HomeMy WebLinkAbout11182020 MinutesPUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD
Virtual Meeting
Port Angeles, Washington
November 18, 2020 6:00 pm
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Barnard called the regular meeting of the Public Safety Advisory Board to order at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Alan Barnard, Evan Brown, Kathleen Graf, Kelsey Lane, Lourene O’Brien, Alan
Oman, Kiara Schmitt, Shana Scott
Staff Present: Ken Dubuc, Fire Chief; Brian Smith, Police Chief; Catherine Dewey, Secretary
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
It was moved by Lourene and seconded by Shana to approve the October meeting minutes. Motion passed
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Alan Barnard thanked all that applied for the positions, we appreciate their interest.
Review of applications for the position of individuals who have experienced homelessness or a substance
use disorder or has worked with someone that has experienced homelessness or substance us disorder:
Shana moved to recommend Susan Hillgren and Evan seconded the motion that Susan Hillgren be
recommended to City Council as a member of the Public Safety Advisory Board. The motion failed with 2
votes in favor and 6 opposed. Lourene moved to recommend Viola Ware to City Council for a position and
Alan Oman seconded the motion. The motion passed with 7 votes in favor of and 1 vote opposed by the
Public Safety Advisory Board to recommend Viola Ware to City Council for a position on the Public Safety
Advisory Board.
Port Angeles Police Department Report:
Chief Smith began by announcing that the 911 officers in PENCOM have been formally reclassified to first
responders. This reclassification is being looked at nation wide and we are the first 911 center to make that
step forward, PENCOM was also recognized in their reduction of time in response from time of call to time
to when CPR is initiated. The REdisCOVERY program is growing significantly and their impact in the
community has been great. Chief noted that PAPD have done just under 14 hours of training this year and
are mandated to do 24 per year. Line of Duty deaths nationwide for this year have increased by 100%
Covid-19 has been the greatest factor in this increase.
Port Angeles Fire Department Report:
Chief Dubuc began by thanking the applicants for the interest in joining the board. He then noted that the
dispatchers giving the CPR instructions over the phone happened twice in the past 24 hours since the
proclamation passed to reclassify their positions as first responders. The recognition is well deserved.
PAFD is extremely busy and we are still trying to fill positions to get to full staffing. The REdisCOVERY
program with the Community Paramedic program has been such a dynamic force together and has impacted
those most at risk in our community. The Community Paramedic program is also expanding and will be
adding one Community Paramedic position. The Department has just completed a Lieutenant promotion
test and there were three applicants to consider, this promotion will fill the last open Officer position. Chief
invited all members of the Board to ride along with the crews to see firsthand what they do. Chief noted
that there will not be Operation Candy Cane this year in order to keep the first responders and community
safe.
OTHER BUSINESS:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Carolyn Wilcox noted via messenger that she was in attendance and that she had attended the past four
meetings; June, September, October and November.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
Alan Oman- noted the CISM debriefings and recommended that all dispatch personnel also attend as they
have such a huge roll in those incidents.
Kiara-the WIAA is deciding if the High School will have a season or not and the school is also deciding if
all students will remain virtual. She works at the pool and it is now open to the public.
Shana – asked if Fire is seeing similar numbers as PD of responders effected by Covid. Chief Dubuc
responded that fire has not been personally impacted by Covid yet but are taking every precaution.
Chief Smith – welcomed the members to reach out to him with any questions or clarification if they
see/hear things in the community or in the news that they would like more information on.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Barnard adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
The next Scheduled meetings is January 20th, 2021