BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2014 MEETING
PINE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Reed. Mel Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Rosa, Royal, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Special Ops, BREMSS, Blount EMS, Law Enforcement, LifeSaver, and the District Attorney Office were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Supervisor Neal Brooks and Board Member Sheriff Arrington were present.
GUESTS – Jeff Stone and Michelle Hornsby of Air Methods / LifeSaver were present to sponsor the meal and discuss their operations as well as thanking all departments for the assistance given on the scene as eyes and ears for their flight crews. Cindy Williams with the Blount County Board of Education was present to discuss school safety issues, drills and to hand out new school emergency protocol books. Blount County District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert and District 4 Commissioner Gary Stricklin were also present.
Chairman Reed asked for the approval of the minutes of the July meeting. Motion by Chief Glass, seconded by Chief Ayers, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Assistant Chief Benson, seconded by Chief Netherton, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards was present from his out-of-state work assignments and agreed that he would attend the upcoming AAVFD Conference in Sheffield. Ken will deliver the proxy votes and he asked that you email him with any AAVFD questions you might have so he can get answers. No additional nominations were provided.
EMA – Doug Smith reported that all FEMA debris removal operations were complete and EMA was concentrating on finalizing all paperwork for close-out. Once payment is made by the State EMA to Blount County, those departments that turned in equipment use reports will be reimbursed for their storm-related response. The NIMSCAST program has never been revitalized but he asked all departments to continue their NIMS training for members that need it and keep good records for future reporting. It would be a good idea to continue training VFD members in the IS-100, 200, 700 & 800 on-line courses. Fuelman use for July was at 119% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – 911 Director Caleb Branch advised that the following Tuesday, 8/12, will be the switch day for 911 operations to the new Center. The swap could take 5-7 hours and dispatchers will be located in the Courthouse EOC if needed for emergency dispatch. Be alert to possible tone tests on Friday and Monday and please respond back with acknowledgment of receipt.
TRAINING – Doug reviewed new notification procedures for any training done at Palisades Park. All training request for Park use should go through EMA who will notify the Park office. The Farm Rescue Class will be held at Miller Farms in Snead on Saturday, 8/16. Meth Lab Awareness training will be held at the EOC on Saturday, 8/23. Register through the Alabama Fire College. Nine (9) people completed the ICS 400 training this week.
FIRE PREVENTION – Fair Coordinator Joe Ray Daily asked for ideas from the group on what activities should be at the Association booth. Smoke detector give-a-ways with installation was a popular choice. Fair dates are September 30 – October 4.
FORESTRY – No report.
SPECIAL OPS – No report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.
BREMSS – John reported that the MDAC meeting would be held on Monday, 8/11, and the SANE program and extended wall time for transport crews will be discussed. The Executive Committee meets Wednesday, 8/13. The annual BREMSS banquet will be moved to a November date so sponsorship will need to be discussed earlier this year.
Blount EMS – Tammy asked that you let her know if you need anything.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
CORONER – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey discussed the Wills for Heroes program and urged everyone that was interested to submit your name to the EMA office. The Alabama State Bar Association is donating the time for this project. If you are considering completing a will, you will need to make sure your spouse is present. She also discussed again the importance of keeping accurate and secure financial records for your department. Receipt and document all transactions. Several Alabama firefighters / department officers have recently been indicted and convicted of fraudulent financial practices.
LIFESAVER – Thank you again for all you do to help us serve you and Blount County.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report.
GOOD & WELFARE – Received $125.00 in donations related to the Cold Water Challenge.
OLD BUSINESS:
◦ SGT Investigator Fred Cochran reported that he had been able to collect most of the used turnout gear he needed.
◦ Departments need to be working on submitting their 2014 equipment inspections and the notification of their financial reviews.
NEW BUSINESS:
§ Chairman Reed appointed a Nominating Committee consisting of 911 Director Caleb Branch, Chief Paul Gilbert and Assistant Chief John Storey. Nominations for Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Sec/Treasurer, Training Officer, FF of the Year and EMT of the Year will presented at the September meeting and voted on at the October meeting. New officers will take over at the November meeting. The Special Ops team will elect their own Director.
§ Jon Head serves on an Advisory Committee representing the AAVFD to the Alabama Fire College and attended a meeting of that committee with AFC personnel at the AAVFD conference in Muscle Shoals. Jon needs for anyone who wishes to submit information or feedback to the Fire College to please email me that information to him.
The next meeting will be Thursday, September 4 at St. Vincent's - Blount. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by STV-Blount.