Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee Meeting
May 8, 2009
Minutes of the Meeting for Conference Call
Members Present Staff Present
Robert Fleming CC Ed Mann CC
Ben Cypher CC Tracie Young-Brungard
Dave Chiaramonte CC Shirley Johns
John Eckel CC
Kerby Kerber CC
Dave Witmer CC
John Villa CC
Angela Ventresca CC
Paul Lesser CC
Steve Bair CC
Bob Grunmeier CC
Bruce Manning CC
Motion to accept minutes as written by Kerby Kerber
2d Paul Lesser. Motion carried.
Commissioner Mann’s report
PEMA is trying for license for WebX.
Out of budget – 2 million to replace apparatus and 1 ½ million for work on burn bldg at the Fire Academy.
We will have vendors come to Fire Academy, then go out for bid. We want an estimated cost for entrance for basement and if it can’t be done; cat walk from 2d to first floor. We will get apparatus first. They took $50,000 from last yr’s budget. There is still no travel, etc.
There will be a civil service posting for testing for Fire Service Specialist. It is a pay grade 7. David Smyth has moved on to Homeland Security position. I am hoping that adjuncts will test. We are down 2 positions in loan program and one at Fire Academy.
Right to Know law – Voluntary fire companies must comply.
We won on the uniform construction code hearing – all new construction on 1 and 2 family homes and townhouses must have sprinklers as of January 1, 2011.
Furloughs should not affect Fire Academy – it is its own unit.
Report of Chairman Fleming
We had Ex Bd conference call – Tracie will keep the certification program moving forward even with Dave moving on. Tracie was elected to Board of Governors of IFSAC. We need to give credit to Tracie and our system.
Herb Adams will replace Linsinbigler on the cert advisory committee but not executive board.
Report of Certification Manager Tracie
We had pilot for Juvenile Fire Setter – nine people, will have another in the fall.
Pub Ed will be in Westmoreland.
Surface Water – 17 certified in Chester Co – Fame.
We submitted 4 new levels- Juvenile Fire Setter 1, Pub Ed 1, Fire Service Instructor 1 & 2; will send 4 more in next 2 weeks.
HACC is now a delegated authority – we met with them to show them our system and how we process certifications.
Working with Jeff Groves, Chester Co and site visits to other sites.
On line testing – proctored setting – 2 hours probably will still have both.
We have had 3 new evaluator workshops – 3 more scheduled for fall.
Newsletter will be available June and December; it will be sent to test sites and available on the website. Ken Leid and I have been working on website to update and organize.
Safety standard – On application for testing 1400 & 1500 – must be physically capable and mentally sound signed by chief and candidate. Chief cannot sign his application – must have alternate officer. Also, that they are covered by worker’s compensation.
Recommendations for PPE
List for what is required for evaluators.
No report on task teams.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
Next meeting in August or September. Several dates will be sent out for you to choose the Strategic Planning Mtg on Thursday and regular meeting on Friday. Please send back your choices.
Motion to adjourn by Cypher
Second by Eckel.
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