The Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana is in trouble. The building located beside Wal-Mart on the old Southtown Mall site came begging to council last night for $500,000 to keep the doors open. During a lengthy question and answer session that was quite collegial Bernie Beier, the administrative head of the academy, and Helen Murray, local leader of I&M, and more importantly for the point of this discussion, the board chair of the academy, sat at the table and promised, deflected pointed questions and rah-rah’ed for a good thirty minutes. In the end they got city money to keep the place going, but not without a gentle scolding.
Here’s what I heard. Word-of-mouth is their method of attracting organizations to use the facility. Aargh. Bernie happily said the attendance numbers were good, getting better, but could be much better and reeled off a litany of groups that have used the facility. He boasted of a training class of law enforcement officers that included a peace officer from the Virgin Islands. He seemed surprised and happy that this felicitous accident occurred. Seems the guy found the place during an internet search. Luck. This illustrates part of Bernie’s problem and dilemma. The guy from the Virgin Islands found the Academy by accident and that is exactly a large part of what is wrong with the organization. They have no one to market their facility. Every organization worth anything has a marketeer or a department devoted to getting the word out. Bernie has no one. He hopes that his distinguished board will pick up some of that slack by loaning their marketing departments to aid his worthy efforts, namely Ms. Murray from I&M and Chancellor Wartell of IPFW. That sort of thing seldom works, and council told him as much. Liz Brown, among others, made the point in a very gentle way, almost as if dealing with a good child who doesn’t seem to have a clue.
The dilemma is that the budget is tight and got a bit tighter last night. How to pay for outreach, promotions, marketing, etc.
Beier also noted that they contract grant writing, there is no one on staff focusing on this essential effort.
The question is where to get the money. As they went through the academy’s budget is was almost pathetic to hear that staff is tasked with cleaning the sidewalks of snow. They simply can’t afford a private contractor to do this, and they have cut back the number of parking spaces they clean during a snow fall. The Academy web site shows a staff of two. The academy is operating on a bare bones budget with Bernie bundled up snow shovel in hand dreading a snow “event.”
Last night three of the academy’s board members, Chancellor Wartell, Ms. Murray and the esteemed former State Senator Robert Meeks, sat in the audience for moral support and to press for the appropriation. Gravitas. The other two members, both respected area mayors, Ted Ellis of Bluffton and Susan Handshoe of Kendallville, were busy.
As the conversation continued, council president Tom Smith intoned what has become almost his mantra: CEDIT dollars are drying up and next year you can’t expect the same level of support. He has said that to almost everyone who has come to the table with their hands out. He was not rude or aggressive, just speaking a clear truth: as income falls taxes will also fall and the amount government can hand out in subsidies will tumble. Just what Bernie wanted to hear.
Ms. Murray told council that her board plans to reduce their requested allocation by $100,000 per year and promised a renewed effort led by…shovel in hand, handiwipes for the bathrooms, maker of coffee, janitor-administrator-leader-amateur marketeer…Bernie Beier.
Councilman Mitch Harper, who was the loan vote against the appropriation, noted that the organization has not so far met its “benchmarks.” It was a symbolic vote, but other council members seem inclined to join Harper in putting the organization on notice.
The presentation by the academy was interesting, but frothed with optimism in an attempt to obscure undertones of desperation. It seems like a very worthy organization that attracts officers, first-responders, fire fighters, a whole range of public safety personnel to come here and sharpen their crafts. It is beautiful facility. It has a worthy and powerful board. Bernie Beier is a great guy, and quite capable, by most accounts. Given the recent history of turmoil in the organization the 8 to 1 vote was a vote of confidence for Beier who has been on the job only a month, but it was a warning to the august board that they have to beat the bushes for money and events.
Perhaps their next first step should be to hire a full time bush-beater. They might also remove the name of the former director, Brent Johnson, and replace it with Bernie Beier’s.
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Jim – Did I understand that their budget includes a hugh amount for “Janitorial Services” ? This was reported on WOWO this afternoon. If they don’t have many people using the facility, why the large amount for clean-up?
Wasn\’t there a change in oversight of this facility last year? It seems I remember the State Legislators were unhappy about the City of Fort Wayne taking oversight of what was to have been a Regional Facility created by the State Legislature. Could the financial problems of this academy be the result of current City oversight?
John, they have a lot of folk using the place, but not enough to support themselves. They still have a very large cleaning bill thanks to the nature of the work they do. They are cutting back everywhere to make ends meet. Their budget is over a million and, according to their website there are only two people on staff. The web site needs a bit of cleaning services itself, but one thing they really need is a solid marketing effort and they have tried to scrimp on that. It is sort of like writing a classic novel, but not having planned for the cost of printing and promotion.
I had a walk-through tour of the facility in November, 2008 (my blog post archive), and I can say it is one very nice building.
It’s got everything any law-enforcement agency or fire department could want in the way of training and education.
ANd yes, Bernie is a great guy, but he does have a lot on his plate (regional director – Homeland Security for one), and I don;lt beleive he should be the “head cheerleader” when it comes to funding appropriations.
