January 20, 2010
Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department Advisory Board
Jan. 20, 2010 - Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at 813 hrs
Members present: Wendy Bredow, Mark Berry, Mike Taylor, Council Member Liaison John Nixon
Welcomed new member Mike Taylor
Minutes read for 9/16 Mark motioned. Seconded by Mike. Passed unanimously
Minutes read for 9/30 Mike motioned. Seconded by Mark. Passed unanimously
OLD BUSINESS.
Budget Update:
There is $13,600 for training. Of which 1,106.25 has been spent. John has been working with the Mayor to determine how much money needs to be added to the FD budget to be able to pay for the Chief position.
Council drafted an NCO for $14,530 from City Reserves for Fire Department. Will be voted on at 2/11 meeting. The breakout of how the $14,530 will be allocated is as follows:
$6,030 for ARFF
$1,000 for advertising the chief job
$2,000 equipment maintenance for engine-7
$3,000 Chief position’s payroll for the remainder of FY10.
$2,500 stipend money for participants of the FF course with the hopes of matching funds from donations from city residents and businesses.
After the NCO passes, there will be approx. $5,000 in Equipment Maintenance and Repairs to complete repairs to E-7
There is approx. $8,000 in the budget for the structure fire class. The City’s share could be as much as $10,000.
Grant Update:
Code Blue to SEREMS was submitted by Wendy. Items requested are: 18’ aluminum landing craft skiff, a hypothermia warming system, vacuum backboard splint, an AED, and complete vacuum splint kit. Should know if we will be awarded funds in a few months.
FEMA SAFER Grant. Gus submitted the SAFER grant which is designed to help Fire Department’s with staff funding. $45,000 was requested in our grant application.
Fire Hall Bathroom Project Update: Nothing to report
Structure Fire Class Update:
Course will likely be in April. Gus is working on securing instructors and setting the dates as we speak. E-7 must be completely operational before the course starts. Mark stated that E-27 could be made available for the course if necessary. The course will train participants to the FF-I and FF-II level, but we will need to see from the State Fire Office what additional topics need to be covered for state certification.
E-7 Repairs:
Steve Manchester will be volunteering his time to work on E-7. Steve replaced a valve in the air brake system and now the vehicle needs to be run and see if the air will stay in the system.
Jim Martell found that the exhaust pipe was crushed on E-7. The diameter was reduced significantly due to the crushed pipe and could be the cause of the irrational operation. The pipe was repaired and the vehicle needs to be driven.
The next task at hand is to work on 2 of the 3 pre-connect ports on the engine that are not operational. Steve Manchester is reviewing the manuals to see about those repairs.
Lights will need to be looked at as several are out.
The Ambulance is in need of two new batteries for the box. John Nixon will look into electrical issues between the house batteries and the engine batteries and the charging/disconnect system.
Ambulance parking brake was applied and would not release. Mark contacted Bob Chase and was able to release the brake, but if the pedal is depressed very hard, the brake may not release. Drivers need to be aware to only slightly depress the pedal to engage the hi-idle.
Zack has done the routine service on the ambulance, but Beauty and Beast still need servicing.
MCI Trailer Parking:
The electrical consumption for the heater in the trailer cost $350.00 for 1 month which is more than what we thought it would be. The thermostat was turned to a very low setting and the electrical demand was the same. The trailer is no longer plugged into an outlet.
By-Law Review:
Wendy motioned to postpone the bylaw review to the next meeting. Mike seconded. . Brief discussion on what needs to be revised: statement about quorums, mandatory membership by clinician, membership requirement of Chief. Passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
ARFF:
State required the contract to state we will have 3 people hired and trained. Mark and Craig will do it again this year. Discussion about having the new chief being certified to operate ARFF truck and this will be an amendment to the draft chief job description. Mark suggested that we consider telling ARFF operators that if they want their job back each year, they can and don’t have to reapply each year. Action Item: Mark will post job announcement to close 2/26/10. Wendy will find out if operators need to reapply each year within City ordinances with Kapryce.
MCI Drill :
DOT wants the MCI drill to simulate and airplane crashing in the water in Icy Passage. DOT, USCG, NPS will be asked to participate. Mark is willing to put time into coordinating the drill and being the point person. We need to watch what expenses might be incurred against the department to not take away $$ from the structure fire and chief expenses.
GERVA:
Given the current status of the membership of GERVA, the Mike Taylor will look into the enabling Fire Department ordinance and determine whether we need to make changes for how volunteers are selected for enrollment as volunteers in the department, what constitutes a member in good standing, put into service and assigned duties.
Water Equipment Purchases:
Dick Rice offered to sell the Department equipment at cost for being able to conduct water rescues. Exposure suits, immersion suits, rescue personnel life vests, etc. Mark will share Dick’s e:mail with board members for future discussion.
Secretary Board Seat:
Gus’s position on the board expires next month (Feb.). The board is in support of his reapplication.
FIRE CHIEF REPORT
Fire: Please see tri-annual report to city council from 1/14.
EMS: Rescue chief position is vacant and needs to be filled.
Next meeting will be Wed. Feb. 10th at 6pm at City Hall.
Adjourn 2058
