MCINTEE VS BSO ….

Dear Readers …At the Tuesday night Commission meeting in Jarvis Hall was the reporter for the Sentinel that covers our town……She must have decided that McIntee had opened the door for the paper to do a story now that McIntee had gone on the record in this open Town Hall meeting and proceeded to all but outright accuse the BSO of not doing their job in the May 4, 2009 suicide investigation, questioning  BSO on the statements written in the BSO investigative report for not telling the actual  sequence of events in interviews with both the widow and McIntee himself…. There are a some very important details left out of the reporter’s story though … perhaps due to space… I will add them below…..(also-prev. post scoops cat.)…

‘”LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA – The Broward Sheriff’s Office has reopened its investigation into a suicide, in response to a request from Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee.”

(BC- Actually McIntee only asked for the investigation to be reopened for the widow…not him…Will BSO do a full investigation?…Make sure to investigate McIntee…Chief Perkins…AMR….and the neighbors…as well as the widow and the daughter to see which version was truthful BSO’s or McIntee’s.)

“On May 4, a 45-year-old man with health and financial problems shot himself in the head at his residence on Southeast 15th Court, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office reports.”

“McIntee, a former Buffalo, N.Y., police officer and currently deputy chief of the town’s firefighting contractor, said he received a page about the emergency and drove to the house where the victim lived with his wife and eight-year-old daughter. McIntee went in before Broward Sheriff Office deputies arrived, even though the fire department’s rules prohibit entering a crime scene until police secure the location.”

(BC- According to McIntee’s statement to BSO …version #1…on the day of the incident and in his “interview” as “Witness #3” he states he heard it on his fire radio not his pager…that change was made in McIntee version #2…. He admits entering in both version #1 and #2… despite the VFD- SOP [Standard Operating Procedure] prohibiting this action)

“I would do it again,” McIntee said, “when you have a woman and baby screaming.”

(BC- The “baby was 7 years old…and McIntee admits he would again break the VFD -SOP spelled out in the VFD By-laws)

“He raised the discussion at Tuesday’s commission meeting because, he said, the widow asked him to discuss the events after the bi-weekly By The Sea Future newspaper published a story on Sept. 25. McIntee said he wanted the investigation reopened to counter the newspaper’s account.”

(BC-The By The Sea Future wrote their story using the all the BSO reports…along with the VFD  and AMR Reports..6 reports in all…containing version #1….McIntee on the dais Oct. 13, 2009 never says his version #1 was wrong ..He sidesteps by saying it is the widow who says it was wrong…He tells version #2 on the dais …but never says outright version 1 as “Witness #3” was inaccurate…and never demands that BSO to retract his version #1 statement )

“Fire Chief Robert Perkins said McIntee was not penalized for not following the rules.”

“He did go against our procedures,” Perkins said, “but I found he was justified.”

(BC- A Public Records Request made by this writer on 10/14/09 to the VFD for the “internal inquiry” the Chief said he did in answer to Comm. Dodd on 10/13/09 was never done. A response from the Executive Secretary of the VFD said the VFD only had the CAD report on the incident.)

“The night of the shooting, McIntee said he entered the couple’s bedroom, saw what had happened and moved mother and child to the living room.”

(BC- in version #1 McIntee says the mother and child followed him into the bedroom…In version #2 McIntee says the mother and child were already in the bedroom..in version #2 McIntee says he “swooped up the mother and the child…then “consoled” them in the living room)

“There was no chance of recovery,” McIntee said. “I looked at him briefly — maybe five, 10 seconds — and sensed there was no hope.”

(BC- The above statement was McIntee version #2)

“When deputies arrived, the victim’s arms were trembling, according to a Sheriff deputy’s report. McIntee is a training officer for the fire department but said he did not perform first aid.”:

(BC- This was in the BSO Police event report from the night of by the officer … McIntee is listed as having basic CPR only on the VFD Roster.)

“McIntee told Broward Sheriff Det. Raymond Carmody that he knew the victim was dead because of his color. McIntee also said he never checked for vital signs, according to Carmody’s report.

(BC- This was in the BSO investigative report done at the fire department…version #1.)

“When Mayor Roseann Minnet read from the report and asked McIntee about it during Tuesday’s commission meeting, he said, “That came from a homicide detective who did not take any tape or any notes and who didn’t generate this report for three months.”

“So you’re calling this report a lie?” Minnet said.”

(BC- McIntee never says it was a lie…he was careful not to say that …using the above description of the detective and adding the detective was now sick…and then expanding into the interview being at the firehouse and stories of what McIntee did by putting his feet on the desk…but never saying it was inaccurate.)

“Asked again Wednesday about this part of Carmody’s report, McIntee said, “I don’t know where they got that.”

(BC- WOW!… Talk about throwing down the gauntlet….McIntee the day after the Public Safety Discussion says he doesn’t know where BSO got his version #1 statement?…BSO better get this detective back from sick leave to answer McIntee’s response  to the reporter!)

“Carmody’s report also says that according to an EMT with the town’s ambulance contractor American Medical Response, the victim had intermittent vital signs and was treated and transported to North Broward Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.”

(BC- This was contained in the AMR and BSO reports.)

“The shooting victim’s widow did not return several telephone messages and did not appear at Tuesday night’s commission meeting when McIntee asked the Broward Sheriff’s Office to reopen the case.”If there is any doubt as to what circumstances were at that event,’ McIntee said, “the widow can corroborate what happened.”‘

(BC- We hear McIntee tried unsuccessfully for the widow to appear…and again he ONLY wanted BSO to reopen the case for the widows version #1…not his!)

BC- What was also left out of this article was McIntee’s previous definition of defamation statement made the evening before at the LBTS  Town Manager Performance Review and his threats to the Editor of the By- The- Sea- Future for “slander”… Mr Brown and his newspaper have nothing to fear from the Vice Mayor……They used the 6 reports generated by the departments involved and can back up everything that was published… as McIntee well knows…Those reports became backup for the Public Safety Discussion item put on by Vice Mayor McIntee  http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/backup2009.htm scroll down to item 7 a.

full text link to the Sentinel below…

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/lauderdale-by-the-sea/sfl-mcintee-suicide-probe-101509,0,4620664.story

more to come….

Tags: amr, BSO, By The Sea Future, Editor Mark Brown, Lauderdale By The Sea May 4 2009 Suicide in Bel Air, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Lauderdale Byy The Sea VFD Chief Bob Perkins, local government, Local News, Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD, Web News
Posted in Uncategorized

HAPPY TOWN MANAGER…..

Dear Readers… Still looking at the LBTS  10/15/05 Revised Purchasing Manual…(yes, still)…after finding one “selective” procedure the Town Manager and her staff want to adhere to concerning the RFP bids wording in Sec.2 …page 19 4a…(prev. post scoops cat.) that was revised on 2/17/09… (without Comm. approval)…and to forgo reading “aloud” the RFP bids as published and done prior to July 29, 2009…While at the same time the Administration did NOT follow the procedures when it came to the LETF decision process (prev. post scoops cat.) that states it is the BSO Police Chief and the Town Commission who decide the use and approval of the funds… The Town Manager  is not even mentioned  in the procedure and  should be only the facilitator in the process ….The Purchasing Manual procedure that states the Fl. State Statutes in black and white spelling out ….LETF funds cannot be used for renovations or building a station …And now there’s one more procedure that may have been tossed aside …and if it turns out it too was selectively and purposely ignored..then readers..once again…”Houston, we have a problem!”…

According the the LBTS Purchasing Manual Section IV L. REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION…(page 39-40 Revised 10/15/05-scans below)…

“The following procedures shall be employed whenever LBTS seeks to acquire, by purchase, any real estate.”

