STATE FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION
Monthly Meeting
August 21, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT
David J. Roberts, Chairman
Alan Robinson, Jr., Vice Chairman
Bob Ricker
Tom DiCristofaro
Marvin C. Sharp
Alison Reardon, Deputy Attorney General
Patrick Matthews, M.D., BLS Medical Director
Sherry Lambertson, Executive Specialist
Grover P. Ingle, State Fire Marshal
Robert P. Newnam, Director, State Fire School
GUESTS
Lou Amibili, Hockessin Fire Company
Warren Jones, DVFA
Charles Frampton, DVFA
Jeremy Goldman, OEMS
W. Mike McMichael, DSEMSA, Station 15
Lou Amibili, Station 19
Ken Pyle, Station 4 & 24
Allan Post, Station 64
Charlie Boyer, DVFA
Richard Toulson, DVFA
Diane Hainsworth, OEMS
Les Warrek, DSFCA
John W. Rudd, OSFM
Jeffrey Sargent, NFPA
Dan Muyerspan, State AAB
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 2
Guests cont.
Russell Hooper, Station 76
John Wright, Station 76
Todd M. Reilly, Station 71
Earl E. Chaffinch, Jr., Station 71
Matt Martin, Station 22
James Rosseel, Station 15
Leroy Dear, Station 41
Fred Jester, Station 41
Dennis Hughes, Station 85
Jerry L. Daniels, Station 7, 8, 9 & 10
Karen A. Lemon, Station 7, 8, 9 & 10
George Robinson, Station 7, 8, 9 & 10
Cody Lockwood, Station 84
Justin Oakley, Station 84
Michael Bundek, Station 54
Waldemar W. Poppe, Jr., Delaware City Fire Company
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Roberts called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF JULY 17, 2012 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner Ricker, and seconded by Commissioner DiCristofaro that the minutes of the July 17, 2012 Commission meeting be approved as amended. Motion carried.
REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Agency’s Activity for the month of July is as follows: investigations 60; arrests 4-: inspections (health care 6-/deputy 168/day care 20/ - tech services –234 “QAP-234”); complaints-20; juvenile interviews 6; plan reviews 291-; plan review turnaround time (Statewide Average) 10/; PRUF revenue collected $146,721 year to date $1,393,700.
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 3
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Personnel Items
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that Deputy Fire Marshal Schad while on duty was in a serious automobile accident. A vehicle ran a red light and struck his vehicle, causing his
vehicle to roll several times. He was trapped inside of the vehicle and was able to call for help himself. He was transported to Kent General where he was admitted and still remains. His K-9 was with him in the vehicle. He was transported to the veterinarian and checked out. He seems to be okay and has been turned over to the backup handler for care. He is going in for a follow up visit today.
Fire Marshal Ingle updated the commissioner’s on the vacant Deputy Fire Marshal I position. It is anticipated to have this completed by the Commission meeting in September.
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that the vacant Administrative Specialist I position in Sussex County has been filled by Krucita Hopkins. She has 25 years of experience in the Administrative field and will be an asset to the agency.
Kristin Horton, Administrative Specialist has returned to work from extended medical leave and is on full duty.
Bob Borkowski has completed 10 years of service and was awarded with his 10 year service pin and certificate. He is a great asset to the agency.
It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, seconded by Vice Chairman Robinson to send letters of recognition to Bob Borkowski for his years of service. Motion carried.
Serious Injury from a Fire
August 1, 2012 the Office of State Fire Marshal responded to an incident off of Farrand Drive in New Castle County. A victim was outside, and had set herself on fire. She had severe burns to the upper and lower portions of her body. She was flown to Crozer Hospital where she remains today in stable condition.
August 16, 2012, Lewes Fire Department was dispatched for an automatic alarm to an apartment complex off of Route 1. Upon arrival they found there was a fire out on the deck. The fire had been extinguished by sprinklers on the outside. This was a sprinkler save. There were some residence that also used a fire extinguisher as well.
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 4
Serious Injury from a Fire cont.
Over the weekend there were two separate fires at the Casablanca Restaurant on DuPont Highway in New Castle. There was probably $100,000 in damage to the structure. The first fire was determined to be accidental starting in the rear storage room. It was an electrical failure. The second fire remains under investigation.
