White River Township Fire Department

Staff Meeting Minutes

January 23 & 24, 2001

 

Present During Tuesday’s Meeting:  Chief Dutton, Chief Tibbetts, Chief Brown, Lt. Alexander, Lt. Marsh, Lt. Settles, Lt. Alford, Lt. Martindale, Greg Maxwell, Brian Reynolds, Lt. Slauter, and Kim Clawson.

 

Present during Wednesday’s Meeting:  Chief Dutton, Lt. Thacker, Lt. Alexander, Chief Tibbetts, Bryan Arkins, Steve Rowland, Mike Combs, Lt. Wilson, 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. Chief Dutton recently met with Senator Borst in an attempt to raise our maximum tax levy.  In order to get this done, the bill must originate in the House of Representatives.  Our bill can be added to any bill that is being reviewed at that time.  Jeff Stoops is helping out as much as he can.

 

  1. The Fire Protection District Board held their elections at their January meeting with the following results:

Chairman:  Paul Kite

V. Chairman:  Butch Sutton

Fiscal Officer:  Jon Raker

Member:  Chuck Shufflebarger

Member:  Bill Patterson

 

  1. 2001 budget is tight.  No “extra” purchases.  However, if you truly need something, see Chief Dutton and he will do his best to obtain it for you.

 

  1. Paul Kite has signed the contract for D.G. Taulman excavating to begin sewer work at station 51.

 

  1. We are still awaiting a letter from our insurance adjustor regarding brick work at station 52.  Also, once the weather breaks, Carter Plumbing will be back out to repair the bay drain and see if any of the others are cracked.  Chief Dutton directed Chief Tibbetts to evaluate the recently poured concrete pad for the Aerial.  It is cracking significantly.  (After review, they were determined to be surface cracks only.)

 

  1. Chief Brown gave a station 53 update.  Three of the seven bay doors are up, the upstairs drywall is about ½ completed, cabinets are on order, porch footers have been poured, and curbs and sidewalks should be done next week.

 

  1. Chief Dutton directed Lt. Alford to submit letters requesting the promotion of Jayson Combs and Corey McGaha.  Brian Griffith is still on an administrative leave.  Dave Kelley has been granted a leave of absence.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts gave an update on Engine 53.  It should be delivered in June or July.  We should be receiving plans around the end of June.

 

  1. Chief Dutton reminded everyone of the zero-tolerance policy the Department has on internet abuse.  If anyone is caught at the time of internet misuse, they will be terminated immediately.

 

  1. Lt. Marsh gave an update on the 800 mhz radio system.  Testing should begin around mid-March.

 

  1. Chief Dutton met with Paul Kite & Eric Reedy this morning to discuss upcoming capital outlay purchases:

2001:  Engine  &  Ambulance (BIF money)

2002:  Engine, Tactical, and Staff Vehicle

2003:  Engine, Ambulance, Station 54  (potentially a residential type

structure).

                        2004:  Replace 2 Staff Vehicles, Additional Tanker

 

  1. Lt. Marsh asked that if anyone notices any damage to a truck, whether you know how it happened or not, please put an incident report in FireHouse so that the maintenance division can track it.

 

  1. Tanker 52 is out of service for a rear seal but should be back Wednesday.

 

  1. Lt. Slauter announced that his availability should be increasing and wanted to thank everyone for their recent help.

 

  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that the apparatus equipment inventory is completed and if you have any questions or suggestions, to please see him before moving anything.

 

  1. Reminder to keep station radios on monitor from 0800 to 2000.   This will soon be  apolicy.

 

  1. Reminder to keep apparatus response as it is dispatched.  If there are any changes to be made, the Battalion Chiefs will make that decision.

 

  1. Delayed reponses to runs are unacceptable!  House officers should be responsible for getting their personnel out the door in a timely fashion.

 

  1. Chief Dutton directed Lt. Alford to begin next hiring process in March.

 

  1. Chief Dutton asked that Paramedics to meet and discuss ALS staffing for the three stations and have a recommendation at the February staff meeting.

 

  1. Lt. Settles gave updates from the special operations division:

Ø                          SWAT medic training sessions for 2001 have been entered in FireHouse.  He also stated that he will be speaking with Tom Krukemeier of the Johnson County Sheriffs Department with regards to turning the TEMS team into and MCI team.

Ø                          There will be a trench rescue class conducted either the 2nd or 3rd weekend in March, depending on when we can get an excavator.  He has already contacted the department’s photographer, who will be taking 35mm, digital, and video.

Ø                          The 2001 special operations training calendar has been entered in FireHouse software.   The only exceptions are the two-day special trainings.

Ø                          Trainings will begin soon on bringing the shift personnel up to Hazardous Materials Operations level.

 

 

  1. Discussion regarding the age of our current video equipment.  Suggestion made to purchase digital video camera.

 

  1. Lt. Alexander stated that Dr. Gansman is reviewing our protocols in relation to those of Marion County.  He fully expects the paralytics to be removed.

 

  1. Lt. Thacker is the official 2001 World Police and Fire Games contact for our agency.

 

  1. Lt. Thacker requested that our agency become a member of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association.  After discussion, Chief Dutton stated that he will make the final decision whether we join or not.