1. Deals with the prior to initiating negotiations with the property owner LBTS shall obtain a written appraisal including the appraiser has no vested or fiduciary interest in the property..

BC- At the March 25, 2008 (video link below…below) the Town Manager asks the Commission for a motion on the sale/purchase of properties (it was tabled at the 3/11/08 meeting) because “there are RFP processes we have to follow”…and she “doesn’t want to waste her time” …Comm. Silverstone asks if it is to sell the warehouse as well as purchase the hotel…The Town Manager says “It would be nice.”…Comm. Silverstone makes the motion to do both and VM McIntee 2nds it…Comm. Clottey asks for an estimate of what the property we would sell is worth…Town Manager Colon says the Town bought the warehouse for $1.6 million and the hotel was orig. $2.4 million and was down to $1.9 million so there would be a $300,000 difference..and says “that doesn’t mean anything” because  the market is not good …but also says “it is a good time to buy an adjacent property”…adding that since she [TM] has been her [8 yrs] we have bought 6 properties and we own all of them except the “parkin’ lot”…VM McIntee (ever the “wheeler dealer”) addressed the Town Manager and said that the $1.6 million warehouse could sell for more ..”It could grease the wheel”…The Town Manager says that a Realtor she thinks named “Stella” “performed the process for us”…the motion was passed 5-0…The question is was “Stella” involved at all with the purchase or sale of either property which according to the procedure is not allowed?…

2. Appraisal reports and counter-offers are confidential and exempt from public records law (1991)

3. No negotiations may be commenced, offers, and counter-offers made for the acquisition by purchase of real property without prior authorization of the Town Commission.

BC- In the March 25, 2008 video the Town Manager states the price for the hotel was “down to $1.9″…was that done in general for the open market or with the Town prior to the motion made at this meeting?

4. Upon commencement of negotiations, LBTS shall inform the property owner, in writing , that all agreements for the purchase of real property are subject to approval by the Town Commission.

HERE’S THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE VERIFIED THAT IT WAS ADHERED TO… …(public records req. below)

5. “ANY AGREEMENT BY LBTS TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL AT A PUBLIC MEETING AFTER THIRTY (30) DAYS PUBLIC NOTICE. NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEK FOR AT LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN LBTS”

BC- I cannot find anything that shows this was done…could I have missed it that far back?…Yeah…but I want verification it was adhered to and that it continues to be adhered to moving forth…If it was not then the public was not allowed to voice their opposition to this purchase as they should have been afforded with the publication and the process of this purchase was not done properly. I await a response from the Town showing  copies of the 2 weeks of “general circulation” newspaper publications ….

6. Evidence of marketable title in the form of title ins. etc….

7.” In order to prevent the premature disclosure of LBTS’s interest in acquiring a specific parcel of real estate, the Town Manager may expend up to $30,000 on related appraisals, environmental studies, etc. without Town Commission approval”

BC- This one [#7]  needs to be “Revised”… ASAP!

MAY 27,2009 Commission Meeting video (link below)…The Town Manager spoke of the 2 appraisals that were done …the Town Atty’s review of the property document agreement…BUT NO MENTION OF 30 DAYS  PRIOR PUBLIC NOTICE (#5-2x in a general circulation to LBTS newspaper)…and that the owner reviewed the agreement as well….Comm. Silverstone made the motion…VM McIntee 2nd it…Comm. Clottey asked about the warehouse property…The Town Manager said they were awaiting a 2nd appraisal but the appraisal they had was higher than the hotel property they were buying…The Town Manager stated the property [hotel] started at $2.4 million and after 2 appraisals the owner agreed to come in between the 2 appraisals and the purchase price would be $1.77,650…Comm. Silverstone said it was a “pretty good deal”…The Mayor said we had enough property with the land we own and she was not for investing in more with the funds we have…The Vice Mayor said he disagreed with the Mayor …VM McIntee said we are “10 years behind for police…50 years behind for fire”…we are “jumping from 3 people to 92 possibly”…we need a “environment for public safety people”..he spoke of the BSO fire station promised and not produced…and asked the Town Manager “Do we have the money?”…”Town Manager do we have the funds?”…TM”yes!”…VM McIntee “Is it earmarked for this?” Town Mananger “Yes!”…VM “Then what are we arguing about?”..

Town Manager Colon-” I want everybody to understand we have a fire department comin’, an AMR department comin’ and of course we have a police department and we only have one room to house the fire and fire rescue. We have to house both companies somewhere. Right now BSO sits in 2 trailers cause they really don’t have a facility to reside in.” (HUH?) “I think it’s time we address that issue.”

BC- 2 trailers?  [(A reader informs there were 2 trailers…1 by Town fire station and 2nd one was at Assumption Church…)The BSO police reside in the same place [Jarvis Hall building] they have from the beginning of their contract…… and we now know from the special meeting in June when Chief Scott Gooding was represented by the BSO Colonel that BSO asked to remain where they are after seeing the hotel!…OUCH!…We also now know that the Town Manager did not plan properly for the building  and did not include the real cost of doing the required renovations…and it seems her decision to use the LETF  for the renovations was improper. Double OUCH!…In the time since we purchased the property the BSO have remained where they are …so the status quo implies the Town Manager should have planned better and waited to purchase this property or to not purchase it at all!…

Comm. Clottey said that “normally” she wouldn’t like a purchase like this , but asked “how often does an adjacent property come on the market?”…

The Town Manager said “Never!”….

BC- not long after the purchase the adjacent property behind the hotel on Bougainvilla came up for sale (prev. post) and it was for sale at less than $800,000!…The Commission addressed it, but did not attempt to buy it with the outrage that came from this purchase…which cost the taxpayers more than double for the same size lot now available!…OOPS!…

Comm. Clottey then spoke of the warehouse and the need for it to be advertised ASAP!…She stated “Otherwise I think residents are going to be justified in screaming loudly.”

The Town Manager said she had an advertisement ready to go as soon as the 2nd appraisal came in as she was “obligated” to wait for it…saying she [TM] will work with the Town Atty. who had reviewed it …Comm. Clottey reiterated she wanted the property on the market….The Town Manager said “probably this week if not next week, we’re just waitin’ for the next appraisal.”

