BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2016 MEETING
BLOUNTSVILLE VFW
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Chief Paul Gilbert 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, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS and Blount EMS were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were also present. 38 people signed in on the attendance sheet.
GUESTS – The Blountsville Business Association sponsored the meal and was represented by Dicey Childers, Allen Gilliland and Blountsville Councilman Dennis Beavers. Blount County District 2 Commissioner Carthal Self reported that he is proud that Blount County is concentrating on economic development county-wide. Billy Curits represented the Boy Scouts of America and highlighted their Explorer Post program. It is possible for the Association to be set up as the Charter organization which would allow any department to participate if they do not have significant numbers of young people interested. Costs to register are $24.00 per Explorer and all liability insurance is covered. Tommy Liverett with DEC was also present.
Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the February meeting. Motion by Chief Payne, seconded by Chief Ayers, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Hill, seconded by Chief Netherton, and carried by voice vote. A reminder was given about the payment of 2016 Association membership dues by April 1, 2016.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head announced that the BCF&EMSA was nominated for and received the Community Service Organization of the Year by the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce. The awards banquet will be on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:00 PM at the World Outreach Center. He thanked Chief John Reed for writing and sending the nomination. He reminded all departments that any requests for reimbursement of the HCA equipment reimbursements must go through the EMA office to be reviewed before being sent to the HCA. The deadline for turning in invoices is May 31, 2016. All departments received $1500 and ALS departments receive an additional $1000. Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards reported on the recent AAVFD meetings he had attended (see attached). A major concern he has recently been involved with is the amount of red-tape connected with doing a live burn for homeowners and staying compliant with ADEM burning regulations. One Alabama department has been fined up to $10000 for performing a live burn and not following ADEM regulations. An ISO training session will be held at Cullman EMA on April 28 from 1700-1900. Let Jon know if you are interested in attending. Jon announced that Chief Chris Hill of Holly Springs Fire Department has been awarded a scholarship to attend the FDIC Training Conference in Indianapolis this year.
EMA – Director Don Roybal advised that the EOC Operations Course will be held on August 23-25 at Lester Memorial United Methodist Church. If you have someone interested, please have them contact the EMA office. February Fuelman costs were at 65% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Director Caleb Branch updated the success of the on-going EMT Academy. If you have anyone in your department interested in a “ride-a-long” with a dispatcher in the 911 Center, please contact Caleb or Neal and they will schedule it.
TRAINING – Several training opportunities have been emailed out recently and are also on the Association website.
FIRE PREVENTION – No report and no one has stepped up to assume the Fair Coordinator duties.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms reminded all departments to make sure that every person on the scene can communicate with other units so that personnel accountability and safety is ensured. The USFS Firefighting courses S130 & S190 can be taught in Blount County. These are 40 hour courses and will be taught on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Participants will need an approval letter from their Chief. The class will be held in late March or early April with a maximum of 15 people. Contact Terry if you wish to enroll.
SPECIAL OPS – No report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.
BREMSS – John Reed suggested that if you haven’t completed your AHA instructor updates then do so as soon as possible. There are new teaching materials that must be used for any future CPR training. New ACLS training material should be available after March 30. The CON-ED approval process is going well. ADPH will provide training to receive PPE equipment for transport agencies. Extra PCRs are available at 911 and EMA if you need some. John provided a list of suggested training materials to be purchased by the Association for storage in the Training library.
Blount EMS – No report.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
CORONER – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey is out town but wishes to thank everyone for your support during the recent election. She is very, very appreciative.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
l The AFC District 2 money was received totaling $341.61. A motion from Chief Payne with a second from Chief Willis suggested that the money be used toward the purchase of the CPR / BLS training equipment suggested by John Reed. The motion passed by voice vote.
l AEDs are available tonight to be signed out to all departments. There are 3 trainer units that can be borrowed when needed.
l The Committee appointed to review the protocols for how to handle 911 Hang Up calls reported their findings but there are still some questions so more information will be gathered for the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
l Chief Reed brought a motion to pay any uncovered travel expenses not to exceed $500.00 for Chris Hill as he attends the FDIC Conference in Indianapolis. Second by Chief Glass and passed by voice vote.
l The Association will set up a booth at the Home, Garden & Outdoor Show at the Agri-Business Center on March 12 & 13. This will be similar to the Fair booth display.
l A Career Expo for all County-wide 10th graders will be held at the Agri-Business Center on April 26. Any assistance departments can give to Station 12 will be appreciated.
l Chairman Head will write a letter to County Engineer Winston Sitton requesting a change in the design of mailbox posts for residences who live on roads resurfaced by Federal programs. Current posts to do not allow for reflective numerical address signs to be posted in a manner where emergency responders can see them due to the brace bar for the horizontal mailbox arm.
l Dennis Beavers offered grant writing assistance to any requesting fire departments to help them work up an operational plan for the department and search for Federal grants.
l Chief Reed offered a motion to approve Association Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards to vote the Association proxy votes at the AAVFFD Conference. Second by Chief Sanford and passed by voice vote.
l The June Fling is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 in Oneonta and several departments and individuals are scheduled to assist.
l Several legislative bills were discussed: Residential Sprinkler bill (favored by local legislators); Tactical Medic bill (favored by local legislators); and Reduction of Franchise Tax bill (opposed by local legislators).
The next meeting will be April 7 at Pine Mountain Community Center. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by NAFECO.