COMMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Ryan (Chair), M. Kaplowitz, L. Mosiello, S. Swanson
BOARD STAFF: R. Vega, Program Specialist
S. Vanderberg, Secretary
OTHERS: Commissioner P. Kelly, Dept of
Emergency Services
B. Randolph, CE’s office
A. Mignone, Chief, Purchase FD
The meeting was called to order at 2:13 p.m.
Nuclear Plants at Indian Point
A tour of Entergy’s nuclear power station at Indian Point has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 31, at 9 a.m.
Mike Slobodien, Entergy’s Director of Emergency Programs will be asked to attend the May 20 PSCJ meeting for a continuation of our discussion on nuclear plant safety and security issues.
The proposed Westchester Regional Technical Rescue Team has asked for an opportunity to present an overview of technical rescue and a proposal for County financial assistance.
Proposal to puchase ladder truck for the Fire Training Center
This bond ACT for $395,000 was recommitted by the full BOL at its
PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MAY 13, 2002
May 6 meeting. Mr. Ryan distributed copies of several letters sent to him by various representatives of the fire services in Westchester in support of the proposed purchase.
Mr. Ryan mentioned that he and Legislator Swanson had discussed the proposal with members of the Westchester Fire Council at the conclusion of their April 29 meeting in West Harrison. A number of members said the ladder truck was unnecessary and the County should put the money into radios instead.
Chief Mignone said the ladder truck might not be used too often. Would be used by the one probationary class per year and in the ladder operations course given quarterly. He did note that over the years the Fire Training Center has accepted unwanted ladder trucks having repair and liability issues.
Mr. Wishnie felt the truck was important for fire training purposes.
Commissioner Kelly said the new ladder truck would replace the inadequate apparatus at the FTC. The truck would be available to departments training at the FTC and would also be used for non-department sponsored training by Westchester County and the State.
He feels the new truck would be in keeping with the other state-of-the-art equipment at the FTC. The Commissioner acknowledged that most departments prefer to train on their own equipment, but many departments can’t take their ladder trucks out-of-town. He said the Northern Westchester Volunteer Firefighters Association would be sending a letter in support of the ladder truck.
The Commissioner further stated that in the event of an emergency at Grasslands, the County Brigade could use the ladder truck as part of their response.
PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MAY 13, 2002
Commissioner Kelly said this group has been denied training opportunity at the FTC. They are not a recognized organization and it is unclear as to who would sponsor them to train at the FTC. He presented two options for the Team: organize under Westchester County government or, form their own corporation and get their own insurance.
Mr. Wishnie said that most Team members belong to local fire departments and those departments sponsor those individuals for training at the FTC. Barring them from training is unjustified. He said that interest in the Technical Rescue Team will be lost if training is not available. Commissioner Kelly said the Committee would have to take up the issue with Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz.
With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 3:16 p.m.