BC-Originally the Town Commission approved a 90 day contract for the firm to sell the property…Here we are 15 months later..the Town Manager has not asked the Commission for any extension or any direction to replace the company….We still own the building…just the “For Sale”  signs are larger…

The Mayor repeated her reasons for not wanting to purchase the property saying we have enough property…Comm. Silverstone asked the Mayor what it would cost to replace the Town Hall…the Mayor responded they would save the $1.7 million and then need to get the numbers …Comm. Silverstone retorted “Without knowing those numbers that’s a very strong statement you’re making”…The Mayor attempted to make him understand “You don’t have to spend money” on the new property…Comm. Silverstone spoke of a past Master Plan that included the Town Hall and the Town Manager said it was at a cost of “a couple of million”…The Mayor said to “use the $1.7 on top of that.”..

BC- THE FOLLOWING IS NEWS TO ME….

Town Manager- ” HONESTLY THE GOAL WAS TO ACQUIRE ADJACENT LAND. THAT WAS ONE OF THE GOALS. ”

BC- When?…By whom?…

The Town Manager went on to talk briefly about the relocation that would have to happen if Town Hall was replaced…

Comm. Silverstone- ” That’s what I thought”…..

BC- Comm. Silverstone brought up the acquisition prior to the 2008 election 2 months earlier …but as far as it being a “goal”…Hmmmm….

VM McIntee- ” Jimmy’s right on, a fire station’s gonna cost $2-3 million, police department a million and a half, that’s $4 million, that’s not counting the Town’s offices, new structure, $6-8 million minimum, we don’t have that.”

BC- WHOAAAAA….I thought the Town Manager/ “Gang of 3” “Mantra” was and is “We are in the black” and the $8 million loan could be paid back at any time!…OOPS!..

VM- ” That’s probably low. You’re apples and oranges here Mayor! Bottom line is in less than 70 days we’re gonna have 92 firemen working in this town, 27 policemen. That’s 127 people.” (HUH?) ” Before we sneeze we’re gonna have ambulances coming in and out that we got to maintain”

BC-Add much VM?…We are not maintaining the ambulances, AMR is and the in- town ambulance is plugged in with an extension cord in front of the hotel (that alone would be a code violation for anyone else in this town)…The AMR portion of the Public Safety building is lousy, they could have stayed at the Beach Hotel or the Holiday in and had the same type of accommodations…YIKES!…

VM- “AND I MEAN WE COULD PROBABLY PUT BUNK BEDS ON THE ROOF, BUT THEY’RE GONNA GET WET IF IT RAINS, WE GOTTA PUT THEM SOMEWHERE AND WE GOTTA DO IT RIGHT.”

BC- The Manager found out after the purchase that the VFD could NOT sleep upstairs …and although there was talk of moving them downstairs and BSO up, that too would not fly…So desperate was she (we were told) that she considered using Lazy-boys to bypass the requirements…That too did not happen…We have heard that indeed there are some beds upstairs, but the intended use by 92 firemen never came to fruition as the VFD steadily thinned out to 60+ (last month we heard 75) ….

Town Manager Colon -” Remember if you look at your budget documents, a municipal complex was $4 million and that is about 4 years ago”..

VM McIntee-” Well quadruple it then!” and then used the increased costs of the sewers in the north as an example…

The Town Clerk asked for clarification of the vote…and was told it was to “just approve” the purchase…the Mayor read the motion and it passed 4-1 Mayor Minnet dissenting…

BC- There you have it…we taxpayers might have been had…unable to speak out and stop this unnecessary and unpopular purchase of the LBTS Mc-Public Safety Complex with its Mc-Public Swimming Pool…(still actively looking to hire a town lifeguard)…

The Scans…The Minutes….The E-mailed public records request….the Town meeting video links…

From:
“Barbara Cole”
To:
“Steve D’Olivera”
Steve: I am making a public records request for a copy of the publications that were to be published in a newspaper once a week for 2 weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in LBTS concerning the acquisition of the hotel in May 2008. Please acknowledge receipt of my request and let me know when it will be ready for pickup. Barbara Cole

March 25,2008 online link ….New Bus. 13D……. http://lbts.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=55

MAY 27,2008 online video link….Old Bus. 15A. ……. http://lbts.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=66

more to come……..

Tags: amr, BSO, Comm. Jim Silverstone, Comm.Birute Clottey, Lauderdale By The Sea Public Safety Complex, Lauderdla By Ther Sea Purchasing Manaual, Lauderdlae By the Sea Town Manager Esther Colon, local government, Local Politics, Mayor Minnet, Public Safety, RFPs, Scoops, VFD, Vice Mayor McIntee
Posted in Uncategorized

TODAY IS COMMISSION/TOWN STAFF BUDGET MEETINGS….

We’re pretty sure at least 2 elected officials will have plenty of questions…and some complaints….doing their due diligence for their constituents…As for the “Gang of 3″…we surmise will only make an appearance to shoot the breeze!

THE TOWN OF LBTS IS HAVING A BLOOD DRIVE….8AM-1PM….July 23,2009…

WANT TO BE PREPARED?…..

AMR will be hosting a
Heartsaver CPR class for
LBTS residents on July 25th
from 9:00am to 4:00 pm at Jarvis Hall.
Fees for the course are $15.00 with a
minimum class size of 10 participants.
The Heartsaver course is designed for the
layperson with little or no medical training.
Please contact Keya Holloway to register at:
954-229-1486 or
at [email protected]

SAY BYE-BYE…

ONE DOWN….ONE TO GO…….

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2009/07/sun-sentinel_topix_comments.php

Just how long will the Portals anonymous blog continue with the Sentinel no longer paying the bills?…

BC-This site is still standing!….so of course….

more to come……

Tags: amr, Blood drive, Damons, local government, Local Politics, Scoops, TOPIX
Posted in Uncategorized

LACK OF PREPARATION….PUTS A CLOUD OVER YET ANOTHER LBTS EVENT…

At the 6/9/09 Commission meeting during public comments,  this writer spoke once again about these seminars and workshops on hurricane preparedness…..presented by the Town…(yesterday)…an organization such as the POA…the Chamber doing theirs on June 17th (8am…Jarvis Hall…prev.post… places to go cat. )….the County does one annually…..along with inserts found at the beginning of June every year in every newspaper…and specials on all 4 local channels…along with public safety organizations putting out pamphlets  and other materials….all providing the public with the very same information…

Yesterday there was 2 residents in attendance…this writer and Editor of the By The Sea Future,  Mark Brown…Town staff and Mayor Minnet….everyone else was there to speak!…Including …Rusty Pfost from the Nat. Weather Service…BSO Lt. Cedeno….FLOC Wayne Anderson/Jim McGinn….VFD Chief Perkins….and AMR Chief Liddle…No sufficient advance notice was given out …no attempt to advertise in the Future paper…no “joining’ of forces with the Chamber to combine the two events!..Another slight to business!…Shameful!…

The Town Manager should have been embarrassed once more…( Is she capable of feeling embarrassed?)… As she should have been with the ISO Community Outreach Program and the Broward Transit Forum to name a few….Although unlike the others this one did have the doors unlocked…the Powerpoint ready to go…coffee and treats…handout bags and pamphlets ….and it was  televised!…

This writer heard Manager Colon lamely remark to the Mayor it was being watched at home…still a shame…no matter how you try to “whitewash it”…and an ongoing pattern of poor performance when it comes to Jarvis Hall meetings!…

