BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2019 MEETING NECTAR SENIOR CENTER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief Gilbert gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Royal, Snead, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, Blount EMS, Coroner, Air Evac, Red Cross, Alabama Fire Marshall and VOAD were also represented. 9·1·1 Acting Director Neal Brooks and Tele-Communication Officers Andi Murphree and Susan Blackwood were also present. 36 people signed the attendance sheets.
GUESTS – India Alford and Chris Williams represented UAB Medicine who sponsored the meal. The Gardendale campus is a full 24/7 facility with 17 beds, helipad, lab, pharmacy that sees an average of 400 patients per day.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the June meeting. Motion by Chief Hill, seconded by Co-Captain Baril, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Assistant Chief Benson, seconded by Assistant Chief Walker, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head highlighted the Junior Fire Academy event. 32 students participated in all drills and training events. The AAC report for May reflected a 93.2% compliance level with June at 94.3%. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards will attend the AAFVD Conference in Evergreen on July 17 and the quarterly AFC District II meeting on July 25.
EMA – EMA Deputy Director Ken Evans announced that any DHS Grant applications must be received by 1700 on Friday, July 26. Fuelman for June was at 110.5% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1 – Acting 911 Director Neal Brooks recently completed a demonstration of AT&T devices which helps dispatchers locate and visually see on their screens which may replace the AVL for ALS units but could also be used on fire apparatus. He requested you update Dispatch with any new text numbers if there are changes.
COMMUNICATIONS – No report.
TRAINING – There will be a Mobile Water Supply training at OFRS July 28, 31 and August 3.
FIRE PREVENTION – No report.
EXPLORER POST – It was noted that there were several Scouts at the Firefighter Academy.
FORESTRY - Forester Matt Tucker advised that there are enough people signed up to conduct the S130/S190 Wildland Fire training and they have room for more personnel. It will be at Cleveland Community Center. AFC grant checks will be available at the August meeting.
SPECIAL OPS – No report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.
BREMSS – Jon received an email from Mike Minor stating that FBI background checks will be in effect for newly licensed EMTs. There is a new EMS personal license plate that will soon be available. There is a cardiac arrest registry (CARES) program and also that all PCRs must be submitted within 72 hours of the EMS incident.
BLOUNT EMS – Operations Manager Weslie Powell congratulated Chief Netherton on achieving his Advanced EMT license. PlaySafe training will be Thursday, July 18 at Wallace/Oneonta which will train those who will work athletic events during the school year. Some changes for Blount EMS include new uniforms for employees and new pediatric restraints will be on the trucks. Also be aware that diverts away from Birmingham hospitals are becoming fairly common.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.
CORONER – Deputy Coroner Michael Hart thanked all departments for assistance given at various scenes.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – Julie Ward had no report.
RAMS – No report.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – District Rep Mike Hill advised that there is a new Hazmat Awareness training.
RED CROSS – Debra Dolph reported that Red Cross is partnering with NFPA to reduce fire deaths and requests your help to improve the Alabama program.
VOAD – Vice-Chairman Mike Mitchell announced that Blount County VOAD was now an official non-profit group with 501(c)3 status. There will be an amateur radio license training class and test on August 10 at the Oneonta library at 1000.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chief Ledbetter requested that any department that received homeowner requests for smoke detector installation get those installed and return the required paperwork to him.
There were no volunteers to help with the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Recruitment Fair.
On a motion from Chief K. Booth and a second from Chief Stanton, Chief Ledbetter was chosen as the Association representative for the Blount County Fair Committee. Motion passed by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS:
Acting on an issue that arose from the recent Ambulance Advisory Committee meeting, Chief Reed polled the group as to how to Dispatchers are to handle a 911 call where no department responds. 911 records show that in the first 6 months of 2019 there were 580 calls with no fire department response. There were 115 no response tones in June alone. There should be a solution from the departments so that 911 dispatchers can develop a protocol. Several solutions were offered but more discussion will follow.
Dallas/Selfville will host a golf tournament on August 10 at Cumberland Lake.
The next meeting will be August 1 at Mt. High Fire Department. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Tommy Liverett of Dry Tech Fire Service.
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Jon Head, Chairman