HomeMy WebLinkAboutXfinity Center Sub Comm 01/14/2013Meeting #2 of the Comcast Center Entertainment License Subcommittee JanG12013
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Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. Present were the fo&irlg'=:
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William Ross, Town Manager
Jess Aptowitz, Selectmen
Olivier Kozlowski, Selectmen
Neal Boldrighini, Fire Chief
Arthur O'Neill, Chief Of Police
Sam Thomson, Lieutenant
James Puleo, Deputy Fire Chief
Dave Faunce, Executive Director of Southeastern Mass EMS Council, Inc.
Bruce Montgomery, General Manager, Comcast Center
Doug Bord, Senior Vice President - Venues, New England, Live Nation
Oversight of EMS Services
A discussion ensued regarding the responsibility for oversight of EMS services delivered at the
Comcast Center. Mr. Faunce addressed the group and explained that the Department of Public
Health, beginning in 2000, requires communities to have a Service Zone Plan approved by
OEMS. It established the fire department is the responsible department for the implementation
and oversight of all EMS services provided in town, including services performed by non -town
EMS providers. He explained that the fire department is responsible for establishing the
standards, which OEMS must approve, and must ensure that the standards are met. Mr.
Montgomery suggested that the services have been provided to the community's standard and
asked if it was necessary to change it. Mr. Montgomery stated that the Comcast Center venue
has been in operation for 27 years and that there had been no liability losses or claims and no
complaints by patrons or Comcast Center staff. He expressed his willingness to hold the Town
harmless for EMS services provided at the venue.
Mr. Ross explained that the Fire Chief has prepared a revised Service Zone Plan which will be
reviewed by OEMS. He indicated that the Town has a legal obligation to ensure that the
standards of care are met and the lack of a claim having been filed doesn't mean that the
Town's legal obligation has been met.
Both Selectmen Kozlowski and Aptowitz indicated that the Town must have more oversight over
the services provided at the Comcast Center in order to satisfy its obligation to ensure delivery
of services. Mr. Faunce reminded the group that the Fire Chief has the obligation to ensure
compliance with both state and local standards. Mr. Ross stated that it is possible for the Town
to provide oversight and assure compliance, without providing the actual care and transport of
patients.
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In summary, Mr. Kozlowski indicated that the Town is developing a plan, it is being submitted,
and there will be opportunity for comment. He indicated that the plan will be a model, to be
adjusted based on the nature of the event.
The members then discussed the timetable for submission of the plan. Chief Boldrighini stated
that the plan will be finalized shortly, will be submitted to each provider of EMS services, Mr.
Montgomery and Sturdy Hospital for comments. It will then be revised and submitted to the
Town Manager for review before submitting to Mr. Faunce for his transmittal to the Department
of Public Health. Mr. Kozlowski stated that the Plan would then be incorporated by reference
into the License Agreement. Mr. Faunce stated that approval at the state level could take up to
3 months, but that the plan could be implemented while awaiting approval.
Correction to Minutes
Mr. Montgomery pointed out an error in the minutes from Meeting #1 regarding traffic detours.
He stated that the minutes should be revised to reflect the fact that detours are only an issue
after events, not before events. The Minutes will be corrected.
Protective Custody Issue
Chief O'Neill addressed the group and informed them of a new law which will prevent his
officers from placing patrons attending events under the age of 18 into protective custody. The
Committee reached a consensus that more information is needed to clarify the intent of the law
and whether or not a legislative correction is needed.
Command Center
A lengthy discussion ensued about the proposed command center structure. Mr. Montgomery
indicated that he is opposed to a command center structure. He believes it will result in a delay
of service and he has consulted other professionals. He stated that his objection is to the
Command Center structure and is not personally directed at any Town employees and he
believes that a command center is not used by venues the size of the Comcast Center. He
stated that additional personnel required to staff the command center would have little or
nothing to do at many events. Chief Boldrighini indicated that unified commands are very
effective in many situations, including storms or school activities - with one center where all
public safety officials are stationed. Mr. Montgomery indicated that his research revealed that
only stadiums and festivals with over 100,000 in attendance use a command center structure.
Chief O'Neill stated that anything can be made more efficient but fears that the structure may
slow down response times. He believes that the current structure is 90% effective. Mr. Ross
stated that he is concerned with the resistance to having coordinated activities among all
service providers and that this structure would permit all areas of service to know what is going
on. Mr. Kozlowski pointed out that one incident of a patron getting sick can quickly turn into a
different kind of incident. A discussion about radios and communication took place, and all
agreed that the radio frequency monitoring could be improved. Mr. Aptowitz stated that, in the
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end, the group must look to the Chiefs to advise them on what they are comfortable with and
how best to meet the standards of care. Discussion then took place about the issues which
have arisen under the current structure, Chief Boldrighini indicated that he thought the system
was overwhelmed and it is his responsibility to try to correct that and to ensure the standard of
care. Mr. Montgomery indicate his desire to work with the Town to accomplish that.
Drinking in the parking lot
Mr. Ross reminded the Committee that there is a Town By -Law prohibiting public drinking but
that it is not practical to enforce it. He stated that the police do an excellent job of dealing with
intoxicated -patrons who are a problem. Chief O'Neill believes that concentrating on underage
drinkers and those who are intoxicated and causing a problem is the best course of action and
that eliminating the drinking in the parking lot is not practical. The group agreed that ticket
checks are helpful in some instances and Mr. Montgomery agreed to use this process when
appropriate.
Miscellaneous Items
The group agreed that misting fans for the for first aid area would be appropriate, but that using
drug -sniffing dogs was not an option. There was discussion about the house lights and
whether they would illuminate the lawn area in the event of an emergency. Mr. Montgomery
assured the group that they would.
Mr. Aptowitz inquired whether or not the Identity Tour had been booked for this season, and Mr.
Bord stated that he was not aware of whether or not it had been booked. Mr. Kozlowski stated
that he believed that the sound remediation at that event did not meet the established criteria.
Next Meeting
There will be more discussion about the incident command center
The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Meeting Minutes Prepared By: Deb Herbert
Approved at the Meeting of February 4, 2013
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