Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_04/02/1993_Public Safety Committee e VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 3 Fax: (407) 575 -6203 o 9 4 P7CH CoUNt1 V I L L A G E O F T E Q U E S T A P U B L I C S A F E T Y C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G M I N U T E S A P R I L 2, 1 9 9 3 I. The Tequesta Public Safety Committee held a scheduled meeting at the Village Hall at 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Friday, April 2, 1993. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Chairman Joseph N. Capretta, with Co- Chairman Ron T. Mackail in attendance. Also in attendance were Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Police Chief Carl Roderick. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved as submitted. III. INTERVIEW OF FIRE CHIEF APPLICANTS A) B. Val Williams, Assistant Fire Chief, Town of Palm Beach (Retired). Co- Chairman Mackail: Do you feel a fire chief should be an administrator or should he be a working integral part of the operation? Williams: The chief should take an active part at the onset. Once the department is established and running smoothly, the chief's activities should be more administrative. Mackail: What is your experience with high -rise and structure -type fires? Williams: In Palm Beach, where my tenure is, there are many high- rises, though Palm Beach has never sustained any serious fires. Most buildings are sprinkled and have adequate fire protection, which enables the fire department to make the best response. Not being familiar with Tequesta Fire Codes and how old Tequesta high -rises are, I could not be sure what kind of fire protection Tequesta has, but I don't particularly foresee a problem, as long as they meet the Palm Beach County requirements. Recycled Paper Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 2 ----------------------- Mackail: Have you ever been involved in the making of a fire department from its beginning? Williams: No, sir. Only in class. But it peaks my interests, since it is a once -in -a- lifetime opportunity. Mackail: Have you ever fired an employee in the fire business? If so, was there a civil service hearing, any problems, and what was the outcome? Williams: Palm Beach does not have a civil service as far as employees are concerned. I have really never had anyone fired, but have disciplined and had to recommend probation for a period of time. I have been involved with the union for twelve years in Palm Beach. I firmly believe if the Chief is selected carefully, and that individual uses care in the way he deals with the firefighters, there would be no need to be concerned regarding the formation of a union. Mackail: Have you ever been involved in the preparations of budgets of fire departments? Williams: I have assisted but have never done one on my own. I know the process. Mackail: If we hired you today, knowing that Tequesta has looked at several scenarios (i.e., 3 men /shift, 4 men /shift with 2 /paramedics, dual response with Martin County, contract with North County Ambulance (NCA) for paramedic support) what would you consider as ideal for the Village of Tequesta and how many employees per shift would you envision to operate the department? Williams: Either scenario has not problem, but three firefighters on a shift is very thin, especially when maintaining two pieces of apparatus. The Lieutenant would have to make the call as to which apparatus to take on a call. A fourth person could bring a ladder truck when needed, or an extra engine. A fourth man also gives extra manpower. Mackail: How do you feel about constant training? Williams: It's absolutely necessary. I actively maintain my own training. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 3 ----------------------- Mackail: How do you feel about computers and using computers, such as Word Perfect, correspondence, and keeping up with state -of- the -art equipment? Williams: I have a 386 and a 486. I don't use Word Perfect, but I use Word Star, and have created many spreadsheets. Chairman Capretta: What do you think the chances are of Tequesta Fire Department being operational by the end of September? Williams: That deadline would not be difficult if the equipment was brought on board as soon as possible. Mr. Bradford explained that the firefighters and first equipment is scheduled to arrive by July 21. Capretta: If Tequesta has a choice between a regular back- up agreement and a dual back -up agreement with Martin County, which would you choose for the best response time and what is the logic behind it? Williams: With a 4/2 scenario and contracting with NCA, the dual - backup is a good concept. I believe the dual backup (or automatic aid) is going to happen in the future not only in Palm Beach County but across the country, because of budgetary constraints. I believe municipalities need to start cooperating to complement each other, instead of competing. Remember Martin County maintains a paramedic on their ALS Pumper. Capretta: NCA is here and trained, financially and technically in good shape. The only advantage of Tequesta having its own paramedics would be the cross - training. How do you feel about that trade -off? Williams: I am not sure Tequesta could not provide the same expertise as NCA with as good, or better personnel /equipment. I believe Palm Beach has a good, if not better, equipment and personnel as NCA, but they have a top -notch EMS coordinator who makes sure it operates properly. Cross - training is standard. