STATE FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION
Monthly Meeting
January 21, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT
David J. Roberts, Chairman
Alan Robinson, Jr., Vice Chairman
Charles Boyer
Ron Marvel
Tom DiCristofaro
Marvin Sharp
Andrew Kerber, Deputy Attorney General
Sherry Lambertson, Executive Specialist
Grover P. Ingle, State Fire Marshal
Robert P. Newnam, Director, State Fire School
GUESTS
Mike Chionchio, Office of State Fire Marshal
Alan Brown, Office of State Fire Marshal
Alan Post, American Legion #64
Warren Jones, DVFA
Richard Toulson, DVFA
Alden Townsend, Dagsboro Fire Company
Wayne Bowden, Dagsboro Fire Company
Ron ONeal, Millsboro Fire Company
Diane Carey, Dagsboro Fire Company
Matt Warrington, Millsboro Fire Company
Chad Dorey, Dagsboro Fire Company
Thomas Berry, Millsboro Fire Company
Lew Noeley, Millsboro Fire Company
Nik Fre, Millsboro Fire Company
Dan Swau, Millsboro Fire Company
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 2
GUESTS cont.
Bruce Rogers, Esquire
John Brady, Esquire
Diane Hainsworth, Office of EMS
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Roberts called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 17, 2013 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, and seconded by Commissioner Sharp that the minutes of the December 17, 2013 Commission meeting be approved. Motion carried.
REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Personnel Items
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that the vacant Sussex County Fire Protection Specialist I positions have been filled by Michael Routh and Jefferson Cerri. Both of these individuals come with a great deal of experience. They are both retired veterans of the Air Force and experience in regard to working in the field of fire protection at Dover Air Force Base.
Fire Protections Specialist II, Thomas Haslam is out on medical leave until mid February.
The vacant Deputy Fire Marshal IV (Chief Deputy Fire Marshal) position has been posted in-house and closed January 15, 2014. The agency is waiting for an interview list from the Office of Management and Budget. Fire Marshal Ingle requested permission to move forward with posting for a Deputy I that may become available due to a promotion. This could be a vacancy from any of the counties. It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, seconded by Commissioner Sharp to grant Fire Marshal Ingle’s request to move forward with filling any vacant positions that may occur during possible promotions within the agency in regard to the filling of the Deputy Fire Marshal IV vacancy. Motion carried.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 3
Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing FY 2015 Budget
The Joint Finance Public Hearing has been moved to January 18, 2014 at 1:00 PM. The Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to address their requests.
2013 Fire Fatalities
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that there are fifteen recorded fire deaths for 2013. Eleven of those did not have working smoke alarms.
6ABC Save A Life
The Delaware Office of State Fire Marshal has been invited to attend the 6ABC Save A Life program on February 6, 2014 at the Philadelphia Fire Academy. The agency will receive a small amount of detectors on that day and will be participating in the recognition program.
Smoke Detector Concern/DVFA Life Safety Committee
Fire Marshal Ingle reported that a smoke detector concern was brought to his attention by Guy Hudson of the DVFA Life Safety Committee. A particular First Alert Smoke Detector was noticed to have a mute button on it. Fire Marshal Ingle was unaware of this. The detector is listed by UL to perform those functions. The mute button does not turn the detector off, it is the test button. If you use it because of an unwanted alarm, the LED will still flicker for approximately 10 minutes. If there is enough smoke to cause the detector to reactivate again, that detector will operate. They have been tested through UL and deemed to meet the required criteria. The way it is advertised is unfortunate, but there is nothing wrong with the detector.
Management Meetings OSFM
Fire Marshal Ingle has moved the Management Meetings to every third month. The employees coordinate on a daily and weekly basis in between these meetings.
Commission Acknowledgment
Commissioner DiCristoaro on behalf of the Commission thanked Fire Marshal Ingle and his staff for the job that they did in making the arrest in Rehoboth. There is nothing worse than having to arrest your own and the office did a well executed and professional job.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 4
REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Director
· Ambulance Permitting – all companies completed by January 1st.
· Company’s Contact Information received – New Castle (14), Kent (9), Sussex (12)
· EMT Reciprocity course on line section is now available, It will still require a classroom session.
· A Contract to erect the Rescue Tower has been signed for $98,820.
