STATE FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION
Monthly Meeting
February 17, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT
Marvin C. Sharp, Chairman
Bob Ricker, Vice Chairman
Kenneth H. McMahon
Willard (Bill) Betts, Jr.
Douglas S. Murray, Sr.
David J. Roberts
Ron Marvel
Allison Reardon, Deputy Attorney General
Patrick Matthews, M.D., SFPC BLS Medical Director
Grover P. Ingle, State Fire Marshal
Robert Newnam, Director, State Fire School
GUESTS
Michael Chionchio, Assistant State Fire Marshal
Dick Ward, Assistant State Fire Marshal
Ken Pyle, DVFA
John Rossiter, SFMO
James L. Cubbage, Jr., DVFA
Louis J. Amabili, Hockessin Fire Co.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Sharp called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REGULAR SESSION
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 13, 2009 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner Roberts, and seconded by Vice Chairman Ricker that the minutes of the January 13, 2009 Commission meeting be approved as amended. Motion carried. Chairman Sharp did not vote due to his absence of the previous meeting.
REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Agency’s Activity for the month of January is as follows: investigations 68– (criminal 16- /accidental 48– undetermined 4-); arrests 6-: inspections 738– (health care 10-/deputy 158/tech services –266 “QAP-289”); complaints-25; plan reviews 269-; PRUF revenue collected $77,445 year to date $769,261; total overtime hours worked 184.5-; time off in hours (Deputies) 702.75 (vacation 288.75- /compensatory leave 52.5- /sick leave 91.5- /holiday 270.0- /compassionate 0.0)
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Personnel Issues
Deputy Fire Marshal I, Robert Brode has returned to work from medical leave.
The vacant Deputy Fire Marshal I position is moving forward with the interview process. They are currently working on the background checks and interviewed 23 out of 25 candidates for the position. Fire Marshal Ingle expects to have a name for consideration at the March Commission meeting.
Rebecca Legar, Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and her husband are the proud parents of twins as of February 9th. She will remain out on maternity leave for another 6 to 8 weeks
John Reedy recently completed his probation and was promoted to a Fire Protection Specialist II. All of the Fire Protection Specialist in the agency with the exception of one in Sussex County are now Fire Protection Specialist II’s.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 3
Georgetown Office/Fire School Addition Update
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that architect interviews will take place on February 20, 2009.
FY’10 Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearing
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that he attended the FY 10’ Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearing on February 5, 2009. It appears that the agencies did as well as could be expected during the economic times that exist.
Proposed 2009 Fire Prevention Regulations Update
Fire Marshal Ingle will present a copy of the proposed regulation changes to the Fire Prevention Commission at the March or April Commission meeting for review.
Jurisdictional Fire Marshal Meeting
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that the January Jurisdictional Fire Marshal meeting went well. Ideas and concerns were discussed regarding residential sprinklers in the future and the proposed changes.
Water Utility Meeting
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that he has met with one of the major water utility companies discussing the provision for updated fire protection in existing properties and the need for providing domestic water to new customers in these properties. The option for future meetings has been left available for further discussion. A committee will be formed and a regulation submitted that protects the public safety.
ACTION ITEMS
No report at this time.
FIRE MARSHAL/FIRE SCHOOL
No report at this time.
MISCELLANEOUS
No report at this time.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 4
REPORT OF THE FIRE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Director
· Ambulance Inspections are again being conducted by Jo Ann Di Donato on behalf of the Commission.
· SERT plan books and presentations are being circulated at the County Chief’s meetings.
· Background Checks by policy remain valid for 6 months for new students. The policy of 6 months was written because students have a background check completed sometime during the EMT-B class and the background check may not be completed by the end of the class.
· Background Checks – cost borne by the Commission – Chapter 67- 6712(e). These funds are paid through the Fire School budget line on behalf of the Commission. These funds have been removed in the FY 10’ budget by the Office of Management and Budget. The Commission is required to pay for the background checks per statute, yet the state will not be providing the funds.
· Hazardous Response Skills program has been requested by Sta. 89 for approximately 20 students. This request has been made because of the Draft Certification Program that is circulating. This is an opportunity to see if the program can be run as an in-service class. Recovery cost for the program has been submitted to the station. A schedule has been developed.