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 4 ----------------- - - - - -- Mackail: How do you feel about volunteer firefighters? Williams: Palm Beach does not have volunteers. I am not sure how many Tequesta should have. If Tequesta had 15 volunteers, I would say do it. Paying volunteers is a good encouragement. The concept of using city employees for volunteers is good for 8:00 -5:00, but most fires occur after 5:00 p.m. Consideration would have to be given as to where the volunteers live and their response time. However, it's a concept that a lot of municipalities are missing out on. Mackail: If you're still employed, why would you come to apply for this position? Williams: I am employed with South Tech only as an adjunct instructor only because I want to be. I am not an 8:00 - 5:00er and not tied down. Village Manager Bradford: What is it about you, your personality, drive and goals that makes you want this job and why you believe you are well - suited for it? Williams: I believe the highlight of any career firefighter would be to be a Chief. This unique opportunity to build a department from scratch, to be involved in the hiring of the personnel, hand - picking the apparatus, write the rules, regulations, policies and procedures, is just fantastic. I would not be able to live with myself if I did not at least try to get this job. The chances of having another opportunity such as this are very slim. B) James M. Weinand, Assistant Fire Chief, City of Stuart. Mr. Bradford introduced Mr. Weinand, stating that he was born in Canton, Ohio, and explained that he has worked for the City of Stuart for 18 years where he is currently the Assistant Chief. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 5 ----------------------- Co- Chairman Mackail: Do you feel a fire chief should be an administrator or should he be a working integral part of the operation? Weinand: I feel it has to be both - you must be able to separate it. In order to get the people to work for you, you must show them that you can still do it. I'm all for doing that. But, when you get to a fire scene, the Chief must take administrative control. Otherwise, there is chaos. As far as training, the Chief should get right in there with his men. Mackail: Have you ever fired an employee in the fire business? If so, was there a civil service hearing, or any problems, and what was the outcome? Weinand: I have been to approximately six Arbitration Hearings where it goes through special masters. As far as firing an individual, I have not personally done so, but we did do that when I was Assistant Chief. We went through a Review Board. Mackail: Having read through the Tequesta Fire Department Proposal, what do you feel is the biggest plus of that proposal? Weinand: The biggest plus is the opportunity for a quality system from the onset. The system will not have to be changed. Hand - picking the best personnel is a big plus. Dollar -wise the proposal is okay, but it appears to be underfunded in some areas and overfunded in some others. Mackail: How do you feel about firefighters interacting with the community? Weinand: Every firefighter has to be a "good neighbor ". If batteries need to be replaced in smoke detectors, they are glad to do it. There must be a strong interaction with the community. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2 1993 Page 6 ----------------- - - - - -- Mackail: As far as resources are concerned, are you fiscal - minded regarding waste? The Budget process is important. Tequesta has enjoyed not having peaks and valleys in putting together its ad valorem base, while other communities are experiencing 13 -20% increases. Weinand: For the last 5 -6 years, I have put the Budget together for Stuart, going through the Finance Department, City Manager, and presenting to the Commission. Our Budget has decreased over the past three years. We have expanded services, but have found alternative funding. I believe it is not necessary to increasingly spend more money; I believe also the old philosophy of "if you don't use it you'll lose it" is wrong. Conservation and accountability must be practiced from the start. Mackail: What would you suggest is the best scenario for Tequesta: 3/2; 4/2 or in -house EMS? Weinand: I could not give a fair answer since I have not had opportunity to look at everything that is involved with the Tequesta community. I believe the back -up support from Martin County is a must. I would not recommend that Tequesta completely divorce itself from Palm Beach County, but put them on a last- resource list. Regarding staffing, I believe Tequesta should start with four firefighters because 1) if Tequesta backs -up with Martin County, the same complement of men could be run into Martin County as Martin County would be sending to Tequesta (which is three) , keeping one in -house for coverage; 2) Tequesta has a large potential for fast fire spread because of the many wood shake shingle houses. If a fire is not immediately contained, house after house will be lost. NFPA recommends 13 people on the initial scene; ICMA recommends 16. A four -man staffing would give Tequesta a better operation. Mackail: How much involvement have you had with high -rise fires? Weinand: Stuart is limited to 50 feet, so there are no real high- rises. But, a high -rise fire is no different than a four -story fire. The firefighter still must go up the stairs to take the water up. A high -rise is merely a little bit higher, that's all. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 7 ----------------- - - - - -- Chairman Capretta: Regarding risk and protection, what would you say is financially the best agreement and the best agreement for the best response time for Tequesta to have, since the most risk here is medical, not fire. Weinand: It is necessary for Tequesta to look at its resources. The contract with NCA is not necessarily a sweet deal for Tequesta. Tequesta could have its own in -house paramedics for only $2000 more dollars, with the same level of staffing. What was not taken into account was offsetting revenue. North County gets $55,000 in user fees on top of what Tequesta would pay them, making the whole package to NCA approximately $221,000. I would not recommend such an approach for the first year, since it will be hard enough to get the Department up and running by October 1. If Tequesta chooses the 4/2 scenario, that fourth individual could be made a paramedic and run an ALS engine out of Tequesta for that back -up coverage that is a concern. The concerns should be regarding the Village of Tequesta first, Martin County second, and everything else on the outside after that. But, cover the Village first. Mackail: How