2016-06-02 Minutes

BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 2016 MEETING

 MT HIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

                                              

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. West Blount Assistant Chief Kyle Ellison 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, BREMSS, Blount EMS and Red Cross were also represented.  9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were also present.  48 people signed the attendance sheet.

 

GUESTS – Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Restoration, meal sponsor, discussed the services his company can provide.  Representative David Standridge and wife, Dana, were present. He expressed his appreciation for the service provided by the County Fire & EMS departments and thanked everyone that provided feedback on legislative issues during the last Session.  Dr. Gussie Branch, an Optometrist with Drs Marbourg & Assoc. of Oneonta, invited anyone that needed eye exams or had other vision needs to visit their office. Steve Hogue of Clark Associates was also present.   

     

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

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head asked the group to remember two families who had recently lost their fathers:  Chief Hill of Holly Springs and Chief Payne of Allgood.  The June Fling set-up schedule and work times have been completed.  Chief Booth reported the details of the upcoming Firefighter Camp with 20 students expected and an extended list of support from vendors and our Association members.  Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards presented information from the recent AAVFD state meeting. (See attached.) Blount County Health Care Authority requests have been completed.      

 

EMA – Deputy Director Doug Smith reminded all that the EOC Ops and Planning Training would be held August 23-25 at Lester Memorial Methodist Church in Oneonta.  Please confirm your attendance with EMA.  Updates on two FEMA disasters included that the last FEMA check for the Highland Lake tornados is expected soon which will complete that disaster.  Damages from the Christmas Day floods are still being estimated and reports will be completed to FEMA soon for reimbursement.  Fuelman use for the month of May was at 74% of budgets.   

 

9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Director Caleb Branch advised they are updating all text message numbers for those that are dispatched.  911 Center Operation protocols have been updated to allow for the most points possible during a department’s ISO inspection.    

 

TRAINING – Training materials have been ordered and received which include a BLS Instructor Kit, additional Essentials manuals, and 6 CPR manikins.  An ECP Class for the on-line 160 training will be held June 6.  

 

 

FIRE PREVENTION – Still looking for a volunteer to assist with the Fair Committee and the Fire Prevention portion of the Association’s mandate.   

 

FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms thanked Representative Standridge for being present to assist with the AFC Grant Check distribution.  He also asked that all departments that have FEPP vehicles need to send proof of insurance to the Forestry Commission office.  Forester Joe Spradlin has retired as of May 31 which leaves only Terry as the sole Blount County employee for the Alabama Forestry Commission.  Staffing is very low state wide as Blount, St. Clair and Jefferson each have only one bulldozer operator.       

 

          SPECIAL OPS – No report.   

 

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.      

 

BREMSS – John Reed reported that BLS Education Instructor classes will begin as soon as BREMSS can hire additional staff to assist with the program.  ADPH is moving the EVOC Course to the Regional level.  Expect EMT Advanced education to be available by the end of June.  34 11th & 12th graders were recently trained in CPR at the Blount County Career Technical Training Center.

 

Blount EMS – Blount EMS will host a full EVOC course on June 19 & June 25 with the 25th serving as the driving session.  Please get Tammy your estimated training numbers so she can plan.  

 

AMED – No report.   

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.  

 

CORONER – No report.  

 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report. 

 

LIFESAVER – No report.

 

AIR-EVAC – No report.

 

RED CROSS – Gabbie Rhett announced the she can get additional batteries for the smoke

alarms being handed out as some of the batteries may be out of date when the alarms finally get installed.  She requested that when Red Cross is needed at a fire scene, please have Dispatch call 1-800-RedCross to get a team to the scene or to arrange for temporary housing for the fire victims.  Also, if there is a large-scale extended incident, please call to get a canteen to assist with food and hydration for the responders.    

 

GOOD & WELFARE – Ralph Mitchell asked that if any department had a need, please let the G&W Committee know.

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

l  Chief Chris Hill thanked Chairman Head for the nomination that awarded him his recent trip to Indianapolis to attend the FDIC training sessions.  Highlights besides the volume of training information presented included meeting and having

conversations with fire research personnel as well as individuals that administer the Assistance to Firefighter Grants.    

 

                         

NEW BUSINESS:

l  Chief Hill also discussed some information he was made aware of today during the Holly Springs ISO review.  Your results will not be available for at least 3-6 months.  Inspections are focusing more on fire prevention.  It is highly recommended that you get the ISO regulations and read them over prior to requesting an inspection / review.  Be sure to ask questions and add comments and information during conversations as the inspection is in progress. 

 

 

 

The next meeting will be Thursday, July 14 at Straight Mountain Station #1 located on County Hwy 29.   The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Keith Sharp of C.A.T.S., Central Alabama Training Solutions.