COMMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Ryan (Chair), D. Hall, M. Kaplowitz, L. Mosiello, S. Swanson, R. Wishnie
BOARD STAFF: S. Vanderberg, Secretary
OTHERS: B. Randolph, CE’s office;
Commissioner P. Kelly, Deputy Commissioner A. Sutton, Department of Emergency Services
The meeting was called to order at 1:38 p.m.
A dedicated training staff and a wide-range of courses has resulted in an increase in the number trained: 17,000 in 2001, up from 8,500 in 1999. Over 20,000 is projected for 2002.
The unused, deteriorating oil burn pit will be replaced with a propane-fueled fire exercise (probably a tank car simulator).
Fire departments that want to drill at the training center should call DES and be put on the schedule. Training can be done during the day, at night, weekends and holidays. DES has personnel that oversee the drill area.
To make classroom training more accessible to fire and ems personnel around the County, televised training classes (satellite
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Fire Training Center (cont.)
transmission of programs from DES) are planned for the up-county region (Katonah FD) and down-county (Mamaroneck FD).
Headed by Commissioner Kelly, DES is split into two multi-functional areas of operation. Deputy Commissioner Tony Sutton oversees Administration, Training & Fire Services, EMS, and Communications. Deputy Commissioner Chris Kozlow oversees Emergency Management and Security. A detailed organization chart has been provided to the Committee (copy attached).
Revision of Fire Mutual Aid Plan
Commissioner Kelly said the Westchester County Fire Mutual Aid Plan (the 1960 plan of the Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs) is in the process of being revised. Mr. Ryan requested a copy of the most recent draft for Committee review.
Fire Mutual Aid protects all Westchester communities and is basically reciprocal assistance in which the personnel, equipment and physical facilities of participating fire departments are used throughout the County and neighboring areas. The administration and execution of the WC Fire Mutual Aid Plan is the responsibility of the DES Commissioner.
(up from 5). Each corresponds to one of the eight “County cars”
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numbered 12-19. Coordinators use their personal car, which is
equipped by the County with a light, siren, radio and turnout gear. Coordinators are assigned to geographic zones or “battalions.” The aim of DES is to make the coordinators more responsive to the individual fire departments to help assess training needs, improve mutual aid response, and enhance information flow. Since 9/11, coordinators have been instrumental in rumor control. They receive a annual stipend of $2,500.
Commissioner Kelly will provide the Committee with a breakdown of the zones / battalions in the County and a list of the fire coordinators.
Many agencies in the County use 60 Control for primary dispatch. But many do not. Commissioner Kelly said the continuing process of credibility building is important to attracting more agencies.
EMS services are a major focus of the DES operation. Since the creation of DES and the elevation of EMS to its proper level of importance, relations between the County and the EMS community have greatly improved.
Deputy Commissioner Sutton said the new EMS Regional Council is off to a successful start. The County functions as the “program agency” for the Council, ensuring it produces the State required deliverables, and that all EMT’s and paramedics are credentialed. The County through DES will assist the new Regional EMS Council with space/housing, office management and support staff.
DES is looking to put on two EMS mutual aid coordinators, similar to the fire mutual aid coordinators.
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Deputy Commissioner Sutton said the new CAD system has proven to be invaluable to emergency service delivery. CAD has recently been enhanced with the addition of INet Viewer software that gives local fire departments, with computer hardware, software, and wireless telephone, access to data on the computer screen in 60 Control. This access improves communication and makes for a thorough emergency call response. As a courtesy, DES provides a monthly report to those departments that do not have the support equipment or software to interface with this system.
Deputy Commissioner Sutton said radio communications needs work. Many frequencies are crowded and there is a need for frequencies for use at fire-ground and for dispatch frequencies.
Legislator Swanson said that Hawthorne VAC does not want to respond to calls at the County Correction facility. Dep. Comm. Sutton is working on this. EMS service for WC DOC is supposed to be provided by contract and he doesn’t understand why Hawthorne VAC is being called.
coverage at Grasslands during business hours, Monday through
Friday. WC DPW employees staff the brigade. Firefighting vehicles are housed at the WC Maintenance Garage except for the new fire engine housed at the Fire Training Center. The Valhalla and Hawthorne FD’s provide primary fire coverage.
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Item 1, regarding the limited access to the White Plains Library garage was received and filed, 6-0.
Indian Point Items - A separate sub-file will be created for these items. Program specialist Rafael Vega is putting together a file folder for each member containing Indian Point materials.
Item 19, the E911 Surcharge, will be taken up in a joint meeting with the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
Members were reminded of the Committee’s joint meeting with the Environment/Health Committees on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m., at the Westchester County Center. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a public hearing on two resolutions now before the Board: one, introduced by Mr. Ryan, calling for an independent, non-governmental review of the Indian Point Radiological Emergency Evacuation Plan, and the other, introduced by Mr. Kaplowitz, calling for the closing and decommissioning of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Station.
Mr. Ryan announced that DES Deputy Commissioner & Security Director Chris Kozlow would attend next week’s meeting to discuss
security in County buildings and facilities. Due to the subject matter and the anticipated level of inquiry about security measures, it’s expected that part of meeting will be conducted in executive session.
All legislators are urged to attend.
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[Note: last fall, the Board decided to interview several security companies with the intent to hire one to serve as a consultant on security matters involving County buildings and facilities. The Board has not yet hired a consultant. In the meantime, the Administration has hired Chris Kozlow, a former LA police officer, US Navy pilot, federal government security contractor, and 2002 Winter Olympics security specialist, as County Security Director. Recently, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Wishnie, Mr. Oros, and Mrs. Bronz met with Mr. Kozlow to discuss security in the Michaelian Office Building and adjacent parking structures. Afterward, the legislators felt the Board should hear Mr. Kozlow on building and facility security and needs assessment before continuing on with the security consultant selection process.]
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned, 2:48 p.m.