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HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-28-1972 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, DECEMBER 28, 1972 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session December 28, 1972 a`t the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Municipal Building of said City. Mr. Judge presided with Mr. Benner and Miss Wynegar present. The following business was had to-wit: Fire-fighter Mike Wilczynski Hearing: Miss Wynegar: This is a hearing on the case of Fire-fighter Mike Wilczynski charged with neglect of duty, especially charged with failure to call in prior to being late prior to 7:00 a.m. on December 13, 1972. You do not have to speak if you do not wish to; you may object to questions and you may cross examine. Do you request a separation of witnesses? Attorney Clyde Williams, Jr. Reply: Yes. Chief Berry, Battalion Chief Knarzer and Captain Perkins were asked to leave the room. Captain Irvin Perkins, Richmond Fire-fighter Company #1 was called. Capt. Perkins stated he arrived to work 20 or 15 minutes till 7:00 a.m. on the morning of December 13, 1972. His general duties consist of cleaning the building, checking the pumps and general work of the house. He did check the roster at 7:00 a.m. and all men were present and accounted for except Mike Wilczynski . He called his house and his daughter answered. I reported to Bat. Chief Dale Knarzer who was in the station at the time that Mike Wilczynski did not report for work. We checked to see if there was any record that Mike had called in and there was no record that he had called. If a man is not going to be there it is a ruling in the fire house to call in before 7:00 a.m. If you call in after 7:00 a.m. you are counted late. This has been a rule ever since I have been on the department. This rule was told to me when I first came. It was put out by the Chief and signed by the Chief and was on the bulletin board. I first saw Mike around five minutes until 12:00 noon on December 13, 1972. Bat. Chief Dale Knarzer Richmond Fire Department Company #1 Bat. Chief Knarzer stated the following: I arrived at work at approximately ten (10) minutes till 7:00 a.m. on December 13, 1972. I had coffee with the men on duty. At 7:00 a.m. I was missingone man. Capt. Perkins called him to see if he overslept which is part of his job. I didn't do anything about it at the time because as far as I knew they told Wilczynski to be at work later. I checked the dispatcher list as I do every morning. Wilczynski 's name was on the list but a note was written saying he was late. I did not talk to Mike. Mike came to work sometime aroung noon. I reported to Chief Berry and I went to Mike's house, Mike's daughter invited us in adn we went in, sat down and talked to him. I asked Mike what was the matter with him, was he sick. I explained to him we had tried to get him at 7:00 a.m. , and thought he was coming to work. He said he wasn't feeling good. I tad to stay home if he was not well . We told him the other fellows thought he was trying to pull something. He said he would come to work. I told him if you are too sick, stay home but he said he would come in. I di:d`see him at work later on in the day. Conversation at his house was around 10:00 a.m. When calls come in quite often the dispatcher will make note on a tablet then transfer the information onto official list later. I never examined the note pad to see if Mike's name was on it. I did check the official roster around 8:30 a.rn'., . The dispatcher leaving at 7:00 a.m. and the one arriving at 7:00 a.m. used the same note pad. Hearing took a short recess. Page 2 Board of Works Minutes December 28, 1972 The Board= conducted the following business during this recess period. Mr. Judge stated that proof of publication seems to be in order; therefore, he moved to accept bids on Richmond City Police cars , seconded by Mr. Benner and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. The following bids were received for fifteen (15) police cars : Fred First Ford $54,942.90 Raper Plymouth, Inc. $52,817.85 Kurdy's Chevrolet, Inc. $54,393.85 Motion was made by Mr. Judge to take under advisement until 9:00 a.m. Friday, December 29, 1972 to accept bids seconded by Mr. Benner, and on unanimous voice vote motion was granted. Hearing continues : Chief William Berry Stated the following: I went to visit the home of Mike Wilczynski on December 13, 1972, because I had received a report from the Bat. Chief that Wilczynski had failed to call in sick or late, so I went to check this out. I was in Fire House No. 1 on the morning of December 13, 1972. Mike Wilczynski has one reprimand on his file. I went to Mike's house around 9:30 a.m. and at this time Mike said he was sick and might be in later. I told Mike he had failed to call in. He said he knew this. My office is located