First up was Rusty Pfost the Meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service…who spoke of their “mission” …protection of life and property…He presented a powerpoint presentation that included charts …maps and historical data and photos of what has come our way …He spoke of the averages and what we can expect…changes this year…no more “skinny black line” will be for tracking the storms…..and the cone of uncertainty will be used…He said to “maintain sanity” watch for updates 5-10 minutes an hour…Watches and warning will change in time in 2010..2009 watch is 36 hrs.-2010 will be 48 hrs/ 2009 warning is 24 hrs- 2010 will be 36 hrs…He recommended the links below….

http://www.fldisaster.org/

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/

Next up was BSO Lt. Angelo Cedeno who took the the podium to tell the residents he was there to “get residents up to speed”…speaking of the factors to keep in mind …be prepared…have a plan of action…as he explained that the Sheriff’s office operates under the County and that the BSO will work “hand in hand” with the VFD…He went through some tips for securing vital documents…food and supplies for the aftermath…evacuation which would be west on Commercial Blvd…and special needs shelters…He gave out the phone number to register for those..954-537-2888….He explained that the BSO has pamphlets and brochures  for further information and went on to speak about generators and safety measures for using them…He assured all that the Sheriff’s office would only be off while the storm is deemed unsafe …He said “We do a great job, we’ve got great people that partake in these events. Fire is key, law enforcement is key, keeping the peace after the storm. When you’re out there and you’re doing it, and you see it for yourself, it’s impressive and I hope that the residents of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea have full confidence in the Sheriff’s office to get through, prepare you and answer any questions regarding any concerns during a hurricane.”…A few questions were addressed such as re-entry after the event…once it is safe we will be allowed back…and I.D. shown will help protect from looters and those who do not have a reason to be in town…He was asked by the Mayor about “door hangers” that are used in other municipalities to show if some one is safe or in need of assistance in their home… BSO Sgt. Brown came to the podium to say it was an idea that had been addressed in the past, but the concern was it would encourage people to stay…Lt. Cedeno said some kind of tag system could be used by the BSO to show a property had been checked out in the aftermath…He also addressed the term “mandatory” evacuation and that it could not be enforced …and again said the “BSO will go above and beyond to keep the residents safe”…”We will get everybody back to civilization as fast as possible. A lot of manpower , boots on the ground”, they take “provide in serving the community.”…

The Florida League of Cities came as they did last year….Wayne Anderson and Jim McGinn…..also spoke of evacuating…extended the amount of days for food and water from 3-5 days to 7 days…spoke of plans…a checklist…and the new way of thinking…not to evacuate far distances…due to “packed roads” but west of 95…Wayne addressed securing of your property …speaking of the roof, gutters…outdoor furniture…and generators…Jim spoke of insurance…wind and flood…being a high risk area…the fallout of that…and what to do after an event…with policies…mold…and alternative living quarters…

ATVs WILL SAVE THE DAY!….and jet skis……the fireboat…and the trucks

VFD Chief Perkins…”Good Morning, thank you for inviting me. What everybody said was just you can’t emphasize enough on preparing for the storm. I happened to be here in 04 and 05 when the storms hit and life was miserable on this island to say the least.What I’m going to tell you today is about the fire department and what role it plays in evacuation and working side by side with the police. Um, as of today we’re up to 65 members (5 added this month). Um, ah, our main role here is to protect the town and be as safe as possible, protect our citizens. This year ah, we have more equipment thanks to our great government we have in this town. Our commission they’ve allowed us to have jet skis and ATVs. a fire boat and we have four trucks which will play a major role in evacuating this town. The ATVs will probably play a dual role as far as protecting the beach. We’re probably turn them into um, vehicles that will travel around the town would have chain saws, medical bags, everything we need to help our citizens. So those ATVs are going to play a huge role and from what I understand at 65 miles per hour if the wind is sustained ah, because the town owns all our equipment we have to think of the equipment first and we have to leave the island and take the equipment off and stage at Holy Cross. That’s where we’ll be bringing our trucks and that’s if the winds are over 65 miles per hour, we have to leave the island and the fire department will not be here. But we will come back when we’re told and we will start um, searching the island for victims or people, people in distress, people in trouble. We’ll drive around in the trucks, the ATVs, the pickup truck looking for victims, for people to help. Because I remember in 05, in 04 we did a lot of downed powerlines, um, we cut a lot of trees were down down we had to cut them up ah, remove them them from roadways. So there’s a lot of work for the fire department getting back on this island,And again, my advise  again life is miserable on this island. There’s no air conditioning , there’s no electricity, no food um, and it’s just not, it’s very hot. You got no air in your house. I slept in my car for two days. I didn’t have any air, but we were on twelve hour shifts, the fire department. As the storm approaches we will have the fire department will be manned by 24 hours a day. We will have at least 12 men here doing 12 hour shifts. And then once we evacuate we’ll come back or, and continue to do the same thing until the island is safe and everybody is accounted for. Again, this year we have a lot more equipment so hopefully we’ll be able to do a lot more rescues as far as the ocean and we’re surrounded by water. We do have a lot of boats and during hurricane season we have pets in the canals and I’ll give you some of the , we’ve had in 05 and 06 and when the hurricanes hit we just got grazed with. We were very lucky, a direct hit on this island would be devastating. But we glanced a couple of times and it was pretty bad. Things were pretty rough here. So we do have a fire boat this time, we’ll be going up and down the canals and in the ocean. We had a problem with surfers remember the police had a problem with surfers and they do jump the canals when the bridges are up and swim across with their surf boards and they run out to the ocean and then we gotta chase them down. So, um, manpower for the police is really stretched to the limit and definitely we have enough guys where hopefully we’ll be able to assist them in any way we can. We have a hurricane trailer. We’ve been preparing for several months now. The trailer will be equipped with chain saws, generators, ah, everything that the fire department will need to sustain for at least three weeks and they’ll be extra supplies as medical supplies and extra band-aids and gauze pads and medical bags. We’re pretty much um, we’re getting ourselves ready cause hurricane season is no joke and if you’ve ever been been here you know what it’s like. It’s ah, it’s not a pretty sight. We had a storm run through here ah, we had to have a firetruck at the gas station cause at night time all you hear is generators , it’s unbelievable it’s generators everywhere and we’ve had lines at the gas station. We’ve had fights. People coming up with plastic containers wanting to fill it up with gas. It’s not allowed. Everything has to be NFPA approved to put gas in. So if you do come to a gas station where there’s a big line and you’re trying to fill your generator we won’t give you gas in your milk bottle, milk container, it has to be a NFPA gasoline container. Ah, we had a serious problem at the gas station. This year hopefully they have a generator and they’ll stay open. But, they were closed for three or four days and then when they opened everybody just rushed to the gas station. We had to stay there overnight to make sure everything was alright at the gas station. We have no hospitals in town, um, I remember dozens of buses coming down unloading people from he condos, the older folks. The higher are you up in your condo the more stronger the winds are so we do ask you to kinda come down to the ground. Um, each individual building i assume has their own evacuation plans as far as buses go, but I do remember dozens of buses taking the elderly out of the condos. Um, again we have a lot more resources this year, the commission has given us a lot of tools to work with. Ah, again I think the ah, the ATVs are going to play a big role in this hurricane. Again, we’ll be evacuating to Holy Cross Hospital when the winds reach 65 miles an hour sustained. We will be off the island. So if you want to stay, good luck to you. But we won’t be here to help you. And if you call us we won’t be able to come  because we won’t be here. Um, let’s see does anyone have any questions? Again, my main role as Fire Chief is to protect this town and its citizens and with the equipment we have this year I think we’ll be able to do a fine job. 04 and 05 were kind of a practice run for me because I was here. So we kind of know what to do, what not to do. If anybody doesn’t have any questions? Ok, Thank you very much and I wish everybody luck this year.”…

