Committee Agenda for Public Safety Committee 08/20/2024

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:38 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:13 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Luis A Ojeda

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey Councilor Morris A. Bergman Councilor Luis A. Ojeda

	Also:	Director of Emergency Communications and Management Charles R. Goodwin Fire Chief Martin W. Dyer Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information



1a.	Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. Public Safety Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93622914564 Public Safety Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Public Safety Committee Zoom Access Code: 936 2291 4564	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on July 16, 2024.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Communications of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's response to a fire at the Washington Heights Apartment Complex. # 9.12A CM July 16, 2024	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Director of Emergency Communications and Management who provided an overview of the response at the Washington Heights Apartment Complex fire, including the three (3) alarm fire department response status, and property damage which included two (2) total roof collapses, heavy fire damage to one (1) apartment which extended to surrounding units, and smoke and water damage to all three (3) apartment buildings deeming the buildings unlivable and displacing sixty-six (66) occupants who were placed in an American Red Cross short-term shelter. The Director of Emergency Communications also spoke regarding the process relevant to long-term placement or care for the displaced occupants until repairs to the Washington Heights buildings are complete. Chairperson Councilor Toomey spoke concerning the number of occupants displaced by the fire who were placed into temporary shelter and the process relevant to completing repairs to the Washington Heights buildings with the Director of Emergency Communications and Management. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the Fire Chief, who spoke concerning the Fire Department’s response, benefits related to implementing a new staffing policy to mandate a minimum of eighty-four (84) members to be working any given shift, no reported firefighter injuries and the process relevant to determining the cause of the fire as it remains under investigation. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning key takeaways related to the Washington Heights fire to better facilitate fire emergencies in the future with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the timeline related to investigating the cause of the fire and the process relevant for Washington Heights management to rehome the displaced occupants back into the complex after repairs with the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Communications and Management. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the process relevant for Washington Heights’ insurance investigators to communicate with the Worcester Fire Department’s Investigation Unit and which investigation team typically will reach a conclusion first as relates to a cause of fire with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s water main system, how it relates to fire protection and the process relevant to mitigate areas of concern. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speaker: 1. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s water main system, how it relates to fire protection and the process relevant to mitigate areas of concern.


3b.	Transmitting informational communication relative to efforts being made to obtain PFAS-free firefighter turn out gear. # 9.12B CM July 16, 2024	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Fire Chief, who spoke concerning the international PFAS problem and how it relates to the firefighter turn out gear, and the process relevant for transitioning to PFAS-free firefighter turn out gear. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the process relevant to issuing two (2) turn out gears per firefighter and potential funding sources with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager communicate with appropriate college and university administrators regarding the feasibility of receiving donations to replace firefighter turn out gear; and 2) Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the status of existing firefighter turn out gear. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager communicate with appropriate college and university administrators regarding the feasibility of receiving donations to replace firefighter turn out gear.
	Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the status of existing firefighter turn out gear.