Chief LaDuke stated that his new hire was approved at the last meeting and started work on January 2, 2023. He introduced Firefighter/EMT T.J. Wilson, Badge 30, to the St. John Board of Safety who has worked for Gary and Hammond Fire Departments. Clerk-Treasurer Hernandez provided the Oath of Office to Mr. Wilson.
2023 Corporal Promotion Eligibility List interviews were conducted. At the conclusion, four candidates made the list as presented to the Board this evening. The date of expiration is January 16, 2025. Chief Flores requested approval. Mr. Moran entertained a motion to approve the 2023 Corporal Promotion Eligibility List with motion made by Mr. Palmateer and second by Mr. Swets. All were in favor by voice vote.
Corporal Promotion was introduced by Chief Flores with the top candidate being Officer J. Burk. Officer Burk has 23 years of experience with 6 years in a supervisory capacity. Chief praised his experience that includes field training and mentoring other officers. He requested that the Board approve Officer Burk’s promotion to Corporal. Mr. Moran entertained a motion to approve the promotion. Mr. Daniell made the motion to approve with second made by Mr. Swets. All were in favor by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
Mr. Moran entertained a motion to approve the minutes for the February 6, 2023 special meeting. Mr. Swets made a motion to approve with second made by Mr. Palmateer. All were in favor by voice vote.
Chief LaDuke added that some report changes will occur with the billing software for the next meeting. Also, there is a Medicare audit and Chief provided a letter from EMS Team Consulting to explain the process for Fiscal Year 2022. Mr. Moran asked about the money approved for the station and if work started. Chief explained that part of this was done for the grant last Friday. Downstairs will be a clean-gear storage area, but nothing more for the design at this time. Board Members will be included as requested. Mr. Daniell asked about the Medicare audit. Chief said that they are unsure what it entails, although, they were chosen, and they were not been able to get into the program by Federal Government standards. Access was gained just last week and the Fire Department is on page 20 of 500. Hopefully there will be more information to report at the next meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
Police Officer Colin Studer was presented by Chief Flores. Mr. Studer began February 27, 2023 and will attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in August. Mr. Studer worked for Lake Central School Corporation as a substitute teacher and assistant baseball coach.
Police Officer Zachary Vassar was presented by Chief Flores. Mr. Vassar came from the Dyer Police Department and has been very active in his law enforcement role. His family has two other members in law enforcement serving on Munster and Highland Police Departments. Mr. Vassar began working on March 6, 2023 for St. John.
Clerk-Treasurer Hernandez conducted the Oaths of Office for both Officer Studer and Officer Vassar followed by disbursement of their badges; Unit 41 and 42 respectively.
Chief LaDuke presented some slides regarding updated software. This app allows heat mapping of calls showing the most frequented locations requesting assistance. There are also charts with a breakdown of incident types from NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System). Other slides reflect activity based on shifts, call volume by year, and other pertinent information. Mr. Moran requested the information to be sent to the Safety Board via email.
Regarding other news, the new Osage ambulance is anticipated for late 2024 delivery. Chief LaDuke may request another order with the Town Council as the time frame is two to three years for delivery. This would be included with the 5-Year Capital Plan. The new engine was ordered last year also, and the Department is on track for receipt from May to July 2024. Once delivery is accepted, the engine will go to an up-fitter for mounting of storage and tools for anticipated use of August 2024. The 2021 AFG grant (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) was awarded, therefore, the purchase request will be presented this month to the Town Council for about $120,000 of additional air pack funding.
Chief LaDuke added that he submitted the Town-Wide Disaster Plan to the Town Council. He is waiting on some revisions and direction from them, and it will come to the Safety Board thereafter. He also reported about ESBC (Emergency Services Billing Corporation) for fire billing. There is an Indiana Code that allows the Fire Department to bill insurance companies for some fire services, such as a motor vehicle accident. Other communities are practicing this step as well. He is waiting for legal review. Furthermore, another SAFER grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) was submitted for a total of 4 positions. He hopes that the Town will continue funding a new firefighter every two years. An AFG grant for cancer prevention was submitted. There is also an upcoming meeting for the building upgrades.