We took a break…and waited for the final speaker…

AMR Chief Brooke Liddle…also spoke of preparedness…medical conditions and concerns…He said they had hand-out packets…and also had a list of townspeople with special needs …He spoke of those on oxygen…..kidney dialysis and where they should be evacuated to…He added ways for those in need to be assisted to the shelters ….He said they too would be stationed here with additional personnel as required …if they encounter sustained wind speed (65 mph) they too would be at Holy Cross Hospital until it is all clear for them to return to the town…

The Mayor thanked all those who came to participate…including the Town Manager…and reiterated the “theme” of this seminar …preparedness…

link to the video on the Town’s site….http://lbts.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=229

The end…..

more to come….

Tags: ;ocal government, amr, BSO, hurricanes, local government, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized

THE TRAINING “HAT”….

Dear Readers…

Vice Mayor/Deputy Chief McIntee as we all know is the de-facto Chief of the VFD as well as its “Chief Training Officer”…

We have been told repeatedly …( by him or his spouse)…that he is the most experienced FF in the VFD…( Yep, that’s scary!)…

We were told by him at the the May 12,2009 Commission meeting the ISO was inundated with calls from unions while they did the VFD report….That ISO would be coming back in 3 months…That the training rating was off due to the BSO not providing 5 years of data for the hydrants…That ISO did not have the right info for driving instruction etc…..and for good measure his BFF “Jimmy-boy” Silverstone …in his new “pit-bull” role made the assertion to Comm. Dodd that the ISO report was a summary and a “detailed report” was on its way…

This writer previously posted an unsuccessful attempt to verify these claims…but Comm. Dodd was able to follow through and secure the truthfulness of the “2-Hats” statements…which he brought forth in the 6.e Reports…

UNTRUE….is what came from the ISO….No unions called..not even one!

UNTRUE….ISO will not be returning in 3 months…they plan to return in 1 year!

UNTRUE…..the low training score is due to inferior training…and Comm. Dodd was provided a way to improve it..through the VFD training in neighboring towns…with available “tower training”…etc… (something that has been done in the past)…

UNTRUE….the ISO report was the only report we will receive!…..

BC- Interesting that after this was brought forward by Comm. Dodd at the 5/26/09 meeting…no comments came to from VFD Chief Perkins or the “2-Hats” to challenge the ISO Representative!

BC- Interesting note…..about the lack of driver training…we hear the certified driving instructor for the VFD was former Battalion Chief Pointu…

BC- We also hear there might be some VFD members with lapsed certification….and that the VFD is not following the LBTS-VFD contract requirement that all members must go on 20% of all calls each month …

4. Presentations…

A. Presentation recognizing the VFD for significant events…

BC- LOOK FOR BOLD PRINT…

Chief Perkins was dressed in his proper VFD attire this evening…and came to the podium to make comments while  photos by Marc Furth were shown on the screen …

“A few minutes here for a synopsis of what went on this month. We had a pretty busy month as far as calls, and ah, we’re gonna take you through it briefly, maybe 5,10 minutes tops.”

He began with the hyperbaric chamber…as photos were shown..(by official VFD photog. Furth) This was a call that came in on May 1st. Front of the building was where we took the patients out and AMR was waiting for the patients right in front of the building. We had come through the front. Quick pictures of what happened that day of May 1st. AMR did a fantastic job, were out in front waiting for us as we brought the patients out they did a great job. Cross training with AMR helps knowing what we’re doing with each other. What each guy’s doing, really worked out really well that day.” He pointed out a triage photo set up …the pointed out the photos of various VFD …”Some of the guys coming out from upstairs, all the officers upstairs trying to vent the building at this time.” another photo..”Discussing what our next plan was and how to work the building. We just had vented the top floor, we got smoke going through the roof we had a hatch on top of the roof we had to open up for the smoke to clear.” ” AMR COULDN’T GO INTO THE BUILDING IN THE BEGINNING BECAUSE THERE WAS JUST TOO MUCH SMOKE’ ” Quick pics of our guys, all these guys did a great job out there, I’m really proud of them. Sorry to say we did lose the grandmother but as far as we know the son is till alive.”  (photos of BSO helicopter at Fountainhead)…..” The helicopter was across the street. It had to land on the grass. We didn’t want to land in the middle of the street. This was a perfect landing zone for the copter. Boy, that Broward’s Sheriff’s Office , they do a great job bringing the FIRE BOATS (HUH?) and the helicopters in, do a great job.”…

BC- The Chief finished and was about to turn the next part of the presentation over to VM/ Dep. Chief McIntee sitting on the dais…as he spoke the camera was zoned in on the power presentation …

” IN A TEAM EFFORT, CAPT. HOPPING, CAPT. McGIRR AND UNDER DIRECTION DEPUTY CHIEF McINTEE A MALE AND FEMALE WERE DRAGGED OUT TO SEA BY RIP CURRENTS”…

BC- Under the Dep. Chief’s direction couple were dragged out to sea by rip currents!…OOPS!…

VM/Dep. Chief McIntee…”Before I take it any further , the man standing in front of you Chief Perkins WENT INTO THAT BUILDING WITH NO MASK ON to try and save the individuals and working with the deputy Sheriff they were able to remove both the child and the ah, the ah, lady, the grandmother. So what you’re looking at is a real hero standing here”…

BC- A few FFs have informed this writer that the Chief should have had his mask on…as he entered… The Chief himself said above AMR could not go into the building because of the heavy smoke…The BSO Deputy took a mask  and put it on upon entering the building…

VM/Dep.Chief McIntee……” Next thing we should clarify for everybody we have a Firefighter photographer Marc Furth…(Anybody unaware of this?) …who provided all these photos and has been a tremendous asset because we can use these photos for training forever.”