do you feel about volunteer firefighters? Weinand: You've got to have auxiliary. I know Tequesta is concerned about its ISO rating, but I think you will have a better ISO rating than you have presently. An ISO rating hinges heavily on manpower, as well as your water distribution system. As long as the number of the volunteer force is not greater than the on -duty manpower, ISO will give credit of one person for every three volunteers, (i.e., 15 auxiliary people - ISO gives credit for 5 additional people). Capretta: Do you agree city employees could be volunteers? Weinand: I would be concerned about what FLSA would say. That could be construed as overtime. There are lots of ways to build up a force: 1) require them to work a certain number of shifts per month; 2) if housing existed which was big enough to be used as a bunk room, college students could be offered free housing in exchange for being a volunteer firefighter; 3) agree to pay for the firefighter education of those graduates who want to become firefighters in exchange for volunteer work. If incentives are built into the program, people will be drawn out. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2 1993 Page 8 ----------------------- Capretta: What is your experience regarding Codes and Fire prevention? Weinand: Codes are important; along with that, just getting out to do the inspections is equally as important. Early detection is key to small fires. The fire prevention is a must. It is as necessary to gain a rapport with the business community as it is with the residents. Capretta: Why would an Assistant Chief in Stuart be interested in coming to Tequesta? Weinand: I am nearly topped out in Stuart. However, what intrigues me most is the historical part and the challenge of this opportunity. I need a challenge. The excitement of being responsible for start a fire department will go down in history to the grandchildren. Capretta: How do you do training in a small community with a small department? Weinand: There are several different levels of training. Burn training would have be to done outside the community. Tactical maneuvers on buildings can be done in a big shopping center with a big parking lot. It is necessary to have an acre of asphalt when laying out hose and setting up operations. There is also a lot of classroom training. I believe training should take place a minimum of two hours per day. Volunteer training can usually only take place at night. Capretta: What do you estimate the odds are of getting our own fire department operational by September 30? Weinand: It is feasible, but not an easy task. Getting the equipment in will be the biggest problem. Tequesta's starting salary range for firefighters is high ($22,000), so applicants will be those who have been in the system for a few years. Stuart starts at $19,200 and Martin County starts even lower. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 9 ----------------- - - - - -- village Manager Bradford: Why do you think your personality /management style is such that you are well suited for this job? Weinand: I am a firm believer in the quality management/ quality service concept, taking input from the bottom employees to the top employees and make up performance specifications. If we find people not performing the way the specs read, then it would be necessary to change the specifications. I am also a firm believer in participative management, having an involvement with the people. Tequesta will be a small department. If employees are not happy, there will be a turnover. Applicants won't be coming here for the excitement, since the city will not be running that many calls - they are coming here for the money, and they have to feel involved. C) Jim Boone, Fire Chief, Town of Lake Park. Village Manager Bradford introduced Mr. Boone as a native Floridian from Venice, Florida with a broad base of experience, working for the City of North Miami, Metro - Dade, Palm Beach County, Investigator for Florida State, and currently Fire Chief in Lake Park. Co- Chairman Mackail: Do you feel a fire chief should be an administrator or should he be a working integral part of the operation? Boone: I feel a fire chief should be active and aggressive in the training of his people and work very closely with them in getting the job done. It makes for a better work product and better understanding. It is necessary to be both an administrator and "hands -on ". Mackail: Have you ever fired an employee in the fire business? If so, was there a civil service hearing, or any problems, and what was the outcome? Boone: I have been involved in the firing of an employee and have been through a civil service hearing. The most recent concerned the demotion from an officer's rank back to a firefighter's rank. The others I've been involved with concerned suspensions. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2 1993 Page 10 ----------------------- Mackail: Which scenario should Tequesta consider to give it the level of service it is looking for? Boone: The administrative side should be first considered. ALS costs are very expensive. One advantage to having your own in -house is better quality of service, dual qualification. However, when a fire call comes in which has rescue requirements, it could present problems. If the dollar value is worth it to the citizens of Tequesta, recognizing the expense, there would be a better quality of personnel, direct control of quality of service, etc. Mackail: There is a reduction in fires due to advanced technology, while the need for EMS services has continued to grow. I believe there is a big advantage in an independent fire department which can increase or decrease wherever the need is for the community. Boone: Lake Park now runs BLS. Since the collapse of Inter City, a contingency plan puts support in there from the County. As of March 8, the Commission approved the hiring of personnel to support Lake Park's BLS service. When hiring firefighters, a city should look at the certification of firefighters as EMTs. The Medic step is above that. There is always a way of backing up the first ALS unit with EMTs on a pumper. Mackail: How do you feel about your men being involved with the community? Boone: Firefighters are in the people business. That's first and foremost. Mackail: Have you ever built a fire department from its beginning? Boone: No, sir. I have given considerable thought to it, but do not personally know anyone who has done so. I think it would be fun. There is no doubt in my mind whether or not I could do it, but it does take teamwork. