Fire Commission - Minutes
Present:Commissioners Richard McCarty, Hesham El-abd and J. Casey Healy
Others:Chief Paul Milositz, Fire Marshal David Kohn; Captain Karl Dolnier, Captain Jim Gies, Lt. Kevin Czarnecki; Firefighters Glenn Johnson, John Dwyer, Dan Lewis and Rocco Grosso; Volunteer Firefighter Lt. Cliff Juleson; Special Advisor Troy Ellen Dixon; First Selectman Paul Hannah and Administrative Service Manager Sarah Taffel
Call to Order: Chairman McCarty, noting that a quorum was present, called the meeting to order at approximately 1830 hours.
A MOTION was made by Chairman McCarty to retire to Executive Session to interview firefighter candidates William A. Wilson and Timothy B. Gravius. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Healy and unanimously approved. The Commission and Chief Milositz retired to Executive Session at approximately 1831 hours. At approximately 1900 hours the Commission ended the executive session and upon motion duly made convened its regular meeting. A MOTION was made by Chairman McCarty to offer the firefighter's position to William A. Wilson subject to the customary background checks and testing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner El-abd and unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes and Review of Monthly Reports
A MOTION was made by Chairman McCarty to approve the minutes of the Commission's monthly meeting held on April 5, 2005. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Healy and approved 2 to 0 with Commissioner El-abd abstaining. A MOTION was made by Chairman McCarty to approve the minutes of the Commission's monthly meeting held on May 3, 2005. The motion was seconded by Commissioner El-abd unanimously approved.
Deputy Chief's Report - The Commission reviewed the Deputy Chief's report dated June 7, 2005 and the attached Volunteer Participation Report. Chief Milositz noted that career and volunteer training during the month of May focused on: (i) trench rescue in light of the upcoming Route 7 widening project and (ii) water supply drills at Kent Pond. Chief Milositz advised the Commission that estimates were being obtained to repair the failed coils in the HVAC system at Station 1 or to purchase new HVAC units. Preliminary estimate for the repair were $9,000 to $10,000 versus purchase price of $13,000 to $14,000 for new units. The Chief also reported that he is awaiting lab results for possible mold contamination in the attic space above the apparatus bay at Station 2. Discussion thereafter focused on the Volunteer Participation Report for the month of April. Chief Milositz pointed out that volunteer response continues to decline and he questioned how much time and effort should be expended by the Department for such minimal response. Chairman McCarty noted the substantial time commitment required from the volunteers (approximately 150 to obtain firefighter 1 certification, minimum 5 hours training per month and approximately 300 hours a year to respond to a minimum of 50 % of the calls for volunteers) but he expressed disappointment that volunteer participation declined following the meeting held by the Commission with the Volunteer Department. Captain Dolnier offered his opinion that the raw data appeared to indicate that on average less than 1 volunteer is responding to calls. He suggested that the Commission consider not requiring the volunteers to respond to automatic alarm calls and any other calls for which the entire on duty shift is not dispatched to. The consensus of the Commission was that Chairman McCarty and Chief Milositz will review this issue and report back to the Commission.
Fire Marshal's Report - The Commission reviewed the Fire Marshal's Monthly Report for May 2005 including the quarterly inspections status report and an updated fee and permitting schedule. Fire Marshal reported that the Life Safety Division conducted several emergency evacuation drills during the month, including the corporate office park at 10 and 20 Westport Road and at the Wilton Post Office. First Selectman Hannah recommended that the fee and permitting schedule include a comparison to surrounding communities and the Commission instructed Fire Marshal Kohn to modify the schedule accordingly.
Apparatus Supervisor's Semi-Annual Report - The Report was reviewed by the Commission with Chief Milositz noting that the repairs listed therein were within the budget.
New Business
Commissioner El-abd - Commissioner El-abd advised the Commission that he would resign prior to the expiration of his term on November 30, 2005 for the reason that he will be moving back to Egypt (Commissioner El-abd departed the meeting at approximately 2010 hours to attend to a prior commitment).
Educational Reimbursement - A Motion was made by Chairman McCarty to approve the request by Firefighter Carlson to be reimbursed $309.56 for a course in Municipal Fire Administration taken at Norwalk Community College. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Healy and unanimously approved.
The Commission reviewed two letters issued by Fire Marshal Kohn. The first letter was to Fire Inspector Meehan under date of May 10, 2005 and authorized the Fire Inspector to act in Fire Marshal Kohn's absence to issue permits, orders and to attend to other matters relative to the enforcement of the Connecticut Fire Safety Code. The second letter was to Lt. Greg Kitik also under date of May 10, 2005 and thanked Lt. Kitik for the assistance that he provided members of Scout Troop 125 in achieving their emergency preparedness merit badges.
The Commission reviewed interoffice memorandums issued by Chief Milositz to Firefighters Coon, Krozer, Elliott, Sampson and Carlson and Lt. Czarnecki commending them for their actions at the residential structure fire at 1 Wilton Acres on March 6, 2005, which commendations were recommended by the incident commander, Captain Bill Cesareo.
Executive Session - Discussion of Retirement Age: The discussion was tabled.
Adjournment: At approximately 2020 hours, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned.
The next regular meeting of the Commission will be held on July 5, 2005 at Fire Department Headquarters.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Casey Healy
Secretary - Fire Commission