at Fire House No. 1 . I was notified by Capt. Perkins and Bat. Chief Knarzer that Wilczynski had not called in and did not report to work. I made out the report and then I went to see him. Mike Wilczynski is charged with the fact that he did not call in prior to 7:00 a.m. Attorney Clyde Williams, Jr. , stated the evidence in this case is relating to one thing and the charges are regarding another. Hearing adjourned until 11 :30 a.m. 11 :30 a.m. - Hearing reconvenes. Miss Wynegar stated that all the witnesses in this case have not talked with each other. Clyde Williams representing Wilczynski stipulated that none of the witnesses had talked with Each other. DECISION OF THE BOARD: The charges were not technically stated correct; therefore,the charge is dismissed. Fire Chief, William Berry, came before the Bbard and asked that Stuart Stegall be advanced to a regular fire-fighter effective December 27, 1972, stating that he successfully completed his one year probationary period on the Richmond Fire Department. Miss Wunegar moved to advance Stuart Stegall to a regular fire-fighter effec- tive December 27, 1972, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was passed.. Mr. Judge gave the following report: In July of 1972, the Board of Public Works and Safety announced that six months downstream the minutemen system would be implemented in the:City. During this interim period we have had thecopportunity to analyze the manpower resources of the Fire Department with the added help of the National Loss Control Service and at this time we are pleased to announce the reorganization of the Richmond Fire Department. Mayor Klute will point out the redeployment of personnel . Page 3 Board of Works Minutes December 28, 1972 Mayor Klute stated the following: As Mayor of the City, entrusted with the public safety in the City of Richmond, Indiana, I have the ultimate decision of the timing of the implementation of the minuteman system. It is my decision to phase in the system more gradually. As we begin the program on January 1 , 1973, we will be using the minutemen as a back-up only to structural fires. Upon the recommendation of the National Loss Control we have determined 111 that the optimum number of firefighters is 72. Although it must be remembered there never will be a magic number because municipal fire protection is a complex system of a large number of interracting com- ponents. National Loss Control has suggested the following reorganization with the prupose of ensuring an effective fire attack capability. Noting first that there is an overlap of three fire districts in the No. 1 district. That is, firefighters from three districts are appearing at fires in the No. 1 district. We are therefore deactivating the pumper company at the No. 1 fire station. In doing so, we can better deploy these firefighters to other dis- tricts and avoid overmanning a single area. Additionally, the same number of first-class firefighters will appear for calls in the other districts. Our primary attack capability will remain exactly the same. Secondly, we will be effecting major economies by abolishing several chief officer positions . By expanding the administrative duties of the battalion chiefs, we can eliminate the position of Assistant Chief. One new position will be created, that of Drill Master. With the deactivation of the pumper co. in the No. 1 district, it is possible to reduce the total number of engineers by three. The above and foregoing program takes into account the vacation time of the firefighters in addition to a maximum of 142 man days lost to sickness and other absences. In conclusion, we will have the same fire fighting capability in 1973 that is now in existence with the minutemen appearing as back-up forces for structural fires. Fire Chief William Berry gave the following report: Staff Positions Number of Positions Fire Chief 1 Fire Marshall 1 - 3 Fire Prevention Captain Inspectors 3 Drill Master 1 SUB TOTAL 6 Field Positons STATION COMPANY MEN MANING 3 BAT. TOTAL No. 1 Bat. Chief 1 3 Communications (Dispatch) 1 3 Aerial-Rescue 5 15 No. 2 Pumper No. 2 3 9 No. 3 Pumper No. 3 3' 9 No. 4 Pumper No. 4 3 9 No. 5 Pumper No. 5 3 9 Page 4 Board of Works Minutes December 28, 197 Fire Chief Berry's report cont. Field Positions STATION COMPANY MEN MANING 3 BAT. TOTAL No. 6 Pumper No. 6 3 9 SUB TOTAL 22 66 TOTAL MANING STRENGTH 72 Thursday, December 28. 1972 - In order to effectuate the reorganization of the Richmond Fire Department the following personnel changes, effective January 1 , 1973, are recommended to the Board of Public Works and Safety: Marion Williams to Bat. Chief John Newland to Captain Phil Michaels to Firefighter Bob Bowen to Firefighter There being no further business on motion duly made,seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned. Jerald J. Judge President ATTEST: Margaret Mellen City Clerk