2015-05-07 Minutes

BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2015 MEETING

LOCUST FORK COMMUNITY CENTER

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Mel Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Blount EMS and the District Attorney Office were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were present. A total of 41 people signed the attendance sheets.

GUESTS Billy Atchison with Sunbelt Fire Apparatus sponsored the meal and discussed their available products. Blount County District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert was present as well as Trooper Chuck Daniels who presented information reviewing the legalities of using personal vehicles as they relate to emergency vehicle operations. (See attached)

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head detailed a Firefighter Camp for high school students through the Blount County Education Foundation summer program. This will be for 8th graders through rising seniors. Volunteers are needed to assist with classes on basic firefighting, EMS and equipment operations. He also reminded everyone about the open hat donation for the Good & Welfare Committee, if you need a receipt they are available. He also reminded all departments that the invoices for the Blount County Health Care Authority reimbursement checks are due by May 31, 2015. The new Workman's Comp insurance coverage plan for those departments participating has gone in to effect. Jon thanked Chief John Reed for nominating him to attend the FDIC Training seminar in Indianapolis on an all expenses paid scholarship. He will be sending out training information that he received while there. He also gave a brief legislative update on two bills: SB387 which involves the EMS Advisory Council membership makeup and HB143 which gives tactical medics the same protection rights as law enforcement personnel during operations with tactical teams. The District 2 AFC report from Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards was emailed prior to the meeting. Jon asked for a show of hands from departments present that had received negative public reaction to their departments caused by the county-wide Rescue Squad fund raiser. Over half of the departments responded that they had received negative comments or confusion with their own departments by the company performing the door-to-door fund raiser.

EMA Director Don Roybal explained the new NIXLE emergency notification program to anyone who wanted to sign up to receive mass notification for all-hazards events. This is a free service to the public using text or email contact information provided by individuals that sign up. It is sponsored by EMA, BCSO and the District Attorney's office. Don expressed his thanks to the Blount County Commission, Sheriff Arrington and District Attorney Pamela Casey for their financial support to get this program started. Fuelman for March was at 68% and April at 60% of monthly budget totals.

9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS Director Caleb Branch advised that monthly call reports can be found on the 911 website. They are currently upgrading CAD platforms but are having fax and email issues. They are also involved in updating new map books and will produce those in-house. Communication training classes are continuing and you can also schedule a time to ride-a-long with a dispatcher by contacting either Caleb or Neal.

TRAINING – Stan Merritt will be teaching a TIMS Class open to public safety personnel. The Southeastern Chiefs Conference will be held June 17-20 at the BJCC in Birmingham. Saturday, 6/20, will be a great day for volunteers to attend the training sessions and vendor show. Billy Atchison of Sun Belt Fire donated a conference gate pass to the winner of a drawing which was won by Chief Paul Gilbert.

FIRE PREVENTION – Fair Coordinator Joe Ray Dailey said that another group will sponsor the beauty pageant during the Fair so he needs ideas from the group for what you want your Association booth to do.

FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms reported that Forestry grant checks will be handed out at the June meeting at Rickwood Park, June 4. He still has an extra brush truck available for assignment.

SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis had no report.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – It was reported that St. Vincent's is pursuing accreditation for heart attack and chest pain protocols throughout the whole hospital system.

BREMSS – John Reed said the May EMS Coordinators meeting will be at Children's Hospital with a date to be emailed later. The Psychiatric Task Force recommendations were approved to change protocols. Blount 911 has installed a Divert screen that dispatchers can monitor hospital divert status. The American Heart Association will provide guidelines in October that will allow departments to purchase 2016 materials.

Blount EMS – Tammy recognized Rosa Assistant Chief & EMT Chris Manning as a new Paramedic.

AMED – No report.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

CORONER – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey reported that the Wills for Heroes project will start this fall and that she was very glad she could assist with the NIXLE project..

LIFESAVER – No report.

AIR-EVAC – No report.

RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

l Chairman Head reminded the departments that were participating in the June Fling on Saturday, June 6 about their hours and responsibilities.

l A change in the Association's Equipment Inspection List due to changes in the ISO inspection process was mentioned in a previous meeting and Chairman Head appointed a committee of Chief Scott Payne, Chief JJ Ivey, Assistant Chief Wesley Cox and Chief Chris Hill to work up the changes necessary and report back to the Association.

NEW BUSINESS:

l A draft motion was emailed out to the membership concerning Radio Communications Training for each department to be conducted by the 911 Administrative Staff and Dispatchers. This motion tied the mandatory training to maintaining a “Department in good standing” status within the Association. A motion from Chief Reed and second from Chief Payne with voice vote approval placed this motion in to the “Rules of Operation” for Association members. (See attached for motion)

l Chief Reed made a motion that the Training Fund sponsor a $25 SE Chief's Conference Saturday ticket for one member from each department. Motion seconded by Chief Willis and passed by voice vote. Turn in the name of your department representative to Doug at Blount EMA so the reservations can be made.

The next meeting will be June 4, 2015 at Rickwood Caverns, hosted by MT High/Ricetown Fire Departments.