October 31, 2000 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 31, 2000 MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Vice Chairman Kowalski with the following members present: Commissioners Brammer, Haber, Maheu, Milewski, Mullen, Munkenbeck, Nicol, Stankye, Vendetta and Wilkinson. Commissioner Johnson arrived at 9:50 a.m. Commissioners' Carozza and Gomeau were excused. Staff members Morrissette, Gamble, Lewandowski, Mancino, O'Hurley, O'Neil, Ouellette, Piechota, Piskura and Richardson were present. Guests to the meeting identified themselves as Christopher Zak, CFA Adjunct Instructor, Chief Nick Delia, City of Groton Fire Department and Chief Earl Provencher, North Thompsonville Fire Department. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Nicol and SECONDED by Commissioner Wilkinson to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2000 meeting. Motion carried. In respect to visitors to the meeting, Vice Chairman Kowalski called for a motion to move to agenda items 5 a.), Employee Recognition and item 4 d.) Ladder Bail Out Technique. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Milewski and SECONDED by Commissioner Haber to move to agenda items 5 a.) and 4 d.). Motion carried. Vice Chairman Kowalski asked staff member Debbie Richardson to come forward to be recognized. He proceeded by reading a letter from Chairman Carozza on behalf of the Commission expressing gratitude to Ms. Richardson for providing temporary coverage for the Academy's Training Registrar who left on maternity leave. He further stated that without the benefit of completing her training, Ms. Richardson not only maintained the Academy's course registration system but also initiated the development of a course-status report that has been embraced by the staff and is utilized today agency wide. Moving to item 4 d.) Vice Chairman Kowalski invited Chief Delia and Adjunct Instructor Zak to provide the Commission with a historical overview of the "Ladder Bail Out Technique Program as taught by the Academy. Chief Delia spoke in detail about the development of the technique in the early 1990's while Mr. Zak spoke about the safety practices that were developed to insure the safety of the students. Commissioner Johnson reported on the results of a survey he conducted among the Career Chiefs' Association regarding the Ladder Bail-Out Technique. He presented a written report on his findings, highlighting that 15 departments responded to his survey with 2 opposing, 2 approving but with reservations and 11 departments responding affirmatively to continue teaching the technique as it is now being offered in several training programs. A question and answer period followed. Commissioner Nicol stated that at last month's meeting he voted against this technique to allow him time to discuss this matter with his respective organization. After having met with the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association (CFDIA) and its Executive Board, he stated the CFDIA is in support of the Academy continuing to teach this technique. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Milewski and SECONDED by Commissioner Haber approving continuation of teaching the Ladder Bail Out Technique. Motion carried. Vice Chairman Kowalski asked for questions on the Staff Report. There being no questions on the staff report he called for a motion to approve. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Stankye and SECONDED by Commissioner Wilkinson to approve the Staff Report for the period of September 15, 2000 - October 14, 2000. Motion carried. Moving to item 4 a.) Mr. Morrissette reported on the status of the Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Fund. He reported that a letter of solicitation was mailed out in October to 11,404 individuals on the Commission's mailing list. This has contributed to an increase in donations received through the mail. Lithographs of the memorial artwork have been printed and are now available for sale. Lt. Governor Rell continues to request weekly updates on the fundraising efforts and maintains her original goal to raise the necessary funds by Thanksgiving. Various other fundraising ideas are being considered. Harvey Eisner, Editor of Firehouse magazine has offered to publish an article on our fundraising efforts. They have also offered to work with us to supply nationally recognized instructors for a benefit seminar. Moving to item 4 b.) Mr. Morrissette gave an update on the freelancing issue. He reported that he received word from the Attorney General's Office that an instructor agreement on freelancing would be enforceable on current employees. He suggested a number of minor changes to the agreement. Vice Chairman Kowalski suggested that the issue of freelancing should be pursued and resolved as quickly as possible. Moving to item 4 c.) Mr. Morrissette gave a brief update on the Meriden facility. He stated that the underground storage tanks have been removed. DPW has been very cooperative with this project. A phone line has been installed at this facility and an alarm (fire/burglar) system is being installed today. Paving will be completed soon to cover the underground storage tank excavation. Moving to item 4 e.) Mr. Piskura gave an update of the Candidate Physical Ability Testing Program (CPAT). He reported on the results of testing for the Wallingford Fire Department and how pleased Chief Peter Strubble was with the results of the exam as noted in his letter of October 20. Commissioner Haber read a letter from Chief Peter Strubble from the Wallingford Fire Department expressing his satisfaction with the quality of the CPAT run for his department. Chief Strubble wrote that the Commission's decision to pursue this project represents the innovation that has been part of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control from the beginning. This valuable service will allow all career fire departments in Connecticut to raise the bar on physical fitness for new applicants and that raising that bar for new applicants will result in a safer work place for all firefighters. The IAFF, IAFC, and Connecticut Fire Academy should be commended for their vision in making this program a success. This is truly a worthwhile venture and he would encourage the Commission to continue to take the lead role in improving the fire service. A discussion period followed. Moving to item 5 b.) Mr. Piskura gave a brief overview of the Training Division's efforts to acquire a rescue vehicle. He reported that DAS Procurement has given approval to initiate development of bid specifications. One option being strongly considered is the purchase of roll-off module units rather than a single vehicle. Moving to item 5 c.) Mr. Piechota reported on the results of a survey done with other states relating to fire service certification and re-certification. (Results of the survey are enclosed.) Vice Chairman Kowalski asked if a copy of the survey results could be distributed to the Commissioners with the next Commission package. Mr. Piechota indicated he would distribute the results as requested. A discussion period followed. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Maheu and SECONDED by Commissioner Munkenbeck approving the proposed Certification Regulation revisions. Motion carried. Mr. Piechota also gave an overview of a proposed addition to the Hazardous Materials Technician Certification Regulation. A discussion period followed. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Vendetta and SECONDED by Commissioner Munkenbeck approving the proposed addition to the Hazardous Materials section of the Certification Regulations. Motion carried. Commissioner Haber read a letter from John J. Gamble, Program Manager, Connecticut Fire Academy to Mr. Ken Pucheu, Sales Manager, MSA thanking him for the generous donation of the Passport FiveStar meter and calibration gas kit. In addition, he states that this will be an excellent enhancement to the Academy's training programs. The support of companies such as yours, allows the Academy to present programs to students while using the latest equipment and technology. A discussion period followed on various matters. Commissioner Stankye inquired about the status of the development of thelesson plan for the Thermal Imaging Camera Program. Mr. Piskura stated that the lesson plan was complete and the Training Division will be mailing it out this week to the Regional Fire Schools. They'll get a CD and a hard copy of the lesson plan. Mr. Morrissette reported that the Office of the Attorney General approved both the CPAT Agreement with the Capitol Region Council of Governments as well as the American Red Cross Agreement permitting them to use the Academy as their Southern New England Hurricane Watch Center. Mr. Morrissette reported that CBS would feature a story this Thursday, November 2 on the Worcester fire. It will appear on the show 48 Hours. It was also reported that 4,000 children accessed the Kids Fire Safety House in the month of October. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Nicol and SECONDED by Commissioner Haber to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Vice Chairman Kowalski adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m. Dated: ______________________________ ______________________________ Edward F. Haber, Secretary Commission on Fire Prevention and Control