BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2019 MEETING REMLAP FIRE & EMS DISTRICT – STATION #1
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Commissioner Mike Painter gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Royal, Snead, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, STV-Blount, BREMSS, Blount EMS, Air Evac, Red Cross and VOAD. 9·1·1 Board Member Dean Gilbert was also present. 41 people signed the attendance sheets.
GUESTS – Stacey Waldrop with VFIS sponsored the meal and thanked everyone for their business. District 2 Commissioner Mike Painter was present and provided updates on the B&B Landfill situation regarding the proposed new location in Cleveland. Tommy Liverett with Royal Restoration was also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the November, 2018 meeting. Motion by Chief Stanton, seconded by Assistant Chief Benson, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Ivey, seconded by Chief Hill, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head reported for the AAC that December monthly goals were met at 93%. He reminded all departments that equipment inspections and financial review reports were due December 31. Also, annual Association dues are to be paid by April 1, 2019. All departments should have received their 2019 Dues invoices by email. He emphasized that all EMS providers need their license or picture ID on their person at all times when responding to an emergency.
EMA – Director Don Roybal announced an opening for the Deputy Director position which will be advertised after the next Commission meeting. The Winter Weather Exercise went well with many different agencies participating. An Active Shooter Exercise was held for Courthouse employees. Noted shortfalls will be worked on. Fuelman totals for November were at 89% and December at 108% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1 – Neal Brooks will serve 911 Interim Director through March. The Blount Dispatch Center is now live with Leeds as their communications center. This has allowed an increase in Blount 911 budget and there are now 4 to 5 dispatchers on duty per shift.
COMMUNICATIONS – Chief Payne advised that Oneonta PD is testing a Moto-Turbo comms system. If it is a positive move, it is possible Blount County could look it.
TRAINING – Training Officer Tim Frye, Jr asked that you any department has training information, please get it to him so he can place it on the Association website. Several training sessions are planned – EMTclass at Rosa; Comms and LZ at Pine Mt; and an EMT Basic hybrid later in May.
FIRE PREVENTION – No report.
EXPLORER POST – No report.
FORESTRY – No report.
SPECIAL OPS – There has not been an appointment for Special Ops Team Leader at this time.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – Michelle Emerson reported that the tele-psych program was going well and they are working on the tele-stroke system.
BREMSS – Brian Gober asked that everyone please apply for con-ed approval before conducting any training classes. The price for an AHA card has increased. There will be an EVOC Instructor refresher course soon. He also reminded everyone that the I-20/59 bridge project could impact ambulance travel times and turn around times.
BLOUNT EMS – Operations Manager Weslie Powell thanked all individuals who ride in with patients as they assist the on-scene medics. Rotations at 911 have almost been completed. BEMS will assist STV-Blount in replacing AED pads for Zoll units. Departments need to establish a rotation schedule and look 3-6 months out for expiration dates.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.
CORONER – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – Julie Warden was present but had to leave early.
RAMS – No report.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – There are potential curriculum changes on some courses and accreditation is still being reviewed.
RED CROSS – Disaster Program Specialist Debra Dolph advised that ARC is gearing up for their Sound The Alarm campaign for Birmingham, Huntsville and other cities. There will be 600+ installed in the Birmingham area and she is looking for volunteers to assist.
VOAD – Coordinator Larry Stone announced the next VOAD meeting will be on January 15 at 1000.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Alabama Fire Chiefs Conference is scheduled for Feb 5-8. Royal Restoration has offered to cover one scholarship plus another vendor has offered one scholarship. A motion for the Association to provide up to 3 scholarships was given by Chief Payne with a second from Co-Captain Baril and passed by voice vote.
A Blount County Fire Chiefs Conference is set for Saturday, Feb 23 at Anchors Church in Oneonta.
Chief Ivey of West Blount has offered to cover the costs of CPR manikins upgrades using his HCA reimbursement grant.
NEW BUSINESS:
A discussion to change the By-Laws to accept other department representatives such as Council members, Trustees or officers as recognized official, non-proxy attendance at Association meetings was tabled for the next meeting.
A motion to change the due date for annual Equipment Inspection reports and Financial Review letters to March 1 of each year was offered by Chief Frye, second from Chief Stanton and approved by voice vote.
A motion to move excess 2018 General Fund money to a Contingency Fund was given by Chief Payne with a second from Chief Stanton and passed by voice vote.
Tommy Liverettt of Royal Restoration thanked everyone for the business recommendations given and for all of the calls. Tim Frye, Jr won the TV.
The July meeting date at Nectar falls on July 4 so the meeting will be moved to July 11.
The next meeting will be February 7 at Snead.
***Note that the February meeting was not held so that members could attend the Alabama Fire Chiefs Conference in Tuscaloosa and also everyone could attend the Blount County Fire Chiefs Conference would be held on February 23 and receive any Association information.***
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Jon Head, Chairman