PRESENT: Chair: Darcy. Members: Wishnie, Donovan, Mosiello, Stewart-Cousins. Staff: Patricia Pagliaro, Department of Corrections; Don Sandford, Deputy Clerk-BOL; George Gretsas, Program Specialist-BOL; Emilia Vita, Secretary to the Committee.

ALSO PRESENT: Walter Groden, Fire Coordinator; Bill Broderick; Legislator Ursula LaMotte-District 2.

Chairman Darcy opened the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

The minutes of January 13th were moved and approved on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins [5-0].

Chairmen Darcy asked Chief Groden what are the plans and at what stage is the Emergency Medical Dispatch unit since the approved funds in the budget.

Chief Groden has not received official word, but he is waiting to hear the opinion of the County Attorney about liability, which needs to be careful review. There is a tremendous background that needs to be reviewed, such as mandates, health issues, care givers giving over the phone instruction, as well as a voluminous instruction guide for a course on dispatch to read, which will be a very serious instrument to the dispatchers. Should the County Attorney render a favorable opinion, he is instructed to move forward.

Mr. Groden said his group will work along with Ted Tully for training and instruction. He is looking to have our own staff instructor trained, which will be cost effective in the future. This may be a potential problem because one of the protocols requires the instructor to be a paramedic or hired to instruct. Another protocol indicates a medically trained instructor, but not necessarily to train all segments. Training will require a 2 segmented program, 3 days a week, 10 in each class and can be done in two sessions, this may be a cost factor but will be reviewed. Once the program is up and on line, when a request for pre-arrival instruction is received, i.e. what to do before an ambulance arrives, they will have the option to transfer the call to 60 Control. He will indicate to all agencies not to dump their routine calls or calls they do not want to handle into this system.

Chairman Darcy asked if there is excessive liability; based on other programs; Mr. Groden said it indicates greater liability for not having a program than having one and is not aware of a case when protocol was not followed with a successful litigation against the municipality.

Legislator Wishnie noted there was an issue with a significant lawsuit where there was loss of life; the County Attorney may be aware of this.

Legislator Donovan asked what is an estimated time frame. Chief Groden said it depends on the availability of the instructors and schedule training for his 23 people. There will be ongoing costs: call reviews, call audits, random checks for protocol, re-certification every three years, which is built into liability format. Random testing is not in place and there are self help tape available, which allows you to go through a procedure.

Chairman Darcy notes this program can not be placed on the back burner, nor can it be rushed into before the staff is properly trained. He asked to keep this Committee advised how things develop or not develop, as all members are concerned with the program. Legislator Donovan said liability should not be an issue and stop the government to proceed with the program. Legislator Wishnie suggested that all parties involved agree to share the liability if problems occur.

Mr. Groden thanked the members for their support and reported the repairs at 60 Control and lightening damage to the training tower is being completed as well as reconstruction to the Burn building and classroom additions. Confirmation for the Assistant position has not been received; Chairman Darcy will follow up to this issue and thanked Mr. Groden for his reports and again asked that he keep the members advised of any developments at the facility.

Mr. Darcy asked Legislator LaMotte to give the Committee her comments regarding Youth Court Programs (Item A). The program in her district is run jointly by two police departments, recruits are juniors and seniors in high school and are trained by Youth Officers to judge, prosecute and defend first time high school students. The process is extremely confidential, it avoids Family Court costs, the students appear before a court of their peers, tried, defended. As punishment the serve a number of hours to community services.

Mrs. LaMotte has served on the Youth Board for several years is claims it is very successful, noting that most of the offenders gradually become part of the court and she would like to see more in other communities. Attorney’s volunteer their time, it is a savings in more than one way especially for families and it is cost effective for the County. There is huge commitment and dedication will all involved.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins said Yonkers has the same program and get some State funding. Mr. Darcy said New Rochelle has a program for some time and suggests that the Bedford and New Rochelle Youth Officers, from two different areas of the County come in for discussion and receive promotion through the Board.

Chairman Darcy noted this Committee’s resolution to establish a Task Force for radio communications has not be responded to by the Administration. He will follow up by January 27th, with a letter to Mr. O’Rourke for his comments.

Commissioner Pozzi will be scheduled for discussion of the pros and cons of electronic confinement.

Commissioner Stancari or Bob Maccarone will be scheduled to discuss the possibility of passing a local law to required non-indigent inmates to pay for the costs of their incarceration. Legislator Wishnie noted several cases in Westchester County where there have been numerous well to do people on trial.

Legislator Wishnie asked to schedule a meeting with Gunner Neilson, President of the NYS Volunteer Firefighter Association to address several topics and Town of Ossining Police Office Peter Volkman to discuss debriefing issues (called in on tragedies and explains to families of situation). Mr. Darcy will set up scheduled dates.

Due to schedule conflict on Monday, January 27th, Mr. Darcy asked the membership if they would meet on Tuesday, January 28th at 3 p.m.; all agreed.

With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. on the motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Donovan.