BC- We hear that Marc Furth has a VFD pager (Is this Hipaa violation …as it was stated to Comm. Dodd?) and is on all calls without being trained as a FF1…A look at the photos while nice looking should also provide the VFD for what NOT to do…and present some glaring problems that certified trainers would want addressed immediately…

VM/Dep. Chief McIntee continued as photos were shown for the rip current rescues saying it was a “concerted effort to rescue 2 people TRAPPED (HUH?) on the beach”…He went on to say  “at 12:55 pm on Sunday a call came out for a drowning”.  That there was “one of our ATVs was on the beach under the command of Capt. Conn and he was there within 30-40 seconds…THE VICTIM WAS ALREADY SECURED TO THE BEACH …and he transferred the waiting AMR ambulance which was there in about a minute and a half.”…..”Part of the protocol we activated a jet ski and the crew…1st piece equipment out of here now is the jet ski. The jet ski then transported to the beach behind Minto property and launched and responds to the scene of a drowning call. IN THIS SITUATION THERE WAS NO NEED TO USE THE JET SKI., WE THOUGHT. He said there was no radio communication on the jet ski for obvious reasons with waves and going 30 miles per hour. “After Conn got victim onto AMR ambulance, I was on location and walked back down the beach to hand signal the jet ski I knew was coming they could go back”..He said the ocean waves were” 8s and 10s…terrible rip currents”….”Two people from Holland, middle aged couple grabbed by the rip tide and gone. JET SKI COULDN’T GET TO THEM NEAR THE SHORE because of the intense wave activity WOULD HAVE FLIPPED THEM so the jet ski was highlighted to the beach.” ” Now we’ll go through the process of how this went down”…

VM/ Dep. Chief McIntee describing photos…” Actually, Jet ski coming on initial call”…/ photo of Capt. McGirr on front  and Capt. Hopping on back…NO SLED ATTACHED…

“At this time got signal come to the beach”…” They’re just about to come to the beach and obviously getting prepared because he knows something is going on, he doesn’t know what.” /photos show they came on shore……

VM/ Dep. Chief McIntee…” NOBODY IN OUR DEPARTMENT IS ORDERED IN THE WATER, THEY HAVE TO VOLUNTEER.” “Jet ski is beached.” / photo shows empty jet ski…

“Look to your right there. I said we need a volunteer to go get that guy and that’s Hopping going after the first victim, a gentleman from Holland with a female.”/ photo show Capt. Hopping swimming out…

” Now he’s got him and fighting the surf and that’s me to the right and Capt. McGirr left. I’m saying uh, oh we got another one out there . We saw the female about 100 feet east of here and I asked for a volunteer and Capt. McGirr went in and STARTED SWIMMING TOWARDS HER. Meantime Capt. Hopping is bringing the gentleman to shore. He is whipped”../ photos shows Capt. McGirr aand McInee on beach with Capt. Hopping  and tourist approaching shore in water up to waist…next photo show Capt.Hopping and tourist up to the waist still in water (McIntee says he sent Capt. McGirr after female when these are shown)…

“Capt. Hopping after he got the gentleman went right back into the water to go to this female, she’s a lot further out”/ photos show Capt. Hopping approaching beach knee deep in water and McIntee on the beach alone / Capt. Hopping reaches woman… NO McGIRR…

In the next photo it show Capt. McGirr with Capt.Hopping and the female…”Now there’s Capt McGirr coming in to aid in the recovery of the female…(He was sent in before Capt.Hopping)…

The next photo shows only Capt.Hopping and the victim…as McIntee says ” They’re securing her and taking her to shore…

In the next one she is still only with Capt. Hopping as McIntee says “She’s got a hold of the float…/ Capt. Conn has surf board holding it and is knee deep in water ..NO McGIRR…

The next photo shows Capt. McGirr on the left side by himself as McIntee/ Capt. Conn approach Capt. Hopping and female who are waist deep in water …heading to shore…

The next photo shows McIntee alone with the surf board waist deep approaching shore…( don’t see a gash yet)…

BC- So what happened with Capt. McGirr after he “volunteered” to swim to the female?…Looks like Capt. Hopping did all the rescues solo..from the Furth photos..

VM/Dep Chief McIntee went on to say the woman was “successfully ” brought to shore…she was “spent” and “grateful”…she thanked them…

The next photos shown were of the AMR personnel…the couple sitting down with AMR -EMT  Pollack…then a photo of the 2 VFD- ATVs …another photo of the couple the woman standing the man sitting with McIntee saying they were being “stabilized and refused medical treatment”…They looked fine…

VM/Dep. Chief McIntee proceeds to talk about another call and a photo of the jet ski is shown with Capt. Hopping/ Capt. McGirr  trying to put it in the water…

The next photo showed AMR heading off the beach to another call…

The jet ski is shown in the water to go to the next call….. CAPT. HOPPING IS ALONE ON BOARD…NO SLED…as VM/Dep. Chief McIntee says…” THAT VICTIM WAS PULLED TO SHORE AHEAD OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE JET SKI EMERGENCY PERSONNEL”…

After that the photos were shown of post # 7 with the life rings and the Dep. Chief spoke of the “civilian” that used it to save a drowning person…with more photos following of the young man saved with the ring…and phot0s of the Captains / Dep Chief / VFD members and a  young man who was saved by the ring…standing by pole #7…

VM/Dep. Chief McIntee said “That sequence of pictures made national news on CNN and the weather channel and were tremendous publicity for Lauderdale-By-The-Sea community and all the citizens who supported this development of safety procedures for the beach. Everything came into play. They were the luckiest people in the world that we were on the beach on the other drowning call. They should have bought a lottery ticket because that was a lucky day for them.”

Captain Hopping was brought to the podium…with the lights off…no Capt. McGirr or Capt. Conn…(The VFD was not in attendance)…and commended for saving 2 people…

VM McIntee said that within 3 days the posts on the beach with the life rings set every 500 feet…saved people and were a good investment…

Tomorrow expect another round of LBTS-VFD  P.R. (as previously posted) when Congressman Klein arrives…in town…

BC- While the VFD did assist these 2 people…questions still need to be asked about the program being run by Dep. Chief McIntee …especially after viewing these Furth “training” photos…

more to come…

Tags: amr, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, lifeguardss, local government, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized

RIP CURRENTS CALLS WERE RAMPANT!…

Alert the media…

We hear the VFD…AMR …BSO were mighty busy today…

5 near drownings off our beach…with the VFD using their Sea Doos and the newly installed life rings…

Seems someone wanted that news to be known…and alerted the media…

This writer first heard the news of 2 near drowning calls…including 1 call coming from the Windjammer around 1 pm….

On channel 6 news at 6 pm…. the report was 5 near drownings in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea….No interviews…

The BCbythesea- hubby and I ate dinner at Village Grille (Sunday Blue Plate Special pot roast)…as we watched a channel 6 camera van turn around in front of the beach pavilion….After as we made our way home…we saw two  channel 10 camera vans…coming down Commercial Blvd…and turning onto Bougainvilla…and stopping in front of  the LBTS fire station…around 8 pm….They parked in front of the firehouse…the empty …closed down firehouse…with no firemen to be found!…

We inquired if they were there for the near drownings…they said “yes”…One cameraman said “Someone called the news desk…and told them of the VFD saving 2 people using their jet ski and new life rings.”…He went on to say “Guess they wanted to get the word out on what they did.”…We answered ‘Guess so!”…BUT…Where were they ( VFD)?…

We were told by the cameraman…when we asked if it would be on the 11 pm news…”Unless the earth opens up!”…

As we spoke to him a reporter was across the street interviewing and videoing two young surfers in front of their car…and then they proceeded to go back across the road to take video of the 3rd and 4th firetrucks…parked along side the closed up station as the darkness of the hour came upon them…..