They definitely need someone with a nose for marketing.
It could be considered the area’s “best kept secret”.
That does need to change…with the right person helming this “ship’.
Hell, if they’d be up to it, I’d consider doing some low-cost or even some volunteer work (if the snow gets really bad, I’m gonna need a ride to the place…my car was never built for deep snow, but I do have my OWN shovel!)
I’d wager I could (as could many others) do necessary janitorial work for a LOT less then the going rate…they could “pay me” in range time…!
(that alone would be worth it)
But hey, that’s just my opinion.
I’d really hate to see something this valued go belly-up…that just ain’t right.
I think another thing that could hamper their ongoing efforts is it’s location. Let’s face it, there are dozens if not hundreds of fire departments and police departments bordering the Allen County area, but how many want to drive to the south side of the city?
Now I don’t mean that because it’s on the southeast side that people are afraid to drive down there because of the stigma that’s placed on that part of Fort Wayne. But how convenient is it?
Couldn’t there be better infrastructure and facilities located nearby to improve on that convenience? How many hotels are down in that area that would allow for a big convention or training module? Once you get off of 469 it doesn’t seem as simple to get to if it were directly off the interstate.
Well, Chris, it\’s gonna be hard to move everything out to the interstate to make things more convenient. Since the academy is not all that far from I-469 perhaps enough of these able bodied men and women will be able tap the the coordinates in to their GPS to make it that arduous last two miles. Actually, it is about the same route Henry Rudisill and his family took to make it to Fort Wayne Christmas eve 1830. They made their way in a blizzard, riding and walking in and beside an oxen-powered covered wagon. They noted wolves paralleling their route past Hessen Castle toward the fort. I guess if Rudisill and his family and oxen could make it to town these poor souls to whom you refer might be able to pull themselves together for the drive down to the inconvenient south side. Poor babies.
Chris:
No stigma about this part of town… it’s LOUSY with crime (and those who commit it). Be nice if the city fessed up to it.
People ARE afraid to drive down here. Hell, many are afraid to WALK about…and never far from where they live. The criminals are not.
BTW, how’s about being awakened to 5 gunshots at 3 AM (this morning)sound to you? (typical)
Nope…no stigma at all…this part of town IS a ghetto…it just looks a little better than most (we’re not DETROIT yet).
Even *if* the FWPD HQ was to be located at the PSA, crime would not drop appreciably…
It’s all the dubious PEOPLE that are never held accountable and have no earthly value who need to”vamoose”…not the normal, regular folks.
Jim:
Never knew that chunk of history regarding the city…thanks.
Well, I should have read the Tuesday N&S. Bob Caylor reported in that edition, the one that I finally got to today, that the Academy was going to come in with a plan to become self-sufficient. One would think that with the leadership of Ms. I&M CEO Helen Murray that Bernie Beier, the Academy’s number one (of two) would have put together a real business plan to present to council. Given that Chancellor Wartell is on the board Bernie should have asked for Business School guidance. As he, Bernie, had savvy old former senator Bob Meeks on his side (and board) he might have asked Bob, whether his presentation would have won Bob’s confidence. Now I understand a comment that Mitch Harper made that the presentation showed him nothing. Sorry Mitch, for missing the point…again. There was no plan, just a plea for $550k, roughly half the whole damn budget, to keep the academy going. It was just wishful thinking and pleading and a lot of the-little-train-that-could sort of talk. Mitch was right to vote against the request, other council members should have voice the same anger through their questions and votes. Bernie Beier and his blue ribbon board needs to get their act together, fast.
I’m starting to think that Mitch Harper might make a good replacement for Tom Henry.
Phil – Sure wish we didn’t have to wait til 2011 to accomplish this!!!
I think, at the moment, I agree with you. There is a lot of time. Tom could learn from his many mistakes and do some good for the city? We should hope so. If he gets it right then we all should gain.
I’m not going to come out and endorse anyone at this point, it’s far too early.
Thus far, I’ve not been impressed with Henry’s lack of performance, willingness to spend willy-nilly and the almost total lack of transparency. It would not surprise be to see a Henry plan to increase the LOIT after the first of the year.
On the fire side of things,regional training centres are common.As example St.Joe Township is a regional training center.Auburn is the local National recognised training center.So it is no surprise that the building is under utilized.What it lacks is hands on training.You can sit in a class room anywhere and learn.But to understand how hot or utterly black a fire can be just doesn’t register until you do it.As most other things fire departments do.It would of helped if firemen got to help design the site,not just academics.My feeling is the tax payers would be best served if the building was sold.
Thanks, Bloomer, I will pass that on to my three friends on council, as well as a couple of members with whom I regularly chat.
I’m not as much in tune with local politics as most of you are, so please clue me in- Does this academy provide the same functionality as the Sheriff’s new training center?
