BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 MEETING
ST. VINCENT'S - BLOUNT
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards. Chief Tim Frye 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. (100%) EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, STV-Blount, BREMSS, Blount EMS and Law Enforcement were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Supervisor Neal Brooks and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were also present. 44 people signed the Attendance Sheets
GUESTS – Kira Schnittker welcomed everyone to STV-Blount and Tsianina Martin discussed registering each fire department as a Closed POD for the purpose of treating First Responders before the public with CDC-provided pharmaceuticals should there be a terrorist attack or other health-related event requiring mass preventives. Blount County District 2 Commissioner Carthal Self thanked all members for their sacrifice to serve all of the citizens of Blount County and gave out checks to the fire departments in his District. Trent Page, Hazmat Field Manager/Special Agent of CSX, discussed training opportunities for First Responders to assist them with methods to respond to railroad incidents and highlighted services that CSX and their vendors can provide during an incident. They also have a grant program for non-profit organizations that can provide specific equipment useful to First Responders. See their website at: http://www.beyondourrails.org/
Vice-Chairman Edwards asked for the approval of the minutes of the August meeting. Motion by Chief Payne, seconded by Chief Reed, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Netherton, seconded by Assistant Chief Walker, and carried by voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Ken Edwards resented his report (see attached) of the AFC District 2 meeting recently held at Shelby County. One of the main items of business was to use existing funds to print stickers for each apparatus in the state that highlight the “Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention” theme. This theme is ongoing to call attention to the high number of structure fire fatalities that occur in Alabama. Also, each fire department will need to register with the State as a vendor under the STAARS program to be eligible for any Forestry grant checks. This will log each department in with the Alabama Department of Revenue so that checks can be issued to all departments eligible.
EMA – EMA Director Don Roybal discussed further CSX tracking information to confirm commodities on a train that may have been involved in an incident. The Fall meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be Friday, 9/4, at 0900 in the Blount County EOC. FEMA money for fire departments that made responses during the April, 2014 tornados is being processed. Hopefully, Blount County will see that money soon. Fuelman usage for the month of August was at 67% of monthly budgets.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – 911 Director Caleb Branch reported that the data of roads and infrastructure for counties surrounding Blount have been added to the 911 CAD to better serve responders with information. Monthly reports can always be found on the 911 website. EMT Basic training will be conducted at the 911 Center each year from January to May. Applicant names should be submitted from the department Chief to Caleb along with a reason why the designated member should attend the training.
TRAINING – Training Officer Tim Frye, Jr reminded everyone to check the Association website to get the latest training information. The Great Alabama Shake-out will occur on October 15 at 1015 to draw attention to the earthquake possibilities in Central Alabama. Don advised everyone to check the training schedule for the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston. Training and lodging is free for First Responders for any Homeland Security training they provide.
FIRE PREVENTION – Joe Ray Dailey reported that the Fair booth will consist of selling street address signs to homeowners to improve their visibility; smoke detectors will be given away with installation by the specific fire department who handles that home's fire coverage; CPR training with mannequins will be offered to anyone interested; Smokey Bear and Sparky will make appearances. Please get with Joe Ray to schedule a time for your department to serve.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms again asked for your cooperation to have insurance cards and maintenance information with your Federal surplus vehicle during the inspections by State and Federal agencies during October.
SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis had no report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – Tsianina Martin highlighted the Closed POD program again and only lacks information from 3 departments. STV-Blount has recently received accrediation for Chest Pain Cardiac Excellence.
BREMSS – John Reed reported that the Alabama Department of Public Health has PPE for agencies that do EMS transport. Trinity Hospital will make the move to Grandview Medical Center on a Saturday in October with the assistance of 50 ambulances from around the region. Tracking wall time/stretcher time data shows that 40-50% of all transports result in a delay of greater than 30 minutes. Protocol guidelines were discussed at the recent SMECC meeting but no decision to adopt was made as the American Heart Association will come out with new guidelines in October. The SANE Center for the BREMSS region is moving forward.
Blount EMS – Tammy asked that you let her know if you need anything and that ALS protocols are being reviewed.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – Sgt. Investigator Fred Cochran had no report but thanked everyone for their hard work and for the relationship you have with the BCSO.
CORONER – No report.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – No report.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report.
GOOD & WELFARE – No report.
OLD BUSINESS:
l Chairman Jon Head has requested that all departments turn in their information on the AEDs in inventory for each department. Send the brand, model and serial number to EMA so numbers can be totaled and prepared for a report to the Health Care Authority. Cardiac Science is dropping the technical support for the 9300 series and the HCA has expressed an interest in helping the Association to replace those units.
l A motion was received from Chief Willis with a second from Chief Reed to adjust the reimbursement for Ken Edwards' travel to the State AAVFD Conference from $300.00 to $305.41. Motion approved by voice vote.
l Please send names of individuals from your departments by email to EMA that you want involved in ICS 300 / 400 training.
NEW BUSINESS:
l If there are any members that the Chiefs want to enroll in an ICS 300/400 class, please submit them to EMA. A class is being planned for after the first of the year.
l Chief Frye presented the report from the Officer Nominating Committee:
· Chairman: Jon Head
· Vice-Chairman: Ken Edwards
· Sec/Treas: Doug Smith
· Training Officer: Tim Frye, Jr.
· EMT of the Year: Chance Payne
· Firefighter of the Year: Joe Ray Dailey
· Dispatcher of the Year: John Morton
l Nominations, if any, will be received from the floor during the October meeting prior to the final vote. Officers will take office at the November meeting. The FF and Dispatcher of the year will receive their plaques at the November meeting and the EMT of the Year will be honored at the BREMSS banquet at the Pelham Civic Center on November 16, 2015.
The next meeting will be October 1, 2015 at 1900. The meal will be at 1830 sponsored by Lee Deason with Herzing University of Birmingham.