Let’s hope that either they have earlier video to use of the VFD and other LBTS safety providers…or somehow…some way…the VFD came to the station after we left…

Make sure to see…on channel 6 and channel 10 at 11 pm tonight!…

more to come…

Tags: amr, BSO, News, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized

MAY 1, 2009….

Last week Readers will recall we had a tragedy occur at the Ocean Hyperbaric Center in the south end of town…( previous scoops posts)…It resulted in instant “Hero” status for the brave actions of BSO Deputy John Melbourne…with newspaper articles, local newscast stories, along with BSO press releases and culminated in the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an Officer being awarded to Deputy Melbourne last Wednesday May 6th in a ceremony.

As previously posted there was major grumbling in the background of the VFD and AMR being left out of the media attention and BSO press releases…

Well the VFD and the Town went into overdrive on that very day…sending out a letter from LBTS-VFD Chief Perkins to BSO Sheriff Lamberti and 2 press releases……

Here they are…..

(1)…Letter To BSO Sheriff Lamberti…

May 6, 2009

‘Dear Sheriff Lamberti,

Attached you will find the press release prepared by our department regarding the recent incident at the Hyperbaric Chamber in our town on May1, 2009. I can sadly say many members of my Department were very disappointed and depressed at the way the Public Information Officer of your department treated our members and the members of the AMR ambulance division in our town.

In the release made by your department and various public statements to the local TV news media, not once were we mentioned as even being present at this tragic event. When you read our VFD press release you will clearly see that we certainly were present and did all that was in our power to help these poor people who were so tragically injured.

We, at the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Volunteer Fire Department hope in the future you will be more considerate in your press releases regarding events we participate in with your department in providing public safety to our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely Chief Robert Perkins’

(2)…The LBTS-VFD Press Release …

‘On the 1st of May 2009, at approximately 11:29 AM, the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a report of an EXPLOSION at 4001 North Ocean Drive in our town.

Chief Robert Perkins was the first fire officer on the scene and reported on location at 11:29:28 AM; just 1 minute and 55 seconds after the call was transmitted. Chief Perkins upon arrival was confronted with a three story commercial building with fire alarms sounding and smoke showing. The building at this stage was evacuated by the occupant, about 30-40 people. Chief Perkins immediately went into the structure located that alarm panel and determined where the alarm was activated from. This panel indicated the alarm was coming from one of the hyperbaric chambers. As Chief Perkins went into the Chamber room, he was met with heavy white smoke. Also in the room was a Sheriff’s Deputy who had a mask on. This Deputy indicated to Chief Perkins that we may have two victims inside one of the observed chambers. The Chief and Deputy Sheriff walked over to the suspect chamber, opened the chamber and observed two bodies, a young male and a middle aged female: both victims had extensive charring and burn injuries. At this point, the Chief alerted the Deputy Sheriff that he had to secure the building for immediate safety reasons. The Chief directed Inspector Paine of the VFD to turn off the oxygen, the power to the building and then the Chief gave orders to the incoming firemen and AMR ambulance personnel to begin the rescue work. One of the orders was to relocate the ambulance to the front of the building for easy regress of the victims. The Chief then returned to to the Deputy Sheriff who was standing by the occupied chamber, total time lapsed, was 1-1 1/2 minutes between initially opening the occupied chamber and his return.

Chief Perkins went back and met with the Deputy Sheriff to explain to the Deputy how they werre going to remove the victims. The Chief stated that he wanted to pick the child up first and the Deputy assisted in this action. The Chief then picked up the child and handed him the victim to the Deputy and told him to go outside the front door AMR would be located there. The Deputy Sheriff then went outside with the young child. The Chief then began to lift the female victim out of the chamber. At this time, Firefighter Silverstone and Chavez came to the Chief’s aid. The female victim was carried out with Chief Perkins holding the legs and FF Silverstone and Chavez carrying the upper body of the victim. The three fighters working together carried the woman victim outside to a waiting AMR backboard and placed the victim on this medical device where a team of AMR Paramedics and EMT’s feverishly worked to save the victims. It should be noted, that the tremendous work of AMR EMS personnel who were lead by Chief Medic Donald Anderson, Gus Herrera, Kevin Padden, Arthur Moen, Robbie Salvina, Paulette Archer and Paul Chevannes kept the horrible injured victims alive and prepared them for transport. The young boy was helicopter transported to the hospital and the woman was ground transported to the hospital. The Deputy Sheriff who entered the building with the borrowed mask should also be commended for his brave actions.

This was the perfect example of the whole public safety apparatus in town working together for the greater good of the community.

We are sad to report that the female has succumbed to her injuries and the young boy remains in critical condition.

Chief Robert Perkins’

BC- The “Deputy Sheriff” in the VFD press release is BSO Deputy John Melbourne…

(3)…The Media Release From The Town of LBTS from Public Information Officer Steve d’ Oliveira

May 6, 2009

‘Media Release

LBTS FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS PLAYED VITAL ROLE IN EXTRICATING VICTIMS….

Lauderdale-By- The- Sea volunteer firefighters and paramedics played a vital role in extricating the two victims of Friday’s tragic hyperbaric chamber explosion.

The incident occurred May 1 at 11:29 AM at 4001 N. Ocean Drive, a three-story structure that houses the first-floor Ocean Hypebaric Oxygen Neurologic Center.

One of the victims, Vincenza Pesce, 62, of Italy, later died. Her grandson, Francesco Pio Martinisi,4, also of Italy, suffered burns over much of his body. The boy, who was receiving medical treatment, was in the chamber with his grandmother when a blast caused a flash fire inside the pressurized chamber.

The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation.

Shortly after the fire alarm in the building went off, the Lauderdale-By- The- Sea Volunteer Fire Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office and paramedics with American Medical Repsonse responded to the scene at the south end of Town.

When VFD Chief Robert Perkins entered the building, which was filled with heavy white smoke, he encountered Broward Sheriff’s Officer John Melbourne, who entered the building wearing a mask shortly before Perkins went inside. Melbourne told Perkins he thought there were two victims inside a chamber.

Perkins and Melbourne opened the chamber and found the burned bodies of the young boy and his grandmother. After Perkins ordered another firefighter to turn off the power and oxygen to the building, he lifted up the child and handed him to Melbourne., who exited through the front door and handed him to paramedics.

Perkins then lifted up the woman with assistance from firefighters Jim Silverstone and Daniel Chavez. The three carried the woman out of the building and handed her to paramedics, who then rushed the grandmother to a nearby hospital. The boy was transported by helicopter to medical facilities for treatment of his burns.

Perkins today (05-06-09) praised Silverstone, Chavez, Melbourne and AMR paramedics who responded;  Chief Medic Donald Anderson, Gus Herrera, Kevin Padden, Arthur Moen, Robbie Salvina, Paulette Archer and Paul Chevanne.

“This was the perfect example of the whole public safety apparatus in town working together for the greater good of the community,” Perkins said.

BSO honored Melbourne today for his role after  responding to the scene.

“The Volunteer Fire Department and BSO deputies performed professionally and were of great assistance to AMR crews,” said Brook Liddle, Chief  of Operations for AMR in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.’