· Budget Hearing held on the 12th went very well.
· The National Registry policy in regard to decertified EMTs has been researched by the Fire Commission and Fire School for anyone that chooses to reapply after a decertification. An application has been received by a previously decertified EMT-B for Del. Certification and has been denied. This person was no longer in good standing with the National Registry and could not apply through the State of Delaware.
· National EMS Education Standards have come out and are being reviewed by staff. These standards will go into effect in 2014.
Staff Activities
· IFSAC Site visit is scheduled for September 2009 – Martin
o 80 hr. Haz. Mat. Tech. To include current Pro-Board certifications
· Development of an in-service alternative fuel vehicle program – Stephens
· Pro-Board certification updates to current standards completed or scheduled – Martin
o NFPA 472 – 2008 edition completed – Haz. Mat. – Brennan
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 5
Staff Activities cont.
o NFPA 1001 – 2008 edition completed – Firefighter I-II - Reynolds
o NFPA 1041 – 2007 edition completed – Instructor I-II - Martin
o NFPA 1081 – 2007 edition completed – Brigade – Martin
o NFPA 1051 – 2007 edition in progress – Wild land FF – Baker
o Working on the following editions – to be completed by the fall
§ NFPA 1006 – 2008 edition update due by 3/31/10 – Rescue – Stephens
§ NFPA 1021 – 2008 edition update due by 9/1/10 – Fire Officer I-II – King
§ NFPA 1031 – 2008 edition update due by 9/1/10 – Fire Inspector I-II – Baker
· Computer system update is entering final phase – Murabito
· Proboard Advisory Meeting – January 23-25 – Martin
Programs/Courses
§ Current Month
o Wildfire ICS – 35 students registered
o EVO – New Castle Division – 29 students registered – optional Drivers Course on Sunday
o NFA – Safety Officer – New Castle Division – 40 students registered – good reports
o Arson Detection II – 24 students registered
o Leadership II – over 50 students registered
o Instructor I Course – 6 students registered
o Vehicle Anatomy Seminar – 37 students registered
o Methods of Instructors Course – 9 students completing the course this month
o Fire Officer II Course – 31 students from Kent – Sussex classes
§ Additions – Revisions
o Arson Detection II is an updated program
EMS
§ Current Month
o CEU program – Kent – 10 students registered
o CEU programs in-service – 11 classes scheduled
o Protocol programs – 4 classes scheduled in-service
o Healthcare Providers programs – 4 scheduled
o International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) 15 students registered
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 6
EMS cont.
o EMT- Refreshers
§ New Castle – 19 students
§ Kent – 9 students
§ Kent – 25 students
§ Sussex – 19 students
Delaware Risk Watch Report
A report for Risk Watch was submitted to the Commission for review.
Public Education Activity Report
§ Current Month
o Adolescents Fire Safety workshop – 12 students
o Fire Safety Displays – 4 scheduled
o Fire Safety Programs – 4 scheduled
Maintenance – Building and Grounds
· Painting of storerooms – old rear projection rooms completed
· Roof repairs made to the Support Services Building
· Water main repairs scheduled - $19,934.00.
· SCBA units – half of the units have been serviced
Financial
§ Pass Due Billings – good job by staff on collections
o 30 days – 2,564.95
o 60 days – 2,440.00
o 90 days – 8,592.00 – industrial client
o 120 days – -0-
§ 8000 Tuition Fund – 354,383.00
o Accounts receivable – 37,383.00
§ 8200 Haz Mat Tech Fund – 222,509.00
o Accounts receivable – 0 –
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 7
Financial cont.
§ Revenue Comparison – January
o Tuition account – 2008 $62,730.25, 2009 $73,298.00
o Haz. Mat. account – 2008 $23,860.00, 2009 $12,300.00
§ Special Funds Summary – report submitted for review.
§ Expenditure Report – report submitted for review.
Staff Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2009 Fire School staff meeting minutes were submitted for review.
Personnel Issues
No report at this time.
Executive Session
No report at this time.
Fire Marshal/Fire School
No report at this time.
