Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Oct. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Barragree, Marcier, Anderson, Miller, Muench, Alderwomen Rohlfs, DeLahr, and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Cahoe

GUESTS: Auxiliary Officer Mark Garfield, Fire Chief Ken Baier, Police Chief Jeremy Dougals, 911 Coordinator Eric Raymond

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Auxiliary Officer Mark Garfield stated his department’s meeting consisted of equipment check on the Durango, boat and the generator. The department went over the scheduling for Harvest Days and talked about equipment usage for the new officers. The department will also be out for Trick or Treat.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 4 fires, 5 EMS assists, 6 ambulance calls, 1MVA, 6 automatic alarms, 6 mutual aid calls, and 1 other call for the month of September. Training for September was air pack in service training, ladder training, search and rescue under smoke and fire conditions, and rig and station maintenance/officer meeting. The department has 2 new candidates Tony Cote and Mr. Schroeder. The department installed 8 smoke detectors in homes for a total of 28. The department had fire drills at all unit 9 schools with no problems. The department will be going to every school during the month of October to speak about fire safety to the kids. Chief Baier stated he has a new MABAS agreement to be signed and an ordinance that Attorney Cainkar is looking at. Chief stated they just recently had a house fire where 2 dogs perished and there were no smoke detectors in the residence.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas stated his department had 309 calls for service during the month of September and he gave a quick update on the types of calls they were. Eric Raymond spoke about the CAD system updates that will be happening within hopefully the next 6 months. Some new equipment has been ordered for the new system.

Chief Douglas reported the 2 new squads are here and the equipment has been ordered. New officer Hamlin is on solo patrol now. Officer Forbes has taken a continuing education class. Applications are available for pickup and need to be returned by October 31st. They have had 12 picked up and only 3 returned so far.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to go into executive session at 6:51 for union negotiations and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to return to regular session at 6:54 and Alderwoman DeLahr seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Barragree stated no action was taken from executive session.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn at 6:55 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/public-safety-10-10-23.pdf