Below …. is what the Sentinel included from the press releases……on May 7,2009

(4)….’Meanwhile, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Volunteer Fire Department’s Chief Robert Perkins and two other volunteer firefighters, Jim Silverstone and Daniel Chavez, removed the grandmother from the chamber, Perkins said in a press release Wednesday.

Perkins described Friday’s rescue efforts, which involved multiple departments, as “the perfect example” of emergency personnel working as team for “the greater good of the community.”‘

BC…the Incident Reports have been requested from BSO and the VFD…and will be posted upon receipt …

more to come….

Tags: amr, BSO, hyperbaric chamber, News, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
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IT’S OFFICIAL….HERE YOU ARE FOLKS…THE NEW LBTS PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX….

The ribbon was cut at 5 pm today 2/2/09…with approximately 20+ public safety personnel on hand…from VFD/AMR and BSO…who will be occupying the building…

The VFD Firetruck was out in front …ladder raised with a large American flag hanging from it….and personnel standing proudly behind it….

Also in attendance to cut the red ribbon the 4 Commissioners and the Mayor…with a dedication given by Town Chaplain George Hunsaker who spoke of “gathering to dedicate this building to the citizens…asking for those who will occupy this building to protect them …to treat one another with respect and with the dignity of those who serve.”…..

Standing nearby was the Administration and staff…along with both local papers…and as the ribbon was cut ….approximately 20+ residents….that number increased with the open house that followed…as we made entry walking up the sidewalk with VFD/AMR members standing alongside  on both sides….

The entry on the north side lower level is BSO Police…which will still need some  “re-enforcements…literally…(pun intended)…with adding steel doors…reconfiguring  the space for safety…and a “cage” for the holding cell…which will have a separate entrance on the north side…when the BSO will be in…is still up in the air….

Above on the second floor…the VFD…along with space used for “records”…and a “community/recreation office”…other uses fro Town staff were uncertain…

Below on the south side ..first floor…AMR…a corner area with a bedroom with 3 beds…a living area…and a kitchen entry…plus ADA bathroom… a little tight…a little like a dorm room …but functional…

Front and center of the building the “lift” required for ADA access to the 2nd floor…

Inside the rooms look like a old hotel…with much of the original baths…and kitchen areas…..again functional…for the present time….

Outside in front the “Community pool”…looking pretty green…and leaving much to be desired…with the size…and the 3ft to 6 ft in depth…being precarious for mom & tots….

A much better turn out…than the VFD “blessing” in October….

Look for various moving in dates…….in the days and weeks  ahead…with the eventual removal of the trailer next door…as that was the point of this whole exercise…

Both local papers and Town Topics should have pictures of the event….

Residents are welcome to visit at anytime….

more to come…..

Tags: amr, BSO, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
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IN WRITTEN FORM

Dear Readers BCbythesea and family have put in writing an e-mail of our wishes that the VFD is not to be allowed in our home for AMR medical calls and who may not be privy to our medical information.

What the VFD/AMR and Town will do to respond to this writer and others who are asking for the same wishes to be respected and adhered to remains to be seen.

The written request may be enough, or a form may be enacted, the ball is in their court… pun intended..

Thanks to an astute reader, and much discussion within our family after the latest 4 disturbing events …the Vice Mayor speaking from the dais about a gentleman in the north end at the last Commission meeting…. his entrance into a residents living room…with AMR and remaining afterwards despite no need for his assistance… hearsay…. but scary, if accurate….the Chief’s assertions that he has given the Vice Mayor special duty to respond by the Vice Mayor’s private car to all medical/ fire calls in the north end up to Sea Ranch without coming into the fire station first, thus providing the certain probability he will arrive on scene before AMR, as he has boldly asserted has in fact been the case from the dais for numerous emergency calls, and the reader’s points about the Commissioners sitting in the AMR Medical Review Board and having private medical information divulged, we decided this was a necessary request.

At the last Commission meeting Commissioner Clottey in discussing the VFD monthly report advised the Chief he did not need to use the VFD member’s names…and that was just for response calls…

Also Chief Perkins made it clear to this writer he could not give me any medical information on members…although I made it known, I was not asking for that information, just that the medical exams were done, and all that was required was administered.

Add to this the first VFD report that did include addresses, and descriptions of the medical condition of the residents involved. Making it possible for anyone to look up from the address who the patient was. A definite Hipaa problem for the VFD who are required to observe Hipaa law.

This writer believes the AMR report content should be enacted for the next monthly report by the VFD to protect the residents. I also believe that despite the assertions from the VFD on the dais, a need for the VFD trucks to follow AMR are unnecessary, especially when condos are involved, no need to knock down doors when guards have keys available.

In this regard, AMR should be asked on the record for the need to have the VFD follow them on medical calls. Again, this writer has been told by informed persons that BSO followed their EMS to provide that 3rd Paramedic/EMS personnel not on their ambulance. We were told one of the benefits of th new AMR service would be 3 on board at all times. Also, rather than thrown out statistics, what are the real stats for firefighters required to perform forced entry on medical calls?…

THE E-MAIL sent on Saturday November 29,2008…

Tags: amr, hipaa, Local Politics, localpolitics, Scoops, VFD
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A PETITION TO KEEP MCINTEE OUT OF MY HOME…

BCbythesea…had a call a few days back…seems a resident was very upset to see the bloviating “2 hats” Vice Mayor…describing the scene of a north end neighbor …his 911 call for help and the VFDs’ use of 12 firefighters to put the very heavy man back into bed!…Oh the Vice Mayor did go on to say how great the firefighters felt to help out …and the resident called with gratitude….BUT…did this resident know…the VFD Training Officer would then bloviate the emergency from the dais…for all to hear?….Would this individual continue to feel such gratitude?…Most think not!…

The Vice Mayor certainly violated Hipaa as well as using this man’s private incident for his own grandstanding…WOW!…

After that this writer has heard from a few…that the Vice Mayor showed up with AMR to a 911 call…again in the north end of town…and proceeded to stay in this residents living room..although he was not needed in any capacity…and would not be of any help for her care…she was uncomfortable that he was there…

So now, a petition..is said to be in the works…residents who do not want the Vice Mayor in their home…on their property…for any medical calls…and do not want him or any Commissioner to sit in at the newly formed AMR Medical Review Board…to have any private details of anything that the resident would not want known…

BCbythesea…is in full agreement…and thinks the Medical Review Board idea needs to be rethought out…to keep Commissioners  informed without name or address…even those who serve as both Commissioner and VFD…if not…a big problem will be forthcoming for AMR….

This is the problem we have with “2 hats” and a grandstanding Vice Mayor…incapable of being discreet and trustworthy…in this writer’s opinion…

Right now…if you are against both the Vice Mayor or any other VFD  not on the AMR truck…in your home for a medical call…you do have the right to let the VFD and AMR know…call them and make sure they are aware of your decision.

The only reason for the Vice Mayor or any VFD to be in your home for a medical call is if AMR requires that help…for some reason…and for the Vice Mayor to install himself without that reason…is unacceptable to many..including this resident…who intends to call and state …No McIntee in my home…ever….

http://www.lbtsfire.com/modules/content/?id=1

more to come…

Tags: 911 call, amr, hipaa, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized