Fire Commission

Burlington Fire Commission Meeting Tuesday December 9, 2025 08:30-09:39 Members Present: Chair Jake Perskinson, Vice Chair Kevin McLaughlin, Linda Sheehey, Monica Chapman, and Ashley Bond. Chief Michael Curtin, Deputy Chief of Administration Stephen Petit, Deputy Chief of Operations Troy Ruggles, Battalion Chief of EMS Marsha McComie, and Administrative Assistant Meghan Sweeney. BFFA members were present for the Commission of LT Jason Charest then departed from the meeting. Call to Order – 08:30 am. Meeting minutes using assistance from AI: Motion to Amend/Adopt Agenda- Fire Commission meeting on December 9, 2025, began with no additions to the agenda. Agenda adopted as submitted. Commissions – The commission then conducted the commission ceremony for Jason Charest as Lieutenant. Public Comment – No comment from member of public. Review and Accept Minutes from October Meeting- Motion to accept minutes made by Commissioner McLaughlin and seconded by Commissioner Sheehey. Commissioner Chapman later in the meeting requested that minutes from October be updated to remove the statement: “They noted that while some dual-certified police officer firefighters carry weapons, most EMS personnel are prohibited from doing so, creating a safety gap in certain situations,” as it does not apply to Burlington firefighters. Motion to remove the sentence made by Commissioner McLaughlin and seconded by Commissioners Bond and Sheehey. Chief’s Oral Report- Chief Curtin sent his report to commissioners in advance for review. Additional items discussed: Operational Updates and Staffing Challenges The meeting covered the October and November operational data, highlighting a 1% increase in runs compared to the previous year, with significant fire incidents and 18 confirmed overdose events. Staffing challenges were discussed, including four current vacancies and the upcoming resignation of one member, while four recruits are in training. The team noted increased overtime due to staffing shortages and completed 119 pre-plans, with community engagement activities including ride-alongs, cooking demonstrations, and fire safety education. The division updates included a successful national speaker event and ongoing collaboration with DPW for fleet maintenance. Fire Department System and Equipment Updates The fire department discussed their CAD system and addressed issues with the KnoxBox key system, clarifying that it should only be used for emergencies by the fire department. They reviewed shelter agreements with the Red Cross and are working to update them. The department is also pursuing a Zodiac boat grant for $25,000, which includes the boat, motor, trailer, and associated equipment, to improve response times for calls on Lake Champlain. Fire Access and Bike Lane Planning The fire department expressed concerns about the impact of new bike lane installations and concrete barriers on North Champlain Street, which hinder their ability to position fire apparatus effectively. They emphasized the need for better communication and coordination with DPW and agencies during planning processes to ensure emergency vehicle access is not compromised. The group discussed a study for the Main Street corridor to make it more pedestrian and bike- friendly, and highlighted the importance of including emergency services in these discussions. Emergency Services Initiatives Update The department discussed several initiatives including a potential bike ride from Boston to New York City in September to honor 9/11 first responders, and explored drone technology for emergency response, with the next drone team meeting scheduled for the end of the month. The fire department is working with the city on vacant building issues, distinguishing between abandoned and vacant properties, and discussed training updates including the completion of Fire Officer 1 and 2 classes and a live burn training session attended by 17-20 people per day. The EMS division reported on the PREVENT initiative, which involved providing buprenorphine/Suboxone for opioid overdose patients, but after one year of limited success, they decided to move the program to the next phase by placing it in paramedic med vaults instead of having AEMT staff administer it. The program was determined to be unsuitable for their area and could potentially cause more harm than good. They agreed to continue reviewing data and remain open to future discussions if evidence-based science supports a change in approach. Additionally, the department is implementing Vital Access training to improve patient care reporting and access to medical records, which will be an important tool for quality assurance and follow-up care. Acute Risk Case Coordination Process The meeting discussed a situation table process where 25-50 representatives from 20-30 agencies meet weekly to address acute elevated risk cases. BFD explained that they review cases where patients meet specific risk criteria, and with patient consent, share identifying information to coordinate services within 24-48 hours. The process includes participation from various departments like police, fire, and social services, though BFD needed to confirm the library department's specific involvement. Fire Station Infrastructure and Recruitment The meeting covered recruitment and retention efforts, with 26 entry-level and 3 lateral applications received so far, and 4 conditional offers pending. Building updates included ongoing work at Station 1 with floor and ramp improvements, while Station 2 faced issues with apparatus floor quality and a cracked sewage line requiring capital funding. Station 3 needed sprinkler system and air compressor replacements, while all stations required $25,000 in sprinkler system upgrades. The department was also planning boiler replacements and heat pump installations. Policy Management and SOG Updates The meeting focused on policy management software and recent updates to standard operating guidelines (SOGs). BFD discussed the need for software that tracks policy engagement and comprehension, particularly highlighting a vendor's AI-powered quiz feature. Several SOG updates were reviewed, including changes to advanced staffing, blood-borne pathogens, and first report of injury procedures, with input from Firefighter Derek Gavelis and BC McCombie. The team also discussed form updates to improve template management and a new complaint handling process developed during recent training sessions. Old Business/New Business- Commissioners voted to adopt the 2026 Fire and Safety meeting schedule, tentatively set for the following Tuesdays at 08:30 am. Motion made by Commissioner McLaughlin and seconded by Commissioner Sheehey with all in favor. Tentative dates are: February 10th April 14th June 9th August 11th October 13th December 8th The commission discussed purchasing a backdrop for formal events, with BFD proposing to explore the process of acquiring a step-and-repeat banner for the fire department. They clarified that any gift valued at $50 or more would require city council approval, but since this would be for department use, they could proceed with the process of getting that. Adjournment- Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner McLaughlin and seconded by Sheehey. All in favor meeting adjourned at 09:39 am.