· EMT notices have been mailed to approximately 700 EMTs that their certification will expire on March 31st.
· Portable radios ordered replacements for training and staff assigned.
· Delaware Air Guard 166 Airlift Wing, 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, donated 2 manikins.
· Deputy Director Steve Martin has announced his retirement as of March 31, 2014 after 32 years of service.
Staff Activities
· Training Administrator Dempsey will be a Peer reviewer for FY2013 AFG grants - February 9-14.
· Deputy Director Martin attended the Pro-Board and IFSAC annual meeting.
· Training Administrator Walton will attend the Grants Programs Criteria Development meeting – NETC in Emmitsburg, MD.
Programs/Courses
v Numbers listed in parentheses, i.e. (12) are attendance numbers from the previous year.
§ Current Month
o Advanced Wildland Firefighting – 8 students
o EVO course – 32 students (42)
o Officer’s Seminar – 71 students (70) – 29 companies
o Instructor’s Seminar – 132 Instructors
o Pipeline emergencies – canceled (5 students) (10)
o Fire Behavior – Wildland Firefighting – 18 students (50)
o ICS 300 – 15 students (9)
o Fire Ground Operations – Size-up – 34 students (34)
o NFA Leadership 1 – 17 students – (17)
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 5
EMS
§ Current Month
o EMT Course
§ New Castle 24 students, Kent 23 students, Sussex 25 students
o Field Training Officer – 16 students
o Emergency Medical Responder – New Castle 6 students, Kent 19 students, Sussex 2 students
o CEU programs – 9 classes
o BLS Narcan – pilot program training – Sussex went well, Kent currently
Public Education and Injury Prevention Activity Report
§ Current Month
o Fire Safety Display – 4 programs scheduled
o Fire Safety Tour – 1 scheduled
o Fire Safety Program – 4 scheduled
Maintenance – Building and Grounds
§ Contact signed for the erection of the Rescue Tower
§ SCBA servicing being completed
§ Repairs completed to Fire Safety Trailer at Sussex Division
Financial
§ Past Due Billings
o 30 days – 8,930.00
o 60 days – 5,561.00
o 90 days – 100.00
§ 20678 Tuition Fund – 419,534.00
§ 20500 Haz Mat Tech Fund – 248,567.00
§ Accounts receivable – 79,085.00
§ Revenue Comparison
o Tuition – 2014 -83,314.00, 2013 – 81,188.00,
o Haz. Mat. – 2014 -3,690.0 , 2013 – 11,200.00
§ Special Funds Summary – Special Funds Summary report submitted for review.
§ Expenditure Report – Expenditure report submitted for review.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 6
Staff and Office Staff Meeting Minutes
Director Newnam submitted meeting minutes of the Staff and Office Staff bi-monthly meetings for review.
REPORT OF THE BLS MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Matthews was unable to attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. He submitted the following written report. Diane Hainsworth discussed the Hospital Preparedness Program.
The following is Dr. Matthews written report.
1. Narcan pilot update: I would like to extend a special thanks to the fire school, especially Matthew Gajdos, for help with the training aspect of the Narcan pilot project. Thanks to their efforts, training dates are being offered at the County training facilities in the State for companies who will be participating in the pilot program. I have provided a prescription for Narcan with nasal atomizer on file with Southeastern medical supply for any BLS company participating in the pilot, and am in the process of providing a prescription to the Beebe pharmacy for any companies in Sussex who may choose to obtain supplies from them. For now, participating companies should purchase Narcan supplies including nasal atomizers for use during the pilot phase of the program. OEMS is reviewing regulations regarding possible exchange of supplies with emergency departments in the future, although it is unclear what may be allowed. I will keep the commission informed on this topic.
2. Influenza update. Over the last few weeks, influenza incidence has been increasing throughout most of the country and in Delaware, and is currently categorized as "widespread" throughout the state of Delaware. In the second week of this year, there were over 80 confirmed cases of influenza throughout Delaware. Providers are encouraged to continue maintaining a high suspicion for "ILI" or "influenza like illness" as a provider impression while completing patient care reports as this will assist OEMS with any localized outbreaks, as well as assist with EMS provider exposure to illness. Providers should also maintain a heightened awareness while transporting possible influenza patients and institute appropriate infection control and disinfection policies.
3. No update on CPR assist devices and potential grant assistance for EMS at this time.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 7
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR cont.
4. Decontamination: Again, thank you to the fire school for their assistance with the distribution of a memo which encouraged a heightened awareness of patients who have been exposed to/contaminated with chemicals requiring decontamination procedures. Most often, the chemicals responsible for contamination are of a hydrocarbon nature, especially diesel and unleaded gasoline. There have been a few instances the last few months where decon procedures were omitted and patients were brought into the emergency department while chemicals emanating from the patients continued to permeate the department. It is extremely important that all EMS and emergency department providers work together to identify those patients who have been chemically contaminated, and that the decon procedures are followed appropriately. This includes patients who may be victims of trauma while experiencing chemical contamination. These patients, whenever possible, should have any contaminated clothing removed at the scene, and the receiving facility should be notified of the need for decontamination procedures prior to entering the department, regardless of the severity of their trauma.
REPORT OF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
Deputy Attorney General Kerber reported that he met with Dagsboro and Millsboro Fire Companies and their attorneys for a pre-hearing meeting in advance of the boundary dispute hearing scheduled before today. The purpose of this meeting was to narrow the issues in dispute between the fire companies in order to allow the Commission to better address the dispute at the public hearing. It was a productive meeting, but not one that resulted in a settlement. This is a concern that stems from written boundary descriptions in 1983 that overlap the same property in some areas. The Commission will have to determine which of these two lines are appropriate. There is an additional complication with annexation and possible annexation in the future. Deputy Attorney General Kerber hopes for a focused presentation after the pre-meeting.
REGULAR SESSION
ACTION ITEM
Appoint Audit Report Compliance Committee
It was moved by Vice Chairman Robinson, seconded by Commissioner DiCristofaro to reappoint the Audit Compliance Committee Members. They do a very good job on behalf of the commission. John Smith, Ray Stevens and Allen Metheny will be reappointed if they so choose to remain in committee. Motion carried.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 8
Dagsboro/Millsboro Boundary Dispute Hearing 10:00 AM
The Commission recessed from its regular session for a scheduled boundary dispute hearing in the matter of Dagsboro and Millsboro Fire Companies.
Deputy Attorney General Kerber opened the hearing pursuant to Regulation 709, Section 4.3 which provides a grievance to come before the Commission regarding boundary disputes. He discussed a mediation forum between the companies that he attended where an agreement was not reached.
The testifying parties were sworn in and gave testimony on behalf of both companies. The Commission formally entered into and exited deliberation.
It was moved by Vice Chairman Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Sharp to set the boundary as the existing green line with the exception of the town limits of Millsboro. Meaning that Dagsboro runs to the green line on this map of their fire district and Millsboro runs to the green line in their district and includes the annexed area of their town limits. Motion carried.
Motion carried by a roll call vote.
Chairman Roberts - Yes
Vice Chairman Robinson - Yes
Commissioner Sharp - Yes
Commissioner DiCristofaro - Yes
Commissioner Marvel - Yes
Commissioner Frampton - Yes
The changes will be made and submitted to the Sussex County Call Board. The attorneys agreed to meet and come up with the wording in regard to street names. It was stated that the Valasic Pickle complex will go to Dagsboro because three fourths of the building and the entrance to the complex is in Dagsboro’s district.
EMT CERTIFICATION HEARING 11:00 AM
It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, seconded by Commissioner Marvel to continue the EMT hearing case until the February 18, 2014 meeting. Motion carried. The hearing was continued due to weather conditions and Governor Markell closed stated agencies.
SFPC Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 9
GENERAL INFORMATION
No report at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Belvedere Fire Company Audit Follow-up
Belvedere Fire Company submitted audits for 2010, 2011 and 2012. New Castle County is holding funds from Belvedere, pending the approval of the audits by the commission. An email has been received by Ray Stevens that the audits have been received and awaiting review. Chairman Roberts called for a motion for the Fire Prevention Commission to send a letter to New Castle, stating that the reports are received and approved. They are in the process of being reviewed by the Audit Committee. It was moved by Commissioner DiCristofaro, seconded by Vice Chairman Robinson to send New Castle County a letter stating that the audits are received and approved. Motion carried.