BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2016 MEETING
PINE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Bob Perrin of Pine Mountain Fire & EMS District 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, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit and Susan Moore. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Lifesaver, District Attorney and the State Fire Marshall’s office were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were also present. 46 people signed the attendance sheets.
GUESTS – John Wilson of NAFECO sponsored the meal thanked the members for their business and detailed some of their service opportunities and supplies, such as uniforms. Danielle Phillips with The Crisis Center in Oneonta discussed how to access their programs for victims if you arrive on a scene with a sexual assault nature. Tim Baker with First Responders for Christ detailed their program to help with unmet needs for disaster victims by utilizing churches across the County. More information can be found at: http://www.1stresponders4christ.com/ Johnny Crosson with AllComm Wireless discussed their communication products and camera systems. Tommy Liverett with DEC and the air crew for LifeSaver were also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the March meeting. Motion by Chief Ellenburg, seconded by Chief Payne, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Netherton, seconded by Assistant Chief Robertson, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head reminded all departments that participate in the Association’s Workers Compensation program that invoices need to be paid for the 2016/2017 coverage. Only 12 departments have taken advantage of the Blount County Health Care Authority reimbursement grants. The deadline for submitting paid invoices is May 31 so get them to EMA before that date. If this money is not used, it could have an influence on how much money they allocate next year to the Association. The issue with the AED pads is still in progress as the Hospital and the manufacturer have not connected yet. Locust Fork Fire Department will be having a pump test soon and all departments that want to participate should notify Chief Coleman to schedule a slot. Bay Fire Products sent a letter stating that they are still in business and are available to supply your needs. This letter was sent because they had received negative publicity through the fire community that they were no longer operating. Jon cautioned that the membership refrain from spreading any rumors concerning recent news reports about our fire departments. Keep all comments professional.
EMA – Director Don Roybal discussed the EOC Operations training that will take place at Lester Memorial United Methodist Church on August 23-25, 2016. Names of those interested in this training need to be submitted to the EMA office. The Blount County Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated this year and a contractor for that project will be chosen soon. All fire departments, LE agencies and municipalities should be involved in this project. The Spring Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 at 0900 in the Blount County EOC. EMA is cleaning out storage areas and have multiple EMS items available for any department that wants them. Items are available tonight and more will be available at future meetings.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Director Caleb Branch distributed run reports which are also on the 911 website. Lt. Wes Neill is now the Coordinator for Project Livesafer for the Blount County Sheriff’s Office in support of lost or missing Alzheimer patients. The EMT Academy graduation will be held on Friday, April 29 at 1830 at the Dalton Moss Lodge at Palisades Park. A dinner and awards ceremony will be held for all graduates. Caleb introduced Adam Stephens of Stream South Communications who is responsible for installing and maintaining the cameras at the Covered Bridges. Adam advised that he could help with any camera security systems for your fire department. The 1999 CAD system at the Dispatch Center is due for an upgrade and Danny McKinley with Southern Software is scheduled to handle that project.
TRAINING – An ISO training class will be held Thursday, April 28 from 1700-1900 at the Cullman County EMA office. Holly Springs will host an A&O Refresher on Friday, April 29 at 1800 at Station 92. Blountsville Fire is planning a 160 class and it will be advertised on the Egroup.
FIRE PREVENTION – There were no volunteers to accept the role of Fire Prevention Coordinator so Chairman Head will look to appoint someone to that position. This person will be the liaison between the Association and the Blount County Fair Committee.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms reminded everyone to check your STARRS status on-line to confirm you are registered. There were not enough departments interested in the S130 & S190 firefighting courses so that project has been canceled.
SPECIAL OPS – No report from Chief Willis.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – STV-B is working on the best method to solve the AED pad issue.
BREMSS – John Reed reported that ESO is installing software available for ALS units which will submit patient information through a two-way electronic health report. An EMT-P can view that patient info. ADPH has purchased analyzers for ALS use. The AHA has released the HeartSaver materials and BLS instructor classes should begin soon. The next EMS Coordinators meeting will be April 25 at Children’s. John encouraged participation from Blount County. State-wide EMS Regions will meet in Montgomery to discuss EVOC Instructor classes and the Regions may can do Advanced EMT classes.
Blount EMS – Tammy was working a truck but sent word that she is working on the staffing issues that can create longer than normal response times. She is aware of your concerns and is trying to address staffing shortages within the company. These shortages are also felt industry-wide. John Reed stated that within the BREMSS Region alone there are needs right now for an additional 85-100 EMT-P. Call Tammy if you have any questions or needs.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – BCSO Operations Manager Tim Kent could not attend tonight but wanted to pass along his appreciation for all that the Fire/EMS departments do to assist his officers and the citizens of Blount County. Fred Cochran announced that he was now an Investigator with the State Fire Marshall’s office and would be available to assist you however he can in his new position. Please let him know if you need something.
CORONER – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey thanked everyone for their support during her recent campaign. She discussed the importance of being financially accountable with the public money that fire departments must handle on a regular basis. She cautioned everyone to be careful and not put yourself in a financially questionable situation. Please talk to her if you have any questions about ethics or public money management issues.
LIFESAVER – Don Wilson offered his appreciation for everything the departments do to assist the air crews. If you need Landing Zone classes, please let him know.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
l The Blount County Career Expo will be held on Tuesday, April 26, at the Agri-Business Center for all Blount County 10th graders. If you would like to assist Station 12, please let Chief Willis know.
l A letter concerning new mailbox construction designs to better accommodate residential addressing signs was sent to the County Engineer with a reply that if the costs were comparable with current costs, the newer design would be incorporated where available and feasible.
l The June Fling sponsored by the Oneonta Business Association will be held in downtown Oneonta on Saturday, June 6 with Stations 12,80 & 94 working the booth in the morning and Stations 14,70 & 92 working the PM shift.
l The recommendation for the Committee researching the 911 Hang-up call dispatch protocols returned with their recommendation to maintain the policy as is. 911 HU will be toned out to a department by the Dispatch Center and each department will respond as their individual department SOP dictates.
NEW BUSINESS:
l Fire Fighter Camp for 8th – 11th grade high school students through the Blount County Education Foundation will be on June 14-15-16 at J. B. Pennington High School in Blountsville. Please make plans to be available to assist in this training.
l Chairman Head passed around for all to see the Community Service Organization of the Year award given to the Association by the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce at their recent banquet.
l Two legislative bills important to the fire service, HB 66 (TacMedic bill) and HB114 (Sprinkler bill) passed the House but were tied up in the Senate in debate.
l CSX will be temporarily closing two crossings in the West Blount area from May 2 – 19 for repairs. The County Hwy 7 and County Hwy 9 crossings will be closed intermittently during this time frame.
l Station 12 is sponsoring a bass tournament on Inland Lake. FF Josh Gibson is coordinating this event.
l Chief Adrean Booth agreed to coordinate the formation of an Explorer Post for the Association as many departments had an interest in forming a joint post.
The next meeting will be May 5, 2016 at the Locust Fork Fire Department. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by Billy Atchison of Sun Belt Fire.