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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 8A_4/13/1989 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA •`� Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive `` - Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 575-6200 FAX: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1989 I. The Public Safety Committee of the Tequesta Village Council held a meeting to discuss and review the Tequesta (TAVT) Fire/Rescue Report at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Friday, March 17, 1989. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 A.M. by Committee Chairman Joseph N. Capretta; Committee Member William E. Burckart was also present. Other Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice-Mayor Edward C. Howell, and Councilmember Earl L. Collings. Village Officials present were: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager; Wendy K. Harrison, Administrative Assistant to the Village ' Manager; Carl R. Roderick, Chief of Police; Stephen Allison, Lieutenant Police Department; and Bill C. Kascavelis, Finance Director/Village Clerk. TAVT, Task Force members responsible for preparation of the Tequesta Fire/Rescue Report present were: Directors Joseph Yoder and Harry Enderlein, and Dr. Stan Jacobs, past President, TCCCA. II. Committee Chairman Joseph N. Capretta announced the purpose of the meeting and requested that Mr. Yoder, President of the TAVT review the report and recommendations to the Public Safety Committee and Council. Mr. Yoder stated that the study shows what specific services are provided by the County Fire/Rescue Service to Tequesta and the other areas serviced by Fire/Rescue Station No. 11, located on Seabrook Road, Tequesta. Mr. Yoder reviewed data concerning the equipment, usage, and number of calls made which is contained on page II, pages 1-4 of the report. Mr. Yoder stated the Village residents are happy with the Village Police Department response time to calls and per capita ratio of Police Officers to the general public. He also stated that he believes the Village should ask for more assistance to the residents of the area from the Village Police Department regarding Fire/Rescue Services which could be provided as a first unit arriving at the scene for emergency calls. Chairman Capretta noted the key to the report refers to the response time to emergency service calls. He noted the average response time for Village Police Department personnel was 1.5 minutes compared to the Fire/Rescue Service response time average of 4.5 minutes. Stan Jacobs noted that the two specific 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 1989 Page 2 - categories addressed in the report are: 1 ) Fire Service and 2) Emergency Rescue Service. He noted the Emergency Rescue Ambulance, at times, is not in the area, responding with a response time, on occasion, of in excess of 15 minutes to a call. Police Chief Roderick stated that the response time used in the Report for the Village Police Department did not incorporate Code 3 Emergency Response Time which would reduce the reported 1.5 minute response time to less than 1 minute. Chairman Capretta noted that additional training of our Police Department personnel in Basic Fire/Rescue protocol would eliminate the current possibility of a 15 to 20 minute delay in response time in such situations. Police Chief Roderick noted that Village Police personnel are currently trained and certified by the American Red Cross in Basic First Aid and CPR. Joe Yoder stated that it would be a significant benefit to area residents if our Police Department personnel were trained in appropriate Fire/Rescue protocol. Mr. Yoder emphasized the need to address the response time for Basic Life Support by our Police Department personnel in the areas of Basic Life Support procedures which could be administered prior to the arrival of Fire/Rescue personnel. Mr. Yoder further stated that we could control our destiny by addressing the principal shortcomings contained in the Report. He further noted that as the County Service Area expands, the service level to the Village will be reduced. He emphasized "service" is the key to considering the Public Safety Concept, not financing. His immediate recommendations were: 1. Establish Fire/Rescue protocol for immediate duties and training of Village Police Officers. Mr. Yoder noted at this time, that the Village Police Department is not the vehicle for putting out major fires but rather as initial respondents to a call; a Police Officer should be trained in the proper protocols for the two activities of Emergency Medical Service and Fire protection. 2. The Village should establish an incident reporting system and maintain data for all E 911 calls. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 1989 Page 3 - He emphasized the importance of accurately maintaining such data; also, County Fire/Rescue Service Station 11 calls should be monitored to include their entire service area to determine when Station 11 is servicing other areas as backup units. 3. The Village of Tequesta Police Chief should be directed to compile the data requested, and future employees hired by the Police Department should be personnel who meet the criteria of a Public Safety Officer rather than an individual concerned with working only as a police officer. Chairman Capretta noted that Mr. Yoder's suggestions could also be placed into effect during the current relationship with the County Fire/Rescue Service Department. Councilmember Collings stated that the Public Safety Committee of Council should review the TAVT Report and provide recommendations to the Council, as a whole, for its consideration. Member Collings also questioned Mr. Yoder as to the amount of time spent on gathering data and preparing the study. Mr. Yoder indicated that approximately seven months was devoted to the preparation of the report. Chairman Capretta noted that he had previously asked the Police Chief to provide measurable reporting techniques which is necessary to properly identify the actual service levels of the Department. Mayor Mackail stated he reviewed the Public Safety Committee Concepts with two other area municipalities and, in his opinion, Tequesta is an ideal community to establish the Public Safety Concept. Vice-Mayor Howell also supported the Public Safety Concept. Committee Chairman Capretta noted that the Committee would begin to review the Report and determine if the Committee desired to recommend pursuing the proposal. He also indicated that the feasibility and financial impact of the proposal must be studied. He further stated the undertaking of a Public Safety Concept within the Village may be an issue to be considered for placement on the ballot for a referendum vote. Public Safety Committee Meetintg Minutes March 17, 1989 Page 4 - Village resident James Pilz stated that increased service levels and Fire/Rescue Service should enhance consideration by residents of pocket areas in unincorporated areas contiguous to the Village to consider annexation. Chairman Capretta thanked Mr. Yoder and the members of his Committee for their time and efforts spent on preparation of the Fire/Rescue Report and noted the Public Safety Committee of Council would review the Report in detail and provide their recommendations to Council. Mr. Yoder stated that the Fire/Rescue Study Committee of TAVT is available and would welcome the opportunity to discuss any matters contained within the Report. Village Manager Bradford asked Chairman Capretta if he was to take any immediate actions concerning recommendations contained within the Report? Chairman Capretta indicated that no action should be taken at this time. He further stated that the Public Safety Committee would provide its recommendations to Council, and Council as a whole would determine the appropriate action to be taken concerning recommendations contained in the Report including consideration of the establishment of the Public Safety Department Concept within the Village. There being no other matters before the Committee for discussion or review, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 A.M. A copy of the Fire/Rescue Report prepared by the TAVT is attached to and made a part of these minutes for informational purposes. Respectfully submitted, Bill C. Kasca elis Finance Dire for/Village Clerk BCK/Jmm 0