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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Committeemember Broden stated,I think this was a conversation earlier but first(1St)to commend <br /> you, your after-event outreach is really getting these smoke alarms into houses when it is fresh in <br /> everyone's mind. I'm sure there is a benefit for the Fire Fighters because it is proactive, right? <br /> Have we looked at the overlay of homeowners and renters? I'm getting at the responsibility of <br /> landlords. <br /> Chief Cox replied, I appreciate you asking that question. On our end of things, I can tell you that <br /> in the past we used to avoid rental homes just for the simple fact that the Ordinance does say they <br /> have to provide a smoke alarm. The reality of the situation is we are not an enforcement agency <br /> and we are not able to go into a residence to enforce that. We probably have more fires in rentals <br /> than we do in homes that are owned by a homeowner. Frankly, our goal was to reduce the risk of <br /> injury and death. In our view, it was that if you can install an alarm because someone calls you <br /> and tells you yes,why wouldn't you do that?Morally and ethically, if they were to have a fire two <br /> (2) days later and there was a tragedy, we would be having a completely different conversation. <br /> Committee Chair White asked, On your total budget, you've listed the increase in Services, and <br /> you mentioned it in terms of the allocation, can you give a little more detail to what those <br /> allocations are? <br /> Chief Cox replied, So this (referencing a slide in the presentation) is a good indication of what <br /> those allocations look like now. In 2016 the Fire Department had a total allocation of roughly <br /> $400,000. This year, and it has incrementally gone up the past four (4) years, we are looking at <br /> $2.2 million. That includes insurance, IT,Admin and Finance, and I believe we have an allocation <br /> that goes to Central Stores and Central Services. All of that is piled into one (1) and that is our <br /> allocations. <br /> Committee Chair White followed up, That is a major increase. Could you give us a breakdown <br /> looking at the $4.1 million? <br /> Chief Cox replied, Yes ma'am, I can do that. <br /> PSAP Update <br /> Ray Schultz,Executive Director of PSAP with offices located at 58266 Downey Avenue, stated, I <br /> brought some staff members with me and, as I understand it, you folks are kind of looking for an <br /> explanation for your contribution and allocation to PSAP, correct? <br /> Committee Chair White replied, That is a concern but there are some other issues as well. <br /> Councilmember Scott stated, There was a little bit of miscommunication. We were trying to set <br /> for our IT Department to come speak on PSAP as well, on Monday. We have a lot going on at that <br /> meeting and will have to go through the agenda to understand what all will go on the agenda. Our <br /> IT will come before Council this next Monday to speak to the operational side of it so we don't <br /> have to go completely into it all toni t if we just want to go into the financial side of it. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I say we do as much as we possibly can. I don't know if there are <br /> some questions and concerns with regard to the increase in the financial side of the conversation. <br /> I also know that there has been some concern since the most recent South Bend Tribune article <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov <br /> 19 <br />