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Minutes 08-09-04 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMI'rrEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2004 AT 10:00 A.M. Present Tom Balfe, Chairman John Bebensee, Vice Chair Lola Bramwell, Secretary Mark Bobich Bill Coup Michael Dauta (arrived at 10:15 a.m.) George Mantell Franz LaFontant Brenda LeVant Chuck Magazine Kevin Nugent Cathy McDeavitt Parks Recreation City Clerk Utilities Library Finance/Warehouse Public Works Engineering Communications Risk Management Fire/EMS ITS Absent Eric Falstad Dorothy Mack Carisse LeJeune Chris Mitchell Barbara Scott Golf Course Human Resources City Manager Development Police I. Call to Order Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. II. Roll Call The Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. Fire Chief William Bingham introduced Kevin Nugent, Chief Division/Trainer and provided some brief background information. III. Acceptance of Minutes of July 12, 2004 Regular Meeting Mr. Magazine recommended a correction to the July 12, 2004 minutes in regard to Kevin Nugent. Committee members all agreed that since Mr. Nugent was not officially on board on July 12, 2004 the Fire/EMS line should be listed as pending on the agenda and not recorded as absent. Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 9, 2004 Motion Vice Chair Bebensee moved to accept the minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Coup and unanimously carried. IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program None V. Old Business A. Fire Drills Mr. Nugent reported that he spoke with Deputy Chief Kemmer in regard to a policy about conducting fire drills in the City. It was suggested that the fire drill be developed into videotape and made accessible to departments that are unable to participate. He questioned where the committee stands with that and what has been done to date. Mr. Magazine said staff has been working and trying to organize fire drills on an annual basis for most of the building. There were several buildings that they were looking into to conduct fire drills on a more frequent basis due to large numbers of the public coming in to those building. These buildings are the Library and the Civic Center. Staff was looking for input from the Fire Department and for the Fire Department to work with individual safety coordinators for those areas. There has been discussion in the past about unannounced versus announced fire drills. Members of the safety committee are in favor of unannounced fire drills. Some departments feel it would disrupt their operations. Staff has assured them that a real fire would be more disruptive than a fire drill. Mr. Nugent suggested that prior to conducting those unannounced fire drills, team leaders/coordinators should walk staff through a drill so that they could be more familiar with the process. He also suggested that they make an announcement that it's just a drill so as to prevent panic for safety concern. Mr. Coup said at the Civic Center when there is a drill some of the seniors hid in the bathroom because they did not want to go outside. Mr. Nugent stated that his concern would be people panicking, running, tripping and falling and the City becoming liable. Mr. Magazine said he is in favor of unannounced drills because that would force people out of the buildings. Once the people are outside the buildings they would let them know it's a drill. Discussion continued regarding Mr. Magazine, Mr. Egnaczyk and Mr. Nugent working on high target areas more frequently. Ms. LeVant suggested they include Communications because they never leave the building. She said they have the capability of leaving the building and operating on portable phones if necessary. They would transfer their phones to Delray Beach and 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 9, 2004 operate from their crash cart. The routes are limited for transmittal; however, they can make calls but are unable to receive them. They have backup cellular phones so that in the event they receive a call Delray Beach would call them on the cellular phones. Mr. Nugent said he would look into trying to improve that system. B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards None C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Mr. Magazine noted that copies of the inspections and safety meetings would be distributed via e-mail. D. Defensive Driver Course Mr. Magazine noted that they received the course. ITS is currently working on installation, and would have the programs operational by September. There will be twelve positions available, six for cars and six for trucks. At the time of registration staff would need to indicate whether it's a car/truck they are signing up for. The goal is to give the new employees first priority since it's a requirement. He further noted that every employee who drives a City vehicle or their own personal vehicle to do City business is required to take the class once every three years. Mr. Nugent questioned whether this requirement was filtered down to the Fire Rescue personnel. Mr. Magazine replied yes. Mr. Mantell questioned whether these classes would be certified for FDOT and CDL's. Mr. Magazine responded that these are just general defensive driving classes. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None VI. New Business A. "Departmental Safety Issues" Vice Chair Bebensee reported an incident with an elderly person at City Hall in the Mall. He said an elderly person went up to the desk looked confused and was complaining of chest pain. Instead of calling 911, the City personnel reported it to the supervisor who called the director, who then called the non-emergency number. Discussion continued regarding providing employees with some safety tips in case of emergency. Mr. Nugent suggested that information be distributed via e-mail to department heads/supervisors stating in light of circumstances that has occurred at the Mall this is just reinforcing the policy. In case of emergency, please call 911. 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 9, 2004 B. West Wing Air Quality Chairman Balfe reported that staff was questioning the air quality system on the first floor of the west wing. He also stated that he confirmed with Mr. Fiege that dust was cleaned off the air vent recently. Mr. Magazine reported that the service was tested last year and the issue was identified as housekeeping, which was routed to facilities. Cathy McDeavitt reported that mold was found in a closet with old documents in the west wing. Mr. Magazine asked Mr. LaFontant to look into the situation and forward it to the appropriate person. Chair Balfe encouraged members of the committee to inform him if there should be any of the related problems. VII. Announcements Chair Balfe distributed copies of e-mail in regard to credit card fraud. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, September 13, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lola S. Bramwell Deputy City Clerk (One tape) (August 10, 2004) 4