BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2017 MEETING
HOSTED BY SUSAN MOORE FD @ ONEONTA REC PARK DEPOT
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief Paul Gilbert gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, 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, Forestry, Special Ops, STV-Blount, BREMSS, Blount EMS, AMED, Law Enforcement and Life Saver were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Members Tim Kent, Dean Gilbert and Chief Bob Sanford were also present. 50 people signed the attendance sheets.
GUESTS – Nate Smith, Operations Manager and Joey Greg, Lead Service Technician of Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus provided the meal and discussed many of their company’s services.
Oneonta Public Safety Director Brandon Horton was also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the June meeting. Motion by Chief Payne, seconded by Captain Tuck, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Reed, seconded by Chief Sanford, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head recognized and welcomed the new Chief at Dallas/Selfville Fire Department, Sean Miller. The AAC met and the final draft of the proposed ambulance request for proposal has been sent out to all local municipalities and legal teams for input and legal review. He also asked that everyone keep the T.C Williams & Quentin Williams family in your prayers for the loss of their 5-year old nephew. The Williams have been part of the Blount County Fire family for many years. Jon encouraged all members to read the Secret List or subscribe to www.firefighterclosecalls.com to review information that other departments have experienced.
EMA – Deputy Director Avery Gibbs announced that the CSX training will be at the Hayden Community Center on two night, July 17 & 18. The same course will be taught each night. An Active Shooter TTX will be scheduled soon. Fuelman for July was at 75% of monthly budgets with annual totals at 91% of budgets with 3 months left in the budget year.
9·1·1 – Director Caleb Branch invited anyone interested to come to the Dispatch Center for a Dispatcher Ride-A-Long. Call the Center to schedule a time.
COMMUNICATIONS – No report.
TRAINING – EVOC Training will be at Station 70 July 16 & 17. The Alabama Fire College has donated one scholarship class to each department that participated and assisted with the recently completed FF Academy.
FIRE PREVENTION – Chief Booth thanked everyone connected with the FF Camp for contributing to its success. There were over 40 sponsors. She especially singled out Josh Daniels and Chief Ledbetter for all of their assistance. If anyone has pictures from FF Camp, please share with Chief Booth at
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialists Terry Helms introduced the new Blount County Forester, Matt Tucker. Matt has been serving previously about 5 years with the Forestry Commission in Macon County.
SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis reported that the surplus HAZMAT equipment not claimed by other departments was recently sold at the City’s auction and netted over $250.00.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – New STV-Blount Administrator Greg Brown spoke concerning recent improvements in services at STV-Blount.
BREMSS – Joe Acker requested the Association be thinking of their nominee for EMT of the Year to be awarded at the November BREMSS banquet.
BLOUNT EMS – Operations Manager Shawn Gregory thanked everyone for their assistance on scenes requiring transport. Brent Dierking of Northstar reported that Blount EMS was now fully staffed due to recent hires. Blount EMS has invited Dr. Robertson to assist in the formulation of monthly focus groups to discuss the draft of the Blount County Quality Improvement Plan that was emailed out to Blount departments recently. He is asking that you provide any feedback to him or Shawn. Several questions were offered from the floor concerning the document and Brent will use these to fine tune the draft document for further review.
AMED – Operations Manager Tammy Pierce asked that you let her know if you have any questions.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – BCSO Operations Officer Tim Kent announced that the BCSO now has a new dog that specializes in drug detection and tracking. Please call if you need it but when requesting assistance, make sure you have stayed out of the area that needs searching.
CORONER – No report.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – No report.
LIFESAVER – Don Wilson thanked all departments that use their services and also advised that they are now carrying various blood products on the aircraft.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jon thanked all the departments for a great turnout of support for the two public information events held recently, the June Fling and the Home and Garden Show.
NEW BUSINESS:
All departments were asked to voice their opinion of whether any department would have an issue with an Association committee to oversee any fundraising efforts for the FF Camp within the coverage area of any department. A motion and second were offered to set up a Committee to handle county-wide fund raising for the FF Camp. Motion passed by voice vote and Chief Booth and Chief Ledbetter were tasked with putting that Committee together.
The next meeting will be August 3 at The Anchor at Highland Lake hosted by Straight Mountain. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Central Alabama Training Solutions (CATS).