BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2015 MEETING
ST. MTN FIRE DEPARTMENT
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Ken Edwards. Mel Wade gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Bangor, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Locust Fork, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Royal, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, Law Enforcement and the District Attorney Office were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, and Board Members Sheriff Arrington and Chief Bob Sanford were also present.
GUESTS – Josh Barrow of Advanced Rescue Solutions sponsored the meal and highlighted aspects of his company. Blount County District 3 Commissioner Dean Calvert; Brenda Baxley and Lisa Watwood of Baxley Insurance Agency; and Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Water Restoration were present.
Vice-Chairman Edwards asked for the approval of the minutes of the June meeting. Motion and second was received and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Hill, seconded by Chief Frye, and carried by voice vote. There was some discussion concerning a bank fee for a cash deposit through the checking account.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIRMAN – Ken relayed a message from Chairman Head thanking the departments that assisted with the Fire Fighter Camp – Pine Mtn, Nectar, West Blount, Rosa, Cleveland, Oneonta and Lifesaver – and also the June Fling booth – Ken Edwards, John Reed, Jonathan Ledbetter and Joe Ray Dailey. Over 150 people participated in the Community CPR training at June Fling. There will be an ISO Update Training Class at the Decatur Fire Training Center on August 5, 0900-1500. Contact EMA or Jason Jones at Decatur Fire for details if interested. The AFC District 2 meeting has been moved to August 27 at Shelby County – Dunnavant VFD due to conflicts with the State AAVFD meeting.
EMA – Director Don Roybal highlighted the CSX training he had recently attended and has also emailed the CSX on-line training information. Fuelman usage for May was at 66% of budget and June at 70% of budgets. With 75% of the budget year gone, year-to-date usage is at 50% of budgets.
9·1·1/COMMUNICATIONS – Director Caleb Branch reported that map books are being printed at the 911 Center and available after you place your order.
TRAINING – Be sure to check the Association website, the Fire College website and watch the emails on the Egroup to get the latest training information. Several departments have personnel that need ICS 300 & 400. Please email your personnel needs to Don or Doug at EMA so they can schedule a training class.
FIRE PREVENTION – No report.
FORESTRY – Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms asked that if you have equipment requests, please get them to him. There may be an audit on the Forestry Grant money later this year so make sure your records are correct and current.
SPECIAL OPS – No report.
ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – No report.
BREMSS – John Reed reported they have renewed 500 BLS Instructor cards; the MDAC is undergoing changes; site divert cards are available for EMS vehicles; the Protocol Subcommittee is working and should have new protocols by September. Caleb advised that 911 can track divert status so if you have questions on transport, they can advise but check with the hospitals to be sure.
Blount EMS – No report.
AMED – No report.
LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.
CORONER – Coroner Mark Vaughn stated that the cause of 34% of his accidental death case load is opiate pharmaceuticals.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – District Attorney Pamela Casey reported on two more recent capital murders making 4 for the year since January 5. All have convictions.
LIFESAVER – No report.
AIR-EVAC – No report.
RED CROSS – No report but it is noted that the Oneonta Red Cross office has moved to the Family Service Centerbehind Hope House.
GOOD & WELFARE – There was a $500 donation received from the Blountsville Fire Ladies Auxiliary.
OLD BUSINESS:
l Feedback concerning the recent SE Chief's Conference was requested and also a head count of those who were scheduled to attend.
NEW BUSINESS:
l Last month Ken Edwards was approved to attend and deliver the voting proxies to the AAVFD Conference in Tuscaloosa but there was no approval to pay expenses. Motion received from Chief Willis to approve not to exceed $300 with second from Chief Frye, passed by voice vote.
l EMA Director Don Roybal suggested anyone interested needs to register for NIXLE updates.
l Chief Ledbetter suggested for the officers to research changing banks for the Hazmat and General Fund checking accounts.
The next meeting will be August 6 at Pine Mountain Community Center. The meal will be at 6:30 sponsored by John Wilson of NAFECO.