White River Township Fire Protection District
Staff Meeting
August 22 & 23, 2000

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Tuesday (22nd) meeting called to order at 1300 hours.  Present: Mike Dutton, Mike Tibbetts, Mike Combs, Eric Brown, Kevin Skipper, Scott Cassin, Bryan Arkins, Joe Settles, Jim Taulman, Joel Thacker, and Kim Clawson.

Wednesday (23rd) meeting called to order at 1300 hours.  Present: Mike Dutton Mike Tibbetts, Joel Thacker, Joe Marsh, Andy Martindale, Bruce Alexander, Eric Brown, and Kim Clawson. 

IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND, REMEMBER TO CONTACT YOUR LIEUTENANT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING ANYTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED.

 

  1. Please make every attempt, especially on weekends, to keep people out of Kim’s office.  Papers have been moved around and things could be misplaced.
  1. The Awards Banquet has been set for January 27, 2001.  Any suggestions or ideas, see Kim.
  1. Kim has created a new report in FireHouse for personnel certifications, both fire and EMS.  The report shows cert. numbers, expiration dates, and certification levels.  The report can also be used to sort criteria it is given (ie:  all Paramedics or all Instructors).
  1. Personnel file formats have been changed to alphabetical instead of numerical.  Reminder, all personnel files are to stay locked in the cabinet or in the conference room with supervision.
  1. Fire Prevention job changes are as follows:

-         Public Education Lieutenant:  Andy Martindale.

-         Inspections Lieutenant:  Jeff Wilson (also handles scheduling and code enforcement)

-         Investigations Lieutenant:  Casey Arkins (also handles pre plans) 

  1. Jeff would like to come in on C-shifts to do inspections because he feels he’s not able to dedicate the time to them when he’s on duty.  Chief Dutton stated that Chief Brown could regulate this himself, but to remember to use other inspectors (i.e.:  Casey on C-shifts) when possible.
  1. Station 53 update. 

-         Offices should be blocked today (8/22).

-         Rest of bays should be poured today (8/22).

-         There had been some concern as to whether the building was actually setting in the correct placement in the field.  After measurements were taken last week, it is within a foot or so of being where it should.  This small amount will not make a difference in the final project.

-         After the foundation is finished, the committee will probably reconvene to discuss various issues.

-         We are approximately one week behind schedule at this time. 

  1. Engine 53 update.

-         The City of Indianapolis has awarded their bid to American LaFrance.  Our engine was bid at $249,000 and includes all the required NFPA equipment.

-         We are still waiting on Brian Bosma to see if an inter-local agreement can be obtained between us and the City.  If no agreement can be obtained, we will throw out all bids and re-bid the engine.  If an agreement cannot be obtained prior to 9/6, we will write a letter to all bidders asking them to extend their bids by 60 days.

-         After recent pump testing, it was requested that we get a 3 inlet monitor nozzle on the new engine.

-         1500 gpm pump and 500 gal tank. 

  1. Chief reminded everyone that all major purchases still need to get a purchase order number from him PRIOR to placing the order.
  1. Johnson County has agreed to hear the bond issue for the 800 mhz radio system on September 11.  Chief Dutton urged everyone to attend and present themselves in uniform.  The department-wide computer upgrade is contingent on the 800 system. 
  1. Special operations trailer will be completed in about another month.  Trench rescue trainings will occur during September and October. 
  1. Personnel update.

-         Mike Schilling has returned from leave.

-         Steve Gorman on leave until 10/1.

-         Chief Dutton directed Kevin Skipper to notify Brian Skipper that he needs to arrange his EMT class through Lt. Thacker.

-         Matt Ladd has been released.

-         Ron Stevens did pass his compensated test and remains promoted to compensated.

-         Brian Kiefer is on leave until 8/31.

-         Brad Kiefer is on leave until 9/30.

-         Dave Manlove is on leave until 9/30.

-         Justin Griffith has requested and been approved for a leave through Lt. Alford.

-         Brian Griffith is on leave until 10/12.

-         Robert Cesnik’s leave expired 7/23.  He has spoken with Chief Tibbetts and indicated a desire to return to active duty.  Chief Dutton directed Kim to send a reminder letter to him.

