BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 2019 MEETING ROSA FIRE DEPARTMENT

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Assistant Chief Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, 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, Special Ops, BREMSS, Blount EMS, Air Evac and VOAD were also represented.  40 people signed the attendance sheets.

GUESTS – Tommy Liverett and Ryan V from DryTech Fire Services were present.

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head recognized two new recently appointed Fire Chiefs, Tim Frye, Jr. with Ricetown and John Storey with Straight Mountain. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards was present and gave a brief update on his health situation. The Blount County Health Care Authority has approved the 2019-2020 Equipment Reimbursement grant at $42500.00. Each department can request $1500.00 reimbursement by presenting paid invoices. Each ALS department will receive an additional $1000 with invoices.  Purchase dates are October 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020.  Present invoices to Doug Smith for processing.  The AAC has not met for the month but the September run totals are at 819 calls with a 93% performance rate.

EMA – EMA Director Don Roybal announced that the ICS 300/400 training will begin after January 1 through the Fire College. Any department that responded to the Attalla fire needs to submit fuel usage information to Don as soon as possible for reimbursement from Attalla. The annual Fuelman usage was over the $50000 budgeted limit at $56000+. Pine Mountain was awarded a grant for a community storm shelter. There will be a drive-thru flu clinic at the Agri- Business Center on October 16, 0800-1600.

9·1·1 – Director Neal Brooks reported that they are training new employees and also interviewing prospective new hires. He is still researching for communication improvements without forcing departments to spend money on new equipment.

COMMUNICATIONS – Chief Payne added that there are still ongoing efforts to sync the current towers that are in place to improve radio capabilities.

TRAINING – Josh Gibson offered information on a ropes course at Palisades on Nov 4-8, BLS CPR at Station 92 on Oct 13 and a pumper class will also be at Station 92 after January. The mobile burn trailer will be at Station 84 on Dec 11.

FIRE PREVENTION – Chief Ledbetter reported that 20 people had signed up to volunteer at various departments at the Fair booth.

EXPLORER POST – No report.

FORESTRY – Forester Matt Tucker was unavailable due to wildfire response in another county but sent word that he needs every departments signed tag roster by the November meeting if you want your members listed on the State tag roster. If a member is now longer active but is age 55+ and served 10 years in some capacity with the fire department, they are eligible to be placed on the tag roster.

SPECIAL OPS – Chief Booth advised that the Ropes course will be a great opportunity to train with the Special Ops team if you have members interested.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – STV-Blount has a First Responders Resource on their Facebook page.

BREMSS – Brian Gober reported that the State EMS Conference will be at Orange Beach on Nov 4-8 with the SMECC meeting on Nov 5. Each ALS department can expect to receive 2 Narcon kits for inventory and if they are used a PCR must be entered on the system to be eligible for a replacement kit. The BREMSS banquet will be November 19 at Pelham. The 2020 training calendar is being finalized.

BLOUNT EMS – Operations Manager Weslie Powell asked that you email him if you are interested in the BLS Instructor training. Con-Ed opportunities are available. Departments can resupply their med inventories at Blount EMS by bringing the PCR of any medical responses.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.

CORONER – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.

LIFESAVER – No report.

AIR-EVAC – Julie Ward had no report.

RAMS – No report.

ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – Firefighter Weekend at the Fire College is currently going on.

RED CROSS – No report.

VOAD – Chairman Larry Stone announced that the next VOAD meeting will be Tuesday, Oct 8 at the EMA office.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ÿ Discussion resumed from the September meeting to change the By-Laws and split the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer officer position. A motion and a second had been presented at that meeting to facilitate discussion. A detailed job description of the various duties of each position was emailed to the EGroups before the meeting. The motion passed by voice vote so the duties will be separated at the November meeting. The corrected By-Laws will be filed with the Blount County Probate Office and recording fees were authorized to be paid out of the budget by a motion and second which passed by voice vote.

Ÿ The Nominating Committee presented the following names for Association officers and awards:

Chairman – Chris Hill

Vice-Chairman – Jonathan Ledbetter Secretary – Marcie Willis

Treasurer – Doug Smith Training Officer – Josh Gibson

Firefighter of the Year – Rex Allred – Oneonta Fire & Rescue Service EMT of the Year – Matt Crow – Oneonta Fire & Rescue Service

Ÿ Nominations were open to the floor with 3 calls for nominations for each position. No nominations were offered from the floor so these officers will take office effective at the November meeting.

Ÿ 911 Director Neal Brooks offered the name of Christa Reno as the Tele- communications Officer of the Year.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ÿ Discussion was open to staff a public information booth at the 2019 Covered Bridge Festival on October 26.  No departments voiced any interest in manning a booth.

Ÿ Chief Adrean Booth of Bangor Fire announced that effective January, 2020, Mitch Dodson will be the new Chief at Bangor Fire Department.

Ÿ Tommy Liverett of DryTech Fire Services will start a new environmental cleanup division in January.  Josh Gibson won the TV giveaway.

Ÿ 6 Blount County fire departments responded to the Attalla business fire over multiple days. It was reported that each department was very effective in their response and contributed greatly to the final outcome due to the training and the expertise of all who responded.

Ÿ Chief Reed suggested that the 2020 meeting calendar consist of a regular December meeting in conjunction with a formal awards banquet. Passed by voice vote after a motion and second.

Ÿ Chief Hill thanked the Association for their vote of confidence in him and also commended Jon Head and Ken Edwards for their leadership