Sussex Addition Update
Fire Marshal Ingle and Director Newnam are meeting for a 2PM Bid Opening today at the Collins Building in Dover. The contract should be awarded within the next 4 – 6 weeks.
FY 2014 Budget Target Meeting
The Office of State Fire Marshal is requesting additional funding for vehicles for the General Fund positions (Deputy Fire Marshal).
DE Burn Camp
Fire Marshal Ingle had the opportunity to attend the Delaware Burn Camp on Friday afternoon. There was a great turn out and the children appeared to genuinely enjoy themselves. There has been great cooperation between the counselors, fire departments, and all of the other volunteers. It appears that the Delaware Burn Camp is progressing nicely. It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, seconded by Vice Chairman Robinson to send John Lattomus and the Burn Camp Board a letter congratulating them on another successful year at the Delaware Burn Camp. Motion carried.
DVFA Conference
The Office of State Fire Marshal will participate in the annual DVFA Conference. They will have a display at the conference as in past years.
ACTION ITEMS
No report at this time.
FIRE MARSHAL/FIRE SCHOOL
No report at this time.
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 5
MISCELLANEOUS
No report at this time.
REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Director
· Long Range plan – 2012-2013 – A copy of the Long Rang Plan for the Fire School was submitted to the Commissioners for review. The plan included updates on technology and programs, as well as facilities projects both short and long term goals.
· Beard Policy – The Fire School staff reviewed the Beard Policy. They recommend that there be no change in standards and that the current policy remains the same. The written policy was submitted to Commissioners for review. Commissioner DiCristofaro asked if Director Newnam or anyone from his staff able to come up with any case history of fire fighter injury or death due to facial hair? Director Newnam responded no. Commissioner DiCristofaro is afraid that Delaware is opening ourselves up for a legal battle with at least one company in the state and probably more. It’s hard to justify a policy when there is nothing that brought it forth. Chairman Roberts stated that this needs to be discussed with the Commissions, Deputy Attorney General at the next meeting.
· New Castle County requested a Basic Fire Fighting Skills program in which they did not follow through with. However, the Fire School is going to continue to follow through as shown in the July P & E Report.
· Fire Fighter I Certification program is completed and notices will be sent out soon.
· City of Wilmington – Fire Fighter I – II Certification program for city residents
· Protocols – The Fire School will offer an on-line program supporting the training requirements set forth by the newly updated Protocols. Director Newnam recommends September 1st – December 31st as a training time frame.
o A Fire School registration form will be required by the student. They will in return receive log in information to complete the required training. There will be no charge for students for this training. There are over 1400 students in need of this training prior to January 1, 2013.
o Director Newnam thanked the Office of EMS for providing the Power Point program that Ms. Didonato has been working with and is prepared to put on the Fire School portal as soon as it is approved by the Fire Prevention Commission.
· The vacant Training Administrator position was approved to be filled on August 15, 2012. It has been posted and closes on August 23, 2012.
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 6
Director cont.
· State Fair – Director Newnam stated that Mike Lowe, DSFS Instructors and the staff did an excellent job covering the fair stand this year.
· Annual Report for 2011-2012 – Submitted to the Commission for review.
· Risk Watch program – Director Newnam reported that the NFPA no longer supports the Risk Watch program. They are currently negotiating a fee for the rights to the program and it will continue to be taught in Delaware. The NFPA is not going to print any new materials. Delaware will continue to support and advocate all eight injury prevention blocks in the schools. Commissioner Ricker asked if this would be a good time to develop a Risk Watch statewide program of their own in Delaware. Director Newnam responded that after some information is received from the NFPA as far cost for maintaining the current curriculum he can have a better answer than he would have today. Regardless of a program being called Risk Watch or a newly formed program, one will exist in Delaware.
· CLIA Laboratory has approved the Fire School $450.00 in Certificates for Glucometer’s in all three counties.
· Pro-Board Committee on Accreditation - A 5 year re-accreditation visit is in the process of being scheduled with Deputy Director Martin.
