2015-11-05 Minutes

BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2015 MEETING

PALISADES PARK

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Mel Wade 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, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Lifesaver, and the District Attorney Office were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks, Board Member Chief Bob Sanford and Communications Officers Andi Murphree,Carrie Reid and John Morton were also present. 32 people signed the Attendance sheets

GUESTS – Blount County District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert; Dr. Robertson, BREMSS Offline Medical Director for many Blount County departments; Greg Wood, Alabama Forestry Commission; Jason Haggard, Advance Rescue Solutions; Tommy Liveritt, DEC Fire & Water Restoration and District Attorney Pamela Casey and some of her staff who sponsored the meal.

Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the October meeting. Motion by Chief Reed, seconded by Chief Ellenburg, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Assistant Chief Branham, seconded by Assistant Chief Walker, and carried by voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Head reminded everyone that the annual Equipment Inspections and Financial Review statements were due in the EMA office by December 31, 2015 with no exceptions. The Blount County Health Care Authority has approved the expenditures of $1200.00 per EMS department for the purchase of replacement AEDs. Please send specifications of your AED needs to EMA. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards relayed his District 2 AFC report (see attached).

EMA – Deputy Director Doug Smith announced there will be a Winter Weather Exercise at the EOC on Wednesday, 11/18 from 0730 – 1130. EMA would like to develop a special needs registry of citizens in your coverage area and will need assistance from the VFDs once the survey form is complete. ICS 300 & 400 is planned for 2016 if departments request it. Please send the names of your members who need the training. EOC Ops & Planning training will be conducted in June, 2016. The CDP Training calendar for the 1st quarter of 2016 has been emailed. The recent ADPH drive-through Flu Clinic was a success with more than 400 people receiving their flu shot. The Fuelman use for October was at 75% of budget.

9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Director Caleb Branch advised that the run reports are published monthly on the 911 website. New CAD text will detail the specific medical nature of the call in the future. The grant for the EMT training has been approved so classes will start at the end of January and run through April. Costs are $570.00 per person and will be taught at the 911 Center on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1800 – 2100.

TRAINING – No specific report. Chairman Head encouraged everyone to nominate an individual to attend the FDIC Training that he was allowed to participate in last year. Nominations are easily handled through a short video presentation.

FIRE PREVENTION – Fire Association Icon Joe Ray Daily announced he was retiring from active involvement in the Association, specifically the Fair Committee. He thanked everyone that has assisted him with any activities. He reminded all that Alabama leads the nation in per capita fire deaths.

FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms has the Financial Assistance Grant Forms and he will need them returned to him by the first week of January. The grant forms for the 50/50 equipment grant should be mailed or postmarked by December 31, 2015. Each department will need to register on the STARRS program with the State of Alabama.

SPECIAL OPS – No specific report.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – It is reported that the Tele-medicine Patient Care program is working well.

BREMSS – The BREMSS banquet will be held on November 16 at 1830 with a Board Meeting to be held at 1700. Wall time discussions have resulted in efforts by the STV RNs to meet patients at the door and have them off the ambulance stretchers in 15 minutes.

Blount EMS – Tammy was unavailable but ITLS training will be held November 14 & 15 for $25.00.

AMED – No report.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

CORONER – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey said it was her pleasure to sponsor the meal and thanked all departments for the response you give to the citizens of Blount County. She has recently attended Fire Investigator training.

LIFESAVER – Don Wilson thanked everyone for their support and asked that all departments let him know how Lifesaver can assist you. LZ classes are available.

AIR-EVAC – No report.

RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

l The Blount County Veteran's Day Parade will be Saturday, November 14.

l Tim Frye, Jr is looking in to a new option for the Association website maintenance which could save $70.00 per year.

l Chief Hill relayed information concerning background checks for prospective members. Service through ALEA is $95.00 per year with a $15.00 fee per individual check or individual checks anytime for $25.00.

NEW BUSINESS:

l A motion to pass the proposed 2016 Budget as follows was received from Chief Hill and a second from Chief Ellenburg, motion passed by voice vote:

l A motion to move $2000.00 of General Fund money to the designated Training Fund was offered by Chief Frye with a second from Chief Booth. Motion passed by voice vote.

l A motion to pay for Scholarships to cover the $150 per person registration fees for the Fire Chiefs Conference in Tusdcaloosa was offered by Chief Willis with a second from Chief Reed. This money will come from the Training budget and will cover up to three (3) individuals. Motion passed by voice vote.

l A motion to move the balance of Undesignated General Fund dollars to a new Fire Prevention designated fund was received from Chief Reed with a second from Chief Willis. Motion passed by voice vote.

l Station 7 has multiple sections of 1.5 & 2.5 inch hose for sale.

l It was brought to the Association's attention that an Explorer Post could be chartered and sponsored by the Association. This would allow individual departments to include smaller numbers of potential Explorers per department while meeting the overall participation goals. This Post would be covered under the guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America. Participants that are age 16 can assist outside the fire zone, ride in apparatus, participate in medical calls but can not be involved in live fire and can not ride in tankers. There will be a presentation on the program at the January, 2016 meeting.

l All departments were encouraged to spread any information gathered at Association meetings back through their individual departments; to invite department members to come to Association meetings and to encourage Egroup sign-ups.

l Annual awards were presented to:

Dispatcher of the Year – John Morton Firefighter of the Year – Chief J.J. Ivey of West Blount Fire & EMS District

l A special recognition from the Alabama Forestry Commission to Terry Helms for 25 years of service was brought by Greg Wood, State Volunteer Fire Department Coordinator. Terry received his State of Alabama 25-year Service Pin and a standing ovation for his work and dedication to the fire departments and citizens of Blount County.

l Assignment for hosting Association meetings for 2016 was completed per the schedule listed below.

The next meeting will be January 7, 2016 at Remlap Fire & EMS District. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Stacey Waldrop of VFIS