2025 02-19 Board of Public Safety Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

FEBRUARY 19.2025 25 Chief Buchanon stated due to retirements, the Department has Captain vacancies that need to be filled. In accordance with the promotion policy established by the SBFD and IAFF Local #362., a Captain's list was comprised, and firefighters were ranked to be eligible to fill this position as a Captain in Special Assignment for one (1) year on a probationary status. The Chief stated during this time the firefighters would accumulate four (4) evaluations to determine if they will be recommended for promotion to the rank of Captain and recommended the above firefighters to the position of Captain in Special Assignment. Chief stated Firefighter Manzuk was appointed to the SBFD on April 13, 2011, and Firefighter Pavolka was appointed on April 1, 2013. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pam Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotions to Captain in Special Assignment for the above firefighters effective February 19, 2025. 2. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIRMENT- CAPTAIN STEWART RUSSELL Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Captain Stewart Russell. Captain Russell was appointed to the SBFD on November 24, 1981, and his effective retirement date was January 17, 2025. Chief Buchanon asked the Board to join him in appreciation and gratitude to Captain Russell for his commitment and dedicated service to the City of South Bend, and the SBFD for more than forty-three (43) years. Chief Buchanon wished him success in his future endeavors and many years of good health during his well -deserved retirement. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call the Board approved the Application and Declaration for Retirement. 3. RECEIVE UPDATE ON FIRE MERIT BOARD Attorney Taylor advised that the resolution that was passed previously indicated that an election was set and that election was held on February 6, 2025. The meeting was only attended by members pursuant to statute, and there was someone that was elected and that person is sitting with you today. Dan Jones was elected to fill the Democrat slot. Because they are political affiliation based, there is a Republican slot still open. Unfortunately, the Republican spot has not been filled because there was not a candidate. They are awaiting on next steps because it is the members that decide how the process goes forward because it is one (1) of their two (2) slots. What they are doing right now is waiting for the membership or the Union to indicate that candidates are ready and then it will look basically the same as it did today with the police, pursuant to the statute. They have to set another election and then provide three (3) weeks notice. Common Council has one (1) spot to fill and the mayor has two (2) spots to fill and those are political affiliation based as well. Those appointments are required to be done by March 1 st, and so they're nearing the deadline. Even if they can't fill it before that date, if there is a quorum of people, they could begin to function. Just because they are starting to function or starting to meet doesn't mean that they are ready to assume duties because they still have to approve their rules and regulations. Then upon doing that, there are requirements for public hearings and rules can't be adopted in one (1) meeting, so there is going to be a period of time where we are just waiting. Pam Claeys noted for the record that she disagrees with the politicization of the appointments. Attorney Weiss added that it does make it more challenging to fill the seats. It has to be based on the last three (3) primary elections that the person voted in the republican primaries, and they have to live within the city limits. She suspects that it will take time and that the March meeting will likely see all the usual items, but maybe by April they will be ready to go, but she will keep everyone informed. 4. ACCEPT THE 2025-20028 SBFD STRATEGIC PLAN Chief Carl Buchanon submitted their 2025-2028 Strategic Plan and stated it outlines their efforts to move forward that provides an all -hazards approach to protect our citizens' lives, mitigate emergencies, and reduce the community's risk. The following strategic plan was written with a basis in the Commission on Fire Accreditation Internationals, which is the