BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2013 MEETING

SNEAD VFD

The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Reed. Neal Brooks gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Dallas-Selfville, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Snead, St. Mountain and Summit. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Blount EMS, AMED and Law Enforcement were also represented.

9·1·1 Supervisor Neal Brooks and Board Member Brandon Horton were present.

GUESTS – James Wessell, President, Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus sponsored the meal and shared information about his company. They will soon offer a fully mobile test unit to minimize the time your apparatus is out of your coverage area. Blount County District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert was present and offered his thanks for the meal as well as all of the volunteer work done by the BCF&EMS membership for the citizens of Blount County. Jim Sims, Chairman, Blount County VOAD, presented a brief description of the purpose of VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters). It serves to provide an outlet for long-term assistance to victims of disasters that go beyond the initial emergency response. This can include tree removal, food and personal item replacement, donations management, assistance in rebuilding, long-term housing etc. and is accomplished through a variety of partners such as Hope House, United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse and others. Mt. High Chief Bob Sanford is currently involved in this group and Jim hopes that the BCF&EMS Association can also play an important part in long-term assistance after the emergency response phase is completed. Contact him or EMA if you have any questions and would like to be involved.

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman John Reed recognized that there is a new Chief at West Blount VFD, Donald (JJ) Ivey. He reminded the members that paid invoices to the Blount County Health Care Authority are due no later than May 31, 2013. They can be mailed to the HCA at P. O. Box 892, Oneonta, AL 35121. John has submitted the paperwork to HCA for funding to the Association at level funding at last year’s rate. There was a LODD in Morgan County due to a medical emergency on a scene with Oak Ridge VFD which highlights that there have been several LODD across the nation recently in addition to the West, TX disaster. The Association attendance policy was discussed due to the updated Rules of Membership that were adopted last year. Three departments are currently falling behind the minimum attendance of eight meetings per year as stipulated in the adopted Rules. Chairman Reed opened the floor for comments and suggestions but none were offered. Association Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards reported on the recent District II AAVFD meeting (see attached). The main topic of discussion for that meeting was narrow-banding issues in Shelby County and the inability to communicate between departments.

EMA – Fuelman use for the month of April was 97.3% of the monthly budget. Departments were asked again to locate mobile communication dead spots in their coverage areas and report those to either EMA or 911. Another reminder was offered to be working on training efforts so that the annual NIMSCAST report can be updated easily in August.

9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Supervisor Neal Brooks discussed communication gaps in respect to mobile radios asking that specific locations and times be identified. Neal advised it is not necessary to report all POV units that respond to a scene. Move that to a talk-around channel and communicate with your IC. Sprint has blocked OTELCO text paging but the problem is being worked on. Several good 911 apps are available: one being Active 911 for $11.00 per department. On a recent significant weather day, March 18, the 911 Center lost two of four consoles. The new Center will allow additional call takers. The Dispatchers all appreciated the food during Telecommunicator’s Week.

TRAINING – Training Officer Tim Frye, Jr. asked that you let him know if you need or would like to see any specific training.

FIRE PREVENTION – No report.

FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist (and new Grandpa) Terry Helms reported that Forestry checks will be available at the June Association meeting.

SPECIAL OPS – No report.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT - No report.

BREMSS – John advised that the new protocols did not get to the State Committee so no release date has been offered for any Train-the-Trainer classes. There is a push to get them through by the August/September time frame. The BREMSS News Bulletin was recently put out on Egroups. If you have old PCRs, they can be used by BLS departments only. There is an EMS Coordinators meeting planned. BMC Princeton covered heart failure at the last meeting. A recent Farm Rescue training class in Chilton County had 70+ people participate.

Blount EMS – Tammy reported that if their crews were diverted en route Blount EMS would try to make scene notifications for any family members who may remain there.

AMED – Betty asked that you call them if you need anything.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – SGT Investigator Fred Cochran said he was glad to be here, thanked all for what you do and asked that you let him know if the BCSO can assist with anything.

CORONER – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.

LIFESAVER – No report.

AIR-EVAC – No report, but the new contact is Area Manager Alex Franklin.

RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

· Ricetown & Mt High completed their ISO pump test.

· Chief Stanton and Assistant Chief Blackmon of Brooksville Fire discussed the need to update coverage maps for any of the Water Authorities in your area so they will have the correct addresses to distribute water bill volunteer donations. It was also noted that any $ 0.00 balance bill does not generate a statement and therefore will not generate a request for a donation that month and on-line payment systems have no donation option. They also discovered that some excess payments made on a bill intended as VFD donations were logged in as overage payments and used as credits on future bills. They suggested have the homeowner contact the Water Authority to work out any issues.

NEW BUSINESS:

§ Chief Payne at Allgood and Chief Head at Pine Mtn advised that ISO was in the county doing ISO rating inspections. Both said this was one of the more pleasant ISO experiences they could remember. There was a big emphasis on water supply.

The next meeting will be June 6, 2013 at Rickwood Caverns State Park and hosted by Mt. High / Ricetown. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by SERVPRO.