2017-06-01 Minutes

BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2017 MEETING

MT. HIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief Tim Frye gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, 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, BREMSS, Blount EMS, AMED and the Coroner were also represented. 9·1·1 Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Members Dean Gilbert and Chief Bob Sanford were also present. 58 people signed the attendance sheets.

 

GUESTS – Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Water Restoration sponsored the meal but had a conflict with another meeting and couldn’t attend. He provided a TV as a door prize for a drawing at the end of the meeting. Blount County Commissioners Dean Calvert, District 3 and Nick Washburn, District 4 were present.

 

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

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head recognized Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards to update the recent AAVFD Board Meeting (see attached). Ken advised that the new Alabama Forestry Commission State Forester, Rick Oates, was at the meeting and highlighted several subjects. Jon thanked all departments for completing the HCA requirements on time. One department is outstanding but should be finished by the following day.

 

EMA – Director Don Roybal reported that the Fuelman budget was at 84% of monthly budgets for May but the yearly total is already at $41000 of a $50000 budget with 4 months remaining on the budget year. This is a reflection of the extreme wildfire response last fall. The Commissioners understand this but please use good judgement on your fuel usage for the rest of the year. CSX will conduct Rail Response Safety training at the Hayden Community Center on County Hwy 7 for the nights of July 17 & July 18. The same course is taught both nights so pick a session convenient for your department. The new outdoor warning siren system and software has been installed and is operational.

 

9·1·1 – Operations Manager Neal Brooks reported a very busy month with a wide variety of calls. He has received an inquiry about sending text messages on the Crickett wireless network but noted they are having trouble connecting. SouthernLinc service will change drastically next year and Neal is not sure how it will integrate into the 911 system after the change.  He advised not to buy new SLinc products if that is how you plan to communicate with 911. He reported that there have been 137 new addresses added in Blount County since January 1. Of a total of nearly 4000 VFD dispatches, the primary department did not answer the call in almost 10% of those.

 

COMMUNICATIONS – Chief Payne suggested table this issue until more interest is shown.


TRAINING – Chris Manning advised that Palmerdale Station #3 will conduct an ECP class on Tuesday, June 6.

 

FIRE PREVENTION - Firefighter Camp is June 20-22 with a full schedule set. Donations have been received with more promised.  There are currently 8 students but more are expected.

Chief Booth asked everyone to push this in each department’s community.

 

EXPLORERS – Waiting on paperwork.

 

FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms was hoping to have grant checks but was told this week that they will be available either in July or September. A new Forester for Blount County should be on staff soon.

 

SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis announced that most of the Hazmat equipment had been claimed by those that had requested items. The City of Oneonta will conduct an auction on June 10 for City equipment and the remained of the Hazmat items will be placed in the auction if no one had any objections. Money received would be returned to the Association’s Hazmat checking account.  No objections were voiced.

 

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.

 

BREMSS – Mike Maynor reported that the SMECC meeting will be held August 7 at Orange Beach in conjunction with the three day EMS conference. AHA cards are free to BREMSS area providers.  STV-Blount is a recognized stroke hospital.

 

BLOUNT EMS – Brent Dierking with Northstar announced that Shawn Gregory is the Operations Manager at Blount EMS. Brent referred to the recent count of traumatic accident scenes that Blount County First Responders have been dispatched to and pleaded with everyone to please reach out for help for support if anyone needs it. Shawn announced that a Critical Incident Debriefing session will be held at the Locust Fork Community Center on June 6 at 1800.  He closed with the report that Blount EMS is still hiring and staffing is improving.

 

AMED – Tammy Pierce and Alan Soper ask that you let them know if there is any issue you want to discuss.

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

 

CORONER – Coroner Mark Vaughn stated that the rash of accident trend started in March with a higher incident number in April. ADPH statistics show that April in Blount County experienced the highest fatality rate since 1964. Mark thanked all responders for answering the call but was more thankful for the grace shown by personnel as you performed your service. He especially commended Cleveland, Locust Fork and Dallas-Selfville for the respect they offered the victims and families during this difficult time.

 

STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.

 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.

 

ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – Chief Booth advised that the concerns voiced at the last meeting about the lack of involvement and responses from the Regional Coordinator for our area have been delivered to the Fire College administration.


LIFESAVER – No report. AIR-EVAC – No report. RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Ÿ The June Fling is this Saturday, June 3 with set up at 0700.

Ÿ Firefighter Camp is June 20-22 at Hayden High School.

Ÿ The Spring Home & Garden Show is Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25 at the Agri- Business Center with Stations 9,19 & 72 assisting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Ÿ A discussion involving representatives of the Ambulance Advisory Committee (AAC) and 911 Board Members followed with these highlights:

Ø  Don’t assume and speculate on the issues – ask questions and get factual information from those involved.

Ø  The Committee has been advised by the 911 Board attorney not to distribute the prospectus because it is a working draft and will be competitively bid.

Ø  There is no attempt to be secret – the AAC makes recommendations to the 911 Board.

Ø  This is not a money-making scheme. The contract money generated will go to the 911 Board to replace lost State 911 funding. No personnel or equipment will be added to 911 operations.

Ø  The goal of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is to provide one ambulance vendor for the whole county.

Ø  911 will dispatch for transport 24/7 and transport will respond in 20 minutes or less – 90% of the time.

Ø  Penalties will apply for 20-30 minutes response time with an additional penalty after 30 minutes.

Ø  The basis for the RFP came from several existing county-wide contracts – St. Clair, Morgan & Lauderdale.

Ø  The contract will be for a three (3) year period with an optional 2-year extension on a year-to-year basis.

Ø  Complaints concerning service issues will go to the transport company management, then to the AAC and they will make recommendations to the 911 Board.

Ø  Municipal departments can opt out for service within municipal limits.

Ø  Fines will be used at the discretion of the BCF&EMSA.

Ø  911 phone bill taxes cannot be used on dispatch equipment, only on personnel and call-taking equipment.

Ÿ A motion to approve travel expenses for Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards for the AAVFD Conference was given by Chief Payne with a second by Chief Ivey and a motion to approve his proxy vote for the BCF&EMSA was given by Chief Payne with a second from Chief Ellenburg.  Both motions passed by voice vote.

Ÿ Nectar Fire Department will be recognized as an ISO of 6/6 in September, 2017.

Ÿ Blount County Funeral Home in Cleveland is hiring personnel with fire & EMS backgrounds.

Ÿ Commissioner Washburn announced a community meeting on Monday, June 5 at Cleveland Community Center to discuss the recent rash of MVA/deaths.


Ÿ Chief Willis is the winner of the TV from DEC and it will be donated to the FF Camp as an award to the Best Camper.

 

 

 

 

The next meeting will be July 6, 2017 at The Depot in Oneonta, hosted by Susan Moore Fire Department.   The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus.