BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF AUGUST 3, 2017 MEETING

HIGHLAND LAKE ANCHOR – HOSTED BY ST MTN VFD

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Assistant Chief Mel Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Royal, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Blount EMS and Life Saver. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Members Chief Bob Sanford and Dean Gilbert were also present.  47 people signed the attendance sheets.

GUESTS – Keith Sharp of Central Alabama Training Solutions (CATS) sponsored the meal and highlighted several product and lines that they carry.

Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the July meeting. Motion by Chief Willis, seconded by Chief Ellenburg, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Payne, seconded by Assistant Chief Phillips, and carried by voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head update the status of the Ambulance Contract through the Ambulance Advisory Committee. The RFP has been released and bids are due by August 14, 2017. He urged all departments who have not paid their 2017 Workers Compensation policy amounts to send them in.  Jon also encouraged all departments to get familiar with the services of M4A, Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, as they have many programs that available that can assist with management of an aging population during emergencies. EMA already has a standing MOU with them. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards gave an update on the AAVFD Conference and the District meetings. (See attached.) The Conference also acknowledged the passing of Roger Wilson, longtime Walker County 911 Director and state- wide 911 wireless communications leader.

EMA – Director Don Roybal discussed the 2017 Homeland Security Grant. Packets are due back to Blount EMA by 9/6 using the approved equipment list from the packet.  There is a

$50000 cap per grant. The grant to cover generators for every fire department were not approved but EMA is applying for a $50000 grant to cover a cache of radios that can be used in the County to improve interoperable communications. Don requested a letter of support from the Association to be sent with the radio grant. A motion from Chief Payne with a second from Chief Ellenburg passed on voice vote for the Association to write the letter of support.  There will be a future follow-up training session with CSX with rails cars and CSX has developed a new app for smart-phone use so responders can know what is on a train consist should there be an emergency. See Don for details. Fuelman for July was at 93% of budget while the YTD usage stands at 97% of the annual budget with two months left.

9·1·1 – Director Caleb Branch provided a text list for every department and asked that you review and submit any changes back to 911.

COMMUNICATIONS – No report.

TRAINING – Training Officer Tim Frye, Jr. advised there is money in the Training budget if anyone needs to conduct training. Also, there are various training manuals in the lending library at EMA.

FIRE PREVENTION – Smoke detector forms are at Oneonta Fire & Rescue for those departments that had homeowners sign up to have smoke alarms installed.

EXPLORER POST – Departments will be recruiting Explorer participants through the schools this year.

FORESTRY – Forester Matt Tucker reported that the AFC 50/50 matching grant funds are no longer available as that money has been reallocated to other uses within the agency. The VFD Certification law is in effect. If some VFDs don’t make calls but collect State & Federal money, then they will be de-certified. AFC Grant Checks should be available by the September meeting. If you are awarded a surplus vehicle through the FEPP, you have 20 days to schedule your pickup or it goes to the next department on the list.

SPECIAL OPS – No report.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.

BREMSS – Brian Gober announced that the BREMSS banquet information has been mailed out. The EMS Coordinator meeting will be August 4 at Callahan Eye Foundation at 1100. The EMT registry is being cleaned up with several efforts (letters and email) being made to contact each individual whose license has expired. EVOC instructor courses are being scheduled for September.  UAB ER changes are showing very little wait time with overflow rooms available. A BLS Instructor class will be conducted on 8/16.

BLOUNT EMS – Operations Manager Shawn Gregory thanked all departments for what you do on the scenes to assist their crews. Brent Dierking reported that the CQI Committee was on board to make the system work.

AMED – No report.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

CORONER – No report.

STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.

ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – No report.

LIFESAVER – Don Wilson thanked those departments that use their services and reminded all that they will also be carrying antibiotics on board.

AIR-EVAC – No report.

RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.