BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF JANUARY 4, 2017 MEETING REMLAP FIRE & EMS DISTRICT, STATION 1
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief Gilbert gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Brooksville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, STV-Blount, BREMSS, Blount EMS, and American Red Cross were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Member Dean Gilbert were also present. 46 people signed the attendance record.
GUESTS – Mark Gidley representing 1st Responders for Christ handed out brochures detailing their mission which is to provide extended event needs for victims by connecting them with local ministry opportunities with area churches. Stacey Waldrop with VFIS sponsored the meal thanked all departments for their service to their communities. District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert thanked everyone for their support in passing the Moving Blount County Forward initiative ( I cent sales tax) and stated that he sees a lot of good that is ready to happen in Blount County. District 4 Commissioner Nick Washburn attended his first meeting and thanked everyone for their welcome. Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Water Restoration was also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the November 2016 meeting. Motion by Chief Reed, seconded by Chief Willis, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Co-Captain Jeff Baril, seconded by Chief Gunn, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head addressed the importance of timely reporting on the Fuelman usage. Reports are due every Monday to EMA for fuel purchased the previous week. Some departments are several weeks behind the reporting schedule. Rules of Membership detail the penalties if you fall behind on Fuelman reporting. Several departments have not completed the equipment inspection lists and letter of financial review. Royal, Bangor and Brooksville have until the February meeting date to provide this information. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards reported that the next AFC District II meeting will be January 21 in Cullman.
EMA – Director Don Roybal gave a brief weather update for the expected winter weather that will be moving in. Don also updated the status of the Hazard Mitigation Program Grants and the VFD Wildfire Grant. The information for the VFD Grant is due by January 12. There will be one-day training sessions in Tarrant with CSX on February 21, 22 or 23. Fuelman usage for November was at 147% and December at 110% of monthly budgets. This was expected due to the excessive number of woods fire calls county-wide.
9·1·1 – Director Caleb Branch advised that inclement weather you can access current, real- time road conditions on the 911 website at Blount911.org . The new CAD system is in place and operational. Neal can now edit departmental phone and text lists remotely so see him tonight or contact him for changes you need. 17 students have started the EMT Academy for this term. Caleb asked that all non-critical calls be moved to Fire 2 during a weather event.
COMMUNICATIONS – Lt. Payne had no report at this time.
TRAINING – Hanceville will start a 160 class on January 24. The Blount 160 Block 3 will start on January 9 and Block 4 on February 27. The Alabama Fire College Burn Trailer will be at Station 84 February 6-11. Bring your own PPE. Station 14 will host a BREMSS Systems class on January 10.
FIRE PREVENTION – The Firefighter Camp for this summer is in need of someone to manage the program. See Jon Head if you are interested. Some homeowners who requested smoke detector installations have canceled. It was suggested to try to move those detectors to new homeowners and make sure the ARC gets the completed forms.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms requested that every department get the grant check financial forms back to him as quick as possible.
SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis advised that several Special Ops assets need to be surplused out as they are no longer functional and others are in working order but need to be reallocated to other departments due to space requirements. This includes Items such as the light trailer, mobile breathing air trailer and mobile command bus. Chief Reed offered a motion with a second from Chief Smith to authorize Chief Willis and Chairman Head to dispose of useless equipment to either the dumpster, surrounding departments, GovDeals.com or designate them for training use. Motion passed by voice vote.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – Lisa Cox, Director of OR Nursing, highlighted the different surgery specialist that practice at STV-Blount.
BREMSS – John Reed announced that there will be a meeting for BREMSS-area transport agencies at UAB Highlands on January 9. He also stated that after 17 years January 20 will be his last day at BREMSS as he transitions to UAB Hospital as a Staff Nurse. Chairman Head commented that John has worked tirelessly for many, many years to promote EMS education and performance for Blount County departments and agencies. Chief Willis added that John has always helped anyone who has asked questions on how to improve the EMS service, locally and through the BREMSS area. John closed with the comment “Remember why we do this. When you teach others to save lives and they are successful, then it is a good day!“
BLOUNT EMS – Tammy discussed the Blount EMS truck and staffing issues. Multiple personnel have experienced unforeseen issues in the recent past which has caused a manpower shortage for her crews. She introduced employee Chris Garrison who also responds with Rosa and Allgood. Brent Dierken of Northstar was present. He shared that 2016 was a disappointing year and that in the last 2 months they had an extreme rash of shortages in personnel due to un-scheduled issues. He invited anyone with concerns to contact him to discuss any issues. Chairman Head offered that the Association expects the parent company to support Blount EMS for the good of Blount County responders and their patients. Station 80 will host an EVOC Class on January 15 & 21 while Station 8 will host the same on February 8 & 11.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
CORONER – No report.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – Gabbie Rhett advised that the ARC has tight inventory controls on smoke detectors so if you need additional units or homeowner application forms, please let her know.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
The 1st Responders Task Force meeting is scheduled for February 20.
A resolution to change the way the landfill money is received has been submitted by the County Commission to the legislators for their submission. If passed in this session, the money will go directly to the County Commission to be disbursed to all departments that are eligible to receive it.
Chairman Head had discussions with the leadership of the Bloun t County Board of Education concerning the establishment of Fire & EMS training at the Blount County Technical Training Center. At this time, the Board has not been able to identify funds to support this project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Invoices for 2017 Association dues will go out this month. Dues are considered delinquent if not received by April 1, 2017.
The Alabama Fire Chiefs Conference will be at the Fire College in Tuscaloosa on February 1-2. Tommy Liverett of DEC is sponsoring one slot. Chief Payne offered a motion with a second from Chief Gunn for the Association to pay the registration costs for two Chiefs to attend. If you are interested, the first two to contact Chief Willis will receive the slots. Motion passed by voice vote.
Commissioner Calvert and Commissioner Washburn both offered to cover one slot from each fire department in their District.
Chairman Head has received an inquiry to see if there was any interest in obtaining an arson dog for Blount County. Even though a grant might be available, discussions centered on the cost of upkeep including food and vet services; the comparably low number of structure fires to justify the expenses of service; and the availability of other dogs in the near vicinity. It was determined by consensus to not pursue the arson dog.
Stacey with VFIS requested that all departments that participate in the Worker Compensation program submit their rosters at the February meeting. This will allow preparation time for the audit to come later in the year.
The General Fund ended the year with a balance of $927.59. A motion was offered by Chief Smith with a second from Chief Payne to place this balance into the designated Training budget. Motion passed by voice vote.
Due to a conflict with the Alabama Fire Chiefs Conference, the February meeting will be held on February 9 instead of February 2 at West Blount.
The next meeting will be February 9 at the Hayden Community Center located on County Hwy 7 in Hayden, just south of Wet Blount Station 1. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored and hosted by West Blount Fire & EMS District.