-         Steve Coover is giving up his shift position.

  1. The 2001 budget will allow us to add a career Lt. January 1st and additional manning for station 53 when it opens.  The 2002 budget will allow us to hire 3 additional career lieutenants.  If we are successful in obtaining an increase in the maximum levy, we will be able to make drastic staffing changes.
  1. Station 51 sewer connection has run into a couple of problems.  1) The developer of Water’s Edge is in the process of upgrading the Turkey Pen lift station.  We cannot hook on until that is completed.  2)  There are now some easement problems that Kevin Kelley of Foresight Engineering is working with our attorney Brian Bosma to get straightened out.
  1. Mask fit testing is currently taking place.  See Carey for more information.
  1. Reminder to all officers that there is to be a Safety Officer appointed at each incident.  Chief Dutton asked Lt. Thacker to work with Carey Slauter and revisit training on the Safety Officer program so that we are not so ‘limited’ in our selection on the fireground to fill that position.
  1. Chief Dutton inquired as to the location of equipment on both engines.  After discussion, it was decided that equipment placement would be reviewed on both engines and any future changes will be brought to staff.  Also, when equipment is moved, it’s a good idea to post a memo and to put a note in FireHouse.
  1. Caporale Posts has ordered the 4 ½” dry hydrant and will fit all of our equipment.
  1. Upcoming commercial building projects in the district include Menards, Super Target, second middle school south of Pleasant Grove Elem., and the St. Francis Hospital office complex.  Also, Community Church of Greenwood is looking at building a facility to house 2 indoor soccer fields, 2 basketball courts, running fields, and possibly a Christian extended care facility. 
  1. FYI only, a hydrant has been installed at the entrance to Oak Meadows mobile home community.
  1. Chief Brown stated that he plans on waiting until after our new station and engine are in service before inviting ISO to perform an inspection.
  1. If any more burning is to occur at the station 53 site and the cadets are to take part, it needs to be scheduled on a Saturday.  It also needs to be done before the remaining corn dries out and creates too much of a fire hazard to do any open burning.
  1. Effective September 1, Jory Cox will be the new Cadet Advisor, with Kevin Skipper acting in a secondary advisor capacity as needed.
  1. Pump testing will be completed as soon as everything is fixed.  Hose testing will occur during September and October.  Ladder testing will be performed in conjunction with Greenwood Fire Department and will be around the first part of November.  After discussion, it was decided that next year it would be in the Department’s best interest to perform in-house pump testing and ladder testing.   We will have to check into borrowing weights from Center Grove High School.
  1. Kevin Skipper is working with the Corporation’s Board of Directors on technicalities regarding the special events trailer.
  1. Effective immediately, the auxiliary and cadet programs will fall under the direction of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.  The policy manual will be edited to reflect this change.
  1. Chief Cassin reminded everyone that Greg Brown is still available as department photographer – just call him.
  1. Chief Cassin also reminded everyone that when there are computer problems, even if it is on A & B shift, that he needs to be notified – not Chief Brown. 
  1. Approval must be obtained from Chief Cassin before any software is installed on a department computer. 
  1. Chief Cassin is working on obtaining a service proposal from Nextel.
  1. Reminder that it is the Battalion’s responsibility to start additional personnel or the auxiliary when needed on a working incident.
  1. Lt. Thacker let it be known that bad behavior during training sessions is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, especially if it is other officers misbehaving.  Whoever the training instructor is for that training session is ultimately in charge and will be given the respect he deserves. 
  1. Lt. Settles asked that instructors plan ahead so that the lesson objectives are met.
  1. Watch for an upcoming switch in the special operations and fire training weeks.
  1. Discussion on sending companies out to perform reinspects at locations where the occupants are less than happy with the fire department.  It was decided that Chief Brown will handle those that are determined ahead of time to be confrontational.  If the crews go out and encounter problems, they are to simply walk away and let Chief Brown handle it.
  1. Joe Marsh reported that we are having serious problems with missing equipment.  At this time, we are missing one pack, a mask off of Rescue 51, and a headset from Tanker 52.  Chief Dutton instructed him to submit a list asap so that we can turn this in to insurance.
  1. Damaged equipment is not getting reported.  Please report anything that is damaged!