Randall, I am sure there are those who can better deliniate the differences, but I have heard the primary difference is an outdoor shooting range the sheriff wants. I think his overlaps much with the Academy. I have not heard a compelling argument that it is essential, more comments, instead, that it is his goal and he wants it. Turf at our expense. I would love to hear someone explain why it is necessary.
Jim,
Does the Public Safety academy have a driving track for law enforcement practice & others? That was something I thought would be an excellent idea. The fact that the public would be able to use that track & the shooting range was a positive for me too.
Oh, well. I am not a professional academy designer, so I should not recommend all that should be in the idea academy for this area. What I can suggest is that we only need one academy here, but it should be very good. It should be a cooperative venture, Sheriff Fries does not need his own place, the police chief, the fire chief, the volunteers, the hazmat people, the whoever do not all need their own publically supported facilities. We can really do with one here, not ten or five or even two.
Each subject of is government handcuffed by law.And everyone is trying to save their job.
Numerous area public safety departments and schools use the facilities regularly. The problem comes down to being able to charge for use of the facility. There are numerous classroom and hands on evolutions that can be held here, the space is extremely useful. There are a few limitations including no -outdoor- firing range, no areas for live burns, no EVOC driving course (simulators only), and no general outdoor fields, wooded areas, and ponds for training. There are the simulators, simunition room, wet lab, bays, and much more (don’t forget the auditorium). Most classes are free to the attendees and most departments don’t want to shovel out money if they don’t have to. They would shove everyone in a free classroom instead of paying for the PSA’s auditorium.
One would think the money that they could make off of the local schools that use the facility would be enough to support it. Ivy Tech, Anthis(FWCS), Indiana Tech, IPFW, and Trine.
For Fire departments, FWFD has an older burn tower, flashover chamber and more not too far away. There is Southwest Fire\\\’s burn tower, confined space training, car fire training, and much more that is less than 10 miles from the PSA. No point in wasting more money to duplicate that at the PSA as far as I\\\’m concerned… I\\\’m glad they didn\\\’t do that. Classes can easily be held with the classroom portion at the PSA in the morning and head out to the burn tower after lunch. The Southwest Fire’s training center is already used by most of the NE Indiana public safety departments, not just area fire departments. Police departments use this for their special ops training also.
As far as the driving courses are concerned, in my opinion we should be using existing unused paved areas in the area. The space formerly known as Kitty Hawk property is one area that has been used in the past as a great driving course, and a massive amount of empty, paved land. Setup cones and you will be set.
Ponds…Yes they are frequently found around here, so training with them is needed. But I know of a few local public safety personnel who would volunteer the use of their own ponds. Let alone the public generally says yes at requests to train in their ponds anyways. The same goes for fields and wooded areas.
What about the amazing fitness facility there? Last I heard only certain personnel can use the facility. I think it was only open to FWPD and FWFD. I’m not sure if Allen County Police could use it, and I know Allen County Fire departments do not have access to it. I’d clean up after myself, and even offer to clean a urinal or shovel a sidewalk or two for access to the fitness center.
About the plowing, the city is using these facilities, why don’t they plow the parking lot? Aren’t there some FWPD/FWFD personnel that have offices located here? Are we (Fort Wayne taxpayers) paying the PSA for the use of this, on top of this extra money?
These entities are all ready training people being regional training academies.Why duplicate govermant services.Do you have a job to save?
Bloomer- Are you referring to me?
If so, No. I sure the heck don’t. I volunteer. I work for free.
My point was, the PSA does fill some gaps of things that public safety personnel didn’t have access to in the area. Simulators, simunition room, wet lab, training bays, large auditorium, indoor range, multiple classrooms in one roof, and much more. My other point was is that they didn’t duplicate a lot of things that we already have in the area, burn towers, flashover chambers, car fire, confined spaces, high/low angle rescue training areas, and much more.
As far as the County Training Center, While I do have high admiration for Sheriff Fries, I think that his training center would duplicate a few things that the county already has access to. While I do agree that a few of the proposed items are needed, but this might not be the best and economical route to take. Having everything in a central location is great, but not always best. There are enough abandon buildings, fields, and parking lots in the area.
Everyone’s worried about the money. Look at the costs to keep the PSA running, a county training center would cost a lot to operate also, but nothing close to what the PSA is spending.
I know if it came down to it, and the county ran out of money, Fries wouldn’t think twice about jumping on a lawn mower to mow or plow the training center himself so his officers would be able to have the proper training-and I would place money on it that you would never hear him complain once about it, and guess what, if I knew about it, I would help him, regardless of the fact that if I think another training center is needed, nor the fact that I am not even on his department.
Not much of any of that is much help.But feel good.And that is only my opinion after 34 years.Talking about it does not really get it across.You have a good heart. Fries I think has a good handle on things.But was not my point.
Eric, I appreciate the information you provided as I wasn\’t aware of some of it.
Eric, I agree with Outsider and will mention much of what you have said when I chat with a couple friends of mine from council. I think we would all like to see this succeed, so the question is what must be done to bring in more user fees. Thanks, again. Jim