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 11 ----------------- - - - - -- Mackail: I would like to see the Fire Chief not only prepare an annual budget, but do a 5 -year forecast as well. Tequesta has enjoyed a very level ad valorem base and I would hope that would be the same philosophy of Tequesta's Fire Chief. Boone: The fire department in Lake Park has done well with their budget. There have been no increases in the last three years, and last year we stayed beneath the rolled back rate. It's important to do whatever it takes to get the job done. If a municipality does not maintain now, they will pay later. Mackail: How do you feel about volunteer firefighters? Boone: At the present time, Lake Park as 10 career people and 17 volunteers. We have an incentive program whereby a volunteer is paid a given amount the next six months for the performance in attending training and alarm responses for the previous six months. Fourteen of our people are going to draw that incentive pay this time. People can be dedicated to the fire service, but the Fire Chief and the career employees make those people feel wanted, needed, and a part of the group - a real team. The volunteer fire force in Lake Park gives Lake Park the capability to combat or not to combat fires. Volunteers make good career men. Leadership makes the difference. Mackail: Why do you want to come to Tequesta? Boone: I like Tequesta. I worked in the Jupiter - Tequesta area for three years; my son lives in Jupiter. I would like to move to Tequesta. Chairman Capretta: Do you feel a Tequesta Fire Department can be up and running by September 30? Boone: From a fire protection point of view, it could be done. However, new equipment takes 6 -12 months for delivery. Demo units are available. The Village needs to hire pre - certified firefighters. Public safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 12 ----------------------- Capretta: Tequesta is relatively small geographically with most of the risk to be protected against being in the medical. Tequesta needs to consider a back -up agreement with Martin County. We need to be concerned about how far we are willing to go into Martin County. Would you agree that an automatic response back -up agreement is best? Boone: It might behoove you to look at it in two ways. If you talk about automatic response to a brush fire as opposed to a structure fire of some relative distance, then you would have to work very closely with the people on the engine from Martin County as to when they arrive there on automatic response. If they do not have a problem which requires two engines, immediately cancel that other engine, which immediately turns that unit around and brings it back into the Village. Brush fires can be small things or they can be devastating, and that' s going to take some people on the scene to determine that. We do not roll in Lake Park until someone arrives to man the station. We do not abandon the Lake Park station. I think Martin County experiences lots of brush fires and it could empty your station for long hours. Days can be spent fighting a brush fire. The farthest away that Lake Park travels for back -up is 4.5 to 5 miles. Capretta: Tell me about your experience regarding fire prevention, public relations, etc., and what type of program do you feel Tequesta should have? Boone: I came from under a Fire Chief, when I was growing up in fire service, who felt that when you reached that first level of promotion, you made the tour of the various responsibilities of the Fire Department, one of them being the Fire Prevention Bureau. Ultimately, I made three other transfers into there, including Plans Review, Fire Prevention work in the District -- I was running the entire north end of Dade County when I left the Fire Prevention Bureau, with approximately 18 people working under me. I was with the State Fire Marshall's Office where I did inspection work. I was with the County for 3.5 years doing inspections. When I joined Lake Park, they did not have a formal fire inspection program. Now, all firefighters are certified as fire inspectors, who perform by assignments. Even the Chief's aide is a certified fire inspector. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 13 ----------------- - - - - -- Village Manager Bradford: what is it about your personality/ management style that makes you well suited for this job? Boone: I am task - oriented. I prioritize my work well. That will be very important to formulating a schedule of events and to reach those goals. I am not an 8 -5 man. Very seldom do I leave at 5:00 p.m. But one must put the time in to get the job done. Dedication is important. Village Manager Bradford: How would you describe your style of management? Boone: I am a people - person. You lead people - not push them. Participative management is important. Listening is important. IV. ANY OTHER MATTERS Village Manager Bradford stated he had a feel, in his mind, of the top candidate and how they are ranked in order. He urged to Committee to think over these interviews until Monday, April 5, considering the pros and cons, and he would receive their thoughts on Monday for a recommendation to the Village Council. Chairman Capretta felt all three candidates were well qualified and that the Village could not go wrong in selecting either. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 2, 1993 Page 14 ----------------------- V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 A.M. Respectfully submitted, "—A44c,' ? Z Fran Bitters Recording Secretary ATTEST: Joan Man anie to Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: /3 , / 99-3