HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-03 Public Safety MinutesCity of Tukwila
City Council Public Safety Committee
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2019 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall
Councilmembers: Dennis Robertson, Chair; Kate Kruller, Zak Idan
Staff: David Cline, Jay Wittwer, Laurel Humphrey
Guests: Benito Cervantes, resident
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robertson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. ANNOUNCEMENT
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. 2019 1st Quarter Fire Department Report
Chief Wittwer presented the Committee with a Departmental overview of the first quarter of
2019. The report included information on call volume and average response times, response
types, Station 54 Apparatus' call volume, response times by station for EMS and Fire,
operations, administration, Fire Marshal's Office, and Emergency Management.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions, including why the aid car isn't used more
frequently since 70% of the calls were EMS. Chief Wittwer stated that it relates to the level of
service to the community and that the ladder truck needs to be readily available when needed.
Staff noted that the Finance Committee is reviewing the Fire Department's budget and
discussing service and staffing levels. Councilmember Kruller mentioned that the City needs to
decide on the disposition of the Station 52 site and would like the neighboring community to
be involved. DISCUSSION ONLY.
B. Fire Station Location Study
Chief Wittwer presented an overview of the 2017 Fire Location Study as it contains several maps
with information responsive to the Committee's earlier request for data by neighborhood. Chair
Robertson stated again that he is interested in understanding Police and Fire responses by
neighborhood so that the Council can make decisions about appropriate alignment of
resources. Councilmember Kruller said she is open to discussions about adding aid car staffing.
Councilmembers and staff reviewed the graphics. Chair Robertson inquired about response
times longer than 10 minutes. Those can happen when firefighters arrive but the scene is not
yet cleared. Chair Robertson requested maps for 2018 showing Fire and EMS calls including
daytime and nighttime. DISCUSSION ONLY.
Public Safety Committee Minutes June 3, 2019
C. Grant Opportunity: Retrofit of Fire Station 54
Staff is seeking Committee approval to apply for grant funding from FEMA's Pre -Disaster
Mitigation Grant Program for the retrofit of Fire Station 54. The PDM Program is designed to
reduce risk to people and structures from future hazard events while also reducing reliance on
Federal funding in future disasters. Up to $4 million is available from the Program which also
requires a City match of 25%. Staff is planning to return to Committee with an update and
timeline on Station 54 options. COMMITTEE APPROVAL.
III. MISCELLANEOUS
Chair Robertson requested that staff return to the next Committee meeting to discuss the City's
plans for enforcement of the fireworks ban during the Fourth of July holiday.
Adjourned 6:40 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval
Summary by LH