The Board of Fire Commissioners
Portsmouth Fire Department
Station 1 Portsmouth, NH
October 17, 2001 1900 hours
I.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 1902 by Chairman Gamester followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Commissioners Wentworth and Hughes along with Chief Plummer, Assistant Chief LeClaire, Deputy Chief Achilles, Firefighters McQuillen and Germain representing Local 1313, and Captain Collins.
II.
Approval of Minutes
of Previous Meeting:
Motion to accept the minutes of the September 19, 2001 meeting made by Commissioner Hughes, seconded by Commissioner Wentworth, unanimous.
III.
Reports:
A. Fire Chief’s Reports:
Item 01-063, Overtime Report; Chief Plummer reported that we are still slightly over budget than where we should be in OT and probably will be more so after the events of this week. Although we get reimbursed a portion of the haz-mat calls from START, call backs for additional personnel needed (because we are running shorter man coverage) on calls, bomb scares, etc. comes out of the OT budget directly.
Item 01-066, Detail Expenditure Status Report; Chief Plummer noted to the Commission that he has been working with City Hall to get the detail listing per account report from the new software program, Pentamation. Pentamation has to be reformatted some in order to produce this report.
Motion to accept Fire Chief’s Reports 063-067, made by Comm. Wentworth, seconded by Comm. Hughes, unanimous.
B. Dispatch Committee:
Chief Plummer noted there is a Dispatch Committee meeting tomorrow, 10/18/01, with PS Comm, to go over their preliminary findings and recommendations for improvement.
Minutes of October 17, 2001 continued:
C. Other: None.
Chief Plummer read a letter from Local 1313 asking the Commission to consider reinstating the Hazmat Decon Stipend that was removed earlier. Chief Plummer commented on the fact that he was in favor of reinstating this stipend especially with the number of calls the Hazmat team has had to answer this past week however, funding to do this is needed. Team is in a position where they have to respond and they need to continue receiving training so as to be able to handle a “major” incident should it arise. Commissioner Hughes noted that he did not have a problem going to the Council and asking for the additional dollars however, a true real number to reinstate the stipend, to provide the training and equipment, to bring shift coverage back to 14-man day and night, etc… needs to be calculated because he didn’t want to see us asking for one amount and then later on having to ask for additional funds. Commission agreed needs absolute cost. Chief Plummer will get back to Commission with that figure. Commissioner Gamester asked the Chief to schedule a meeting with City Manager, John Bohenko, prior to being put on the next City Council Meeting’s agenda, to discuss the funding needed.
VI.
New Business:
FY03 Capitol Budget plans are proceeding forward with no new additions. Plans for Prevention car to be replaced are already included.
Local 1313 to hold Boot Drive in Market Square, October 20, 2001 from 9-4. Funds to go to New York FF Widows & Children. Those working boot drive to will be in uniform and be volunteering their time. Engine 4 to be used. Comm. Hughes motioned to approve boot drive, seconded by Comm. Gamester, unanimous.
Motion to accept items 069 & 070 made by Comm. Wentworth, seconded by Comm. Hughes, unanimous.
Minutes from October
17, 2001 Continued:
Motion to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel issue made by Comm. Wentworth at 1933 hours, seconded by Comm. Gamester, unanimous.
Out of non-public session at 1955 with no votes taken.
Motion to adjourn at 1956 made by Comm. Gamester, seconded by Comm. Hughes, unanimous.
___________________________
Michael Hughes, Clerk