Action Items
No report at this time.
REPORT OF THE BLS MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Matthews reported that the CPAP Pilot Program is moving forward. The Office of EMS has will meet with two companies that have agreed to pilot the program. Also, three companies in Kent County and one in New Castle County have volunteered to participate in the program.
Dr. Matthews discussed a change in the use of lights and sirens. Reports show that Sussex County was running without lights to the hospital 15% of the time in 2008. That percentage has changed to 48% in 2009.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 8
REPORT OF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
Deputy Attorney General Reardon reported that she has submitted the Draft FOIA Policy to the Commission’s Assistant for processing. A final draft will be submitted at the March meeting for review.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
REGULAR SESSION
ACTION ITEM
John Sharp Correspondence
A letter was submitted by Mr. John Sharp regarding his membership of a fire company. It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Vice Chairman Ricker to respond informing him that the Fire Prevention Commission does not have jurisdiction or authority in this area. Motion carried.
Sharon White Correspondence
Sharon White requested a hearing from the State Fire Prevention Commission because of her EMT-B status due to lack of affiliation. It was proposed that any suspension correspondence should come from the Commission in the future and not the Fire School. It was also proposed by the Deputy Attorney General to consider not suspending someone for a loss of affiliation, but corresponds with them giving the EMT-B 10 days to resubmit an affiliation before suspension of their certification. Commissioner Roberts stated that he never saw correspondence from a company stating that she was removed from the books allowing the suspension to take place.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Vice Chairman Ricker that no EMT-B will be suspended due to lack of affiliation effectively immediately. This procedure is suspended for the next 60 days while the Fire Prevention Commission reviews the regulation for updates. This motion will not affect the process of certification or recertification during its review. Motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Betts, seconded by Commissioner Marvel to reinstate Sharon White’s EMT-B certification effective immediately without prejudice to afford her a hearing in the future, pending the review of the regulation and the Commission’s findings are adverse to her plea. Motion carried.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 9
Fire Prevention Awards
Commissioner Betts attended the Children’s Fire Safety Foundation Meeting and it was agreed that it last year’s award ceremony in conjunction with the DVFA Executive meeting was successful. Due to budget constraints and the suspension of the Governor’s Fire Safety Conference, it was agreed to present the awards at the DVFA Executive Meeting once again. Commissioner Marvel was asked to contact Kevin Wilson in regard to inviting Governor Markel to the event.
Dickie Dempsey Retirement
Many of the Commissioner’s will be attending the retirement acknowledgement of Dickie Dempsey. He is retiring from the Kent County 9-1-1 Center. The Commission will present him with a resolution and fire company patch poster.
Joint Sunset Committee Discussion
The Commission discussed suggested changes to be made to its statute through the Joint Sunset Committee process.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Betts to approve the recommendations made to the Commission’s statute in Title 16, Chapters 66 and 67 at the Commission workshop. Motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Betts to accept Draft 3 of proposed Title 16, Chapter 67 §6718 for the establishment of State Fire Prevention Commission Fire and Rescue Service Providers responsibility and authority; operational and administrative requirements; Fire and Rescue permits; penalties. Motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Vice Chairman Ricker to accept the suggested changes to Title 16, Chapter 66 §6614. Motion carried.
GENERAL INFORMATION
State Fire Prevention Commission Strategic Plan
The Commission worked on a priority list of items to be completed by the Commissioners. The Commission discussed questions presented by the Joint Sunset Committee.
SFPC Minutes
February 17, 2009
Page 10
CORRESPONDENCE
No report at this time.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
No report at this time.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Marvin C. Sharp
Chairman Sharp reported that he attended the Monthly Fire Prevention Commission Meeting, Kent County Fireman’s Association Meeting, Ladies Night Station 64, and Kent County Fire Chief’s Association Meeting.
Vice Chairman Bob Ricker
Vice Chairman Ricker reported that he attended the Monthly Fire Prevention Commission Meeting, DVFA Leadership Meeting, Seaford Fire Company Banquet, Joint Sunset Committee Workshop, Harland Swain Funeral, DVFA Meeting, and Burn Camp Meeting.