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TUESDAY. MAY 4. 1999 90 <br />on to discuss staffing levels, which were considered below the needs as defined by the Occupational Safety <br />and Health Administration' s Two in, Two Out rule, defining the rule for Council as one requiring two fire <br />fighters to be outside for rescue needs whenever two fire fighters entered a burning structure. Council <br />Member Haskell then asked what the average response time to calls was, and was told three to four minutes. <br />Mr. Reynolds then pointed out that funds were recommended in the budget for a fire station location ind <br />staffing study. In addition, Mr. Reynolds noted that there was a $46,540 decrease in costs for EMS training <br />through a joint program with Henry County, stating that these funds had been redirected to in-house Fire and <br />EMS budgets to provide this training intemally, thus showing an increase in these budgets which was really <br />a neutral budget issue. Thus, although the combination of Fire and EMS budgets showed an increase of <br />about $61,000, there was a reduction of $46,540 in funds to the County. <br /> <br /> Council next considered the budget of the Safety Office, as presented by Safety Officer Bob Phillips. <br />Mr. Phillips reviewed safety incidents of the previous year, and noted a greater emphasis on training. <br />Council Member Haskell asked what had been done on the issue of confined space entry, and Mr. Phillips <br />noted the acquisition of new confined space entry and trenching equipment, new signs on all vaults, and a <br />greater emphasis on training on this subject. Mr. Phillips pointed out that new pulmonary function testing <br />equipment .obtained this year had resulted in savings of $1,900 in testing costs over previous years. <br /> <br /> Council next considered the budget for the Leisure Services and Facilities Department, as presented <br />by Mr. Anthony Rinaldi, the department manager. Mr. Rinaldi commented on efforts to hold the line on the <br />department budget, progress on a five-year parks renovation plan, $20,000 worth of recent renovation work <br />at Southside Park, and plans for work at Wilson and Chatham Heights parks. Council Member Dallas stated <br />that he thought Leisure Services and Senior Services had been combined, and Mr. Reynolds confn'med that <br />this was true, even. though the budget sheets did not seem to reflect this at this time. Mr. Reynolds went on <br />to point out that Leisure Services and Facilities now included Senior Services, Parks Maintenance, Hooker. <br />Field, and the Armory. Mr. Rinaldi then introduced a new concept for aSoftball/Multisports Complex, and <br />showed an artists rendering of this project. Following discussion of this item Mr. Rinaldi noted that a new <br /> <br /> <br />