04/21/1997 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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administered at the school before. Mrs. Benjamin clarified archaic typewriters were used. The commission would like to administer this test as soon as possible. If a police officer candidate is not currently certified, at the time of screening for employment are they disqualified and removed from the list? Captain Ruple requested that certification be kept current and suggested making an announcement at the test. The commission agreed to make an announcement at the test. The secretary agreed to provide the tester with a list of announcements. Chief Osterhouse recommended the same hold true for the fire department: Refresher courses are not required if a person is active in a police Aepartment. The secretary wondered if these courses are required for someone employed as a fire fighter. Chief Osterhouse advised the fire fighters that are paramedics must take refresher courses annually. Chairman Cummings suggested revising this section in the handbook. Director Wilamosky added this suggestion and the one about extra points to his notes. IV. OLD BUSINESS: A) Report on handbook. At the December 1996 meeting the civil service commission voted to declare the June 1996 handbook a suggestions workbook. All directors and department heads have received a copy of the June edition on disk or via e-mail for their review. The fire department and the law department provided suggestions at the January 27, 1997 meeting. Mr. Wilamosky presented his first draft copy of suggestions for changes on March 4, 1997. The Law Department has since recommended changes to this original draft. Mr. Wilamosky incorporated these suggestions into his second draft, submitted on March 13, 1997. The commission began reviewing the Administration's Suggestions at the March 24, 1997 meeting and shall continue with page 12 of this second draft. It was noted, per commission request at the previous meeting, Chief Osterhouse has provided the commission with an opinion from Dr. Caravona on the visual requirements. Chief Osterhouse advised Dr. Caravona believed if the operation corrected the vision it should be acceptable for both police and fire. The doctor also believed a certain level should be maintained without corrective eyeware. Chairman Cummings read the following correspondence from Dr. Caravona aloud: "It was a pleasure discussing the visual requirements for fire fighters of North Olmsted. I discussed the issue with my fellow ophthalmologist and we all feel that contact lenses or surgical correction of myopia is very acceptable. We also feel the best uncorrected vision for a firefighter should be less than that for policemen, perhaps 20/60 would be a good level. We also would like to stress that color vision testing and a visual field remain unchanged as to the present requirements. If you have any fiuther questions, feel free to call me." Chief Osterhouse clarified he is saying that the surgical procedure is acceptable and 20/60 should be the minimum uncorrected vision requirement for fire fighters. Director Wilamosky was concerned about this provision prompting premature retirement, as in all probability a persons vision will get worse with age. Chief Osterhouse advised there are people on the force that would not meet the current standards, but are able to perform their job well. He believed, if someone loses their corrective wear there should be a minimum visual standard developed. The Chairman believed the requirement should remain at 20/40. Mr. Wilamosky advised the question was whether a refractive modification procedure and/or contact lens waiver should be granted for both police and fire. Chief Osterhouse explained that Police Officers may have the minimum uncorrected visual requirements waived if a person is a successful contact lens wearer. He argued their should be a minimum requirement for a successful contact lens wearer. Commissioner Zolar advised it appears Dr. Caravona is asking that the commission lower the minimum uncorrected vision standard to 20/60 for fire fighters. The Commission did not believe a change was necessary in this area. Captain Ruple advised the majority of applicants