City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Nov. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
PRESENT: Alderwoman Ulfers, Aldermen Marcier, Rushbrook, Cahoe, Barragree, Garfield, Miller, Mayor Allhands
ABSENT: Alderwoman Musk
GUESTS: Fire Chief Ken Baier, Police Chief Jeremy Douglas
Alderwoman Ulfers opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Mark Garfield stated the Auxiliary Department did work detail at the auxiliary building. The department worked traffic details at N 7th & Walnut for a gas leak, and for Halloween. They will be doing traffic control for the Christmas parade.
Fire Chief Baier stated the department had 1 motor vehicle crash, 4 smoke or odor investigation, 1 structure fire, 1 vehicle fire, 1 lift assist, 2 CO Alarms, 4 automatic alarms. Training for October consisted of tool cleaning/ropes and knots, trainings cans/areal training, training cans/mutual aid training with Crescent City and Aroma Park, and swift water rescue suit training. Chief reported the swift water rescue suits were placed in service and on the rigs, the extrication tools had their yearly service done with no problems, all air packs had their yearly flow testing done and was advised the air packs need to have a full service done, this has never been done. The cost for this is about $2500 each. The service company also advised that the packs are old enough if they break there are no parts available. Fire Chief Ken Baier stated the air packs the department have are 18 years old. The cost for new packs are $4500- $5000 per pack. At this time the packs are working fine and he is not worried about safety. Chief would like to put new air packs in his budget for next year, possibly stretch this out over 2 years. The committee is in agreement with budgeting for this. Chief Baier stated October was fire safety month and the department went to the schools and talked to 240 kids. Fire alarms drills were also conducted at all of the schools and the staff was very organized and it went well. The department also escorted the girls volleyball team in town. Chief reported Tom Sandeno is signed up to take his instructor 1 and that will help with instructing classes. Chief stated he just received a quote from Protection Associates for $8800 but hasn’t had a chance to look at it closely yet. Chief stated the mutual aid training with Crescent Fire and Aroma Park went well. There will be a county wide disaster drill later this year at the tank farm on Rt. 49. Chief stated there is no delivery date yet on the command suv or the radios. Chief reported he has contacted City Attorney Joe Cainkar about a new ordinance that would allow the fire department to charge the insurance companies for a fire or an accident. If the insurance companies don’t pay the department will not go after the individual. Chief thinks if this would happen the department could get as much as $12,000 to $18,000 a year.
Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He stated the department had 315 calls for service during the month of October. New Officer Quincy Spears was in attendance and Chief Douglas
introduced him to the committee. Officer Spears brings 21 years of service to the department and has worked with K9 and with narcotics. He is currently riding with the different officers and will be on solo patrol by December 1st.
Chief stated he only received 1 bid on the Chrysler 300 for $3000 from Justin Nichols. Chief stated the 2 cars will be going to Trudeaus body shop next week as the parts are finally in. Chief has talked to Dralles and the new Tahoe could be here in January and Chief is going to see if payment could be held off until the new fiscal year in May. All of the equipment has been ordered. The department handed out treats for trunk or treat. Chief stated he has talked to Attorney Cainkar to see if his department could also bill insurance companies. Chief stated the fire department has offered to help with the Christmas parade this year. Chief reported he has one part time officer that is taking a leaving of absence so he will be adding one maybe two more part time officers.
Alderwoman Ulfers makes a motion to adjourn at 6:57 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/public-safety-11-9-21.pdf