Staff Activities
· Senior Instructor Dempsey has been scheduling and conducting ICS (Blue Card) certification classes for 65 students.
o November 6, 7, & 8 for the Blue Card class that will be open to anyone.
· Deputy Director Martin and Senior Instructor Walton attended the Fire Chief’s Conference.
· Senior Instructor Dempsey attended the Fire Expo in Baltimore.
· Senior Instructor Lowe is developing a training program for the Delaware Disaster Assistance Team.
· Senior Instructor Lowe is Recording a Fire Safety program for radio WJBR on their Sunday program.
· Director Newnam reported that the Walk Around Fire Fighter has been cleaned and inspected. The Unit is 10 years old and still in very good condition.
Programs/Courses
§ Current Month
o Water Rescue programs – 3 scheduled
o Rope Rescue – Aetna – 24 students
§ Additions – Revisions
o Structural FF – Loss Control block updated with a communication section
o Updated the block for Methods of Fire Attack
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 7
EMS
§ Current Month
o Field Training Officer – Kent – 12 students
o CEU programs – 5 scheduled
o EMR program – Wilm. University – 9 students
o EMT fall classes – 75 students all divisions full – 5 students on a waiting list (NC)
§ Complaints/Investigations
o Complaint 1201 – EMT documentation – resolution without hearing (reported 7/2012)
o Complaint 1202 – Background – referred to Commission for hearing
o Complaint 1203 – Patient Care Reports – referred to Commission for hearing
o Paramedic/EMT - status of card – no action required by Commission
Director Newnam will submit all of the complaints to the Executive Specialist today. Commissioner Ricker asked if the EMT’s from complaints
It was moved by Commissioner Ricker, seconded by Commissioner DiCristofaro to accept the Director’s recommendation for hearings on Complaints 1202 and 1203 and move forward with scheduling those hearings. Motion carried.
Public Education Activity Report
§ Current Month
o Campus Fire Safety Resident Assistant Training – Del State – 08-13
o Two additional Resident Assistant programs scheduled for Del State and U. of Del
o Del State incoming Freshman training scheduled for August 25th
o Fire Safety Display – 2 scheduled
o Fire Safety Programs – 4 scheduled
Maintenance – Building and Grounds
· Construction of a new Vehicle Rescue storage building has been approved for $24, 200.00
· Installing a roof/shed next to Control Tower for air filling area, $4,690.00
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 8
Financial
§ Pass Due Billings
o 30 days – 3470.00
o 60 days – 301.00
o 90 days –295.00
o 120 days – 4406.00
§ 20678 Tuition Fund – 358,445.00
§ 20500 Haz Mat Tech Fund – 241,249.00
§ Accounts receivable – 12,102.00
§ Revenue Comparison
o Tuition – 2012, 50,529.00 – 2011, 34,346.00
o Haz. Mat. – 2012, 3,600.00 – 2011, 5,000.00
§ Special Funds Summary – report submitted to Commissioners for review.
§ Expenditure Report – none are submitted in August for July.
General Fund
· Instructor Pay Increase - $43,000
o Increase Instructor and Aides pay by $2.00 per hour – last increase 2004
· Trainer/Educator Position – request $27,000 increase
o Full funding of the current position, currently covered by DSFS Special Funds. Note: Special Funds are monies collected through tuition.
· Contractual Services – request $20,000.00 increase
o Increase funding, $23,887 currently covered by DSFS Special Funds.
· Equipment – request $15,000.00 increase
o Increase funding – special funds covered $42,842 last year
· Vehicle Replacement - request $48,000 additional
o Permit the replacement of 4 Staff Vehicles – vehicles will have mileage exceeding 140,000.
· Maintenance Vehicle - $37,000
o Replacement of current 1999 van – Diesel
Capital Budget (Bond Bill)
· Rescue Tools – 52,500
o 6 Fire Companies and DSFS – this is a pass though.
· Restroom Renovations - $500,000
SFPC Minutes
August 21, 2012
Page 9
Personnel Issues
No report at this time.
Action Items
No report at this time.
Fire Marshal/Fire School
No report at this time.
Scheduled Activities
No report at this time.
REPORT OF THE BLS MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Matthews reported on a recent outbreak of scabies at a nursing home in Wilmington. The infection control measures are being taken.