Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Garfield, Miller, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderwoman Musk

GUESTS: Assistant Fire Chief Nick Peters and Police Chief Jeremy Douglas

Mayor Allhands opened the meeting at 6:30pm. There was no public comment. Alderman Garfield reported the Auxiliary Department monthly meeting consisted of traffic control techniques and the department helped with a traffic accident and with the collapsed wall at Baier Funeral Home.

Assistant Fire Chief Peters stated the department had 3 fires, 11 first responder/EMS, 7 lift assist, 3 MVA’s, 7 automatic alarms, 2 autoaid calls, 1 mutual aid call, 1 CO alarm, and 2 other gas leak/line down calls for a total of 37 calls. The departments training for October was forcible entry, in service on a new saw, 2.5-inch hose advancement under smoke and fire conditions, and blind SCBA maze training. Personnel-Lt Sandeno finished his 40-hour fire apparatus engineer course and Lt. Brose finished his 50hr blue card command class. Assistant Chief Peters stated the department has purchased a stair chair for 2951 for $600.00. Assistant Chief Peters reported October was Fire Prevention month and the department visited 4 schools and talked to 376 kids. He also reported the committee has before them an ordinance to add ambulance billing. This will be an amendment to ordinance #2627. The fees for the billing will be done by Andres, they will do all the billing and collecting the money, they will get a portion of the fees. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept this new ordinance and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 6-0. Assistant Chief Peters reported he has applied for a grant from Firehouse Subs to purchase an inflatable boat that has a hard hull and would be great to use on the streets during a flood. Nick stated he talked to the franchise owner of Firehouse Subs and since he called and talked to them it moves the department up on the list.

Nick also reported the department has set up a learning management system so that the firemen have access to do training at any time on their own.

The department is also working with the Secretary of State to be able to certify Class B CDL training. The written portion of the test will still need to be done at the DMV but the driving portion the fire department will now be able to do for Firemen.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He stated his department had 326 calls for service during the month of October. Chief reported Officer Jason Forbes has completed his training and is now on his own. Officer Corriveau is still working with several of the officers to get his FTO completed. He is hoping to have him on his own by the end of November. Chief stated the body cams and the car cams have been ordered. He also stated Ruders are looking at the cameras in the building and getting prices together to start putting data on a cloud-based server which would help if the cameras would go down. There will be more information at next month’s meeting. Mayor Allhands asked to Chief Douglas to talk to Ruder’s to see about getting cameras at the parks, by the playground equipment. Mayor Allhands also asked to investigate some sort of vent system in the evidence room.

Chief stated the police and fire commission met just before this meeting and they are planning on starting the testing phase for new applicants on November 29th. This would get the new list established.

Chief stated the Auxiliary department will be getting new updated uniforms.

Alderman Garfield would like to for the city to purchase $50 gift cards from Berkots for the employees for Christmas again this year. There ware 59 employees at $50 each = $2950.00. This will be put on the agenda for full council.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 6:52 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 6-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/public-safety-11-7-22.pdf