BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF MARCH 2, 2017 MEETING BLOUNTSVILLE MASONIC LODGE
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief 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, Royal, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit and Susan Moore. EMA, 9·1·1, Special Ops, Blount EMS, AMED, Law Enforcement and the American Red Cross were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch and Board Member Tim Kent were also present. 42 people signed the attendance sheet.
GUESTS – Dennis Beavers, Blountsville Town Council, welcomed everyone and gave a brief recap of grant monies that have been received for various town projects which have totaled over $3 million in the last several years. State Representative Randall Shedd offered his help to assist departments any way he can and also highlighted recent events from the current State Legislative session. John Bullard representing the Blount County/Oneonta Chamber of Commerce and Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Water Restoration were also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the February meeting. Motion by Chief Payne, seconded by Chief Ellenburg, 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 reminded all that Association dues are delinquent on April
1. Landfill checks are available tonight with appreciation to Terry Helms for following up loose ends to make sure they were submitted. 1st Responder Task Force meetings were held in all 4 districts with mixed attendance and response. Departments involved in the Workers Compensation program need to submit their rosters immediately. Chairman Head also noted Chief Willis had supplied a weblink through EGroups highlighting fire department issues currently being discussed in the Legislative sessions
EMA – Director Don Roybal announced that all who submitted Wildfire Grant requests were approved. These departments should be receiving forms that will need to be completed and mailed back as quickly as possible. The Outdoor Warning Siren equipment has been ordered for the upgrades supported by several grants. CSX is offering railcar tanker training at the Tarrant yard. Fuelman use for February was at 97% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1 – Director Caleb Branch advised that the EMT Academy at the 911 Center is halfway through.
COMMUNICATIONS – Chief Payne reported that the Communications Committee is working to identify funds to assist with new equipment for all departments.
TRAINING – The FF II block of the current 160 course is set for May 1-May 30. Norfolk- Southern will train in Springville on March 9-11. Station 70 will host EMT Basic on March 21- June 3, cost is $350. The Alabama Fire College can design a program for all of your department’s con-ed training, which will include tracking and reporting. If you are needing an ISO review, coordinate with Mike Hill through the AFC.
FIRE PREVENTION – Chief Booth reported that Hayden High School will host this year’s Firefighter Academy June 20-22. Meals will be provided for students in grades 8-11.
Sponsors are still needed for instructor meals, door prizes and t-shirts.
FORESTRY – No report.
SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis had no report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.
BREMSS – No report.
BLOUNT EMS – Tammy announced that inspections are on-going for ALS departments. Monitors that were purchased with HCA money need the yearly upgrade and this expense is eligible for current HCA reimbursements.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – Operations Officer Tim Kent of the BCSO advised that his department would be interested in participating in active shooter drills with the fire departments along with other LE agencies. He is also interested in forming an Emergency Response Team within the Sheriff’s Department.
CORONER – Coroner Mark Vaughn issued a plea for help in raising funding for refrigerated storage for the Coroner’s office. He has located an acceptable unit but needs funds to get it relocated and set up at his office.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – Christine Thomas introduced herself as the American Red Cross contact for Blount County. She has been on staff since October, 2016. Red Cross assisted on 8 fires during the month of February with a monetary value of $4000 worth of assistance.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Quotes for HCA reimbursement are due to EMA by March 31 and invoices are due May 31.
Applications for Explorer leadership can be obtained from Chief Booth.
Assignments have been made for the June Fling booth on June 3. A theme for the booth should be determined.
Altoona Fire Chief Tim Crowe has Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention (TYATFP) stickers available. Small 3.5x5” are $2.00 - 6x10” are $3.50. $150 would purchase 25 of each size to be spread across all departments. Tommy Liverett of DEC volunteered to cover that costs for the Association.
Standard placements of the stickers were determined for each type of apparatus.
Chief Willis made a motion to purchase a banner with the TYATFP logo and the Association’s name to be used at all public information venues with a maximum of
$150 cost. Chief Payne provided a second and the motion passed by voice vote.
The Association did purchase a table for 8 guests at the Chamber banquet. Anyone who would like to attend should notify Jon or Doug.
NEW BUSINESS:
AAVFD Officer nominations were discussed. The ballot presented by the AAVFD had only incumbents seeking re-election. Chief Booth made a motion to nominate Association Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards as President with a second from Chief Payne. After passing a voice vote, Ken’s name will be forwarded to the AAVFD for inclusion on the ballot. (NOTE: Ken has since removed his name from consideration due to work-related time constraints.)
Chief Booth announced that Camp Conquest needs counselors and sponsors for meals, boats and just general availability. This camp will be held June 11-16 at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin and is designed as a burn camp for kids, who as burn victims, have overcome obstacles associated with their injuries. If you want to be a part of this rewarding program, contact Chief Booth.
Dennis Beavers advised that if you want tickets for White House or US Capitol tours, contact him.
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The next meeting will be April 6 at the Pine Mountain Community Center. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Jason White of SEMS Fire.