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Home My Public Portal About140_010_2-27-2014 Public Safety Committee Minutes 2-27-2014 Public Safety Committee Minutes Present: Wanda Doyle, Monty Parks, Bill Garbett, Barry Brown City Manager Diane Schleicher, Chief Bryson TIPD, Chief Sasser TIFD Approval of 10-24-2013, 11-26-2013, 1-23-2014 Minutes - Unanimous New Business: 1- Fire Department: A. Review Fire Chiefs memo of justification to add two additional part-time firefighters to the upcoming FY 15 Budget B. Review Personnel Cost C. Review Sample Schedule Diane Schleicher—Chief Sasser has requested two part-time firefighters be added to the Fire Department. Since most volunteers are working off the Island Monday— Friday the hiring of part-time firefighters would give a quicker response time to fire and medical emergencies. Chief Sasser— I propose adding two part time firefighter positions, using Savannah Firefighters that are trained to the Master Level. This would allow a quick response for a knock down of fires and to provide a quick response when summoned for medical or Ocean Rescue assistance. Chief Sasser—The shifts would be staggered with our Full Time Firefighter providing additional coverage with personnel that are professionally trained. Wanda Doyle— Is this correct $37,000.00 for two part time firefighters? Chief Sasser—Yes, No Benefits Monty Parks—Are any locals are present volunteers interested? Chief Sasser— Not the part time status possibly if it were full time positions. Diane Schleicher—Volunteers are under different training program than paid firefighter. Full time or paid firefighters are required to have higher training standards. Bill Garbett—These positions would be year round? Chief Sasser—Yes Monty Parks—These would be two 29 or 30 hours per week positions? Chief Sasser—Yes, also there would be no personal protective equipment to purchase since we already have all of that in storage. Bill Garbett— How would this relieve the possibility of Civil Liability? Chief Sasser— Reduce response time for fire and medical emergencies Diane Schleicher—We are reviewing the budget at the present time; this is the reason this is before you for discussion. Wanda Doyle—This is not a lot of money it is time to look at this and make a recommendation to City Council. Monty Parks— Put in the FY 15 budget Chief Sasser—To the person requesting help 6-8 minutes seems like a long time. If we provide a quicker response we can knock down a serious fire or assist in rendering aid when a medical emergency arises. Wanda Doyle— Request for Motion to send to Council for approval — Bill Garbett—Yes Monty Parks—Second Unanimous Old Business: 1 -Police Department: A— Beach Patrol — Part time Seasonal Police Officers versus Full-Time Officers cost analysis B—Additional beach patrol funds are needed for background checks equipment and lie detector tests as needed to satisfy State Certification requirements and limit liability exposure. Diane Schleicher—The current Beach patrol budget is very close to past years. We have no record of training or background checks for Part Time Officers. Chief Bryson—To receive State Certification will increase the budget, if we do not obtain State Certification we can create a reserve program transferring the Part -Time Officers to Reserve Status. Wanda Doyle— It appears two full time officers would equal the amount we pay to keep a pool of 20 part time officers that we draw from for work. Chief Bryson—Yes, I can count on the Full Times Officers to arrive to work there designated shift, I need a pool of 20 Part -Time Officers to pull from to get 80 hours per week coverage. The Part—Time Officers have already worked their time at their other Department and are filling in here. Wanda Doyle— If you were to eliminate the Part-Time positions, how will this affect the bike Patrol and foot patrol? Chief Bryson—We would continue to do a random bike Patrol and foot Patrol. Wanda Doyle—Could we look at hiring one full time officer and 20 part time pool officers? Are we pressed to receive State Certification? Chief Bryson— No Monty Parks—We presently receive 80 hours of work per week by a pool of 20 Part-Time officers Diane Schleicher—Since the Public Safety Building will not be completed until September let's look at continuing the present Part—Time hiring process. We would not be able to get State Certification until the Building is completed. Monty Parks— Is Full Time Officers a better option for the Beach Patrol? Can we provide the same level of service? Chief Bryson— Either way we have provide limited service Mayor Buelterman - What does State Certification get us? Chief Bryson—The City Manger has requested this as a goal for the Police Department Diane Schleicher— I believe the training of personnel in the same manner to the same degree will be beneficial if a tragic incident were to occur. Mayor Buelterman— How do we have the same level of staffing in the summer as we have in February? Chief Bryson—We can increase the level of pay for part-Time Officers, this would let us hire the better trained officers. Wanda Doyle—We can look into a wage increase of Part-Time personnel in the budget discussions. At the present time can we go ahead and advertise the positions at the present salary. 2- Update on Public safety Building: A— Updates on construction schedule. Some buried debris was uncovered during a test dig at the location of the retention pond. Thomas and Hutton have been notified. Some time has been lost due to the severe weather but this is not an issue at this time. (JB 3-4-2014)