PublicSafetyCommMinutes2022May05
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday May 5, 2022
8:30 a.m.
1080 COVERSTONE DRIVE, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Committee Members Present: Walt Cunningham, Helen Lake and Chairman
Bob Wells. Blaine Dunn and Denny Linaburg were absent.
Staff present: Fire & Rescue Chief Steve Majchrzak, Director of Public Safety
Communications Tamara Perez, County Attorney Rod Williams, Volunteer Fire &
Rescue President Dan Cunningham, Deputy Chief Fire Marshall Mark Showers, Deputy
Director of Emergency Management Chester Lauck, Captain Aleck Beeman and
Lieutenant Tonya Kittoe.
ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
1. None
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
1. Frederick County Fire & Rescue public education on smoke
detectors/other:
Deputy Chief Fire Marshall Mark Showers addressed the committee regarding his
department’s educational programs which are available to the citizens of Frederick
County. Along with addressing multiple public events (i.e. scout groups, fairs) and
the abundance of information found on the Frederick County Fire & Rescue
website, there are 15 second radio spots that run daily with helpful tips as well as
“Knock and talk” events that have taken place over the years. Volunteer Fire &
Rescue President Dan Cunningham reiterated that these are done by the volunteer
and career staff. The Fire Marshal’s offices are currently looking into obtaining
grant funding for additional residential smoke detectors so this practice can grow in
the community.
2. Departmental updates:
Communications Director Perez stated that the department is currently holding
interviews for its 3 dispatcher vacancies. During the Public Safety Committee
meeting on 12/9/21, Director Perez requested a Radio System Administrator
position which the PSC recommended sending the request to the Human Resources
Committee. Mrs. Perez will be taking her request to the HR Committee for
finalization in the coming months. She also mentioned that 3 dispatchers,
nominated by their peers, have been awarded the Team of the Year by APCO
(Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) and will be officially
honored in mid-May. Also, the communications center has become EMD
(Emergency Medical Dispatch) accredited by the Emergency Medical Service
Board.
Chief Majchrzak stated the Fire & Rescue Department is doubling up on training
classes and hiring to fill current vacant positions. They are also holding discussions
about the long- range plan for the Fire & Rescue Department and volunteer
companies. Chief Majchrzak mentioned that Company 18 (Greenwood) has a letter
of intent to draw down from the proffer funds set aside in the amount of $41,398 for
renovations to the stations living quarters.
The consensus from the Public Safety Committee was to send the letter of intent to
the Finance Committee for approval of the withdrawal.
Captain Aleck Beeman discussed recent hiring and recruitment difficulties the
Sheriff’s Office has been facing. When the department intends to offer a position to
a seasoned officer at a higher starting salary, they are being requested to provide
written justification for the higher salary to Human Resources and sometimes the
County Administration. Lt. Kittoe explained this can be very time consuming. She
went on to say that obtaining knowledgeable officers is difficult and candidates will
go elsewhere if they cannot be compensated appropriately. Mr. Williams said he
would have a discussion with the County Administrator to find out more about this
practice.
Respectfully submitted,
Public Safety Committee
Bob Wells Blaine Dunn Denny Linaburg
Helen Lake Walt Cunningham