HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-13-22 Board of Fire Commissioners
Please contact Board Secretary, Patti Starnes if you cannot attend the meeting or, need special accommodations. 517-483-4564 or email patti.starnes@lansingmi.gov Lansing Fire Department 120 E. Shiawassee, Lansing MI 48933
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CITY OF LANSING
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
120 E. SHIAWASSEE ST., LANSING MI 48933
(517) 483-4200 |LANSINGMI.GOV/FIRE
1. Call to Order – Establish Quorum
1.1. Present: Barbara Lawrence, Gina Nelson, Steve Purchase,
Charles Willis, Krishna Singh
1.2. Absent: Rodney Singleton, Kathy Tobe
2. Additions to Agenda: None
3. Approval of Minutes
3.1. May 11, 2022 – Regular Meeting: A motion was made and
supported to approve the May 11, 2022; minutes as written.
Motion carried with a unanimous vote.
4. Public Comment – Agenda Items (Time Limit: 3 Minutes)
5. Review Communications
5.1. Thank you, letter – from Sinas Dramis Law firm for LFD support of the Lids for Kids giveaway event at Station #8.
6. Comments from Chair: Stephen Purchase
6.1. Next month the board will discuss the Public Safety Bond Issue @ 3.9 mills / $175,000,000. Will pay attention if
the bond passes to ensure LFD does not get lost in the shuffle.
7. Presentation - Fire Marshal, Mark Burger
7.1. FM Burger has been the FM since last August. With LFD for 24 years.
7.2. Status of the FM - the division is staffed with 5 Inspector positions, 1 Fire Marshal, and 1 Secretary.
7.3. Fire status update given.
7.4. Special event (fireworks, school programs). An increase of 39%.
7.5. Life safety inspections. Commissioner Willis talked about partnering with the State of MI for schools, hospitals,
state buildings. Chief Sturdivant recognized the need to partner with the Building Safety and Code Compliance
divisions.
Fire Commissioners
1st Ward Barbara Lawrence – Vice-Chair
2nd Ward Vacant
3rd Ward Kathleen Tobe
4th Ward Gina Nelson
At-Large Steve Purchase –Chair
At-Large Rodney Singleton
At-Large Charles Willis
At-Large Kris Singh
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022| 5:30 PM
LFD STATION #1 COMMUNITY ROOM | 120 E. SHIAWASSEE ST. | LANSING MI
Please contact Board Secretary, Patti Starnes if you cannot attend the meeting or, need special accommodations. 517-483-4564 or email patti.starnes@lansingmi.gov Lansing Fire Department 120 E. Shiawassee, Lansing MI 48933
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7.6. Discussed smoke detectors and funding sources. There are many resources available to educate the
community. The Fire Marshal division will continue to move forward with a multi-faceted approach from youth
to adults.
7.7. Commissioner Purchase asked what his best division would be as far as numbers. FM Burger reported that 10
Inspectors and 1 FM would be best in order to provide adequate service to Lansing.
8. Fire Administration Report – Brian Sturdivant, Fire Chief
8.1. Emergency Management – In response to the domestic terrorism with the July 4 incident at the parade, we will
be looking at ways to test our response. More plans to come. Will be a joint effort between the necessary
agencies.
8.2. Wrapped up FF interviews today. The candidate pool is very thin. Discussions on how creative we can be to get
people in the door and supply EMS training. The current market is very competitive.
8.3. Stryker and GTAC update. Stryker contract is signed and executed. Will be working with Stryker for PR rollout
program. Residual funds will be used to provide AED’s.
8.4. Rebrand LFD and move forward with Strategic Planning
8.5. AC Tobin reported that we are actively working with DTMB in regard to inspections.
8.6. Commissioner Purchase noted that he will raise the flag re: state funding needs.
8.7. Deep discussion is ongoing concerning current needs in the fire department (people, vehicles, facilities).
8.8. Questions from Commissioner Nelson:
Article in the City Pulse a couple of months ago on overtime pay? Response: Overtime is offered to all
equally. We are seeing a trend of staff turning down overtime opportunities. Consistently, the same
people accept and work overtime.
Was told we had a few(?) people transfer from station 1. Response: Station transfer is normal operational
procedure.
8.9. Commissioner Lawrence requested an update on male/female access to bathroom facilities. Chief: The
conversation is ongoing. This issue needs to be addressed and taken care of. Chief Sturdivant will follow up.
8.10 Commissioner Singh asked about the non-commercial grade pressed board cabinets that were installed in the
station #9 kitchen. Discussion followed about Station #9 repair and maintenance needs.
9. Old Business: none
10. New Business
10.1. Officer Election: Chair and Vice-Chair
10.1.1. Nominations for Chairperson opened, and a motion was made by Commissioner Lawrence and moved
by Commissioner Nelson to nominate Commissioner Stephen Purchase. No other nominations were
made. Nominations closed. Motion to elect Stephen Purchase as Chairperson carried with a unanimous
vote.
Please contact Board Secretary, Patti Starnes if you cannot attend the meeting or, need special accommodations. 517-483-4564 or email patti.starnes@lansingmi.gov Lansing Fire Department 120 E. Shiawassee, Lansing MI 48933
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10.1.2. Nominations for Vice-Chair opened, and a motion was made Commissioner Nelson and moved by
Commissioner Singh to nominate Commissioner Barbara Lawrence. No other nominations were made.
Nominations closed. Motion to elect Barbara Lawrence to Vice-Chairperson carried with a unanimous
vote.
11. Request for Commissioners to be Excused
11.1. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and moved by Commissioner Lawrence to excuse Kathy Tobe and
Rodney Singleton for the July 13, 2022, meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
12. Commissioner Comments
12.1. Chair Purchase’s intention is to move the monthly meetings back to the stations again.
12.2. Chairperson Purchase said the board is looking forward to taking part in the LFD strategic planning and regular
review of policies.
13. Public Comment – On any matter- speakers must say their name and address (Time Limit: 3 minutes): none
14. General Order: None
15. Adjournment: 7:19 pm
MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR BOARD APPROVAL ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2022: