1978-06-07 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • Regular Meeting 6/7/78 4 7. COUNCIL ACTION (CONTINUED) COMMISSIONER CLINE - spoke on the social side of the convention. There was a reception held on Saturday at Aston Village for all those in attendance. Many people from other parts of the state were unaware of Galveston's restoration program going on. It was most impressive. A shrimp boil was held at Seawolf Park. Over 400 pounds of shrimp were served. Pertaining to the two panels, the subjects were Management of Police Services and Volunteer Fire Departments. The speakers were Gordon Johnson and Harold Bludgett. Both were very well informed and gave the group some very informative information. Further stating, it takes 5.4 men to keep one officer on the street 24 hours a day on a 40-hour work week. Mayor John Ray Harrison of Pasadena, spoke at the convention on Pasadena's Volunteer Firemen. Pasadena has the largest volunteer department in the State. Commissioner Cline further stated it was a pleasure to attend the convention and represent the City of La Porte. • COMMISSIONER SIMONS - stated he attended the Police Seminar, the Volunteer Fire Department Seminar, the Ambulance Seminar, and Virginia's Seminar and two other general session. The Ambulance Seminar had a man from the State, Harold Hopper, stating the cost for a City of 3,400 operating with part volunteers and one small ambulance would be $43,000.00. To operate an ambulance service with paid personnel, with 24-hour service, the cost for a City would be between $190,000 and $250,000 to operate an efficient ambulance service. The Fire Seminar was presented by Henry Smith, from Texas A. & M. giving slides and presentation on the difference between paid and volunteer fire departments. Commissioner Simons further stated that the Pasadena Fire Department is the largest Fire Department not only in the State, but in the world. It has 165 volunteers, with seven stations. Police Services - The national standards are 5.4 men per one police officer for 24-hour coverage; covering vacation, sick time, and court time. Commissioner Simons further stated that many of the Mayors and Councilmen were surprised at these standards. He further stated that he felt that this convention was the best of the three that he had attended. •