March 8, 2018 Minutes

Fire District Commissioner Meeting

The opening prayer was offered by Jim Deuel. Those present were: Commissioners Jim Deuel, Roger Anderson, Mike Miller, Gordon Ball, and Dallin Gambles; Chief Bill Pope and Assistant Fire Chief Carl Anderson; Battalion Chiefs Blaine Ker, Jim Kelly, Nic White, and Mitch Bingham. There were several patrons present. Melanie Sullivan recorded the minutes.

Agenda Approval: The commissioners approved the agenda as presented.

Minutes: The minutes were reviewed previously by the commissioners.  Mike moved to accept the minutes. Roger seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.

Budget Review: Melanie reviewed the budget. We are under budget from where we expect to be at this point in the fiscal year.

Approval of Expenditures: Dallin reviewed the expenditures and moved to approve the expenditures in the amount of $138,461.38, most of which went to the Menan building. Gordon seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.

Patron Input (3 minute time limit): There was no patron input.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Menan station progress – Graham Whipple brought some material samples for selection for the interior.

Dustin gave an update on the progress of the construction. Most of the framing will be done by next week. They will work on the outside when the temperature is above 50 degrees. May 22 is the estimated completion date. Change orders discussed: running electrical conduit in the shell to the mezzanine area, moving the siren from the old building to the new, putting a clock in the tower, keeping the block wall heated in the cold weather as it cured, changing the exhaust system in the truck bay, adding a secondary gutter drain to reduce the risk associated with plugged down spouts, truck bay painting, and concrete testing.

2. Discussion and approval of purchase of 4 thermal imaging cameras: Chief Pope compared 5 different cameras and the ones he recommends will cost $25,496 including shipping and truck charging stations. The grant will pay for about $16,000. Jim moved to approve the purchase of the cameras. Gordon seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.
3. Training program update: Chief Pope purchased Fire Rescue One Academy and some of the volunteers have started on it.

They are working on standardizing training among all stations.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Award presentation – Rich Broadcasting: An Above the Call award was presented to Jason Miller for his selfless service.
2. Open house to meet Chief Pope: Roger suggested having an open house to meet the new chief.   Roger will set that up.
3. Explorer program update: Brian Owens reported on the cadet program. They are setting it up as an Explorer Scout program so that youth can start younger.

This should be self funded thanks to corporate sponsors. They will follow the rules of the Boy Scout organization. They are really close on getting the documentation ready. Brian would like to have the program ready to launch by June. Roger suggested that a write up be put into the Jefferson Star.

4. Discussion and approval for the creation and hiring of Volunteer Services/Training Position: Chief Pope explained that this position is meant to recruit and retain volunteers, coordinate and standardize the training among the stations, and make sure the paperwork gets done and is maintained for working on wildland fires. Chief asked the volunteers as he interviewed them what some of the frustrations are and he feels that this position would address many of those concerns. This position would shift some of the duties already performed by district staff.

The commissioners questioned whether there is enough work to warrant another full time position. Chief Pope said that the volunteers are already doing quite a bit of administrative work and it takes away from their vital job of responding to emergencies.

Dallin suggested that some of these things can be implemented gradually until a full time position becomes necessary.

Roger explained that in his experience, that training can slip when there is not someone in charge of training for all the stations. Jim would like to hear the opinion of the BC’s about this but suggested that this be discussed further in an executive session. Jim moved to have an executive session with Chief Pope and Assistant Chief Anderson on March 29th at 7 pm. Roger seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.

5. Discussion for creation and hiring of additional SCBA Technician and station Lieutenant positions: Matt Call has resigned from the SCBA Technician position, so two technicians would need to be hired. Jim moved to hire two SCBA Technicians. Mike seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.
6. Discussion and approval to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with Idaho Department of Lands for FFP (formerly FEPP) Equipment Program: Chief Pope explained that IDL has asked that a new memorandum be executed and asked the commissioners sign the new memorandum.
7. Discussion on Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) – Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER): Chief is going to put in for this grant to help with recruiting and retention.
8. BLM/IDL cost sharing exercise for commissioners April 13^th : They will be doing training at Madison through USIWG with other fire districts.
9. Menan Planning & Zoning radio tower ordinance: Mike reported that he attended the City of Menan Planning and Zoning and that there currently is no option of a variance the way the ordinance is written, although the city commissioners and planning and zoning are in favor of it.

FIRE CHIEF REPORT:   Chief Pope reported that they are continuing SOG revision. He is working with Jefferson County on their risk mitigation plans. The district will be going through an ISRB audit and the chief is looking at things he can do to improve the score without increasing district costs dramatically.

ASST. CHIEF REPORT: Assistant Chief Anderson reported that the district was reimbursed $3,880.70 for the Deer Park fire. He has been doing day care inspections and is working to get better ISO ratings. He is working with planning and zoning to make sure that inspections are getting done.

B.C. REPORTS:

Station 1. Jim: Call volume is down this month. 62 EMS and 3 fire calls. They fought a shop fire with two other stations responding with them. A volunteer was injured during the fire. The volunteers did a good job and worked well together. They responded to a call of a car running into a house. Matt call has resigned as captain and SCBA tech. Jim would like to see a training officer hired. He assigned Edgar Cotrina as tour coordinator.

Station 2. Blaine: 12 EMS calls 5 fire calls. They have had some Personnel changes. Morale is improving.

Station 3. Nic: 7 EMS and one fire call. Volunteers are doing good. Zach Skaar is helping teach some EMT classes. Allen Morris’ retirement party is March 21st at 7.

Station 4. Mitch: 5 EMS calls and 4 fire calls. They responded to a car fire that didn’t seem quite right. It was discovered to be arson. Morale is good. There is a lot of excitement about the new stationhouse. They had a good drill with the other stations.

All the BC’s have expressed that they enjoy the camaraderie of working with their own stations.

Dallin moved to adjourn at 10:17. Jim seconded. The vote by Jim, Mike, Dallin, Roger, and Gordon was unanimous.

COMMISSIONER REPORT:

Roger-EMS & Training/Gordon-Equipment /Dallin-Facilities/Jim-Budget/Mike-PR