Mr. Moran entertained a motion to approve the process for the Officer testing. Mr. Swets made the motion with second made by Mr. Daniell. All were in favor by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
Lake Central School Corporation is also interested in expanding the SRO program to cover the elementary schools within the next three to five years. Chief Flores is supportive of having an officer in every school within the Town of St. John, especially a big school such as CPCS. Chief Flores further explained that an additional officer would be hired to fill the vacancy of an existing officer for SRO assignment in the School. The new officer would be assigned to patrol. Mr. Moran asked if CPCS would share in the SRO responsibilities with another agency, similar to Lake Central. Chief Flores did not believe that was feasible since the School is within the Town boundaries. St. John officers go to the St. John schools with the exception of one elementary school. Typically, they are kept within their jurisdictions. Crown Point Christian School intends to expand for a capacity of up to 1,300 students. Chief Flores will meet with parents at an upcoming meeting to explain the program.
On another note, Chief Flores was informed today that he was selected to attend the July FBI National Command Course in Virginia.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
The upcoming officers’ exam is May 23 at 3:00 PM at the Fire Department. The follow-up interviews will be on Jun 13 with Board Members welcome to attend. Two new members will be completing their probationary period on May 21 and June 30 respectively. The Department continues to wait for information on the AFG SAFER Grant. Area communities were awarded a $6.4M grant for Opticom and intersection improvements; Gary, Hammond, Highland, Munster, St. John, Lake County Highway and Sheriff’s Department. The allocation for each community is not known at this time.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
For the month of June 2023, the St. John Fire Department responded to 125 EMS calls with 93 being transported to area hospitals. ALS cases were 74, and BLS cases were 19. Residents comprised 65% of the EMS calls with 35% from non-residents. Franciscan Health Dyer, Franciscan Health Crown Point, and Community Hospital Munster continue to be the three major transport hubs. Total monies generated at $115,887 and received at $60,369. Fire calls totaled 185 with 162 calls within the Town of St. John, 9 calls for unincorporated St. John Township, and 14 calls for mutual aid.
From June 1 through June 30, 2023, the members of the St. John Police Department logged 23,699 miles and responded to 548 law incidents. The investigation of these incidents led to 18 arrests with 42 charges being filed. There were 181 traffic citations issued, along with 402 written warnings, for a total of 583 citations being issued during the month. Vehicle thefts were $39,000 with $34,000 recovered. Property thefts totaled $2,390 with no recoveries.
Mr. Moran entertained a motion to do so. Mr. Palmateer made the motion with second made by Mr. Paradiso. All were in favor by voice vote.
Mr. Moran entertained a motion to do so. Mr. Paradiso made the motion with second made by Mr. Swets. All were in favor by voice vote.
Chief LaDuke presented Captain Sharp and Lt. Andras with their badges.
Mr. Moran entertained a motion to approve the start of a new hiring process. Mr. Swets made the motion with second made by Mr. Paradiso. All were in favor by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
President Moran asked for a motion to accept Chief LaDuke’s General Orders as follows:
1.08 Duty to Obey Lawful and Reasonable Orders, 1.13 Line of Duty Deaths, 1.14 Mission Values, 2.02 to 2.11 Conduct of Personnel, 2.13 to 2.19 Internal Investigations, 3.01 Training, 3.03 Maintaining Certifications, 3.04 Training/Travel Compensation and Use of Department Equipment and Vehicles, 4.01 to 4.04 Hiring Process, 4.06 Promotional Process, 4.07 Promotional Eligibility List, 4.08 Performance Evaluations, 4.10 Employee Safety and Accident Prevention, 4.12 Employee Files, 4.13 Grievance Procedures, 4.22 Uniform and Professional Appearance, 5.09 Fire Ground Rescue Reporting, 7.02 Fire/EMS Ops, 7.24 Minimum Staffing, 7.32 Rehab Procedures, 7.37 Critical Incident. Mr. Swets made the motion with second made by Mr. Paradiso. All were in favor by voice vote.
President Moran entertained a motion to approve the extension of a Conditional Offer of Employment to Applicant #36, Rank #5, from the 2022 Eligibility List. Mr. Daniell made the motion with second made by Mr. Paradiso. All were in favor by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
Chief Flores added that Officer Studer will graduate November 17 at Valparaiso University. This event will commemorate the 50th graduating class from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (NILEA).
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
The first item was to add a personnel resignation for the Fire Department. Mr. Paradiso made the motion with second made by Mr. Swets. All in favor by voice vote.
