May 12, 2022 Minutes

Fire District Commissioner Meeting

Opening Prayer: Roger called the meeting to order at 8:00.  The opening prayer was offered by Nic White.  Those present were Commissioners Mike Miller, Gordon Ball, Dallin Gambles, Jim Deuel, and Roger Anderson. Fire Chiefs Carl Anderson, Nic White and Jared Giannini; and BC’s, Jim Kelley, Corey Albertson, and Mitch Bingham. Garth Foster was represented by Rachael Thorpe. Attorney Dennis Wilkinson was present. Nile Hall kept the minutes. There were no patrons present.

Approval of Agenda– ACTION ITEM: Mike moved to approve the agenda. Gordon seconded. The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative. 

Approval of Minutes – ACTION ITEM: The minutes were reviewed by the commissioners previously.  Jim moved to accept the minutes as written. Dallin seconded. The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative. 

Budget Review:  Nile reported that payroll expenses were high but the budget was running right on track overall.

Approval of Expenditures – ACTION ITEM: Gordon and Dallin reviewed the expenditures and didn’t see anything out of order. Jim requested a clarification regarding reimbursements for mutual aid work. Carl clarified that hours in excess of 24 per incident would be allowed to request reimbursement. The fire on the Teton River east of Beaver Dick Park did not qualify with enough hours to warrant reimbursement for Central Fire’s mutual aid help. Dallin moved to approve the expenditures in the amount of $20,426.81 and payroll the amount of $71,473.05. Jim seconded.  The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative. 

OLD BUSINESS

1. Ambulance District was discussed. Carl reported that an ambulance in Blaine County is possibly going to be donated to Jefferson County. Any charge associated with this transaction would be born by the County Commissioners. Discussions are being held between Jefferson County Commissioners, Idaho Falls Fire Management, and Central Fire District. On June 2 there will be the beginning steps to discuss the cost and procedures of acquiring a new ambulance. Preliminary estimates show the cost of an ambulance to be approximately $350,000 with a lead time of 20 months. APRA has provided money to the state of Idaho for such purchases and if not spent will be sent to other states who will use the funds. It was proposed that Central Fire management continue to work with this group to help work out the best solutions to the growing need for Ambulance services. Last year Idaho Falls Ambulance Service was requested for 1,410 EMS Calls an average of 3.5 calls per day.
2. Reminder that the June Commissioner meeting has been moved to the Third Thursday, June 16th.  
3. Discussion regarding the use of the Anonymous donation and LUAU funds ended with Jim moving to procure door decals and personnel badges. Mike seconded. The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative.  

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion was held regarding the extra Hours and Overtime Hours sometimes occurring with the new full-time personnel. Carl and Dennis Wilkinson have been working on an SOP to cover the irregularity of work times and when overtime should be paid. Jim moved that CFD staff work out the calculations and write an SOP that keeps us in accordance with Federal legal requirements. Dallin seconded. The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative.

FIRE CHIEF REPORT: Carl reported on a trailer house fire where 3 police and 2 fire people have been credited with a life save on an individual prior to equipment coming on the scene. The Mortimer fire was a doubled bricked home with an upstairs built on that started on fire. Quick access of fire personnel allowed the saving of an heirloom piano and a substantial amount of cash along with most of the families belongings. Tech rescue personnel on their own time went out to help try to find a missing 17 year old in Madison County. There is a lot of work being done looking at the sub-divisions going on in the county.

ASSISTANT CHIEF REPORT: Nick reported that our little community is growing with applications being received almost every day for help with sub-divisions etc. Jared also reported that we have 3-4 individuals who have passed the EMT class.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:  Roger mentioned that the population of Jefferson County is 32,000 plus with most of it on the East side of the county. Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Mike seconded.  The vote by Mike, Gordon, Jim, Dallin, and Roger was unanimous in the affirmative. 

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