They
will have two (2) recruit classes; one beginning January 8, 2007 and the second
one beginning July 9, 2007. The first class will have sixteen (16} recruits. 20'10
or 2011 will be the next year which will reflect major retirements. The City of
Indianapolis will have 275 firefighters retiring in 2007. He noted that the South
Bend Police Department will have 26-29 officers retiring in 2007 under DROP.
The City of South Bend will receive 50% of the cost for DROP back from the
State of Indiana.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member
White adjourned the meeting at 5:48 p.m.
Respec idly submitted,
Council Member Karen 1.... White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
Attachments