The second item was to add Hanover Township Trustee Kevin Toth for a 2024 contract. Mr. Paradiso made the motion with second made by Mr. Swets. All in favor by voice vote.
Trustee Kevin Toth added that conversation consisted of 109th Avenue north from state line to Cline Avenue, which 90% is probably St. John. They are looking at the unincorporated areas of that portion, which 95% is probably Emerald Crossing. This has been in discussion stages for about a year. He stressed that the people deserve closer coverage. It takes Cedar Lake about 12 to 15 minutes to respond. He is asking for St. John Fire to take over the area through a contract in the same way that the Town of St. John contracts with St. John Township unincorporated areas. They have already discussed numbers and suggestions were made by attorneys from both sides. Some of the wording in the contract was changed that the Safety Board requested. Trustee Toth would like to proceed.
Mr. Moran asked if the St. John Town Council was aware of the discussions. Chief LaDuke said that the Town Council Liaison is aware, and the Town Manager and he have been in contact with the Town Council. They are looking for a favorable recommendation from the Safety Board to bring to the Town Council study session on October 19. The Town Council meeting is October 25. The contract was given to Attorney Decker with some positive feedback. It is important to bring this to the Council in October since the coverage would begin January 1, 2024.
Mr. Moran asked about any major impact to the St. John Fire Department. Chief LaDuke explained that Emerald Crossing has hydrants through Aqua Illinois. He is confident that the hydrants could be used for fire coverage. EMS is significantly closer, and as soon as 93rd Avenue opens, it takes 4 to 5 minutes to respond to the subdivision north of Emerald Crossing. The contract amount would help with the maintenance and fuel cost for the responding rig. The amount is appropriate for the service that St. John would be covering.
Mr. Moran asked if there was any pushback from constituents. Mr. Toth stated that he believed everyone present was in favor. He has met with two or three homeowners’ associations about this subject. Everybody, he thinks, is on board; they want this. There would be about 12 calls per month in the area being proposed. The majority of calls are auto accidents and EMS. The calls have been steady at 11 or 12 monthly; everything north of 109th Avenue. Outside of a few buildings on 101st Avenue, the only others not covered are Emerald Crossing and a parcel near the east side of the gas station. Chief LaDuke added that the majority of businesses are not in St. John. He mentioned that the mutual aid agreement, and auto aid, with Lake Hills excludes EMS. Even if St. John is closer, Lake Hills will respond. If Lake Hills needs help, St. John would certainly go. For Emerald Crossing, St. John would always be the first response and a benefit to the residents. Mr. Toth added that he is looking for a favorable response from the Safety Board so there is time to make the changes, especially with having two dispatch centers. The calls would have to be switched over to Lake County Dispatch from Southcom. The businesses would have to be notified as well.
Mr. Moran entertained a motion for a favorable recommendation by the Safety Board concerning a contract with Hanover Township for 2024. Mr. Paradiso made a motion to recommend adopting the Hanover Township area in St. John’s Fire District. A second was made by Mr. Swets. All in favor by voice vote. Trustee Kevin Toth will be at the Town Council meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. for discussion.
Mrs. Derks said that Brian Mastrotti is supposed to be their HOA president, and they only have one person on the board. She prefers communication and there has been none on their end. Chief LaDuke explained, that the way in which the Town and Fire Department looks at this, Trustee Toth is responsible for contracting the services. He was unaware that there were multiple HOAs. His job as a representative of St. John and the Fire Department is to work these things out. They just want to offer the best service since they are closer. Kevin Toth apologized for the lack of communication. It was mentioned that Cedar Lake’s new fire station was not coming closer to the proposed territory.
Frank Swiech, residing at 14933 W. 102nd Avenue, asked if this was the complete package of fire and police. Mr. Moran said it would be full fire services only.
John Boersma, residing at 15634 W. 103rd Lane, reiterated that they only received notice from a management company to attend this meeting because it’s good for them. He presumes everyone is in favor of better services, however, they knew that they were in unincorporated Lake County when they bought their house. There was an understanding of limited services. His concern is the cost of services and believes this is the first step to get fully annexed into St. John. It is one thing to have services and reciprocal departments, but again, his concern is St. John having their eyes on the businesses in that area and annexation.
Respectfully submitted:
Amy J. Gross, Recording Secretary
St. John Safety Board
