HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-03 Health & Public Safety Qtommittu . port
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The March 10, 2003 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its
Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 3:37 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, Kirsits,
Coleman, and Kuspa; Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Fire
Chief for Services Richard Switaiski,Battalion Chief for EMS Randy Magdalinski,Battalion Chief
for Special Operations James Lopez, Marc Nelson of the St. Joseph County Health Department,
Michael Beitzinger,Terry Bland of the *nth Vattlf tttbuttt and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,
Council Attorney.
Council Member Kelly noted that the Committee members included Council Members Pfeifer,
Kuspa,Kirsits and himself and Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez.
Marc Nelson of the St. Joseph County Health Department requested that Bill No. 03-25 which
would authorize the City's participation in a joint terrorism steering committee and a joint terrorism
preparedness and response committee be continued until March 24th.
Citizen Member Gonzalez made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 03-
25 be continued until the Council meeting of March 24th at the request of the Petitioner. The
motion passed.
Council Member Coleman voiced concern over the proposed names of the committees to Mr.
Nelson.
Council Member Kelly then called for a presentation on Bill No. 16-03 which would appropriate
$125,672 from the Emergency Medical Services Capital Improvement Fund.
Assistant Chief Richard Switalski made the presentation. He noted that the funds are from the
reimbursement from the U.S. Fire Administration 2003 Firefighters Assistance Grant which
provides 70% of the funding with a local 30% match. The monies would be used to purchase
Clear Command Portable Radio Communication Systems for all members of the South Bend Fire
Department,
Council Member Kirsits noted that he is a member of the South Bend Fire Department, however
based on the legal opinion issued by the Council Attorney, that he would not have a conflict of
interest but is required to provide this information before participating in the discussion and vote.
He noted that the South Bend Fire Department has been doing well in getting grant monies for the
department. He then demonstrated how the communications are without the use of the Clear
Command Portable Radio Communications Systems. He noted that this voice communication
device in the breathing apparatus will be extremely helpful and a safety improvement for all
members of the Fire Department.
Following discussion, Council Member Pfeifer made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member
Isabel Gonzalez that Bill No. 16-3 be recommend favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Under miscellaneous business, Council Member Aranowski inquired about the article which
appeara n Sunday's edition of the South Bend Tribune regarding the lack of Homeland Security
funding for equipment and training of first responders. He inquired whether the firefighters are
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Health and Public Safety Committee
March 10, 2003
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ready and has the training been completed. He noted that first responders often include both
members of the South Bend Fire Department and the South Bend Police Department.
Fire Chief Luther Taylor stated that training covers all types of anti-terrorism from biological
warfare to weapons of mass destruction. He then asked James Lopez, the Battalion Chief in
charge of Special Operations to update the Committee.
Battalion Chief Lopez noted that if Communications received calls that there were numerous
incidents of breathing problems in the downtown, for example, that the Fire Department would
know how to respond. He noted that training on the proper usage of SCVA breathing apparatus
has been ongoing.
Fire Chief Luther Taylor noted that often the best response is to wait for the right people who have
been specially trained for the situation at hand.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kelly adjourned
the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
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